Summerfest Tech 2024
June 24th – 27th
The event will remain free of charge and accessible virtually!
June 24th: Opening event – Henry Maier Festival Park
June 25th: Conference Day 1 – Potawatomi Hotel | Casino
June 26th: Conference Day 2 – Potawatomi Hotel | Casino
June 27th: Closing event – Henry Maier Festival Park
- Networking event located at Dockside at Summerfest (to see the lineup, visit www.summerfest.com/lineup)
Create your own schedule!
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Event Schedule
Jun
Registration
Be sure to check-in and pick up your badge. Reminder, this badge is also a 3-day pass to Summerfest 6/28 - 6/30!
Wisconsin’s Secret Sauce: The Power of Relationships in Business and Creativity
This panel will explore Wisconsin’s tech future and the opportunity to build on its strengths, in an authentic way. Wisconsin representatives will touch on how Wisconsin’s cultural, economic, and educational strengths and differentiators will be a key part in efforts to build more new businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, and support talent efforts. Additionally, Hugh Forrest of South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin, will provide his insights on how community and networking, and more importantly, authenticity, were an important factor in SXSW’s growth and how Wisconsin can work to achieve similar results.
Moderator:
Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO, WEDC
Panelists:
Cordero Barkley, Partner, TitletownTech
Steven Brown, VP of Diversity Equity Inclusion (DUI), Molson Coors Beverage Company
Matt Adamczyk, Technologist in Residence, Microsoft
Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer, SXSW (South by Southwest)
Networking and Live Music
Networking event sponsored by Midwest House. Music from band Diet Lite.
Jun
Registration
Stop by the North Pre-Function area to check-in and pick up your badge. Reminder, this badge is also a 3-day pass to Summerfest 6/27 - 6/29.
Breakfast
Sponsored by Salesforce
Welcoming Remarks
Opening remarks from the Summerfest Tech Director and i.c.stars opening intro
Experience Milwaukee Podcast Lounge
Experience Milwaukee will be hosting their podcast at Summerfest Tech 2024 for another year!
Sponsored by Win Technology and Aventus
Versiti Blood Drive
People Savvy - Improve Communication, Build Better Relationships & Deal with Difficult People
Studies show that 85% of your success in life is due to your people skills, yet it’s one of the most difficult skills to develop. In this highly interactive & hilarious presentation, Betsy takes you through an engaging experience of how different personalities prefer to communicate, connect, be influenced, make decisions & resolve conflict. This presentation includes a verbal DISC assessment, which will help you to determine which personality style(s) are most like you. As a human behavior expert, Betsy breaks down yours and other's personality styles in a humorous and easy way to understand, so you can work better with others and get the results you want.
Besty Allen-Manning, Owner & CEO, Corporate Culture Training Solutions
The Who, What, and How of the Recent Trend of CIO’s transitioning to CDIO’s
CIO’s are being asked to do more from the CEO’s. Join us while we explore how four Wisconsin CIO’s have stepped up and taken on the Digital strategy and function for the organizations.
Moderator:
Chris Luecke, Podcast Host & Community Builder, Manufacturing Happy Hour
Panelists:
Tim Dickson, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Regal Rexnord
Chad Steighner, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Clarios
Joe Herington, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Schreiber Foods, Charter Manufacturing
Women in Technology: Engineering Opportunities & Solutions in Energy Technology
This panel will discuss the gender gap in the technology field and panelists will share their perspectives and opportunities to bring more women into the energy and tech sectors.
Moderator:
Tami Garrison, Senior Director Social Responsibility, Generac Power Systems
Panelists:
Erik Wilde, Executive Vice President Industrial, Americas, Generac Power Systems
Dana Guthrie, Managing Partner, Gateway Capital
Leah Newman, Associate Professor and Program Director for Industrial Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Mentor Session – Software Development – Agile, DevOps, UXUI
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
Phil Finucane, Pat.Ai
Ajay Gomez, Profound Logic
Sabrina Stangler, Curious Bean LLC
Dr. Dele Ojelabi, Marquette University
The Future of Offensive Security Testing
Presented by Sprocket Security as a part of the ValorTech "Secure, Recover, Sustain: Navigating the Future of Cyber Resilience" series.
