TechSTL

How are tech skills transforming the St. Louis workforce, even in the midst of rapid change within the industry? Our CEO, Emily Hemingway sat down with Nathan Vickers of KMOV-TV, alongside AJ Segal of Scale AI to talk about the growing demand for technology competencies across the entire labor market to build a #FutureReadySTL. It's about a lot more than AI! https://lnkd.in/gy-zy7cx

On April 15th, the Digital Transformation Summit will take over the Webster University School of Business with a full day of sessions exploring data, strategy, and AI integrations. Presented by ArchitectNow and YASH Technologies, this jam-packed day of insights is free part of #STLTechWeek, but tickets are going fast! 📅 Wednesday, April 15, 2026 🕘 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 Webster University School of Business & Technology 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/gVg4zbFV AGENDA 🕘 9:30 AM Doors Open 🕘 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Keynote: "10 Years of Change in 6 Months" by Kevin Grossnicklaus, CEO of ArchitectNow & Alex Will, CTO of ArchitectNow 🕘 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Keynote: "The Future of Autonomous AI Enterprises - Reimagining Autonomy in the age of intelligence" by Prakash Kajuluri, AVP at YASH Technologies 🕘 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch in Edward Jones Commons 🕘 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM Breakout Sessions 1 📌 A: From Idea to Impact: How to Build AI That Actually Delivers Results, by Nia J., Senior Growth Product Lead (Marketing - AI), Microsoft 📌 B: From Cloud Native to Multi-Cloud Native: Write Once, Deploy Anywhere, by Sandeep Pal, Principal Engineer, Salesforce 📌 C: GitHub Copilot - My OMG! moment, by John Baluka, Software Development Consultant 📌 D: Your Jira Board is Perfect: Your Kid's Science Project is Due Tomorrow, by Angela Virtudazo, Senior Learning Strategist 📌 E: 10 Tips to Become the Accessibility SME in Your Dev Shop, by Chad Hester, MLIS, UXC, WAS, Vice President, BarrierBreak 🕘 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Breakout Sessions 2 📌 A: Enhance Your Business Productivity With Microsoft Copilot and Agents, by Becky Bertram, Owner, Savvy Technical Solutions 📌 B: Pressed: The Cost of Constant Stimulation, by Ashley René Casey, Founder, Presence Over Pixels 📌 C: From Hype to Impact: How We Build AI Products That Deliver, by Larry McLean, Chief Growth Officer, McLean Forrester 📌 D: Build Your Own AI Coworker, by Joshua Johnson, CTO of TREE Industries 📌 E: Stop building bridges. Start building teams., by Julia Pitlyk, Sr. Director Digital Transformation, Nestlé Health Science and James Nippert, VP Consulting Solutions, Sketch Development 🕘 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Breakout Sessions 3 📌 A: The Generative Enterprise Operating Model: How Work, Roles & Value Creation Change, by Jeromey Farmer, Chief Data & AI Officer, EVP, 3Cloud 📌 B: Reframing Resistance in Digital Transformation, by Rebecca Solano, Senior Organizational Change Manager, Technology & Business Transformation, Crowe 📌 C: Swimming with Sharks, by Kirk Damman, Patent Attorney, Lewis Rice LLC 📌 D: Radical Accessibility: Why Inclusive Design Is the Next Frontier of Innovation, by Pamela D. Williams, EdD, CPP, Assistant Professor of Practice for OLID, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 📌 E: From Spreadsheets to Sentinels: Building Real-Time Property Intelligence for Local Government, by Dave Messner, Managing Partner, New Legacy Development Partners

