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
Tesseract cultivates military drone tech for ag use; targeting American farmer impact
A new vertical for Overland Park-based Tesseract Ventures opens a new crop of opportunity as the cutting-edge company retools its military tech and specialized robotics platform for additional use in the precision agricultural sector. “This technology is a game-changer for U.S. farmers, providing technological advantages previously unavailable on a single platform,” said John Boucard, CEO…
Inside ProX’s hands-on, how-to guide for students entering the workforce (and the business payoff)
When ProX is at its best, the collaborative internship program provides as much value to Kansas City employers as it does to the high school students who’ve invested prime summer vacation time into the real-world learning opportunity, business owners said. “The students did a really good job, it’s like getting a free consultation from a…
Royals give go-ahead to face-scan ballpark entry; here’s how to get in with one look
The Kansas City Royals are stepping up to the plate with a walk-off upgrade to the ballpark entry process: MLB’s Go-Ahead Entry system. The technology uses facial authentication to let fans breeze into Kauffman Stadium without having to scan their mobile tickets. MLB launched its pilot program with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023; now the…
Do The Right Thing: Ophelia’s Blue Vine Farm plants real food within a historic (and overlooked) KC community
The following profile features one of five finalists for the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition organized by the KC BizCare Office, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Startland News. Finalist features will be published throughout the week. Click here to read more features. Click here to vote for your favorite finalist…