Unlock the secrets of modern security testing! Discover why traditional methods fall short in identifying today's risks. Casey Cammilleri shares firsthand experiences as a red teamer, unveiling new approaches to tackle challenges in attack surface management and offensive security testing. Learn the new testing strategies being used to help protect infrastructure and web applications.
Casey Cammilleri, CEO, Sprocket Security
Prompts for Business Leaders: Key Questions to Ask When Implementing AI
Implementing AI solutions in your business offers enormous opportunity – and also challenges for business leaders who must identify opportunities, implement new technologies and drive change in their organization. This panel will explore use cases in health care, manufacturing, and consumer-facing applications to help business leaders understand key trade-offs and what questions to ask their teams and vendors. UWM researchers will offer perspectives on cyber security, bias, computation and implementation.
Moderator:
Brian Thompson, Chief Innovation and Partnership Officer, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Panelists:
Jake Lou, Associate Professor of Health Informatics & Administration, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Zhen Zeng, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Innovation: Exploring the Future of Business Growth and Operational Excellence
Join us for a transformative breakout session that investigates the heart of modern business strategy where growth, cybersecurity, automation, finance, and digitization converge in a data-driven decision world. This session will provide a comprehensive exploration of how a multi-disciplinary approach offering, blending the latest AI advancements with cutting-edge cybersecurity practices, all in sync with the evolving trends of venture capital. Gain critical insights into the power of real-time data, explore cost-efficient methodologies, and master the art of operational excellence as we aim to highlight what is needed to uniquely position your business for unprecedented success. Come prepared to learn about the opportunities and challenges of securing resources to fuel your organization’s innovative and digital transformation initiatives leading to business growth.
Moderator:
Aaron Towns, Director of Corporate Banking, BMO
Panelists:
Tyler Muncy, Google Cloud Sales Executive, Google
Rich Scudellari, Founding Partner, Penny Jar
Chris Brown, Sr. Vice President of Sales, Caddi
DJ Vogel, Founder, Ghostscale
Steve McQuin, CEO, Farwell
Tere Sackerson, Managing Director: U.S. National TPS Executive Leader, BMO
Managing Cyber Risk from the C-Suite
Managing risk from the C-suite is nothing new. There are constant conversations and processes that address risk to the business. However, Cyber security risk is unique and morphing at a rate that outpaces the normal cadence of business in most industries. Couple this with the fact that most company’s boards meet less frequently than the c-suite and potentially drives action that may not be keeping pace with the threat landscape. What can the CISO, CIO and CEO in particular do to keep pace with the risk and help the rest of the C-suite keep informed and up to date so decisions are relevant to the business.
Moderator:
Julie Ragland, CIO, Navistar, Inc.
Panelists:
Angela Johnson, CISO, Children’s Hospital
Tina Chang, CEO, SysLogic
Maribeth Achterberg, CIO, Boldt
Building a Cyber-Resilient Organization: Preventative Measures, Third-Party Risk Management, and Safeguarding Sensitive Data
Presented by Synergy Technology Advisors as a part of the ValorTech "Secure, Recover, Sustain: Navigating the Future of Cyber Resilience" series.
- Comprehensive Cyber Threat Awareness:
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- Identify and understand various cyber threats including malware, phishing, and insider attacks.
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- Discuss the latest trends in cyber-attacks and their potential impact on organizations.
- Implementing Preventative Measures:
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- Explore best practices for cyber-attack prevention such as regular software updates, strong password policies, and robust employee training programs.
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- Emphasize the role of proactive threat intelligence in anticipating and mitigating cyber risks.
- Managing Third-Party Risks:
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- Learn how to evaluate and manage the cybersecurity practices of suppliers and third-party vendors.
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- Explore strategies for securing the supply chain and ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards and contractual obligations.
- Defending Against Social Engineering:
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- Understand common social engineering tactics such as phishing, pretexting, and baiting, and the psychological manipulation behind them.
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- Develop strategies for training employees to recognize and effectively respond to social engineering attacks.
- Establishing a Strong Cybersecurity Foundation for Insurance Protection:
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- Identify the foundational elements necessary for a resilient cybersecurity posture, including risk assessments, incident response planning, and continuous monitoring.
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- Discuss the importance of protecting sensitive data through encryption, access controls, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Presenter:
Orlando Lopez, President, Syngergy Technology Advisors, Inc.
