Atlanta Fintech Week 2026: Why It Matters and How to Plug In

I wanted to kick it off by just getting your thoughts.

Laura, I'm gonna direct this one to you, even though I know you just talked [chuckles], but why was Atlanta Fintech Week worth creating to you?

Yeah.

I think for me personally, being a part of so many other ecosystems, uh, events that are broadcasting and evangelizing, for lack of a better word, on behalf of the community and what's happening in their local areas, I felt, you know, personally that it's an amazing time for us to continue to amplify what's been done and what's happening here in the Atlanta ecosystem.

I know, you know, specifically I had conversations with Grant, Ania, and Red, and so I'm really excited to partner with them on this initiative and evolve this going forward.

I, I think working also with our partners, not only here in the state of Georgia, but bringing folks, uh, from outside of our local community and network is really important.

Identifying synergies, partnerships, uh, and helping support our community thrive.

I don't know if anyone else, Grant, Ania, Red, agree with me or, or have another view or angle on that.

I'll just jump in very quickly, and that's something that I've shared, uh, multiple times with, with this group.

Uh, there is so much momentum, obviously in Atlanta, but nationally, internationally, and I think the general feeling was we cannot wait until 2027.

Uh, so even though we did not have all of our ducks in a row, we knew something had to happen this year, 2026.

We sort of call it version light internally, but I think, uh, it will be a great celebration of this ecosystem.

We're gonna start this year and then just continue growing it from, from, from here.