Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Katrina Flory, State Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Department of Administrative Services, State of Ohio

Keynote – Debrief to Win: Building Teams that Succeed in Disruption

In times of turbulence and disruption, even the best teams can struggle to stay focused, aligned, and accountable. Overcoming these challenges requires a shift in mindset and the right leadership tools to create resilient, high-performing teams. Learn from a former U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun") instructor how elite military teams succeed by centering on a shared mission, driving purpose, and embracing accountability as a path to growth, not blame. Walk away with actionable strategies and inspiring insights to help your teams thrive under pressure and achieve lasting success.

Robert “Cujo” Teschner, Founder and CEO, Vmax Group

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Executive Presence and Influence in an Era of Emerging Technology

Government IT is evolving rapidly, and today’s leaders need more than technical expertise - they must lead teams, strategy, and culture while operating effectively at the executive level. Join us to explore critical skills for success, including building executive presence, communicating complex ideas with clarity, and navigating high-level conversations. Learn how to assess and communicate risk, evolve your leadership style, and foster an AI-literate, responsible workforce in a fast-changing environment.

Ready or Not: Lead Through Change, Plan for Succession

Change is no longer occasional, it’s constant. Yet many organizations still treat succession planning as a reactive exercise. This session focuses on how leaders can better prepare their teams and culture for ongoing transition - from anticipated retirements to unexpected leadership shifts. Uncover how organizations are normalizing change, strengthening leadership pipelines, and creating environments where continuity and innovation can coexist.

From Tech Debt to Strategic Opportunity

Technical debt is viewed as a burden, but forward-thinking leaders are reframing it as an opportunity to drive modernization and reduce risk. Can you identify, manage, and communicate technical debt in a way that resonates with business leaders and secures buy-in? In this session, learn how to build a compelling narrative using data, roadmaps, and risk insights, align stakeholders around priorities, and prepare your teams to address debt strategically. Join us for practical approaches to turn technical debt into a catalyst for progress.

Lunch

General Session

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

The Power of Proximity: Embedded Partnerships for Better Outcomes

What changes when IT is fully embedded in the business? How does proximity to agency teams lead to stronger relationships, better insight into operational challenges, and faster, more effective solutions? From rotating leadership roles to dedicated relationship managers, join us to learn how organizations are using embedded models to generate ideas, reduce costs, and transform IT into a true strategic partner.

Growing Tomorrow’s Talent in the Age of AI

The next generation of the workforce is already here - but are leaders ready? In this discussion we examine how to lead, train, and grow talent in a world shaped by AI and rapid technological change. Join us and discover how to support skill development, empower employees to adapt, and build a workforce that is both technically capable and prepared for what’s next.

The New Economics of IT: Leading with Budget and Sustainability in Mind

As funding tightens and technology costs evolve, IT leaders must take on a more strategic financial role and make smarter decisions about where and how to invest. Join us and explore how to balance financial constraints with growing demands, from managing subscription-based services to understanding total cost of ownership and applying FinOps principles. This session will highlight how to evaluate investments, uncover hidden costs, and leverage portfolio management and data-driven insights to optimize spending and align technology decisions with long-term value and sustainability.

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session - What Matters Most: Turning Shared Priorities into Action

What rose to the top throughout the day - and what comes next? In this interactive closing session, attendees will regroup around the key themes identified earlier and dive deeper into the topics that matter most to them. Through facilitated small-group discussions, participants will exchange ideas, explore solutions, and surface practical takeaways. Groups will report out key insights, helping to capture collective learning and momentum to carry forward beyond the event.

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.