Privacy and You
Community Chosen Programming
Your digital activity generates a treasure trove of data ranging from your interests and purchases to your online behaviors, all collected by the websites, apps, devices, and services you use every day. You may not be able to control how companies around the globe collect each little piece of data about you and your family, but you still have a right to data privacy, and we want to help you take control of your data! This session will discuss data privacy, its connections to cybersecurity, the differences between personal information, personally identifiable information, and sensitive personal information, and what steps you can take to protect your personal data.
Fred Jandt, Senior Privacy Consultant, Enterprise Privacy Office, AmFam Group
Lunch
Explore the Potawatomi Casino|Hotel for a variety of food options!
Making Sense of CoPilot
Learn how a local Wisconsin enterprise is charting the course with AI to add user productivity for both general Microsoft users and specialized use cases.
Panelists:
Stephen Magnuson, VP of Corporate IT, Regal Rexnord
Reshad Alam, Vice President, Information Systems Security, Regal Rexnord
Nate Lasnoski, Chief Technology Officer, Concurrency
Broadband For All: Advancing Broadband Equity in Metro Milwaukee
The purpose of this panel is to discuss disparities in access to and adoption of broadband internet in metro Milwaukee, as well as potential solutions to these disparities.
Panelists
Tina Chang, CEO, SysLogic, Inc.
David Henke, Chief Information Officer, City of Milwaukee
Joan Johnson, City Librarian, Milwaukee Public Library
Nadiyah Johnson, Founder, Jet Constellations & Milky Way Tech Hub
Tarik Moody, Program Director, HYFIN
Mentor Session – Women in Tech
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
Molly Mulroy, WEC
Kate Halfwassen, Halfwassen & Associates, LLC
Nadeena Granville, Gaining Visuals
Anup Singh, Rev Group
Marie Watkins, Polaris Talent, Inc.
Nicole Conrad, EEAS LLC
Luann Hopkins, Regal Rexnord
Molly Dill, Gener8tor
Kate Weiland, Concurrency, Inc.
Ann Britt, Microsoft
Learn to Consolidate your Data in Order to Embark on the AI Journey
So you want to join the new craze that is AI right? Well, you only have one shot at riding the wave, so you want to make sure you get it right! Join our session to learn how your architecture, infrastructure, and consolidation of data are the keys to unlocking meaningful AI use cases for your business.
Speakers:
Russ Kennedy, Chief Evangelist, Nasuni
Patrick Ruffino, Infrastructure Solutions Architect, AE Business Solutions
The Entrepreneurial Dream
It All Starts with an Idea; Thinking the Entrepreneurial Way; The Nature of the Entrepreneurial Experience; Entrepreneurship as a Process; Entrepreneurship as a Journey; Why Anyone Can Do It; Key Competencies and Skills; The Four Types of Ventures that Entrepreneurs Start; The Commodity Trap; Opportunity versus Concept
Presenter:
Dr. Jason William Johnson, Founder/CEO, SoundStrategies, LLC
EV Mythbusting: Separating Fact from Fiction
As the EV and alternative energy industry continues to expand, there are myths surrounding EV and electrification that can hinder its adoption. This session aims to debunk myths and discuss infrastructure, data and analytics, funding, alternative fuel technology, and benefits to electrification to businesses.
Panelists:
Andy Byrne, Director of EV Products and Markets, Potawatomi Ventures
Lorrie Lisek, Executive Director, Wisconsin Clean Cities
A Practical Guide to Cybersecurity: How to Not be a Ransomware Headline
Trends and threats in cybersecurity seem to change as quickly as TikTok trends. This session will provide practical information on what’s actually happening in cybersecurity, how you can protect your business and yourself, and how you can stay ahead of threats to protect the integrity and security of your valuable data.
Panelists:
Ryan Brooks, CTO & GM, Data Holdings
Sheldon Cuffie, Former Vice President & Enterprise Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), American Family Insurance
Michael Barrett, CIO, Potawatomi Ventures
Tiffany Dillon, VP-IT Infrastructure and Operations, Landmark Credit Union
#MKETech Roundtables: The Future of our Ecosystem
So much has changed across Milwaukee’s tech landscape over the past several years – and there’s so much more to come! Sit down with a small group of your like-minded tech enthusiasts and dig into a unique discussion about the future of this ecosystem. You’ll choose what to discuss and a local tech leader will prompt your table’s conversation – come ready for authentic networking and inspirating ideas! Continue your chats at the happy hour after this session.
