Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Mark Raymond, Chief Information Officer, State of Connecticut

Keynote - The Art of Espionage: Spycraft in the Digital Era

Espionage isn't just a plot in thrillers; it's a real and present danger. Doubtful you could 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. Learn about the espionage toolkit, which blends traditional human intelligence methods with cutting-edge cyber security tactics. 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 you're facing a human operative, or a cyber threat.  

Shawnee Delaney, CEO, Vaillance Group and Former Spy

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Balancing Innovation and Responsibility in AI Adoption

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing government operations, offering new efficiencies and capabilities. How can agencies adopt AI while maintaining security, compliance, and public trust? This session will explore practical AI use cases and strategies for overcoming skepticism through preparedness and upskilling. Industry leaders will share insights on responsible implementation, helping attendees navigate the evolving landscape of AI adoption.

Cyber Smart: Strengthening Government through Cybersecurity Literacy

Our digital lives are shaped by the balance between convenience and vulnerability. How can public sector leaders and constituents manage data and identity risks to bolster cybersecurity? In this session we’ll explore the intersection of cybersecurity and civic responsibility, examining vulnerabilities that stem from gaps in awareness. Join us to unpack what’s acceptable, what’s at stake, and most importantly, what you can do right now to protect yourself and your organization.

Access for All with Inclusive Technology

Public sector agencies have a powerful opportunity to create more inclusive digital experiences, supported by evolving accessibility standards and an expanding set of resources. But how can IT leaders ensure their efforts truly benefit everyone in their communities? This session will explore emerging tools, share real-world challenges governments face, and offer practical, people-centered strategies to advance digital accessibility. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to meet compliance goals and to create services that work better for all.

Lunch

Bits and Bytes

In these use case focused Ted-style lightning talks, we’ll explore public sector success stories.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

Building Trust in the Digital Age

Trust is the foundation of effective government services. How do we personalize services without compromising privacy? This session explores how digital identity and data can help agencies deliver secure and personal services while safeguarding privacy. We’ll debunk myths about who engages digitally, highlight real-world examples, and share practical strategies to strengthen public confidence in digital government. Attendees will gain insights into how transparency, usability, and responsible technology can drive trust and adoption at scale.

Storytelling & Change: Leading Teams Through Innovation

Change moves at the speed of trust. As technologies like AI reshape public services, government faces a critical challenge: how do we foster confidence and clarity amid uncertainty? This session explores the power of storytelling and change management to demystify transformation, build shared purpose, and motivate lasting behavior change. Attendees will hear practical strategies for engaging teams and ensuring innovation works for the people it’s meant to serve.

Human-Centered IT Strategy

Collaboration between IT and business leaders, early and often, is the key to building solutions that truly solve the right problems. But how do public sector teams select the right technologies while balancing urgency, complexity, and long-term value? This session dives into the intersection of business processes and IT strategy to explore service design, performance management, and lifecycle planning. You’ll learn how to anticipate challenges, conduct targeted needs assessments, and accelerate innovation.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by Mark Raymond, Chief Information Officer, State of Connecticut

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session

AI 2025 - From Administrative Assistance to Agentic AI

As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, organizations are moving beyond AI as a simple administrative assistant to leveraging more autonomous, decision-making "agentic AI." This session will explore the transition from task-based automation to AI systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and executing complex workflows with minimal human intervention. Attendees will gain insights into how governments can harness these advancements while ensuring transparency, control, and alignment with human goals. Whether you're an executive, technologist, or policymaker, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the AI landscape of 2025 and beyond.

Barry Condrey, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Networking Reception

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

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.