Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Christine Maii Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii

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

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

Concurrent Sessions

Building the Foundation for Responsible AI

As AI rapidly evolves, governments are under pressure to explore its potential - while ensuring they’re truly ready to adopt it. This session digs into what "AI readiness" really means, from establishing governance and security guardrails to aligning legal, ethical, and operational frameworks. Critical topics like cost management, data protection, and risk mitigation will be discussed, along with real-world use cases. Whether you're considering your first use case, or evaluating return on investment for AI-enabled tools like virtual agents or surveillance systems, this session will equip you with the questions to ask, the risks to consider, and the foundation to build on.

Continuity During Crisis: Strengthening Emergency Response

Recent global events have laid bare the need for robust preparedness and continuity plans that include collaboration between all levels of government. We’ve witnessed heroic work and along the way learned valuable lessons – one of which is that the next virus, fire, hurricane, or cyber-disruption is just around the corner. This session asks (and answers) the question: "How can governments work together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the next catastrophic event?

Effective Vendor Partnerships: Strategies for Mutual Success

Strong vendor relationships are critical to the success of IT initiatives in the public sector. This session explores how government agencies can build productive, long-term partnerships with technology vendors through clear communication, shared goals, and effective vendor management. Discover what makes these partnerships work - from setting expectations and managing performance to navigating challenges and fostering collaboration. Join us for practical insights to strengthen vendor relationships and support better outcomes for public sector IT projects.

Lunch

Bits and Bytes General Session

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Elevating the Constituent Experience

Today’s constituents expect seamless, intuitive digital interactions with government. In this session, we explore how human-centered design, mobile-first strategies, and smart tools like chatbots can make public sector websites more user-friendly and accessible. We'll also dive into the role of modern identity management - single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and standardized identity verification - in enabling secure, scalable services. Join us to explore how these advancements are laying the foundation for a more connected, secure, and constituent-focused digital experience.

Better Together: State and Local Collaboration Through Shared Services

As state and local governments face growing demands and limited resources, collaboration is becoming more essential - and more strategic - than ever. How are organizations working across jurisdictions to consolidate infrastructure, share platforms, and optimize IT investments? This session will share real-world efforts to modernize systems, reduce duplication, and align around a shared vision for the future. Join us to discover how shared services and intergovernmental collaboration are unlocking new opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and smarter use of taxpayer dollars.

Future-Proofing the Public Sector Workforce

As technology transforms how government operates, success depends not just on new tools - but on a workforce ready to use them. This session explores how organizations can build a culture of continuous learning, develop skills in emerging areas like AI, and modernize training systems to meet evolving demands. Join us to learn how to navigate structural challenges, foster innovation, and equip your team with the capabilities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Christine Maii Sakuda, Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

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

This session, presented by the Center for Digital Government (CDG), 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, see what’s on the horizon. Join us for a look at the technologies that will drive efficiency, security, and citizen engagement in the year ahead and how agencies can prepare.

John Matelski, Executive Director, The Centers for Digital Government and Public Sector AI

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

End of Conference

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