Speaker:
Joe Poeschl, Director of Engagement, MKE Tech Hub Coalition
Mentor session – Cybersecurity
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
Reshad Alam, Regal Rexnord
Jim Vitrano, Intel
Anup Singh, Rev Group
Nick Oliver, Redbird Security
ChaChi Gallo, Generac Power Systems
Mark Hall, Potawatomi Casino Hotel
Brad Lutgen, Ghostscale
Laying the Foundation for AI
Join us for an enlightening conversation with industry leaders in Manufacturing as we navigate the complex world of AI. For many companies, the question is “where do we start?”. In this hour session, we will talk about industry trends, what we are seeing, how to start thinking about AI, and where to begin your organization's journey. We will begin by covering industry use cases, and then hear how Regal Rexnord made it a reality. This engaging session will wrap with a panel of experts leaving you with valuable insights and practical guidance on how to leverage AI to drive innovation and success.
Speakers:
Tim Dickson, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Regal Rexnord
Ryan Moylan, Industry Advisor, Salesforce
Alex Devries, Technical Architect, Aleysian
Robert Dana, Integration & Automation Specialist, MuleSoft
How to be a No-Code Creative
Community Chosen Programming
Embrace the future of creativity without the need for complex coding skills. Join Craft The Future's Founder as they unveil the secrets to thriving as a No-Code Creative. Discover tools and strategies that empower you to bring your innovative ideas to life, creating impactful projects and solutions in the digital realm. This program invites you to explore the vast potential of no-code platforms, ensuring that your creative journey is boundless. A transformative exploration for artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries ready to lead in the no-code revolution.
Aaron Lewis, Founder, Craft the Future
Happy Hour
It's all about connection! After a long day of sessions, this is a perfect time to connect with other attendees, speakers, and organization representatives!
Brought to you by Insight
Jun
Registration
Stop by the North Pre-Function area to check-in and pick up your badge. Reminder, this badge is also a 3-day pass to Summerfest 6/28 - 6/30!
Breakfast
Sponsored by Genesis10/Dev10
Experience Milwaukee Podcast Lounge
Experience Milwaukee will be hosting their podcast at Summerfest Tech 2024 for another year!
Sponsored by Win Technology and Aventus
Versiti Blood Drive
Ethical and Societal Implications of Generative AI
Is GenAI sparks of AGI or glorified copy-paste machines?
As Artificial Intelligence systems pervade day-to-day life, the need for these systems to be robust, fair, accurate, and just has become of urgent importance. As the foundational backbone of AI systems, large scale datasets play a crucial role in the performance, accuracy, robustness, fairness and trustworthiness of AI systems. In this talk, I: a) present work that highlights numerous concerns arising from large scale datasets, b) discuss the downstream impact of such dataset on models (including the exacerbation of societal biases and negative stereotypes) and c) review some approaches to both incremental improvements as well as shepherding broader structural change.
Dr. Abeba Birhane, Advisor, AI Accountability at Mozilla Foundation and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin, School of Computer Science and Statistics
Making AI Real - the Best Practices in Creating Value in Your Organization with AI
This session will explore how successful companies frame the conversation, ways to position your executive team for success, discuss parallel initiatives to chase, provide examples of companies in the area making a difference, and how to get started.
Speaker:
Nathan Lasnoski, CTO, Concurrency
Sam Hilgendorf, CIO, Fox World Travel
i.c.stars |* Milwaukee interns
Milwaukee's Tech Talent Transformation: How Local Companies Can Embrace Tech Talent Programs
A panel discussion about tech talent upskilling programs, featuring Amazon Web Services and Brooksource. Includes a case study from American Family Insurance, the benefits they gained, and how they had a positive impact on the local community.