#Cybersecurity is one of the tracks for the April 14th #AI Summit at the America's Center for #STLTechWeek - 🎫 https://lnkd.in/e3hnzQX4 With 50 breakout sessions over 10 tracks, this one day is offering almost 40 hours of technical insights, and #CyberAI is definitely one of our strongest! (Thanks to our lead organizer, Rhonna Novy - CISSP, MBA, eMAPT, Volunteer) 📌 SESSION 1 🕘 9:30 - 10:15 AM "The Evolution to Multi-Agent Agentic AI: Cybersecurity, Responsible Use, and the Race to Protect" by Tina Lampe, Director - IT Software Engineering, DIRECTV Explore the evolution to multi-agent agentic AI in cybersecurity, the responsible use of AI & the race to protect our organizations from new AI threat vectors. Attendees will gain actionable insights into responsible AI oversight allowing organizations to unleash AI innovation. 📌 SESSION 2 🕘 10:30 - 11:15 AM "AI and Nation State: A Panel" -- Moderator - Zach Lewis, CIO & CISO, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis -- Kristi Cook, Director of Global IT/OT, Peabody Energy -- Marc Ashworth, Chairperson Technology Committee, Missouri Bankers Association -- Montez Fitzpatrick, CTO, Navvis (healthcare) -- Andre Van Klaveren, Co-Leader, OWASP Saint Louis Consider the major shifts and challenges in cybersecurity over the past year—from the rise of AI-driven threats to increasingly sophisticated nation-state attacks. The panel will focus on what these developments mean for businesses & where leaders should be directing their resources in the year ahead. 📌 SESSION 3 🕘 1:00 - 1:45 PM "Cybersecurity is Ready for Local Models" by Michael Roytman, Co-Founder & CTO, Empirical Security Cybersecurity has long relied on global models—threat intel feeds, vulnerability rankings, behavior baselines—built on the aggregation of telemetry across organizations. But the shift to cloud-native architectures, the explosion of software supply chains, and the operational limits of probabilistic prioritization (e.g., CVSS and even EPSS) are exposing the brittleness of these global models. The next frontier in defensible security decision-making is the integration of local models—statistical and causal models grounded in the specific configurations, assets, behaviors, and exposures of an individual environment. 📌 SESSION 4 🕘 2:00 - 2:45 PM "Automation, AI, and Trust" by Chris Gillham, Security Architecture Chapter Lead, Bayer As organizations adopt AI and automation, the biggest barrier is trust. This session explores how to ensure systems are transparent, auditable, and aligned with risk tolerance to enable confident deployment at scale. 📌 SESSION 5 🕘 3:00 - 3:45 PM "AI Governance Law" by Hannah Ji-Otto, Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP As AI adoption grows, governance and regulation are shaping how organizations deploy and scale these technologies. This session will break down key regulations, risks, and compliance strategies to help organizations align innovation with legal and ethical standards.

LogistiX is a full-day summit on April 16th exploring how AI, data, and advanced technology are reshaping the future of logistics, supply chain operations, advanced manufacturing, and defense innovation in the St. Louis region. As a nationally strategic hub—centrally located, home to the second-largest inland port, and anchored by major federal and military institutions—St. Louis is uniquely positioned to lead the next era of front-line industrial innovation. 📌 LogistiX: Manufacturing & Supply Chain Summit 📅 Thursday, April 16th from 10 AM - 4 PM 🏢 At Conflux Co-Learning in St. Louis 🏆 Presented by UNCOMN 🎫 Tickets: https://lnkd.in/gRE-5bKX With federal anchors such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, USTRANSCOM, Scott Air Force Base, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, alongside the recent announcement of Boeing returning its Defense and Security headquarters to the region, the metro is emerging as a national testbed for supply chain resilience, GeoAI, defense logistics, and next-generation manufacturing systems. LogistiX convenes industry executives, elected officials, technology leaders, military personnel, and innovators to examine what comes next: how AI-driven logistics, smart manufacturing, spatial intelligence, and secure supply chains will drive economic competitiveness, national security, and regional growth. Through keynote talks and high-level discussions, the summit will explore how the St. Louis ecosystem can accelerate adoption, pilot emerging technologies, and position itself at the forefront of America’s logistics and defense innovation network. Whether you’re building, deploying, funding, or governing these systems, LogistiX offers a strategic look at the future of manufacturing and supply chains—right from the center of the country. This event is free, but seating is limited. Lunch will be served and onsite parking is available. Free parking is available around the Conflux Hub. #STLTechWeek #SupplyChain #Manufacturing #Logistics #Defense #Innovation #StLouis #Transportation

Organizations across every industry are facing the same challenge: how to successfully integrate new digital tools, automation, and AI into everyday operations. The #DigitalTransformation Summit brings together the region’s top technologists, agency leaders, and industry practitioners for a full day focused on real-world implementation of modern technology solutions. Presented by ArchitectNow and hosted at Webster University, this one-day conference features a jam-packed lineup of technology experts, keynote speakers, and hands-on trainers exploring how digital transformation is reshaping agencies, companies, nonprofits, and growing organizations across the Midwest. Event Details 📅 Wednesday, April 15, 2026 🕘 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 📍 Webster University School of Business & Technology 🎟️ Free to attend, lunch provided Agenda & Tickets are available: https://lnkd.in/g-V3Yf3j

