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The scene at Showbox SoDo in Seattle on Thursday night during the annual GeekWire Gala holiday party. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
That was sweet! The Seattle tech community came together in a big way Thursday night at the annual GeekWire Gala, as Showbox SoDo was the setting for a festive, candy-themed, holiday celebration.
More than 700 attendees packed the venue for a night of networking and partying, presented by Gala sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union.
There was plenty of music — from the University of Washington’s Furmata A Cappella to DJ Mixtress to the Geekaroke karaoke in the Lollipop Lounge.
The food and drinks were great, with signature cocktails, a mashed potato bar, cold Thai noodle bar, sliders, cupcakes, and more. And there was lots and lots of candy.
Custom-printed macarons from Macadons were turned out all night with images of people, pets and more.
There was also a fun caricature artist, a festive fashion contest, LED games and a 360-degree photo booth that was spinning all night.
In a special program before the official party kicked off, we paid tribute to the region’s “Uncommon Thinkers” — Seattle-area inventors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs transforming industries and driving positive change in the world.
GeekWire co-founder John Cook, left, and Greater Seattle Partners COO Rebecca Lovell, fourth from left, with the “Uncommon Thinkers” honorees, Andy Lapsa, Ingrid Swanson Pultz, Uri Shumlak, and Chris Dunckley, at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
The honorees included: Protein design researcher Ingrid Swanson Pultz; fusion energy expert Uri Shumlak, Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa, TerraPower Isotopes’ Chris Dunckley; and AI researcher Hannaneh Hajishirzi.
A big thanks to Greater Seattle Partners for their support of this awards program, now in its second year.
In addition to First Tech, big thanks to gold sponsors Greater Seattle Partners and Network of Giving; silver sponsor Delta Air Lines; and supporting sponsors Showbox Presents, Washington State Department of Commerce, and ALLtech.
And thanks to everyone for making our party your party. Happy holidays!
Keep scrolling for more photos from the 2024 GeekWire Gala:
The candy bar full of sweet treats was a big hit at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
The University of Washington’s Furmata A Cappella group performs at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Keion Mauldin, of GeekWire Gala presenting sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union, center, on stage with GeekWire co-founders John Cook, left, and Todd Bishop. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Lisa Weeks and Jonathan Sposato host the festive fashion contest at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Contestants in the festive fashion contest at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
A festive hat in the GeekWire Gala fashion contest. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Another festive fashion contest entry at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
“Uncommon Thinkers” honoree Uri Shumlak, co-founder of Zap Energy and professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
“Uncommon Thinkers” honoree Ingrid Swanson Pultz, a protein design researcher at the University of Washington, at Thursday’s GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
“Uncommon Thinkers” honoree Andy Lapsa, the co-founder and CEO of Stoke Space, at Thursday’s GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
“Uncommon Thinkers” honoree Chris Dunckley, TerraPower Isotopes’ director of chemistry and engineering, at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Spinning in the 360 photo booth at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Spinning in the 360 photo booth at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Spinning in the 360 photo booth at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Scenes from the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Scenes from the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Scenes from the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Scenes from the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Caricature artist Lou Medina works on a portrait at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Scenes from the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Inside the Geekaroke karaoke lounge at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Keion Mauldin, of GeekWire Gala presenting sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union, belting out his karaoke song on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Inside the Geekaroke karaoke lounge at the GeekWire Gala on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Scenes from the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
The Macadons macaron printing station working overtime at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
People, pets and more custom printed macarons at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Showbox SoDo in Seattle, scene of the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