Moderator:
Bruce Wolf, Senior Manager, Enterprise Digital Risk, American Family Insurance
Panelists:
Sheldon Cuffie, Former Vice President & Enterprise Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), American Family Insurance
Shelby Whalen, Elevate Program Coordinator, Brooksource
Cherry Ji, Senior Program Manager, AWS Education Program: AWS Training and Certification
Betty Yang, Software Development Engineer, Brooksource
Mentor Session – Software Design & Engineering
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
David Manske, Generac Power Systems
Phil Finucane, Pat.Ai
Jason Wischer, Kanini Software
Mary Schaefer, TotalTek
Remediation and Disaster Planning
Presented by ValorTech as a part of the ValorTech "Secure, Recover, Sustain: Navigating the Future of Cyber Resilience" series.
- Incident Response Framework: Key components of an effective incident response plan.
- Digital Evidence Preservation: Best practices for managing and securing digital evidence after a security breach.
- Forensic Analysis: Techniques and tools for conducting thorough forensic investigations.
- Disaster Recovery Planning: Steps to create a resilient disaster recovery strategy that minimizes downtime and data loss.
- Business Continuity: Ensuring continuous operation and resilience through various disruptions.
- Role of Managed Services: How partnering with MSSPs can enhance the robustness of cyber defenses and compliance.
Speaker:
Adam Suring, Chief Information Security Officer, Valortech
Jamie Judkins, Vice President of Business Development, Valortech
Bridging the Gap: How Can Small Businesses & Startups Grow Together
There is a rich and vibrant history of manufacturing and small business, in Wisconsin. Newer to the ecosystem is the emerging tech industry. However, these two seldom have the opportunity to be in the same room and benefit from each other. How can we all work together to continue the legacy of the workforce that has made Wisconsin a great manufacturing state while also benefiting from the innovation. Specifically, to increase productivity, prevent offshoring, through implementation of new technology and providing first client acquisition for local startup founders. This will be an interactive programming with a lot of collaboration on how everyone can best move forward to grow together. Questionnaires and engagement will be asked of audience members, before, during and after the event.
Moderator:
Ayrton Bryan, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Avery Dennison
Panelists:
Jake Krueger, Partner, Fresh Coast Labs
Craig Armstrong, CEO, ScanPac
From Music to Mars: How a Life in Music Led to a Career in Aerospace
Record producer and touring multi-instrumentalist Jason Achilles presents a storied personal accounting of developments that led to the world hearing the first sounds captured from Mars by the NASA Perseverance rover on February 22nd, 2021. This historic and inspiring journey will culminate with a show-and-tell analysis of technical hurdles, sharing recent recordings from the Martian surface, and what the future holds for audio that is literally out of this world. Q&A to follow.
Jason Achilles, Zandef Deksit Inc.; former consultant, NASA/JPL
Unlocking the Power of AI: Roundtables Discussions for AI Strategy and Implementation
AI isn't just the future—it's the present, revolutionizing every facet of business. Join fellow executives, business leaders, and innovators for roundtable discussions to learn from one another and share valuable insights, strategies, and best practices for seamlessly integrating AI into your business. From navigating compliance to seizing growth opportunities, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve and propel your business into the AI-driven future.
Each captivating roundtable topic will have an attorney facilitator from Husch Blackwell who will guide the conversation and moderate the questions:
- AI usage in hiring and performance evaluation
Integration of AI in real estate investment analysis
AI for risk assessment and decision-making in finance
Legal and ethical implications of AI-generated IP
AI-powered contract analysis and compliance in SaaS agreements
AI algorithms and fraudulent insurance claims
AI for product safety and risk assessment
How can legal teams leverage AI technologies
AI and traditional workforce management practices
Didn’t see a topic that interests you? Please let us know what would interest you and we will work to incorporate it: https://forms.office.com/r/cTTfC7kWNH.
Building in the New Data Age: Design and Construction Considerations when Building Data Centers
With all the new construction needing to be more equipped to handle high-data and technology loads, and with organizations like Microsoft creating a large data centers in our region, what things need to be considered in this new world of construction around supporting the amount of energy needed to power these buildings?
Conor Farley, Oliver Construction
Ricardo Navarro, Generac Power Systems
Eric Ehlers, Preferred Electric
Dan Rogers, Bredan Mechanical
Andy Kolosovsky, Engineering Manager, WEC Energy Group
Mentor Session – C-Suite + Leadership Pathways
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
ChaChi Gallo, Generac Power Systems
Marie Watkins, Polaris Talent, Inc.
