8:00 AM – Registration & Breakfast

Kick off TechFest 2026 with a hot, hearty breakfast, networking with fellow IT professionals, business leaders, and technology partners before the day begins. Check in early to pick up your event materials, special gifts, and meet our exhibitors.

9:00 AM – Jake Schulte, Networks Plus

Welcome – Technology Leadership & Innovation
Jake Schulte, director of IT Operations, will kick off TechFest 2026 by sharing a behind‑the‑scenes update on what’s new at Networks Plus, including current initiatives, upcoming innovations, and how the team is evolving to support clients in a rapidly shifting digital world. This session sets the stage for the day and highlights how organizations can stay prepared, protected, and future-focused.

9:30 AM – John Bryant, CISA

The Evolving Threat Landscape: Insights from CISA Region 7

John Bryant, Acting Chief of Cybersecurity for CISA Region 7, brings a front‑line view of today’s cyber battlefield to TechFest 2026. As a Department of Homeland Security leader supporting public and private organizations across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, John works directly on K–12 cybersecurity initiatives, cyber assessments, and incident‑response planning — giving him unparalleled insight into emerging threats. In this session, he’ll break down the evolving 2026 threat landscape, highlight the tactics attackers are using now, and share practical guidance any organization can apply to strengthen its defenses. A valuable opportunity to learn from one of the region’s most trusted cybersecurity strategists!

10:30 AM – BREAK

10:45 AM – Devin Henderson

"Something Greater Is Coming" – Motivational Keynote
Get ready for a keynote that’s part inspiration, part entertainment, and 100% unforgettable. Award‑winning speaker, author, mentalist, and humorist Devin Henderson takes the stage with a powerful message about perseverance, creativity, and the resilience needed to thrive in a constantly evolving tech world. Blending laugh‑out‑loud moments with jaw‑dropping surprises, Devin will show how to push past limits, rethink what’s possible, and stay energized in the face of change. This dynamic session will deliver a boost of motivation right when the day needs it most — leaving attendees inspired, recharged, and ready for whatever comes next.

11:45 AM – Lunch

Enjoy a catered lunch while networking with peers, vendors, and presenters. Great opportunity to discuss morning sessions and prepare for the breakout workshops.

12:30–1:15 PM – Breakout Sessions

Disaster Recovery Workshop (Concurrent Session)

Presenter: Dan Strom, Kansas Farm Bureau
In this hands‑on workshop, regional cybersecurity expert Dan Strom will walk attendees through the real-world essentials of building a Disaster Recovery strategy that actually works when it matters most. Dan will break down evolving DR requirements, common gaps organizations overlook, and the practical steps needed to ensure business continuity during outages, cyber incidents, or data loss events. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of recovery planning and actionable insights to strengthen their organizational resilience.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium Deep Dive (One Session ONLY)

Presenter: Pax8
Pax8 experts will lead an in‑depth exploration of the security, productivity, and management capabilities within Microsoft 365 Business Premium. This session will focus on the tools and configurations that help organizations strengthen identity protection, streamline device and data security, and manage users more effectively. Attendees will learn how to maximize the value of features like data protection, identity and access management, device security, and compliance controls—all designed to help businesses operate more securely and efficiently across their Microsoft environment.

Cyber Insurance: What Businesses Must Know in 2026 (One Session ONLY)

Presenter: Shepherd Insurance
Cyber insurance continues to evolve rapidly, and businesses face more requirements than ever. Shepherd Insurance will demystify today’s cyber liability landscape, explain what underwriters look for, how to prepare for renewals, the controls needed for coverage approval, and how cyber insurance fits into an overall risk‑management strategy. Attendees will leave with clarity on what coverage actually protects and how to avoid costly policy gaps.

1:30–2:15 PM – Breakout Sessions 

Copilot Deep Dive (One Session ONLY)

Presenter: Pax8
This session will zero in specifically on Microsoft Copilot and how AI is transforming daily productivity and business workflows. Pax8 experts will break down practical use cases, security considerations, and real‑world best practices for adopting Copilot across your organization. Attendees will explore how Copilot integrates with tools like Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint, how to prepare your data for best results, and how businesses can leverage AI‑driven automation to work smarter while protecting sensitive information.

NIST Framework Demystified (One Session ONLY)

Presenter: Matt Topper, ConnectWise
Matt Topper will break down the NIST Cybersecurity Framework into clear, approachable concepts any organization can understand. This session will cover the five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover — with practical examples of how businesses can implement them without feeling overwhelmed. Perfect for leaders and IT professionals seeking a structured, proven approach to strengthening security.

Disaster Recovery Workshop (Repeat)

Presenter: Dan Strom

2:30 PM – Marc Laliberte, WatchGuard

"Why Network Security Is Still Important in the Cloud Age"

Marc Laliberte, Director of Security Operations – Corporate Strategy at WatchGuard Technologies, is a seasoned threat researcher known for uncovering and reporting critical IoT vulnerabilities and providing clear security guidance to IT teams of all levels.

In this session, Marc draws on more than a decade of hands‑on research to explain why traditional security layers still matter in an increasingly cloud‑driven world. He breaks down the risks of hybrid environments, how attackers are adapting, and the practical steps every organization must take to strengthen their defenses in 2026.

3:30 PM – Cyber Matt Lee, Pax8

From Chatbot to Co-Worker: Why AI's Evolution Is Now a Personal Security Issue (Aka: The more Ai can do FOR you, the more it can do TO you!)

Cybersecurity leader Matt Lee (#CyberMattLee) is a renowned, high‑demand speaker known for breaking down today’s most complex security challenges with clarity and urgency. In this session, Matt explores AI’s rapid evolution from simple chatbots to today’s autonomous digital co‑workers — and why that leap introduces serious new personal and organizational risks. When AI goes wrong now, it doesn’t just offer bad advice. It acts. Matt will uncover the real security implications of the AI tools you’re already using and what you must do to protect yourself.

With 13 years of experience elevating cybersecurity across the SMB and MSP space — including guiding security strategy for an MSP supporting 20,000 endpoints — Matt serves as Senior Director of Security and Compliance at Pax8, where he helps organizations strengthen their security posture and drives industry-wide security advancement. He is also the co‑author and co‑host of H(Ai)ckaton Stream, a YouTube-based podcast exploring the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and emerging threats.

4:30 PM – Social Hour

Unwind after a full day of learning. Enjoy refreshments, network with peers, and talk directly with presenters. A great opportunity to build lasting relationships and explore collaborations.