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• 2025 12th Annual Leadership Awards

  • When
    01/14/2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Carillon Historical Park- 1000 Carillon Boulevard Dayton, Ohio 45409
  • Registered
    147 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Join us as we honor individuals and teams shaping the future of technology across Ohio at the 2025 Leadership Awards.

  Wednesday, January 14th, 4:00-6:00 P.M.
  Carillon Historical Park Eichelberger Pavilion

  MEMBER COMPANY RECEIVES ONE FREE ADMISSION!

  Celebrating Exceptional Leadership in Technology.

  The Technology First Leadership Awards elevate the trailblazers, disruptors, and change makers who are redefining the tech industry across Ohio. These distinguished honors recognize individuals and teams whose bold thinking, breakthrough innovation, and purpose-driven leadership are accelerating progress and transforming organizations. It’s more than recognition. This event is a call to celebrate those leading the charge into what’s next for our region’s thriving technology ecosystem.

  Agenda:

  4 p.m. - Registration, Networking, Drinks & Hors d'oeuvres

  4:30 p.m. - Award presentation followed by photos and celebrations!

  Award of Excellence - High School

  Award of Excellence - Student Project

  Best IT Services Company

  Career Champion Award

  Emerging Technology Leader

  IT Executive of the Year

  IT Project of the Year

  Outstanding Technology Team

  Most Promising Startup

  Volunteer of the Year

  Legacy of Leadership

  The annual event is sponsored by many local organizations. Category sponsors are available.  Contact membership@technologyfirst.org

  
  

  
  

  

   

  
  

  
  

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• IT Leaders: IT Governance in the age of AI: Do the traditional models still work?

  • When
    01/20/2026
  •  
    8:15 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    Montgomery County Business Solutions Center- 1435 Cincinnati Street, Suite 300, Dayton, OH 45417
  • Registered
    37 registrants

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  IT Governance in the age of AI: Do the traditional models still work?
  

  Facilitated By:

  J.D. Whitlock, CIO, Dayton Children's

  Jon Rike, CIO, City of Dayton

  
  

  J.D. and Jon will kick off the discussion by sharing how their organizations are approaching IT governance in the context of emerging AI technologies. Come with your current policies and let's discuss! 

  
  

  
  

  Powered by Title Sponsor: 

  
  

  

  
  

  Supporting Sponsor: 

  
  

  

  
  

  Agenda:

  8:15 - 8:30am check-in, light breakfast & networking

  8:30 - 10:00am meeting

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

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• Data Analytics: Buy or Build? Making the Right Call in the Age of Generative and Agentic AI

  • When
    01/22/2026
  •  
    8:15 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    virtual
  • Registered
    39 registrants

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  Buy or Build? Making the Right Call in the Age of Generative and Agentic AI

  The classic “buy vs. build” decision has never been more complex—or more consequential. As Generative and Agentic AI reshape what technology can do, the calculus for innovation, differentiation, and speed-to-value is shifting fast.

  In this peer discussion, we’ll unpack real-world approaches from analytics leaders navigating these choices today. We’ll examine when to buy, build, or partner; how to leverage your data advantage; and what risks, compliance, and long-term costs to weigh along the way. Walk away with a practical framework and peer-tested insights for making smarter, faster technology decisions in the AI era.

  Facilitated by:

  Kalen Howell, ChemStation

  Matt Coatney, Thompson Hine LLP

  
  

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• Workshop: AI Literacy for Project Stakeholders: Enhancing Acumen

  • When
    01/27/2026
  •  
    8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Life Connections- 2800 Donor Circle, Kettering
  • Spaces left
    28
  • Registered
    21 registrants

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  AI Literacy for Project Stakeholders: Enhancing Acumen

  Facilitated by: 

  Dave Davis, Dayton PMI 

  As artificial intelligence fundamentally transforms how projects are executed, all stakeholders must develop the ability to understand, evaluate, and leverage AI tools—not just managers. In this compelling workshop, Dave Davis underscores the importance of AI literacy as a foundational competence for modern project teams.

  Through engaging real-world stories and practical examples, Dave illustrates how project managers can act as catalysts for continuous AI learning—guiding teams to better collaboration, clearer communication, and smarter adoption of AI. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies to:

  • Cultivate a culture of curiosity and AI learning across projects

  • Translate complex AI concepts for diverse audiences

  • Align emerging AI technologies with project goals and outcomes

  Whether you're at the helm of AI-driven initiatives or supporting projects with an AI component, this session will equip you with the confidence and insight to foster stronger decision-making and deliver impactful results.

