Annual NC STIR Briefing: How Does NC's Tech Sector Stack Up?
Ted Abernathy
Managing Partner
Economic Leadership
Outlook for Tech (Charlotte)
February 12, 2026
#OUTLOOKFORTECHNC
Kick off the year with the people and perspectives shaping North Carolina’s tech future. Outlook for Tech is NC TECH’s signature statewide launch event — a fast-paced, content-rich experience where innovation, insight, and industry intelligence meet. Join hundreds of technology and business leaders for executive panel discussions, predictions keynote, an innovation briefing, the 2026 NC TECH Preview, and the highly anticipated release of the annual State of the Technology Industry Report (NC STIR). Explore emerging trends, hear what’s next for the sector, and connect with peers and partners in the Tech Expo. Hosted this year at The Revelry North End, the event includes breakfast, lunch, and a networking reception.
Featured Speakers
Cyber Trends Industry Outlook - The State of the Threat 2026
Darwin Herdman
Chief Security Officer
Silver Tree Consulting and Services
Employment Outlook Panel Discussion - The Workforce in the Age of AI
Juan Garzon
Managing Director
Innovate Charlotte
Employment Outlook Panel Discussion - The Workforce in the Age of AI
Charlitta Hatch
Chief Data + Analytics Officer + Deputy Director of Innovation and Technology
City of Charlotte
Employment Outlook Panel Discussion - The Workforce in the Age of AI
Heidi Smith
VP - IT Strategy + Transformation
Honeywell
Employment Outlook Panel Discussion - The Workforce in the Age of AI
Martin Strasburger
CISO
Duke Energy
AI Executive Conversation - AI ROI
Sangeetha Menon
Sr. Vice President and Head of Cloud Data Analytics, AI/ML, GenAI Platforms
Truist
AI Executive Conversation - AI ROI
David Reynolds
SVP and Senior Risk Advisory Officer - Consumer Small Business Banking & Digital Channels
Truist
AI Executive Conversation - AI ROI
Parisia Clyburn-Patton
SVP - Enterprise Tech, Data & Operations Risk Officer for Cyber Business Security, Cyber Tech, Security Governance & Fraud Operations
Truist
When + Where
Thursday, February 12 | 8am - 5pm
The Revelry
701 Keswick Ave #110 Charlotte, NC 28206
Parking Guests are encouraged to park in the parking deck adjacent to the Revelry, located in the Camp North End campus.
Lodging There are several hotel options located within 10 minute drive of the venue, including many in Uptown Charlotte.
Registration
Member Registration: $275
Member Table of 6: $1,750
Non-Member Registration: $550
Non-Member Table of 6: $3,500
Online registration for this event has now closed, please reach out to Rachel Morris-Houle on current availability.
Sponsorship
Are you interested in sponsoring this event? View the Sponsorship Menu below and contact Tracy Sternberg.
Agenda
9:00 am
Registration + Tech Expo Opens
10:15 am
Welcome + NC TECH Business Meeting
10:30 am
2026 Predictions: The Race to Trust and Value
Sharyn Leaver, Chief Research Officer, Forrester
11:15 am
Annual NC STIR Briefing: How Does NC's Tech Sector Stack Up?
Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner, Economic Leadership LLC
11:35 am
Tech Expo + Break
12:00 pm
Lunch Service
12:35 pm
AI Executive Conversation - AI ROI
Sangeetha Menon, David Reynolds, Parisia Clyburn-Patton - Truist
1:10 pm
Industry Outlook - The Roaring '20's: Then Vs. Now - sponsored by Accenture
Steve Smith, Managing Director, Accenture
1:35 pm
Employment Outlook Panel Discussion - The Workforce in the Age of AI - sponsored by UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics
Juan Garzon (Innovate Charlotte), Heidi Smith (Honeywell), Charlitta Hatch (City of Charlotte), Martin Strasburger (Duke Energy)
2:30 pm
Cyber Trends Industry Outlook - The State of the Threat 2026 - sponsored by Silver Tree Consulting and Services
Darwin Herdman, Chief Security Officer, Silver Tree Consulting & Services
3:00 pm
Closing Remarks + Transition to Reception