Molly Mulroy, WEC
Tim Dickson, Regal Rexnord
Nick Oliver, Redbird Security
Joseph Jordan, Elliam Inc.
Steve Hannan, Landmark Credit Union
Phil Finucane, Pat.Ai
Nate Lasnoski, Concurrency
Infrastructure Redundancy
Presented by 1547 Realty as a part of the ValorTech "Secure, Recover, Sustain: Navigating the Future of Cyber Resilience" series.
This workshop series will cover the progressive steps of handling cyber threats— securing against them, recovering if they occur, and sustaining operations through robust infrastructure. They will walk attendees, interested in a holistic view of cybersecurity, through a comprehensive approach to cyber resilience.
- Designing Redundant Systems: Principles of designing data centers with redundancy and fault tolerance.
- Scalability and Flexibility: How to ensure data centers can scale in response to growing data demands and technological advancements.
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Discussing sustainable practices in data center operations and design.
- Physical and Network Security: Integrating robust physical security measures and cybersecurity practices.
- Risk Management in Data Centers: Identifying and mitigating risks in data center operations.
- Future Trends in Data Center Technology: Exploring upcoming innovations in data center design and management.
Presenter:
John Bonczek, Chief Revenue Officer, 1547 Realty
Intellectual Property Basics and USPTO Resources
Learn from United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) experts about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovation as you transition from idea to product. The discussion will cover:
- An overview of intellectual property types: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
- Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
- Local resources and assistance available through the USPTO and other agencies
Speaker:
James O. Wilson, Acting Regional Director, United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office
The Story You Stepped In
Community Chosen Programming
I've been helping tech startups around the country to uncover their most beneficial and true story framework, so that their pitches are stronger, and so that their teams are aligned. It's not enough to talk about the problem you're solving. There's a story, a metaphor, a framework that will help your audiences understand why that problem needs to be solved and why they should invest in it. I'd like to lead a workshop to help more tech entrepreneurs know how to find that story, and how to use it.
Greg Marshall, Chief Storyteller and Producer, CI Design
Lunch
Explore the Potawatomi Casino|Hotel for a variety of food options!
The Journey to Gaining Access to Capital – The Future Outlook of Considering All Options
Join us for a transformative discussion where we'll dive into the thriving ecosystem of finance. Discover how having a multi-disciplinary approach can uniquely position your business for success. In this session boundaries will be pushed and creatively will flourish as we explore insights from a extraordinary panel of Venture Capitalist, Equity Partner, Business Incubator and traditional Financial Institution all ready to illuminate your path with ideas to create growth.
Moderator:
Andreas Bubenzer-Paim, Managing Director: Head of Technology Banking, BMO
Panelists:
Troy Vosseller, Partner, Gener8tor
Cordero Barkley, Partner, TitleTownTech
Andrew Hockin, Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets (Venture Capital)
Stephanie Hoskins, CEO & Founder, Debtle
Sean Lightner, Director of BMO Technology Banking – Growth & Innovation, BMO
Smarter Manufacturing with AI and 5G
Representatives from Microsoft, Rockwell Automation, and UScellular will discuss how Artificial Intelligence and 5G Private Cellular Networks are transforming traditional manufacturing into “Smart Manufacturing” environments. With Microsoft’s recent announcement and investment in Wisconsin, attendees will get a chance to hear and see examples of how manufacturers are taking advantage of these advanced technologies.
Moderator:
James Rose, Head of Private Cellular Networks, UScellular
Panelists:
Balamurugan Balakreshnan, Senior Director/Principal Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft
Joseph Zaccaria, Manager Industry Academia, Rockwell Automation
Ross Harmsen, Industry 4.0 Business Development Manager, UScellular
Mentor Session – Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, Machine Learning
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
Nate Lasnoski, Concurrency
ChaChi Gallo, Generac Power Systems
Ajay Gomez, Profound Logic
David Walechka, Clarios
Akash Rana, Regal Rexnord
Michael Gentry, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren sc
David Manske, Generac Power Systems
Demystifying - Artificial Intelligence
In this session, we delve into the dynamic world of AI, navigating through headlines and hype cycles to discern practical applications and essential skills. Beginning with foundational definitions and key terms, we embark on a journey exploring the practical applications of machine learning, best practices in training and evaluation, as well as platforms, tools, and popular algorithms driving AI innovation. Through real-world use cases, we uncover the transformative power of AI across industries. Delving into AI languages and tools, we discuss strategies for selecting frameworks tailored to specific business needs. Furthermore, we offer insights into UWM's (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) AI initiatives, serving as a compelling case study. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of AI trends, practical applications, and strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Matt Friedel, Senior Lecturer, UWM School of Information Studies; Adjunct Faculty, Marquette; Angel Investor & Co-founder, Milwaukee Venture Partners, Inc.
