Riga Tech Dinner - Defense in Tech - 7pm, 15th of July

The Riga Tech Dinner is an in-person event for those who typically have deep thoughts, have lots of questions and ideas to share. Everyone is welcome to discuss or just listen!

Special guests of this event:

• Beāte Krauze-Čebotare - CEO of AMMUNITY, small caliber ammunition manufacturer in Latvia - is an experienced leader with a strong track record in the banking and logistics sectors. Currently focused on expanding her company’s presence in Latvia’s and international defense markets in response to evolving geopolitical challenges.
• Mr Jānis Garisons is the Chief Executive Officer at the unmanned vehicle company NEWT21 and Chairman of the supervisory board at the “State Real Estate” company.
  Mr Garisons was the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia for almost nine years (August 2015–January 2024) and was leading the MoD in the challenging times of enlargement of the Armed forces. Among many other responsibilities he led the efforts to establish a framework for the defense industry and defense R&D system in Latvia. Before taking up this post, Mr Garisons was the Undersecretary of State–Policy Director. He has worked in different positions at the Ministry of Defence since September 2005.

About the event
You might be wondering, what's the value of such an event? Why are other existing Business Networking events not enough? - The key difference is that we meet, enjoy dinner, and discuss whatever we like. It's an event for professionals in Tech to exchange ideas and grow. The special guests will tell a little about themselves and do their best to initiate a discussion if awkward silence enters the room. However, "Runāšana – sudrabs, klusēšana – zelts" (translation: "talking - silver, silence - gold"). It's also a good time to think and listen to conversations that you typically would not have at home and work.

Communication and channels:
Join us on [WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM)

You can check out the previous events on the Techies of Baltics LinkedIn page.
We record short interviews with special guests for the Riga Tech Cast podcast during the event. Follow on Spotify, YouTube, and other popular places. Tell the host if you want to be featured as well.

Expectations from participants:

• try not to be late
• introduce yourself
• don't interrupt others
• come with an empty stomach and pay for your own dinner
• try not to be grumpy if you're hungry
• this is not a party. However, a glass of wine may oil the tongue a bit
• if you don't feel like talking, then don't. But coming to a networking event and not saying a word is like window-shopping
• pay the event fee in cash at the spot. No online transaction is possible
• judgment-free mind is a must
• RSVP - show up or update your status timely if you can't

Why the event fee? - we always have 2 special guests at the event. They have received a special invitation to join us. We should cover their dinner expenses as the least minimum we can do beyond a "thank you". The event fee is a fund for that.

The host: Uldis Karlovs-Karlovskis is an IT coach and Co-founder/CTO @Zen IS. He is a certified DevOps Leader, the board chairman of the DevOps & AI Latvia community, the director of the Dzīvais Rīgas Teātris and a lecturer at the Riga Technical University and Riga Business School.

'Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout this event without a warning. These can be used by the Community for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or in any third-party publication.