Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Grand Terrace

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Madison Ballroom

Trina Zanow, Chief Information Officer/ Division Administrator, Division of Enterprise Technology, State of Wisconsin

Keynote – Transform Adversity into Advantage: How to Conquer Life’s Hurdles

Madison Ballroom

The world has become more complex, and the challenges are more significant than ever. Adopting a “new normal mindset” is necessary to empower your team to navigate challenges and opportunities through a contextual model, thereby overcoming adversity. How will you manage uncertainty? Is your team ready to embrace change? This session will deliver a robust and interactive message of resilience and perseverance, inspiring you to view change as an opportunity for growth.

John Register, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker, Author, and Two-Time Paralympic Silver Medalist

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Terrace

Concurrent Sessions

Practical AI Use Cases in Government

Hall of Ideas E/H

AI can reshape government operations, but how can agencies use it safely and effectively? This session explores practical use cases that might be relevant for state, local, tribal, and county contexts. Speakers will share examples of AI for technical debt remediation, coding assistance, and productivity boosts, while also introducing a sample policy, use case templates, and workgroup guidelines. Gain clarity on how to start drafting AI policies and use case materials, identify safe opportunities, and avoid risks. The goal: learn ways to leverage AI while keeping security responsibility and trust front and center.

Data Governance: Why It Matters

Hall of Ideas F/I

Data governance isn't just for IT. Why does the governance framework matter to non-technical teams? Let us show the benefits of better automation, continuity, and security. Experts will highlight how robust data practices lay the foundation for AI readiness and business efficiency. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the "what's in it for me" factor, how to establish governance that makes sense, and why strong data strategies improve services. Learn how good governance is everyone's responsibility, and an opportunity.

Lessons Learned from Recent Cyber Attacks

Hall of Ideas G/J

What can Wisconsin learn from the latest wave of cyberattacks on the public sector? This session examines recent incidents, the tactics employed by attackers, and the vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Cybersecurity leaders will break down lessons learned and highlight practical changes that can be adopted right now. Attendees will leave with a sharper understanding of emerging threats, tested defenses, and strategies to minimize impact. Whether you're in IT, procurement, or leadership, this discussion will offer insight into preparing for the next attack.

Urgency in ADA Compliance

Meeting Room M/N/Q/R

Accessibility is no longer optional; it is essential. This session highlights the urgency of ADA compliance and the tools available. Experts will share approaches and resources to help organizations meet legal standards, deliver equitable digital services, and avoid costly pitfalls. From websites to workplace tools, you'll learn how to identify gaps, implement fixes, and create accessible systems from the ground up. Discover how to embed compliance into your culture and ensure your technology serves everyone reasonably.

Privacy, FOIA, and Information Sharing

Meeting Room L/P

Privacy isn't just a legal concern; it's a trust issue. This briefing from legal and security experts explores how public agencies handle FOIA requests, balance transparency, and mitigate threats while protecting sensitive data. Attendees will learn what incentives drive information sharing across agencies, how legal teams are shaping policy, and where risks often emerge. Whether you're technical or not, this session will help clarify why privacy matters, how to manage requests responsibly, and how to safeguard both organizational integrity and citizen trust.

Lunch

Madison Ballroom

Bits and Bytes – Anatomy of a Hack

Madison Ballroom

Cyberattacks don't begin with flashing red alerts; they often start quietly, with a single click, weak password, or unpatched system. This session breaks down the anatomy of a hack in simple, accessible terms for a general audience. Learn how attackers think, the common entry points they exploit, and the chain reaction that follows once access is gained. By walking through real-world examples, this discussion will highlight practical steps everyone, from IT professionals to business leaders, can take to reduce risk and strengthen resilience.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Cyber Response in the First 24 Hours

Hall of Ideas E/H

The first hours of a cyber incident can make all the difference. This session will explore what happens when the alarm sounds: who calls whom, how to triage, and when to bring in outside support. Teams will share playbooks, lessons learned, and tips for working with insurers and retainers. Attendees will walk through scenarios, learn how to reassure stakeholders, and better understand response roles. Gain the confidence to act decisively when it matters most.

Tackling Technical Debt and Operational Technology

Hall of Ideas F/I

Technical debt isn't just an IT headache; it slows innovation, can introduce additional costs, and limits the full potential of cloud and modern digital services across government. This session explores strategies for identifying, remediating, and reducing technical debt while strengthening operational technology environments. Experts will share insights on balancing cost, risk, and modernization, and highlight how innovative cloud services and emerging tools can accelerate progress. Attendees will gain practical frameworks to prioritize debt reduction, build sustainable roadmaps, and improve resilience. Learn how to transform technical debt from a barrier into an opportunity for efficiency, agility, and long-term growth.

Maximizing Your Tools: Making the Most of Your Software

Hall of Ideas G/J

The Public Sector can often find itself only using a fraction of the tools it already licenses. This session focuses on unlocking the full potential of platforms to enhance consistency, collaboration, and efficiency. Panelists will walk through best practices and hidden features. Attendees will leave with practical insights to better leverage existing tools, reduce waste, and increase return on investment. Learn how to maximize value from what you already own, before buying more.

Managing Change: Practical Strategies for People Transformation

Meeting Room M/N/Q/R

Change is never easy, especially when organizational and business transformations must move forward with limited resources and outdated processes. This session will explore practical strategies for change management, including managing expectations, engaging cross-functional teams, and maintaining continuity through transitions. Government IT leaders will learn how to foster a culture of adaptability, manage risk, optimize resources, and balance investments in people and technology to ensure long-term organizational readiness.

IT Automation and Upskilling

Meeting Room L/P

Automation is reshaping the public sector, but its value is only fully realized when employees are empowered. This session focuses on how IT automation can ease workloads, reduce repetitive tasks, and open space for innovation. Experts will share success stories using automation tools to upskill staff, improve service delivery, and free up time for higher-value work. Attendees will discover practical ways to adopt automation while ensuring employees gain new skills and see personal benefit from the changes.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Meeting Room K/O

Hosted by:

Trina Zanow, Chief Information Officer/Division Administrator, Division of Enterprise Technology, State of Wisconsin

Neeraj Kulkarni, Chief Information Officer & IT Director, Dept. of Workforce Development, State of Wisconsin

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Terrace

Closing Fireside Chat: Cloud Infrastructure from Every Angle

Madison Ballroom

As entities across Wisconsin continue navigating the complexities of cloud adoption, this conversation brings together voices from state, local, county, tribal, and vendor communities. Panelists will share what's working and what isn’t in implementing cloud infrastructure, addressing costs, procurement hurdles, and management challenges. From low-code/no-code transitions to business engagement and workforce readiness, the discussion will highlight practical strategies and lessons learned. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to maximize cloud investments and prepare their organizations for what's next.

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Grand Terrace

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

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change