Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Michelle Taylor, Chief Information Officer, Leon County

Keynote – Have You Ever Jumped from an Airplane? (The Journey of Delivering a Complex Project in the Public Sector)

Large-scale public-sector technology projects are complex, often requiring IT leaders to address technical debt and legacy issues before they can envision future advancements. Launching new projects involves evaluating everything from the RFP process to relationship management and regulatory compliance. Join Saby Waraich as he shares actionable insights from his journey of transforming a struggling digital transformation project into a success. Discover the strategies he employed to overcome these challenges and understand the true essence of 'jumping out of an airplane' in the context of leading successful digital transformations.

Saby Waraich, Chief Information Officer/Chief Information Security Officer, Clackamas Community College

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsor: Red Hat, Inc.

Concurrent Sessions

AI Security and Governance in Practice

Artificial intelligence is already embedded in government workflows, but many teams are still defining how to use it safely. Are you confident your organization’s AI use is protected, compliant, and truly under control? This session examines how agencies are securing tools, managing data boundaries, and building governance models that go beyond policy documents. Speakers will share practical safeguards, implementation missteps, and how they are balancing innovation with risk.

Cyber Incident Response Lessons from the Field

Cyber incidents are no longer a question of if, but when. Speakers will bring forward real-world experiences from agencies that have managed attacks, navigated response efforts, and recovered operations. Focusing on what worked, what failed, and what they would do differently, and the practical decision-making during high-pressure situations, and how to strengthen readiness before an incident occurs. Would your team know exactly what to do in the first hours of a cybersecurity event?

Governing Low-Code and No-Code Development

Low-code and no-code platforms are empowering more employees to build solutions, but they also introduce new risks. Join a conversation focused on how agencies are maintaining oversight, managing change control, and preventing fragmented systems while still encouraging innovation. Hear how teams are setting boundaries, defining ownership, and supporting citizen developers without overwhelming IT. How is your organization ensuring quality and security as development expands beyond traditional IT teams?

Infrastructure Modernization and the Skills Gap

While emerging technologies dominate the conversation, foundational infrastructure challenges remain unresolved. Does your organization have the talent and strategy needed to support both legacy systems and future demands? Together, we will unpack how agencies are modernizing networks, integrating cloud environments, and addressing the growing shortage of technical expertise. From legacy systems to evolving architecture, panelists will share what is working and where gaps persist.

Lunch

General Session – Technology Leadership and the Reality of Public Policy

Are you prepared to navigate the political and funding forces that influence your technology strategy? Government technology does not operate in isolation; it is shaped by legislation, funding cycles, and leadership transitions. This discussion will offer a clearer view into how policy decisions are made, how they impact IT priorities, and how leaders can better position their organizations for change. Learn how to anticipate shifts, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and align initiatives with broader state objectives.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

The Real Cost of AI in Government

Is your organization investing in AI strategically, or just reacting to pressure to adopt it? AI is often positioned as a quick win, yet the financial and operational realities tell a different story. Join the conversation as we break down licensing waste, low adoption rates, hidden implementation costs, and the organizational lift required to make AI effective. Learn how agencies are evaluating return on investment, avoiding overspending, and making smarter decisions before scaling.

Building the Public Sector IT Workforce

What is your organization doing to attract, develop, and retain the next generation of IT talent? Recruiting and retaining skilled technology professionals remains a major challenge. This interactive session connects agencies with higher education and workforce leaders to explore new approaches to talent development. Topics include internships, upskilling, and redefining career pathways to meet current needs. Participants will exchange ideas and identify opportunities for collaboration across organizations.

Data Architecture for a Modern Government

Data is at the center of every major initiative, yet many organizations struggle with how to structure, govern, and utilize it effectively. Together, we will explore how agencies are building modern data environments that support analytics, automation, and AI. Learn how to connect systems, improve data quality, and build a foundation for smarter decision-making across the enterprise.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Refuel and reconnect over premium refreshments courtesy of Recharge Break Sponsor: Red Hat, Inc.

General Session – From Dial-Up to Digital Twins: 25 Years of the CDG and the Road to 2050

In 2001, "digital government" meant moving paper forms to static PDF downloads. Today, it means real-time, AI-driven resident services, "whole-of-state" cybersecurity, and cloud-native infrastructure that never sleeps. As the Center for Digital Government (CDG) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we invite you to a high-energy retrospective and a forward-looking strategy session that tracks the evolution of the public sector’s digital DNA. We will walk through the "waves" of transformation we’ve navigated together and will provide a roadmap for the next quarter-century of innovation.

Phil Bertolini, Chief Delivery Officer, Government Technology

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

End of Conference

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