DETROIT – Out with the trade show, in with more speakers. That’s the plan for the third annual Techweek Detroit, May 2-8 at various venues around the city.

Throughout the week, the conference will host numerous events including interactive workshops, a hackathon, startup pitch competition, networking events and educational speaker panels – all with the goal of helping local tech startups become substantial and influential companies, bringing jobs, excitement and pride to Detroit.

Organizers said that without a trade show, there will be more panels and speakers than years past, focusing on some of the biggest and most sensitive issues in the city today, such as diversity in tech, the evolution of automotive tech and the intersection of sports & technology.

Highlights include:

* A panel discussion on diversity in technology, Monday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the coworking space Bamboo Detroit, 1442 Brush St., featuring panelists Amanda Lewan (Bamboo Detroit), Monica Wheat (Digerati Girls), Niles Heron (Crowdfund Ventures), and Alisyn Malek (GM Ventures).

* The Launch startup competition, with startups competing for potential investment and to be crowned Launch National Champion, Tuesday, May 3 at TechTown, 440 Burroughs in Detroit.

* A media panel titled “An Insider’s View – The Reporters Perspective,” featuring Robert Huschka (executive editor, Detroit Free Press), Dan Duggan (managing editor of custom and special projects, Crain’s Detroit Business) and Alexandra Bahou (web producer and digital reporter, WXYZ-TV): Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Grand Circus, 1570 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

* A Hiring Fair, where candidates gain face-to-face access with companies looking to hire tech talent, Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m. at TechTown

* A “Hack the Streets” Civic Hackathon, creating value for citizens through open source infrastructure, Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, at various locations.

“Recent innovation from the automotive industry has jumpstarted the Detroit tech scene,” said Techweek CEO Amanda Signorelli. “The Motor City is seeing a resurgence in growth and investment in the tech field. If we can help raise awareness of all the great companies, influencers and entrepreneurs here in Detroit, then we know we have done our job.”

There are a wide variety of other presentations and panel discussions, featuring industry leaders such as Lyft’s Director of Product, Taggart Matthiesen, or Detroit’s Head of Innovation, Jill Ford. For a full schedule, visit https://techweekdetroit2016.sched.org/.