Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Eric Swanson, Acting Chief Information Office, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB), State of Michigan

Keynote – EMBRACE THE SHAKE: Transforming Limitations into Opportunities

Success, especially in today’s fast-changing business environment, depends on our ability to make creativity and innovation a continuous process. Leaders want to know how their teams can rise above any challenge and succeed no matter what comes their way. Whether the goal is to embrace change, overcome obstacles, sustain growth, or take your success to the next level, leaders and teams want to learn how to “Embrace the Shake.” The term “Embrace the Shake” is coined from artist Phil Hansen’s personal story of transformation. After developing a career-ending tremor in his drawing hand, Phil embraced his “shake” both physically and metaphorically by redefining his limitation as an impetus for creativity. Phil not only restored his artistic abilities, but he also became a much more creative and innovative artist than ever before. Phil’s powerful message of finding creativity within limitations will inspire you to stop looking outside and start looking within for the resources that can transform your challenges into opportunities for success.

Phil Hansen, Artist, Speaker, Author and Innovator

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Red Hat LLC

Concurrent Sessions

Future-Ready Workforce: Thriving in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is changing how government works, but it is not replacing the people behind the mission. As organizations adopt AI, success will depend on equipping employees with new skills, adapting existing roles, and embracing continuous learning. This session will separate hype from reality by exploring where AI creates value, where human expertise remains essential, and why investing in people is still the smartest strategy. Hear real-world examples that demonstrate the costs, limitations, and lessons learned from AI adoption, and discover how government can build a workforce that is prepared for whatever comes next.

The Executive Elevator Pitch: Communicating What Matters Most

How do you explain complex technology initiatives in a way that resonates with executive leadership? This hands-on session focuses on the art of communicating upward, from developing a memorable elevator pitch to writing impactful executive summaries. Participants will learn how to frame projects around leadership priorities, demonstrate organizational value, advocate for resources, and lead teams confidently through periods of transition.

Modernizing Security: Protecting Government in a Changing World

Security is no longer confined to traditional cybersecurity. As governments adopt new technologies, automate critical infrastructure, and prepare for emerging threats, security strategies must evolve alongside them. This session will explore the future of government security, from zero trust and post-quantum readiness to operational technology, digital assets, and rapid response capabilities. Learn how agencies are building resilient organizations that protect critical services, support innovation, and strengthen public trust.

Inclusive by Design: Building Accessibility into the Digital Lifecycle

Creating accessible digital services begins long before launch. As accessibility requirements continue to evolve, organizations have an opportunity to move beyond reactive compliance and build inclusive design into every phase of development. Explore how AI and automation can support accessibility testing, where human review remains critical, and how teams can better position themselves early in the design and development process to reduce remediation, improve usability, and meet ADA and WCAG requirements. Gain practical insights into emerging legal considerations, organizational best practices, and creating digital experiences that serve every user.

Transition Break

Proceed to the main ballroom for lunch

Lunch

Bits and Bytes – Future-Ready Leaders: The Skills That Technology Can't Replace

Technology continues to evolve, but the skills that define great public sector leaders remain deeply human. As organizations navigate AI, modernization, and leadership transitions, success increasingly depends on communication, adaptability, relationship building, and strategic thinking. This session explores the practical skills government professionals can develop today to build trust, influence decisions, and create value regardless of how technology changes tomorrow.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Measuring What Matters: Using Data to Align Strategy and Performance

Performance measures should do more than populate dashboards. They should help leaders communicate priorities, empower employees, and demonstrate organizational impact. Learn how to identify meaningful KPIs, translate executive goals into measurable work for your teams, and use performance data to tell a compelling story to leadership. Discover practical approaches for creating alignment at every level so employees understand how their daily work contributes to agency priorities and organizational success.

The Hidden Costs of AI: Planning Beyond the Technology

Artificial intelligence is changing more than technology. It's reshaping budgets, procurement, infrastructure, and investment decisions across government. From rising compute costs and increased demand for fiber to evolving procurement processes and AI-generated proposal responses, agencies are navigating a rapidly changing landscape. This session explores the downstream impacts of AI on public sector budgets, strategies for communicating technology investments to non-technical decision makers, and opportunities to leverage interstate collaboration, cooperative purchasing, and shared solutions to maximize taxpayer dollars.

Bridging the Gap: Connecting IT and Operational Technology

As government services become increasingly connected, the line between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) continues to blur. From transportation and utilities to public safety and critical infrastructure, collaboration between IT and OT teams is essential for building secure, resilient operations. This session will explore the unique priorities of each environment, strategies for strengthening communication and governance, and best practices for modernizing infrastructure while protecting the systems citizens rely on every day.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by: Eric Swanson, Acting Chief Information Office, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB), State of Michigan

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsors: Red Hat LLC

General Session – Real Life AI: Practical Applications for Everyday Government

Move beyond the hype and discover how AI is making a real impact across government. This interactive session will showcase practical, real-world applications that help employees save time, improve productivity, and enhance decision making in their day-to-day work. Through demonstrations and examples, attendees will learn how to use AI-enabled tools effectively, understand best practices for achieving reliable results, and recognize where human judgment remains essential.

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.