Kansas DataSphere Summit 2026
Overview
Data governance is no longer just about policies or compliance. It is about people, partnership, and creating smarter government together. The 2026 Kansas DataSphere Summit brings together public sector leaders, practitioners, and technology partners to explore how collaborative governance, trusted data, and emerging technologies can improve decision-making, strengthen transparency, accelerate innovation, and deliver better outcomes for Kansans. Centered around this year’s theme, Making Governance Click. Making Data Matter. the Summit will showcase practical strategies, real-world success stories, and actionable ideas designed to make governance approachable, impactful, and connected to the everyday work of serving Kansas.
Big ideas. Shared data. Real impact. The DataSphere Summit is where Kansas comes together to turn vision into action. Whether you’re just beginning your data journey or leading advanced initiatives, this event will challenge, inspire, and connect you to a community that’s shaping the future of data across our state.
– Kimberly DeWitt, Chief Data Officer, State of Kansas
Speakers
Agenda
Monday, July 20 |
|
9:00 am Central |
Registration and Morning Refreshments350 | Ad Astra FoyerAttendees can participate in an interactive GIS and data puzzle activity designed to spark collaboration and problem-solving around real-world government data challenges. During the event, voting will open for the Agency Excellence in Data Awards, giving participants the opportunity to recognize innovative public sector data initiatives. |
10:00 am Central |
Welcome and Opening Remarks350 | Ad Astra Meeting RoomKimberly DeWitt, Chief Data Officer, Office of Information and Technology Services, State of Kansas |
10:15 am Central |
Keynote - Making Governance Matter: Turning Data into Better Public Outcomes350 | Ad Astra Meeting RoomData governance doesn’t have to be complex or ignored—it can be a powerful driver of real organizational impact. This keynote reimagines governance as the engine behind better decisions and measurable outcomes, not just policies and controls. Through practical examples, learn how to make governance visible, relatable, and shared across your organization. Discover how to move from compliance to value—turning data into a true asset to improve public service delivery. JC Martel, PhD, Sr. Director Analyst, Gartner |
10:45 am Central |
Transition BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions. |
11:00 am Central |
Concurrent SessionsEnabling AI at the Agency Level: Governance Prerequisites You Can’t Skip350 | Ad Astra Meeting RoomsIdentify governance foundations required for AI. Choose Your Own Data Adventure: Turning Governance into Better Decision-MakingMeeting Room 346This interactive roundtable explores what becomes possible once agencies have governed, trusted data in place. Rather than discussing governance theory, this session starts from the premise: "Assuming you've done the governance work — now what?" The moderator will demonstrate, in real time, how governed data can be transformed into live dashboards, natural language Q and A tools, AI-generated reports, and automated workflows — with the audience choosing the direction through a "choose your own adventure" format. Attendees will vote on which capabilities to explore, discuss how these tools apply to their own agencies, and see firsthand how good data governance is the launchpad — not the destination — for better decision-making. Katrina Lewison, Principal Account Manager – Kansas/Missouri, Amazon Web Services Jeff Ma, Senior Customer Solutions Manager, Amazon Web Services John Stephens, Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services Creating a Governance Operating Model That Fits Your AgencyMeeting Room 340Design a lightweight governance structure aligned to agency needs. Erik Benner, Oracle ACE Director and VP of Enterprise Transformation at Mythics State of KansasMeeting Room 342 |
12:00 pm Central |
Lunch350 | Ad Astra Meeting Room |
12:30 pm Central |
Lunch Keynote - The Kansas Next Generation 911 (NG911) Program350 | Ad Astra Meeting RoomThe Kansas 911 Act, signed into law on May, 18, 2011, laid the foundation for the Kansas Next Generation 911 (NG911) program. In 2012, a GIS pilot study was conducted to evaluate the condition of existing GIS datasets and their alignment with national standards. The NG911 GIS program formally launched in 2013 and continues to this day. The Kansas NG911 program has had a profound effect on public safety across the state and has also significantly impacted state and local GIS programs. This presentation will provide a program overview, including critical legislation, program structure, technical platforms, lessons learned, future direction, and, of course, the data that makes it all possible. The presentation will be delivered by a team of three, all of whom have been heavily engaged in the Kansas NG911 program since its inception. Sherry Massey, Executive Director, Kansas 911 Board Eileen Battles, Manager, Data Access and Support Center (DASC), Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas Ken Nelson, Geographic Information Officer, Data Access and Support Center (DASC), Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas |
1:30 pm Central |
Short BreakPlease proceed to the concurrent sessions |
1:45 pm Central |
Sponsor WorkshopsAI Readiness Workshop: Assess Your Agency’s Data Foundation350 | Ad Astra Meeting RoomsEvaluate readiness for AI adoption. Human vs. Machine: Can AI Out-Analyze Your Agency?Meeting Room 346In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, attendees will identify high-value analytics and AI use cases for their agencies through a competitive "Human vs. Machine" exercise. Working in teams with realistic (synthetic) state agency data, participants will tackle common data challenges — finding hidden insights, writing executive briefs for leadership, answering rapid-fire data questions, and designing automated workflows — while an AI-powered analytics platform solves the same challenges simultaneously. By comparing results across four rounds, attendees will discover which tasks are best suited for AI augmentation, which still require human judgment, and how the combination of governed data + AI tools can transform agency operations. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of actionable use cases they can bring back to their agencies on Monday. Katrina Lewison, Principal Account Manager – Kansas/Missouri, Amazon Web Services Jeff Ma, Senior Customer Solutions Manager, Amazon Web Services John Stephens, Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services Develop Your Agency Data Governance MOU InputsMeeting Room 340Draft key agreement components. Erik Benner, Oracle ACE Director and VP of Enterprise Transformation at Mythics State of KansasMeeting Room 342 |
3:15 pm Central |
Networking Break350 | Ad Astra Meeting Room |
3:45 pm Central |
General Session – Closing and Awards350 | Ad Astra Meeting RoomThe conference will conclude with the announcement of the Data Visionary of the Year, Data Governance Vanguard, and Data Innovation and Impact Award winners, recognizing outstanding leadership and innovation across the public sector. Award recipients may share brief reflections on their work and the future of data-driven government. The session will wrap with final takeaways, a call to action for attendees, and a closing message to inspire continued collaboration and innovation beyond the event. |
4:45 pm Central |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
The Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Street
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-3909
The Docking State Office Building
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: July 20, 2026
Open to Public Sector only.
Registration - Free
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Non-Government Employees:
For attendees who are not government employees and do not have a state-issued badge, please check in at the security desk upon arrival at the Docking State Office Building.
The security desk is located immediately to the left of the main entrance and will be clearly marked with a Welcome sign. Please allow additional time upon arrival to complete the security check-in process before proceeding to the event.
Contact Information
Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:
Audrey Houser
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1420
E-mail: ahouser@erepublic.com
Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:
Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!
Heather Earney
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com