TechFest North Carolina Agenda

#TechFestNC2026

Day One

1:00 - 1:40 pm – Kickoff at Durham Armory

• Welcome Remarks
• Opening Keynote Speaker: Tony Kerrison, Head of Group Technology Infrastructure + Head of Technology, Data and Innovation Americas, Deutsche Bank

1:40 - 2:15 pm -  Executive Conversation at Durham Armory

2:15 - 4:15 pm – Tech Expo Time at Durham Convention Center 

• 2 TurboTech Speakers at 2:45 pm + 3:30 pm
• Interactive Engagement with Tech Exhibitors
• All-Access Lounge

4:00 - 6:00 pm – Opening Reception + NEXT TECH Awards Celebration at Durham Armory 

• Featuring Dead City Radio

6:30 - 8:30 pm – Leadership Dinners (dutch treat) around Downtown Durham

8:30 - 10:30 pm – Late Night with NC TECH at 3 locations around Downtown Durham

Day Two

8:00 - 9:00 am – Coffee Pop-up + Breakfast

9:00 - 9:45 am – Welcome Remarks at Durham Convention Center

• Opening Keynote Speaker: Phaedra Boinodiris, IBM Consulting’s Global Leader for Trustworthy AI, IBM

9:45 - 10:00 am - Break

10:00 am - 12:00 pm – Innovation Labs (Breakout Sessions) at Durham Convention Center

• AI Track
• Cybersecurity Track
• Culture + Talent Track
• Tech in NC Track

12:00 - 1:45 pm – Lunch + Expo Time at Durham Convention Center

• Grab + Go Lunch Provided
• 3 TurboTech Speakers at 12:20 pm + 1:00 pm + 1:20 pm

1:45 - 2:45 pm – Startup Showcase at Durham Convention Center

2:45 - 3:15 pm – Closing Executive Conversation at Durham Convention Center

• Omar Santos, Distinguished Engineer, Cybersecurity and AI Security, Cisco
• Paul Giralt, Distinguished Engineer, Cisco

3:15 - 5:00 pm – Closing Happy Hour

• Featuring A Restoration Project Jazz Trio

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