Dates: July 15 and 16, 2026 — choose one day to attend

Location: IBM Toronto, 16 York Street

Format: Full-day event (morning lab + afternoon career session)

• Day 1 — July 15: Doors open 8:30 AM
• Day 2 — July 16: Doors open 8:30 AM

Register for your preferred day (Day 1: July 15 or Day 2: July 16). You'll receive confirmation details two weeks before the event.

The IBM Bobathon is open to all university and college students. You don't need to be a computer science major - we welcome students from all disciplines who are interested in AI and technology.

There is no registration fee.

We will send an email to everyone who registered by two weeks before the event confirming whether you have a spot or have been placed on a waitlist. We will also confirm which day (July 15 or July 16) you are confirmed for.

The event is a full day split into two parts:

Morning — Hands-On Lab & Build Challenge:

• Registration & Check-in: Doors open 8:30 AM
• IBM Bob Introduction: Overview of IBM's AI coding assistant
• Lab Overview + Build Challenge Briefing: Understand the challenge and what you'll build
• Hands-On Lab + Build Challenge: Work through the exercises and add your own creative twist
• Build Challenge Presentations: Showcase your work to judges and peers

Afternoon — Career Development:

• Resume Roast: Get direct, honest feedback on your resume from IBM professionals
• Career Panel: Hear from IBMers about their career paths, hiring, and what they look for in candidates
• Networking: Connect with IBM professionals and fellow students

IBM Bob is an advanced AI coding assistant that helps developers build applications more efficiently. During the event, you'll learn how to use Bob for intelligent code suggestions, debugging assistance, and real-world application development.

No prior experience with IBM Bob is required! The event includes an introduction and guided lab. Basic programming knowledge is helpful but not mandatory - we welcome students from all backgrounds.

IBM Bob supports multiple programming languages including Python, JavaScript, Java, and more. You can choose the language you're most comfortable with.

Yes! The event includes:

• Bob introduction and overview
• Guided hands-on lab exercises
• On-site mentors and technical support
• Access to documentation and resources

The build challenge is based on the hands-on lab. After completing the lab exercises, you'll have free reign to add your own creative twist and innovative features to make your solution unique. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and compete for prizes!

No! Complete the lab exercises first, then use the remaining morning time to add your own creative enhancements. Focus on demonstrating your understanding of IBM Bob and showcasing your unique ideas before the afternoon career session begins.

Each day offers prizes including:

• VIP Recruitment Experience - Fast-track opportunity with IBM recruitment team
• Bob License Promotional Codes - Access to premium IBM Bob features
• IBM swag and merchandise
• Recognition for outstanding projects

Projects will be evaluated based on:

• Innovation and creativity in your unique twist
• Technical implementation
• Effective use of IBM Bob
• Practical applicability
• Presentation quality
• How you enhanced the base lab challenge

Winners will be announced during the Build Challenge Presentations portion of the morning session, before the afternoon career programming begins.

Required:

• Laptop with charger

Recommended:

• External mouse and keyboard (if preferred)
• Headphones
• Water bottle
• Notebook and pen

Coffee, snacks, and refreshments will be provided throughout the full-day event. Please indicate any dietary restrictions during registration.

There is no parking provided. Public transit is recommended, the venue is located next to Union Station

Before the event:

• Bring a laptop with charger for the hands-on lab
• Review basic programming concepts if you're new to coding
• Bring your resume for the resume roast session
• Come with an open mind and ready to learn!

Optional preparation:

• Explore IBM Bob documentation (links will be provided)
• Familiarize yourself with AI assistant concepts
• Think about career questions for the panel

Yes! After registration confirmation, you'll receive:

• Event details and logistics
• Pre-event setup guides (if needed)
• IBM Bob documentation links
• What to bring checklist

Yes! IBM engineers and AI experts will be available throughout the event to:

• Answer technical questions
• Provide guidance on best practices
• Help troubleshoot issues
• Offer advice on project direction

• Visit the mentor desk for in-person assistance
• Ask questions during workshops

Perfect! This event is designed for all experience levels, including first-timers. We'll provide:

• Clear introduction to IBM Bob
• Guided hands-on lab exercises
• Step-by-step guidance
• Mentors to help you succeed
• Career guidance and networking opportunities

Visit the registration page at register.html or go directly to the form: Airtable Registration Form

RSVP by Friday, July 10th, 2026. We recommend registering early as spots are limited.

Yes! All participants register individually. During the session, you'll complete the lab exercises and then add your own creative twist to compete. You can work independently or collaborate with others during the creative enhancement phase.

Please contact the event organizers as soon as possible if you need to cancel. Cancellation policies will be outlined during registration.

For additional questions, please contact:

• Event email: [To be provided on registration page]
• Event website: [To be provided]
• Social media: [To be provided]

Yes. All participants must adhere to the IBM Bobathon Code of Conduct, which includes:

• Respectful and inclusive behavior
• No harassment or discrimination
• Collaborative and supportive environment
• Honest and ethical conduct
• Compliance with IBM policies and venue rules

Violations will be taken seriously and may result in removal from the event.

Yes! You're encouraged to use any open-source libraries, frameworks, and tools that help you build your solution.

Yes, participants retain ownership of their projects. However, you may be asked to share your work for promotional purposes (with your permission).

Absolutely! We encourage you to continue developing your projects and potentially turn them into real products or research.

Yes! The IBM Bobathon is a great opportunity to:

• Meet IBM professionals and recruiters
• Connect with fellow students and developers
• Learn about career opportunities at IBM
• Build your professional network

This is an in-person only event at IBM's 16 York Street office in Downtown Toronto. There is no virtual option, as the hands-on lab and career panel require on-site participation.