  Dave Davis is a leader in project management, change management, and business acumen who helps organizations connect vision to program roadmaps. He co-chaired the PMI Business Analyst Practice Guide and contributed to PMI’s Body of Knowledge. As a PMO Director, Change Manager, Program Manager, and Agile leader, Dave has delivered initiatives including a Workday implementation and AT&T’s Interactive Advantage eBonding program. A PMI CPMAI certificant, he provides AI Literacy workshops grounded in CPMAI Business Understanding—solving problems, aligning stakeholders, defining success, and driving impact. He supports PMI’s AI initiatives and serves as VP of Outreach for the Dayton PMI Chapter.

  
  

  Agenda:

  8:30 - 9:00am check-in & light breakfast

  9:00 - 12:00pm workshop

  
  

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• Cybersecurity: Incident Response - The First 48 Hours

  • When
    01/28/2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    virtual
  • Registered
    47 registrants

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  Incident Response - The First 48 Hours

  We'll explore the first 48 hours of an example cybersecurity incident with practical, firsthand experiences and mappings to NIST CSF 2.0 and NIST 800-61 rev 3. Join me for an engaging and education journey to help prepare you and your organization for a cyber incident! 

  Facilitated by:
  

  Joe Tinney
  SecureCyber

  Powered by: 

  
  

  Agenda:

  9:00 - 10:00am meeting

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Technology First Tech Connect Live Networking

  • When
    02/03/2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Sonder Brewing - Barrel Room - 8584 Duke Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040

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  Join Technology First for a fun and relaxed evening of networking, connection, and conversation with fellow technology professionals. Whether you're looking to expand your network, catch up with industry peers, or just enjoy some good company, this is the place to be!

  Sonders Brewing

  February 3, 2026

  Barrel Room, 8584 Duke Boulevard, Mason 

  4:00 - 6:00 PM

  Light appetizers and drinks will be provided.

  Come as you are, bring a colleague, and let's make some great connections together!

  Presented by:

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• 2026 Ohio Information Security Conference

  • When
    03/11/2026
  •  
    8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
  • Location
    Sinclair Conference Center, 301 W Fourth St, Dayton, 45402
  • Spaces left
    344
  • Registered
    70 registrants

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  OHIO INFORMATION SECURITY CONFERENCE

  MARCH 11, 2026

  Next Threat. Next Move.

  Cybersecurity is a battlefield. To delay is defeat. Hesitate for one second and you’re already behind. Next Threat. Next Move. is a call to act — decisively, intelligently, and with purpose. This year’s conference explores the latest cyber risks, and the bold responses required to outpace them. 

  From real-time incident response to emerging AI-driven threats, we’ll examine how security professionals can stay one step ahead through strategy, speed, and innovation. The next threat is already here. 

  The next move is yours.

  Sponsor & Engagement Opportunities Available 

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Workshop: AI Governance Bootcamp: Why and how to create an AI Governance program for your organization

  • When
    03/31/2026
  •  
    8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    Life Connections- 2800 Donor Circle, Kettering
  • Spaces left
    50
  • Registered
    Be the first

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  AI Governance Bootcamp: Why and How to Create an AI Governance Program for Your Organization

  Facilitated by: 

  Shawn Prince, Greater Dayton RTA

  As AI explodes across the globe, IT is left figuring out how to manage it in our environments. Is your group aligned with the business on expectations, tools, policies, and procedures to establish what is and isn't allowed on how AI is used? Are you prepared for changing laws (federal and local) that may affect what you need to gather and track?

  If you are at the beginning of your journey managing AI at a company level, this session is intended to take you through one organization's method for putting a plan in place. Join us while we share a real-world experience and have some whole room dialog about challenges and tips we can all share with each other. 

  I’m a technology leader with 30 years of experience driving innovation and transformation, setting the overall vision for technology departments, establishing 5-year strategic plans, and a history of delivering results through PMO leadership, leading customer success programs, and establishing high-performing IT operations.

  
  

  Agenda:

  8:30 - 8:45am Check-in & light breakfast

  8:45 - 10:00am Workshop

  
  

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• Technology First Tech Connect Live Networking

  • When
    06/02/2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    The Common Beer Company, 126 E Main St, Mason

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Join Technology First for a fun and relaxed evening of networking, connection, and conversation with fellow technology professionals. Whether you're looking to expand your network, catch up with industry peers, or just enjoy some good company, this is the place to be!

  The Common Beer Company, 126 E Main St, Mason

  June 2, 2026

  4:00 - 6:00 PM

  Light appetizers and drinks will be provided.

  Come as you are, bring a colleague, and let's make some great connections together!

  Presented by: 

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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