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Overview

The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Jessica O. Matthews

Jessica O. Matthews

CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

Founded award-winning power and data infrastructure tech company credited with inventing an energy generating soccer ball and revolutionizing vision AI in energy efficiency
Mission-driven leader who values positive social impact and inspires audience to use innovation and technology to meet everyday needs
Recognized as Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, 30 Under 30 list for Forbes and Inc., and Scientist of the Year by Harvard University
Powerhouse speaker dedicated to using technology to change the world
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility have always been intrinsic to Jessica O. Matthews, even from a young age. At just 19, she invented SOCCKET, an energy-generating soccer ball that reflects her vision for a better world. Matthews was inspired by her experiences in Nigeria, when she noticed the reliance on dangerous diesel generators during power outages. She addressed a community need and created a safer alternative that harnesses power from an everyday activity to provide a source of light.
Her invention of SOCCKET exemplifies Matthews’ unique blend of altruism and a disruptive technological mindset that encourages her audience to embrace innovation and actively contribute to positive change. She channeled these qualities into founding Uncharted, an award-winning sustainable-infrastructure company that empowers small and under-resourced cities. As CEO, she takes her social responsibility seriously, creating solutions that enhance access to energy, water, air, and transit. Notably, Matthews has revolutionized vision AI in energy efficiency, developing technology that employs “smart photos” to visually assess homes. These photos then determine potential savings on energy bills and qualifying rebates. Matthews is committed to preserving the unique identities of the cities she serves, asserting that citizens shouldn’t have to "leave where they are from to get where they are goingExclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Jessica O. Matthews captivates audiences with her engaging presentation style. A relatable, down-to-earth speaker, she refers to herself as a “blend of Beyoncé and Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Her enthusiasm engages audiences, and she often jumps rope on stage to demonstrate her innovations in an interactive way. This personable approach allows her to connect deeply with her audience, fostering an honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Matthews leaves audiences feeling inspired and motivated to create solutions that disrupt the status quo and encourages them to meet the needs of real people and communities. Her ability to tailor her message to resonate with the unique interests and experiences of each audience ensures that her insights are both relevant and impactful.
Jessica’s success in entrepreneurship led to a White House invitation from President Barack Obama to represent small companies for the signing of the America Invents Act in 2012. In 2016, she raised what was at the time the largest Series A round ever raised by a black female founder in history and was selected to ring the NASDAQ opening ceremony bell, representing all Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni. In 2021, Jessica was officially appointed by Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm to the Electricity Advisory Committee. As a member of the Smart Grid subcommittee, she plays a key role in advising the Department of Energy on the ways we can modernize our nation’s electric delivery system, specifically focusing on accelerating the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the U.S.
A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, Jessica has a degree in psychology and economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 12 patents and patents pending. Her list of accolades includes Fortune’s Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 and Female Founders 100, Harvard University Scientist of the Year, One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award, and Black Women Tech Talk’s Tech Trailblazer Award. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes and Forbes Africa, as well as featured in Marie Claire, Wired, Inc., TechCrunch, The New York Times, and Fast Company, among others.

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Agenda

Wednesday, July 16

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

9:15 am Eastern

Keynote – Find Your Fight: Innovating When the Odds Are Against You

In moments when challenges feel insurmountable, and the odds are stacked against us, how do we find the will to fight—and win? In this powerful and energizing talk, Jessica O. Matthews shares how the most groundbreaking innovations often emerge from struggle, uncertainty, and adversity. Drawing from her own journey as a pioneering entrepreneur and inventor, Jessica explores how resilience, creativity, and relentless problem-solving can transform even the toughest setbacks into opportunities for impact and growth. This session will help you reframe challenges as opportunities for breakthrough innovation, develop resilience during moments of struggle, and uncover determination to keep fighting for transformative solutions.

Jessica O. Matthews, CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur, Trailblazing Energy Advocate

10:15 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

10:45 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Navigating the Hype – How to Get a Return on Your Investment from Emerging Tech

As AI and emerging technologies rapidly evolve, public sector must balance innovation with practicality while optimizing resources and demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI). This session will explore strategies for effectively budgeting and advocating for IT investments. Attendees will gain insights into distinguishing hype from impactful use cases, ensuring responsible implementation, and preparing for the operational impact of these emerging technologies.

The Data Journey: From Governance to Impactful Decision-Making

In the public sector, data is more than just numbers - it’s the foundation for informed policy, resource allocation, and service improvements. But how do state and local governments ensure they’re collecting, governing, and utilizing data effectively to drive better decision-making? This session will explore the full lifecycle of data - governance, cleansing, and strategy - leading to a North Star of data-driven decision-making. Panelists will share real-world examples of how they have leveraged data to shape policy, improve service delivery, set the foundation for AI, and demonstrate ROI.

No-Code/Low-Code: Unlocking Possibilities for Florida’s Public Sector

No-code and low-code platforms offer a powerful opportunity for Florida’s public sector to accelerate innovation and reduce IT backlogs. These tools can empower staff to create solutions without the need for traditional software development. This session will explore how agencies can use no-code/low-code platforms to streamline services, improve responsiveness, and increase efficiency. Attendees will learn how to implement these technologies securely and in compliance with state standards, creating a scalable path to modernization and better service delivery.