Locking Down Enterprise IoT and OT Environments: Securing the Future of Manufacturing
The proliferation of IoT, IIoT, and OT devices without standardized security measures has opened up new avenues for cyberattacks, leading to an alarming 400% increase in malware attacks this year alone. In the manufacturing sector, remote access requirements for employees and partners have significantly expanded the attack surface, with VPN vulnerabilities emerging as a primary target. Additionally, the rise of shadow IT has introduced numerous unauthorized devices onto networks, necessitating continuous visibility. Join us as we delve into IoT security best practices within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including the adoption of the zero trust framework outlined by the CISA Maturity Model.
Dan Shelton, VP CTO in-Residence, Zscaler
The Path to Digital Acceleration
Join Sitecore and a panel of digital marketing visionaries spanning across different industries in a lively discussion around:
- Business Agility: learn about moving with your customers at the speed of change
- AI: how visionaries are integrating AI into everyday business practices
- Path to cloud: how organizations are leveraging the cloud to support their growth strategies
Moderator:
Heather Polen, Global VP of Customer Transformation, Sitecore
Panelists:
Tim Dickson, CDIO, Regal Rexnord
Rogelio Villanueva, Director of Global Web Marketing, SHURE
Anne Norman, Senior Director Digital Solutions, Horizontal Digital
Pitch Competition
The 8 Finalists are:
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Chicago, IL |
A software platform designed to solve the challenges of Lost and Found. |
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South Africa |
We are an at-home health testing company democratizing access to healthcare |
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Milwaukee, WI |
Medical products designed by clinicians for patient safety and mobility |
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Milwaukee, WI |
Atomix provides high-touch operations high-growth omnichannel brands. |
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Detroit, MI |
Marketplace that connects student athletes with brand partnerships. |
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Chicago, IL |
We Deliver Product Innovation for Community Banks. |
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Chicago, IL |
REACH is a college and career pathway. |
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Menomonee Falls, WI |
We are the only drink mixer designed to support liver health and next day recovery. |
Judges
Rich Scudellari, Penny Jar
Robert Kraft, Atlas World Sports
Terese Caro, LRC MKE
Kendrick Pullen, LifeTagger
Paul Hoesly, Potawatomi Ventures
Maggie Fernandes, We Pivot
Kristie Benbazza, Molson Coors
Industry 4.0 & Hybrid Networks
We'll dive deep into Industry 4.0, exploring top-notch use cases like the Purdue model, AI, Automation, Robotics, IoT, Digital Twins, Real-time Carbon/Energy Insights, SR/VR, and Analytics. Discover how 5G, private cellular, DAS 2.0, and current customer deployments complement Wi-Fi, paving the way for seamless connectivity.
Moderator
Dave Woodward, Owner, GranGraeGroup
Panelists
Todd Kelly, Sr. VP of Solutions Engineering, STEP CG
Joseph Hamann, Executive Director, Connected Systems Institute, UW-Milwaukee
Yusuf Abu-Hatoum, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Palermo's Pizza
From Concept to Reality: Building Your Tech Ideas with Wisconsin Tech Month Insights
This workshop is designed to inspire and equip participants with the tools to turn their innovative tech ideas into successful realities. Using the proven framework of Wisconsin Tech Month, this session will delve into the practical aspects of taking an idea from inception to execution, with a focus on fostering a supportive tech ecosystem.
Nadiyah Johnson, Founder, Jet Constellations & Milky Way Tech Hub
Carlos Vasquez, Founder, HablaCode
Mentor Session – Project Management
Meet the Expert Mentor sessions are intended to intentionally pair up 10 executive leaders with chosen mentees in an intimate networking session. Each session will start with a 10-15 minute overview of the topics, and the remaining time will be focused 3 rounds of networking.
