Photos: ARtechBBQ party gets the beer cheese flowing with a salted pretzel tech twist
November 4, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Sweater weather returned Friday night alongside Kansas City’s premiere after-hours celebration of tech, and ARtechBBQ organizer Greg Kratofil couldn’t have been happier, he said.
Greg Kratofil, Polsinelli, and Michael Graber, RSM, speak from the stage during the ARtechBBQ; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“How about this being back in the fall?” Kratofil asked a crowd of well-fed revelers at the party within the party on the grounds of the Kansas Speedway. ARtechBBQ — now in its 13th year — coincides with the annual American Royal World Series of Barbecue.
“I’ve got hot chocolate right now,” added the Polsinelli shareholder, chair of the technology transactions and data privacy practice, and co-office managing partner for the law firm’s Kansas City office. “Beats the hell out of 95 degrees.”
The ARtechBBQ — presented by Polsinelli, RSM, SecurIT360, NextEra Energy Resources, Sailes, Rack Coach, and the KC Tech Council — brought together hundreds from the tech community at what Kratofil calls the closest thing that Kansas City has to Mardi Gras.
Click here to read more about the history of the ARtechBBQ.
Check out a brief event photo gallery below, then keep reading.
Members of the party band Lost Wax perform during the 2024 ARtechBBQ; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“There’s a lot of exciting things going on in Kansas City right now, especially around our tech community,” Kratofil said.
“We’ve been a sponsor and have been investing in the tech community for a long time,” added Michael Graber, RSM partner and blockchain lead, joining Kratofil in front of the ARtechBBQ crowd. “We just love being out here and being part of this.”
With this year’s event moving deeper into the fall schedule, it featured an Oktoberfest theme, complete with bratwurst, a biergarten, pretzel bites with beer cheese, and string lights. Of course, no ARtechBBQ would be complete with smoked meats, so brisket and pulled pork was also on the menu.
Attendees also enjoyed live music from local party band Lost Wax.
Startland News served as the event’s media sponsor.
Check out a photo gallery below by Startland News reporters Taylor Wilmore and Nikki Overfelt Chifalu from the ARtechBBQ below.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
UMKC’s Bloch School announces new Dean
University of Missouri-Kansas City announced last week the appointment of a new Dean for the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Brian Klaas, Ph.D., is currently senior associate Dean for research and academics and director of the Riegel & Emory Human Resource Center at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. UMKC…
Nile Valley Aquaponics grand opening brings sustainability, hope to community
A sustainable greenhouse with the aim to empower one of Kansas City’s most underserved communities launched on Friday after two years of raising funds and preparation. With partners such as the City of Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Power and Light, Barkley and HOK, Nile Valley Aquaponics celebrated with an open house at the site…
Royal Street Ventures, Kauffman Foundation announce KC University Venture Program
The early-stage capital scene in Kansas City is getting a youthful shot in the arm. Designed to give Kansas City-area university students interested in entrepreneurship and private finance deep and real-world experience, the newly announced Kansas City University Venture Program aims to create a pipeline of experienced, young early-stage investors. Led by Royal Street Ventures…
Random act of kindness fueled by KC’s startup community goes viral
Openness, willingness, humility, diligence and kindness. These are the words that Donald Carter would use to describe Kansas City’s startup community, which he said had a profound impact on his life perspective. “(These values) are prevalent among all the people from the startup community I’ve met, which made a deep impression on me,” Carter said.…