Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

Opening Remarks

Ascension Ballroom

Rafael Mena, Chief Information Officer, Orange County

Roberto Lopez,  Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando

Keynote - Charting Your Course: A Global Perspective on Team Development and Leadership

Ascension Ballroom

In today’s dynamic landscape, leaders must remain attuned to emerging trends and stay ahead of new developments to effectively guide their teams through times of transformation. What valuable insights can we glean from how governments and organizations worldwide approach challenges? And how does this impact our work in the public sector? This session explores pressing topics such as change management, the role of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives, and strategies for upskilling your teams. In her timely keynote address, Dr. Mary Kelly offers actionable takeaways, helping you assess your current position on the ever-evolving tech roadmap and how to empower your team with necessary tools for progress.

Mary Kelly, PhD, Former Commander, US Navy

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

Concurrent Sessions

Practical Steps for AI Implementation and Adoption

Windward A

As AI technologies rapidly evolve, how can organizations ensure they’re implementing and optimizing AI in ways that truly align with their business goals? To set the foundation for success, what critical factors should be considered from the outset, such as planning, data preparation, and tool selection? This session will dive into adoption best practices, explore potential pitfalls, and rethink how to effectively manage organizational change in the face of AI adoption.

Moderator: John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Gerardo Laborda, Director, IT Infrastructure and Security, Orlando Utilities Commission

Real-World Modernization One Step at a Time

Orange Room

Modernization in the public sector encompasses various strategies, from adopting cloud services, AI, automation, and containers to making subtle process improvements for long-term gains. The goal is to transform operations and enhance public services while keeping everything accessible! This session will delve into practical approaches to modernization, showcasing how continuous improvement can drive both efficiency and innovation within government operations.

Moderator: Peter Miller, Chief Information Security Officer, Orange County

Janel Jacobs, Digital Innovation & Services Manager, City of Orlando

Parsram Rajaram, IT Manager, Winter Park

Workforce for a New Era

Amelia Room

As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) transform the workplace, governments must cultivate a workforce adept at leveraging these tools and committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Public sectors struggle against the rest of the world to attract new talent and retain existing staff. Where can the public sector find new talent to fill critical roles? How can we effectively train and upskill our current teams to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech environment? How do we assess where to start and what to expect? This session will share creative tactics and strategies for building, retaining, and fostering a future-ready workforce.

Moderator: Hansa Bernal, Senior National Conference Director, Government Technology

Joneshia Bethea, Deputy Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando

Lunch

Ascension Ballroom

Bits and Bytes

Ascension Ballroom

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Strengthening Digital Defenses

Windward A

As digital threats grow more sophisticated, the need for resilient cybersecurity has never been more urgent. This session explores the delicate balance between rapid technological innovation and maintaining strong cybersecurity defenses. How can public sector agencies enhance their security posture without slowing down innovation? What are the key components in building and sustaining a cybersecurity focused culture? Join experts in a deep dive into the strategic initiatives, best practices, and crisis management techniques that are critical for cultivating a culture of cybersecurity and ensuring preparedness in the face of ever- evolving digital threats.

Peter Miller, Chief Information Security Officer, Orange County

Forecast to Recovery - Analytics for Disaster Response

Orange Room

When a powerful storm strikes, every second counts. Advances in predictive analytics, real-time data modeling, and AI-driven forecasting are transforming how emergency responders and government agencies prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This session will explore the technology behind storm prediction, resource allocation, and post-disaster recovery efforts. Learn how data-driven decision-making can save lives, minimize damage, and improve resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

Moderator: John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Justin Kramer, Director, Emerging Technologies and Data Analytics, Orlando Utilities Commission

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Amelia Room

Hosted by: Roberto Lopez, Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

General Session - AI 2025 – From Administrative Assistance to Agentic AI

Ascension Ballroom

As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, organizations are moving beyond AI as a simple administrative assistant to leveraging more autonomous, decision-making "agentic AI." This session will explore the transition from task-based automation to AI systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and executing complex workflows with minimal human intervention. Attendees will gain insights into how governments can harness these advancements while ensuring transparency, control, and alignment with human goals. Whether you're an executive, technologist, or policymaker, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the AI landscape of 2025 and beyond.

John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Ascension Ballroom Foyer

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.