Los Angeles Digital Government Summit 2026 Banner

Overview

The Los Angeles Digital Government Summit is where innovation meets impact!

Bringing together the brightest minds in state and local government, this summit empowers public-sector leaders to explore cutting-edge technologies, modernize operations, and solve pressing challenges. From cybersecurity and AI to data governance and digital service delivery, sessions are designed to spark insight, foster collaboration, and accelerate real-world results. Whether you're shaping strategy or implementing solutions, the Summit delivers valuable peer connections and actionable guidance to help move your mission forward.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

No single government has a monopoly on good ideas. This summit is the premier venue for SoCal’s IT leaders and industry partners to break down silos, share successes, and brainstorm the future of public-sector technology. After attending for over 14 years, I still find it the most essential space for turning collaborative IT vision into civic reality.

- Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

Agenda

Tuesday, July 28

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, County of Los Angeles

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

9:30 am Pacific

Keynote – AI & the Octopus Organization™: Adapt or Fail

In an era defined by rapid technological change, organizations that fully embrace AI will pull decisively ahead of those that treat it as a side experiment. This keynote explores how leading organizations are moving beyond traditional hierarchies toward more agile, “Octopus Organization™” models – where centralized strategy is paired with empowered, decentralized teams that can think, decide, and act in real time. Drawing on extensive research and real-world transformations, this session will highlight how AI can be used not just to automate tasks, but to fundamentally redesign how work gets done - enabling faster decision-making, greater adaptability, and more innovative, high-performing teams. Attendees will leave with practical insights on building AI-driven organizations that are designed to evolve, compete, and thrive.

Jonathan Brill, Futurist, AI Inventor, Bestselling Author

10:30 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

11:00 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Lessons from the World Cup: Strengthening Cybersecurity on the Road to LA28

With the World Cup serving as a major milestone for large-scale event readiness, agencies have gained new insights into cybersecurity, coordination and operational resilience. Panelists will share the lessons learned from planning and execution, including how organizations prepared for increased risk, managed cross-agency collaboration, and responded to emerging threats. Hear how these experiences are shaping strategies for the 2027 Super Bowl and LA28 Olympics.

Rethinking Enterprise Architecture for AI

AI is introducing new demands on infrastructure that many existing environments were not designed to handle. The panel will discuss how organizations are rethinking enterprise architecture to support AI workloads, including considerations around security, scalability and how AI connects to existing systems and data. Learn how agencies are aligning technical decisions with business needs and preparing their environments to support emerging technologies.

Modernizing Core IT Services: From 311 to Everyday Operations

Agencies are improving the systems and services residents rely on every day and with the digital tools that users expect. From 311 platforms to internal workflows, hear how organizations are modernizing service delivery, addressing pain points, and improving responsiveness. Learn practical approaches for making incremental improvements that deliver measurable results for constituents.

Uplifting Communities Through Digital Equity

AI is rapidly changing how communities access technology as well as the digital literacy and skills training needed to use it. This session explores how government leaders are engaging residents through inclusive, people-centered strategies to advance AI education and digital equity. See how digital equity teams are building trust and supporting accessible, community-centered digital services while positioning AI as a tool for digital inclusion.

Rebecca Kauma, Director of Digital Equity, Internal Services Department, County of Los Angeles

12:00 pm Pacific

Lunch

1:00 pm Pacific

Bits and Bytes – Powering the Countywide Information Hub: Lessons from Building a Shared Data Ecosystem

Los Angeles County is building the Countywide Information Hub (CWIH), a shared platform that enables secure data exchange across more than 20 departments. This session shows how teams are connecting systems, organizing data and working across departments to improve services and decision-making, with practical ideas attendees can apply in their own environments.

Chris Pailma, Chief Data Officer, County of Los Angeles

1:20 pm Pacific

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:35 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Training for the Olympics: How Technology Powers LA28

Preparing for LA28 Olympics requires coordination across transportation, public services and agencies throughout the region. Join our panelists to see how organizations are using technology to support large-scale operations, including real-time data sharing, system integration, and cross-agency coordination. Learn how agencies are planning for increased demand and working together to ensure services run smoothly across venues, transit systems and surrounding communities.

Kevin Gray, Chief Technology Officer, Integrated Digital & Technology Services, Metrolink

AI One Year Later: Lessons from Implementation

Since last year’s discussions on AI readiness and early adoption, many agencies have taken the next steps toward implementation. This session brings practitioners back together to share what has changed, what challenges have emerged, and what they have learned along the way. Hear how organizations are refining governance, managing risk and adjusting strategies based on real-world experience.