Mentors
Shelia Long, Malama Doe
Jason Wischerm, Kanini Software
Nicole Conrad, EEAS, LLC
Tammie Brings, i.c.stars
Mark Hall, Potawatomi Casino Hotel
James Hischke, Clarios
Andrew Youel, Eaton Corp
Len Niemiec, Alliant Consulting Group
Joe Jordan, Elliam Inc.
The Ever-Changing Threat Landscape
Today's cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving. Traditional castle-and-moat architectures are no longer adequate to secure data and users in our hybrid work world. Currently, half of the malware delivered each month comes from SaaS apps. John will explain why it’s important to have visibility for all your traffic – especially well-known (trusted) applications. Followed by a live demo from Bob.
Presenters:
Bob Langys, Sr. Solutions Engineer, Netskope
A.I. Deployed: Real-World Use Cases
Community Chosen Programming
Milwaukee native and seasoned AI consultant shows dozens of their deployed A.I. solutions for business. Featuring examples from enterprises like 3M and the NFL along with solutions from legal, medical, TV production, state and local public sector, education, marketing and design. Attendees will learn innovative techniques for securely and responsibly integrating proprietary data with various different foundation and open source models. This session will also explore fascinating practical uses cases involving the world’s largest context windows that leverage models with over one million token inputs. Go way beyond standard generative AI Chatbots into AI applications leveraging video, voice, audio, images, vectors in ways you’ve never imagined you could use AI to solve business problems. This session provides a rare glimpse into how the most innovative companies in the U.S. are responsibly leveraging A.I. and perspective on where AI will evolve in 2024 and beyond.
Cris Ippolite, CEO/Director of ML/AI, iSolutionsAI
Happy Hour
Don't be sad that the conference is over, this doesn't mean the end! Get that networking hat on and connect with other attendees, speakers, and organization representatives!
Brought to you by Expedient
Jun
Networking Event
Use your badge to get into Summerfest FREE and attend this great finale event at Summerfest at the Dockside Bar. Enjoy snacks, two free beverages, and great networking and music on Milwaukee’s lakefront. To see the full music lineup for this day, visit Summerfest.com/lineup. For grounds location, visit Summerfest.com/grounds-map/. Sponsored by UWM School of Information Studies.
Community Events
June 24
- 9:30am - MSOE Dwight and Diane Diercks Computation Science Hall, 1025 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Lessons from the Front Line: How Leaders are Incorporating AI into Business Strategy
Sponsored by MSOE Center for Professional Education
Like most emerging technologies, artificial intelligence is rapidly changing traditional business models and approaches with no industry immune to disruption. To successfully navigate this dynamic environment, executives are benefiting from learning from others as to how they are driving digital transformation and AI innovation within their organizations. Come learn from a diverse panel of business leaders and consultants as to how their organizations are adopting AI and realizing its value and benefits.
Moderator
Dr. Chris Taylor, Chair, MSOE Computer Science and Software Engineering Department
Panelists
Asif Bakar, Founder and CEO, Xorbix Technologies
Matt Kirchner, President, LAB Midwest
Jason Schultz, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, Michael Best
Sunil Kripalani, Chief Technology Officer, Direct Supply
Who Should Attend?
- C-suite Executives- IT Leaders- Business Strategy Decision Makers
JUNE 25
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Third Space Brewing, 1505 W St. Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Out of Towners + Entrepreneurs Happy Hour
Sponsored by Midwest House
Midwest House is hitting the road this summer and we're starting our tour at the biggest festival in the Midwest, Summerfest! We're supporting Summerfest through their tech conference portion of the festival, and we look forward to connecting with Wisconsin's innovation ecosystem. Join us at this happy hour to connect with fellow innovators, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem supporters!
Who Should Attend?
- Entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to have a good time
JUNE 27
- 4:00pm - 7:00pm - The Third Ward Beer Garden at Catalano Square, 147 N Broadway St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Happy Hour with Venture Capitalists
Sponsored by the Badger Fund of Funds
Come enjoy a beautiful Wisconsin evening and engage in conversation about the Money for Minnows investments strategy and the future of venture capital in Wisconsin. Beer and pizza will be served. This is a free event. You, your team, friends, and family are all invited.
Who Should Attend?
- Entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalists
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Check back for other events happening in Milwaukee this week!