The #AI Summit opens #STLTechWeek with an enviable lineup of keynote speakers sharing insight into how #StLouis is positioned to serve as a global hub for AI-powered innovation. Hosted in the Ferrara Theatre of the America's Center in Downtown St. Louis, this is our most high-profile event of the week and it will sell out. 🎫 Tickets are available now: https://lnkd.in/e3hnzQX4 AI Summit, Day One Lineup: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM "Winning the AI Race: National Security, Innovation & the Role of St. Louis" by United States Senator for the State of Missouri, Eric Schmitt 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM "AI in 2026" by David Karandish, Founder & CEO, Capacity 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM "Signals Shaping the Future" by Rahul Deshpande, EVP Global Head of Research and Development, Mastercard 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM "From PowerPoint to Product in 240 Days: How Edward Jones Ventures Built a Founder-Friendly Innovation Platform" by Greg Robinson, Partner, Head of Corporate Development and Edward Jones Ventures, Edward Jones 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Special Announcement by Emily Hemingway, Founder & CEO, TechSTL 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM Lunch 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Presentation from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM "TechWeek Reassembled: Insights, Impact & What's Next" (Panel) with Ashley Pyle, CXO of GadellNet Consulting Services, Jason Carter, CEO of UNCOMN, Erin Sucher-O'Grady, CXO of Integrity, Amy Heger, Microsoft User Experience Researcher in Responsible AI, JeffreyM Consulting 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM "Turning AI into a Core Operating Capability with Intelligence + Trust" by Ajay Iyer, Principal Technical Architect at Microsoft Innovation Hub St. Louis 3:00 PM - 3:35 PM “Rebuilding in Real Time: Leadership, Data & AI in Tornado Recovery” with Clayco leadership, Rick Moeckel, Executive Vice President, Katie Lane, Chief Talent Officer, Sandra Marks, Senior Vice President, and Lesley Roth, Principal at LJC 3:35 PM - 4:00 PM "Governing AI: Risk, Responsibility & the Future of Missouri's State Systems (Panel)" with Tim Marczewski, Director of AI and Innovation with State of Missouri, Shawn Ivy, Chief Information Security Officer with State of Missouri, and Joe Kirby, Director of Data & Analytics, State of Missouri #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #StLouis #TechWeek #InnovationHub

The Midwest #Ecommerce Summit returns April 15 at T-REX as part of #STLTechWeek! This year’s theme, Built to Grow, challenges ecommerce leaders to take a hard look at the technology powering their business. https://lnkd.in/gxAsxgsm Growth changes everything. Will the technology you have today get you to tomorrow? The systems that helped you launch and scale may not be ready for what comes next. As revenue increases and operations become more complex, cracks begin to surface. What once powered growth can begin to slow it down. The Midwest Ecommerce Summit is a leading ecommerce conference in St. Louis focused on modernizing the ecommerce tech stack for growing Midwest brands. MES brings together manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to evaluate and strengthen the systems behind their ecommerce operations — without adding unnecessary complexity. Throughout the afternoon, speakers and merchants will explore what it takes to modernize an ecommerce operation at scale. We’ll examine how the layers of a modern tech stack connect across the business. Platform decisions influence marketing performance. ERP alignment shapes reporting accuracy. Inventory visibility impacts customer experience. Payments, tax compliance, AI, and automation operate within the same ecosystem. Understanding how those systems work together is essential to sustaining growth. What We’ll Cover in the Modern Ecommerce Tech Stack? The Midwest Ecommerce Summit is one of the only ecommerce conferences in the Midwest dedicated specifically to manufacturers, retailers, and distributors modernizing their ecommerce operations. The program moves across the full ecommerce stack, examining the systems that most directly impact growth and operational clarity. Each topic reflects a layer that typically requires modernization as organizations scale. --> Platform & Strategy: Aligning your ecommerce platform with long-term growth plans and avoiding costly limitations as revenue scales. --> ERP & Back-Office Alignment: Connecting ecommerce, finance, and operations to improve reporting accuracy and internal visibility. --> Inventory & Demand Planning: Building tighter control over stock, forecasting, and multi-channel complexity. --> Payments & Tax Infrastructure: Strengthening payment operations and managing compliance as geographic reach expands. --> Data Integration & Automation: Ensuring systems communicate cleanly and eliminating manual workarounds that slow growth. --> SEO, AI & Optimization: Using data-driven insights and AI tools to drive performance and smarter decision-making. --> Lifecycle & Ecommerce Marketing: Integrating automation and retention strategy into the broader technology ecosystem. Tickets are free, but seating is limited: https://lnkd.in/gxAsxgsm