Building the IT Skill Set of the Future Across Teams and Roles

As emerging technologies change how IT work is performed, they raise new questions about coding, automation and the future of technical roles across development, data and operations. Panelists will discuss how these changes are playing out in practice, including new responsibilities such as reviewing AI use, testing outputs for accuracy and reliability, and supporting experimentation with new tools. See how teams are adapting skillsets, redefining responsibilities, and preparing teams to work alongside new technologies in real-world environments.

Moderator: Leah Oliver, Chief Technology Officer, Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by:

Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles

Peter Loo, Chief Information Officer, County of Los Angeles

Mirian Avalos, General Manager, Internal Services Department, County of Los Angeles

2:35 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

2:55 pm Pacific

General Session – AI in Action: Real Use Cases from Government

Agencies are moving beyond AI pilots and beginning to apply these tools in real-world scenarios. Hear how organizations are deploying AI across different functions, what challenges they have encountered and what results they are seeing. This closing session offers a practical look at how AI is being used today and where it may go next.

3:55 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

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

4:25 pm Pacific

End of Conference

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

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-1000

Get Directions To
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Majida Adnan
Chief Information Officer, Assistant Auditor Controller
Department of Auditor Controller
Los Angeles County

Serjik Arzoumanians
Assistant Chief Information Officer
City of Pasadena

Deepak Budwani
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Public Defender
County of Santa Barbara

Jose Calderon
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology Department
City of Burbank

Rob Centeno
Deputy Director
Technology & Innovation
City of Long Beach

Chris Chirgwin
Chief Information Officer
Santa Barbara County

Terence Davis
Chief Information Officer
Parks and Recreation
Los Angeles County

Matthew Der
Chief Information Officer
Treasurer & Tax Collector
Los Angeles County

Charles Eckstrom
Chief Information Officer
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Jessica Freeman-Wong
Assistant Chief Information Officer
Applications Division
City of Pasadena

Kevin Gray
Chief Technology Officer
Integrated Digital & Technology Services
Metrolink

Danny Inukai
Chief Information Officer
Natural History Museum

Rebecca Kauma
Director of Digital Equity
Internal Services Department
County of Los Angeles

Phillip Leclair
Chief Information Officer
Department of Information Technology
City of Pasadena

Peter Loo
Acting Chief Information Officer
Los Angeles County

Shannon Lozano
Director, IT Business Engagement
Information Technology, Business Engagement
City of Oxnard

Nyariana Maiko
Chief Information Officer
Port of Long Beach

Leah Oliver
Chief Technology Officer
Ventura County Employees' Retirement Agency

Christopher Pailma
Chief Data Officer
Los Angeles County

Ted Ross
Chief Information Officer & General Manager
Information Technology Agency
City of Los Angeles

Michelle Sarkissian
Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
City of Menifee

Michael Sylvester II
Chief Deputy of Administration
Department of Public Social Services
Los Angeles County

Stephanie Todd
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Community & Municipal Services Cluster
Los Angeles County

Sheeba Varughese
Chief Information Officer
Port of Los Angeles

Rogelio Zambrano
Director, Network Infrastructure & Project Management
Technology Services
Los Angeles County Office of Education

Industry Representatives

Chris Congo
AVP Global Public Sector
AT&T

Mitchell Holguin
Client Executive
World Wide Technology

Joshua Northcott
Co-Founder & CTO
Technology
Hounder

Chuck Skiko
Client Technology Leader
IBM

Randy Tan
Client Relationship Executive
Deloitte

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: July 28, 2026

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.

Contact Information

Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:

Lee Vang
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1407
E-mail: lvang@erepublic.com

Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!

Heather Earney
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles

404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-1000

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Room Block

Room Rate: $209 per night, single or double.
Rate Cut-Off Date: Monday, July 6, 2026.
To Make a Reservation:
   Phone: (800) 937-8461 and reference Los Angeles Digital Government Summit.
    Online: Group Reservation Link
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly for assistance.

Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel.

Map and Directions

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/laxbw-the-westin-bonaventure-hotel-and-suites-los-angeles/overview/

Event Parking

Valet parking: Complimentary
Instructions: Ask at our event registration desk for a sticker validation to receive complimentary parking. The hotel parking is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Note: No trailers or RVs allowed.

There are additional garages surrounding the hotel, but parking in those garages will not be validated.