Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Heather Abbott, Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology, State of West Virginia

Keynote – The Art of Espionage: Understanding the Fundamentals of Spycraft

Espionage isn't just a plot in thrillers; it's a real and present danger. Could you be enticed into the world of spying? Think again. Our speaker, a former Case Officer (spy), will unveil her methods for identifying and recruiting individuals across various industries, revealing tactics from casual conversations at airport lounges to sophisticated surveillance operations. This insightful presentation dives deep into the clandestine world of espionage and its implications for your organization. Discover the espionage toolkit, which combines traditional human intelligence methods with advanced cybersecurity techniques. This talk will illuminate how today's adversaries, including hackers, nation-states, and organized crime rings, employ espionage techniques reminiscent of those used by spies. Equip yourself with the knowledge to detect and defend against espionage, whether facing a human operative or a cyber threat. 

Shawnee Delaney, CEO, Vaillance Group and Former Spy

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Smarter Cybersecurity for Stronger Protection

With cyber threats growing and budgets tightening, agencies must find smarter ways to stay secure. This session explores cost-effective strategies to protect systems, from leveraging open-source tools to maximizing existing technologies. We’ll examine the trade-offs between subscription services and in-house solutions and share how organizations are rethinking funding models. Discover how to stretch your cybersecurity dollars, optimize your team’s skills, and make the most of the resources you already have without compromising protection, compliance, or resilience in today’s threat landscape.

Getting the Most Out of Your Data

Data analytics shouldn't be done to check a box; it should drive better decisions, more innovative resource use, and improved constituent experiences. Join us as we explore how to identify what data you need, how to ask the right questions, and how to use analytics to uncover meaningful insights. Hear real-world success stories and practical steps to get started. Whether you're just beginning or looking to improve, learn how to make your data work for you, not the other way around.

Maximizing Impact Through Cloud Solutions

In the face of significant economic and social challenges, government organizations are looking for ways to improve their scalability, agility, accessibility, and cost efficiency. The cloud is increasingly becoming a key part of their strategic planning, so it's crucial to stay up to date with the latest cloud trends and technologies to make the most of it. Is your organization fully leveraging the cloud to solve real problems and deliver better services? The cloud offers a flexible foundation to solve complex problems and drive innovation across state and local government.

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.

Lunch

General Session - Building a Strong Data Foundation for AI Success

Before agencies can harness AI’s full potential, they must first prepare their data through strong governance, classification, and tagging critical steps for secure and effective use. This session combines foundational strategies with forward-looking insights, featuring West Virginia’s AI roadmap, real-world use cases, and future-ready skill sets. Learn how organized, trusted data powers intelligent systems, supports responsible policies, and safeguards security. Hear from state and local leaders on blueprint strategies and practical applications to help agencies at all levels better serve constituents in the evolving AI landscape.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Building Your AI Safety Net

As AI adoption accelerates across government, agencies are under pressure to balance innovation with responsibility. How do we empower teams to use AI tools effectively, while ensuring security, privacy, and compliance remain intact? Hear practical strategies for building a strong AI safety net, including data protection practices, secure deployment models like air-gapped systems, and guidelines for using AI tools the right way. Explore AI's journey as it becomes a transformative force. Attendees will also learn what it takes to deploy AI effectively and guide their organizations towards a meaningful and safe adoption.

Unlocking Grant Opportunities

Grants can be a game-changer but only if agencies know how to access, apply for, and use them effectively. We will focus on demystifying the grant process, with tips on identifying opportunities, completing applications, and aligning resources to maximize impact. Given the state's limited capacity for funding, local governments and higher education institutions must step in. Hear how partners are supporting this effort. Are you missing out on funding that could help advance your agency's goals? Let's make sure you're not.

Navigating WVOT Services

Join senior leadership from the West Virginia Office of Technology (WVOT) for an updated conversation tailored to state agencies that rely on WVOT services. Our leadership team will provide insights into available tools, processes, and best practices to help agencies streamline requests, enhance collaboration, and better align with statewide tech initiatives. Attendees will also be introduced to the new "Meet Your Welcome Packet," designed to simplify onboarding and service navigation. This session is exclusively for SLED members.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by:

Heather Abbott, Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology, State of West Virginia

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session - The Digital Government Challenge

Join us for a fun and engaging change of pace where we’ll put your knowledge to the test with an interactive trivia game! Our panel of experts will be on stage, not just to weigh in on the answers, but to share their insights, experiences, and wisdom along the way. This perfect blend of learning and laughter, highlighting key themes from the event while maintaining a lighthearted and engaging tone. Don’t miss this chance to reflect and gain new perspectives.

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.