Presenting Sponsor T-Kartor welcomes you to GeoNEXT, a full-day immersion into what’s next at the intersection of geospatial, AI, and real-world decision advantage. https://lnkd.in/gB6kvNDX Hosted on April 15th as part of #STLTechWeek, GeoNEXT brings together leading innovators, operators, investors, and leaders who understand that location intelligence is no longer a niche capability, it’s a foundational layer of modern industry. Yes, St. Louis is proud to be home to the newly opened NGA Campus West. But this event is about much more than national security. It’s about how #geospatial technologies are transforming how business is done across virtually every major sector of the economy. From the Midwest to the global stage, GeoNEXT will spotlight how geospatial and AI are driving impact in: 📌 Agriculture & Food Systems – precision ag, climate resilience, yield optimization 📌 Transportation & Logistics – supply chain visibility, routing, autonomy, and resilience 📌 Energy & Oil/Gas – asset intelligence, risk, sustainability, and infrastructure planning 📌 Telecommunications – network planning, expansion, and spatial optimization 📌 Spatial Finance – risk modeling, site intelligence, underwriting, and investment strategy GeoNEXT convenes industry leaders, startups, researchers, and ecosystem builders who are applying geospatial thinking beyond maps — into insight, foresight, and competitive advantage. Expect practical use cases, bold ideas, and meaningful conversations that connect technology to outcomes. Whether you’re building, deploying, investing in, or relying on location intelligence, GeoNEXT is where the future of geospatial moves from concept to execution. Join us for a conference that proves geospatial isn’t just about where things are — it’s about where things are going!

🚨 #StLouis -- The city’s premier Black tech and business celebration is back!! After drawing 400+ leaders, founders, creators, and community members last year, #BlackTechSTL returns during #STLTechWeek with an elevated, high-energy evening that showcases the brilliance, innovation, and economic power of Black-owned businesses in St. Louis. This is not a traditional networking event. It’s a tech-enabled, culture-forward digital marketplace designed to connect the community with the future of commerce. 🚀 50+ Innovative Vendors Explore a curated mix of Black-owned startups, tech companies, consumer brands, authors, creatives, professional services, and nonprofits. 📲 Contactless Digital Marketplace Enjoy a seamless, cashless experience powered by modern payment and QR-based technology. 🤝 High-Impact Networking Connect with founders, investors, corporate partners, and TechSTL leadership in a dynamic, high-visibility setting. 👟 The Vibe: Suits & Sneakers Professional meets culture. Show up sharp, authentic, and ready to connect. Why Attend Whether you’re a tech professional, entrepreneur, student, investor, or community supporter, this is the place to: - Support and shop Black-owned businesses - Discover emerging tech and creative talent - Build meaningful connections across the STL tech ecosystem - Celebrate innovation, ownership, and community impact Event Details 📅 Thursday, April 16, 2026 🕕 6:00 – 9:00 PM 📍 The Post Building, Downtown St. Louis 💰 FREE to Attend (RSVP Required) Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gdaw43EH Hosted by Omar Perkins MS I-O Psych, MSOL

📣 Calling Women Leaders of #StLouis - We've got a free networking event to get you connected on April 14th! Hosted at T-REX during the #STLTechWeek, this afternoon reception is bringing together top women leaders in business, technology, entrepreneurship, research, and community leadership from across the metro. Event Details 📅 Tuesday, April 14, 2026 🕓 4:00 – 5:30 PM 📍 T-REX Downtown on the 4th Floor 🎟️ Free to attend: https://lnkd.in/gsVSjqb3 Designed as a relaxed and welcoming space to unwind after the Summit, the mixer creates opportunities for meaningful conversations, new collaborations, and expanded networks among the women driving innovation in the region. Whether you're a founder, developer, executive, investor, researcher, or emerging leader, this gathering offers a chance to meet peers, share insights, and strengthen the growing community of women leading St. Louis forward.