Coexisting with Technology: Optimizing the Workforce for a New Era

Emerging technologies are transforming the public sector workforce by streamlining operations, enhancing decision-making, and redefining job roles. As government agencies adopt new tools and automation, the challenge lies in balancing technological innovation with workforce optimization. How can IT leaders ensure a smooth transition, empower employees with new skills, and foster effective collaboration? This session will delve into strategies for seamlessly integrating emerging technologies into government operations while cultivating a culture that is resilient.

11:45 am Eastern

Lunch

12:45 pm Eastern

Bits and Bytes – Technology Showcase

In these use case focused Ted-style lightning talks, we’ll explore public sector success stories.

1:30 pm Eastern

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:45 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

AI Strategy and Disruptive Technology

As AI and emerging tech reshape government operations, leaders must balance innovation with governance, risk management, and long-term sustainability, while also addressing the growing challenge of shadow IT. This session will explore lessons from successful initiatives, assess readiness for organizational change, and responsible technology adoption. Attendees will learn how to effectively implement emerging technologies while managing risks posed by unsanctioned tools, thus ensuring operational stability, and maintaining public trust.

As-a-Service in Action

There are many “as-a-service” models which can transform how governments access and manage technology if done right. This session will examine how to leverage as-a-service offerings to improve agility, reduce capital expenditures, and meet evolving citizen needs while maintaining compliance with Florida’s regulatory and procurement frameworks. We will explore successful implementation strategies and the critical role of governance in ensuring that state standards for security, privacy, and performance are met.

Modernizing Florida: Tech Buy-In & Implementation

Discover how public sector leaders are driving innovation and modernization by gaining buy-in for transformative technologies and driving execution. This session explores proven strategies for aligning stakeholders, overcoming resistance, and securing support. Learn actionable approaches to successfully implement emerging technologies and create lasting impact in government operations.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

2:45 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

3:05 pm Eastern

General Session – GovTech Radar for 2025 – A Look at the Future of GovTech

As technology reshapes the public sector, staying ahead of the curve is more critical than ever. The CDG GovTech Radar for 2025 provides a forward-looking analysis of the key trends, innovations, and disruptors set to define the next wave of government technology. From AI-driven automation and digital identity to next-gen cybersecurity and the rise of composable government services, this session will unpack what’s on the horizon. Join us for an exclusive look at the technologies that will drive efficiency, security, and citizen engagement in the year ahead—and how agencies can prepare to lead the future of GovTech.

3:50 pm Eastern

Best of Florida Awards Program

4:15 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

4:45 pm Eastern

End of Conference

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

Donald L Tucker Civic Center

505 Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-644-7469

Get Directions To
Donald L Tucker Civic Center

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Andrew Brown
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Information Resources
Florida Lottery

Alan Cash
Chief Information Officer
Executive Office of the Governor
State of Florida

Jeremy Daniell
Chief Information Officer
Department of Elder Affairs
State of Florida

Bob Endress
Chief Information Officer
Senate
State of Florida

Paul Forrester
Chief Information Officer
Department of Commerce
State of Florida

Glendora Fortune
Chief Information Officer
Department of Transportation
State of Florida

Joey Hornsby
Director of Information Technology Services
Department of Law Enforcement
State of Florida

Kenneth Kicia
Chief Information Officer
Department of Corrections
State of Florida

Joseph Martin
Chief Information Officer
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
State of Florida

Ginny Morris
Chief Technology Officer
Florida Gaming Control Commission
State of Florida

Terrence Samuel
Chief Information Officer
Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles
State of Florida

Andre Smith
Deputy Commissioner of Innovation
Department of Education
State of Florida

Cole Sousa
Chief Information Officer
Department of Children & Families
State of Florida

Marty Stevens
Chief Information Officer
Department of Environmental Protection
State of Florida

Michelle Taylor
Chief Information Officer
Office of Information Technology
Leon County Government

Mike Turner
Chief Information Officer
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
State of Florida

Scott Ward
Chief Information Officer
Agency for Healthcare Administration
State of Florida

Industry Representatives

Josh Baker
Regional Account Manager - Public Sector
Fortinet

John Breed
Government Cloud Sales
Google

Patrick Hancock
Sr. Account Director - SLED Sales
Sales
Lumen Technologies

Tom Ladka
Cloud Data Specialist
Cloudera

Shayna Long
Account Technology Leader
SLED - State of Florida
IBM

Tim Murnane
SE Manager
NetApp

Brian Sloan
Sr Client Executive of SLED Sales
Verizon

Malone Smith
Account Executive
Salesforce

Jerry Swerczek
Data Center Sales Executive
Dell Technologies

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: July 16, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Amanda Wallace
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1315
E-mail: awallace@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

Donald L Tucker Civic Center

505 Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-644-7469

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Room Block 

There is no room block set up for this event. There are a number of hotels nearby. 

Map and Directions 

https://www.tuckerciviccenter.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking

Event Parking 

Complimentary On-Site Parking

Parking fees subject to change without notice.