Spotlight on T.E.A (Technology, Engineering & Arts) in the Park 2026

Bannerman Park in downtown St. John's will be host to a different kind of "tea" party next week, when members of the tech, business and arts communities, along with other professionals, students and newcomers, will gather for T.E.A (Technology, Engineering & Arts) in the Park 2026 - a free summer mixer focused on connection, creativity and community.

The event is organized by TechNest Community, a local non-profit that aims to empower the next generation of tech leaders through mentorship, workshops and creative networking events, and The Vibe Lab, which creates community-driven events. It takes place on Wednesday, July 15 from 4-7 p.m. and will feature networking opportunities, company showcases, interactive demonstrations, artistic expression and more in a celebration of the ideas, innovation and talent that's shaping the province.

Amal Youth and Family Centre were one of the local organizations that took part in Tech in the Park 2025.

Founded by Frances Utomi and Afolasade Bello, founders of The Vibe Lab and TechNest Community respectively, the event started out last year as "Tech in the Park" as a way to "create a career fair that felt human," Utomi says.

"I noticed that people wanted to connect with companies and opportunities but felt intimidated by traditional career fairs," she adds.

Building on the success of Tech in the Park 2025 (which welcomed over 150 attendees and more than 10 organizations), this year's event has expanded to include the creative sector to be more inclusive and representative of the province.

"People are artists, musicians, filmmakers, performers and creatives, and they deserve the same visibility and opportunity as those in tech and engineering. Adding art to the event was a natural evolution. T.E.A in the Park is now a full reflection of what Newfoundland and Labrador's community actually looks like," Utomi says.

Sheilagh O'Leary, NDP MHA for the District of St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, gathers with Tech in the Park 2025 volunteers.

"Creativity is not separate from career and community; it is at the heart of both. The Vibe Lab has always believed that the best experiences happen when different worlds collide. Bringing artists into the same space as engineers and tech professionals creates unexpected conversations, collaborations and connections that would never happen otherwise. Art humanizes every space it enters, and that is exactly what T.E.A in the Park is about."

For those creatives who may be curious about the event, Utomi welcomes them with open arms and invites them to come see what it's all about, while hopefully gaining new connections along the way.

Tech in the Park 2025 welcomed over 150 attendees and more than 10 organizations.

"For too long, arts and creativity have been kept separate from conversations about career, opportunity and community growth. T.E.A in the Park changes that," she says.

"Come and be seen. Come and connect. Come and show Newfoundland what you are capable of. There is a seat at this table for every artist, performer, filmmaker, musician and creative in this province."

Click here to learn more about T.E.A in the Park and to register.