Technology First upcoming events

The Loneliest Seat: What IT Leaders Don't Say Out Loud (09/15/2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

The Loneliest Seat:

What IT Leaders Don't Say Out Load

In partnership with the circuit

Agenda:

11:15am Check-in, Networking, lunch
11:30 - 1:00pm Meeting

Technology leadership isn't only about strategy, innovation, and what's next. It's also about the decisions and challenges that rarely make it onto a conference agenda.

How do you know when it's time to stop a project you once championed? How do you own a failure publicly and move forward? How do you navigate the isolation that can come with being the person expected to have the answers?

This conversation creates space for the realities of leadership that often happen behind closed doors. Join fellow technology leaders for a candid discussion about difficult decisions, lessons learned, and what it really takes to lead when the path forward isn't clear.

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From AI Interest to Impact: Making Smarter Decisions About AI (09/22/2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Join Technology First and PMI for a

Collaborative Peer Group Event

Agenda:

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

8:30 - 10:00am meeting

AI is moving quickly, but successful adoption requires more than choosing the latest tool. In this interactive peer group roundtable, leaders will discuss how to identify the right business opportunities for AI, establish ownership and accountability, and put responsible AI practices in place.

We’ll also explore the skills organizations have today and the capabilities they’ll need as AI continues to evolve. Come prepared to share what your organization is learning, hear how peers are approaching these challenges, and leave with practical ideas to take back to your team.

Powered by Title Sponsor:

Joint Event with:

Enabling Command: Leading Through the Cyber Risk You Can't See (10/01/2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Enabling Command:

Leading Through the Cyber Risk You Can't See

How leaders can turn cybersecurity from a technical function into an organization advantage.

In March, attackers compromised trusted software used by organizations worldwide. They didn't defeat a firewall or exploit some obscure system hiding in the corner of the network. They went after the technology organizations trusted most - including security tools themselves - and used legitimate software updates, valid signatures, and trusted distribution channels to reach their targets.

Chris Nyhuis, Vigilant Founder & CEO, uses this case study in the context of a much larger leadership challenge: cybersecurity has become too consequential to remain something leaders simply delegate and too complex for executives to manage through technical noise.

Executives will leave understanding:

Why sophisticated attacks increasingly exploit trust, not simply vulnerabilities.
Why more security tools and more security data don't necessarily give leaders better visibility.
The questions executives should be able to ask—and expect their organizations to answer.
How to distinguish genuine security capability from metrics, dashboards, and marketing claims.
How Enabling Command creates the conditions for faster, better decisions before and during a cyber event.
Hosted by:


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Technology First Digital Mixer (10/14/2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Join us where over 200+ students, faculty, and IT professionals' network and connect.

The Digital Mixer is an annual event that brings together hundreds of students and IT professionals to network and connect with regional employers. Join us for casual yet meaningful conversations that could land you the job or the talent you’ve been

looking for!

Students - Bring your resumes and learn more about the internships and career possibilities in the region.

Employers - Bring your company information to share internship, part-time, and full-time opportunities they have available.

Dress Code: Business Casual

NOTE: This event is exclusively open to students, faculty, and hiring employers only. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that this opportunity remains focused on the intended audience.

Please contact info@technologyfirst.org with any questions!

IT Leadership Institute (10/16/2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Hosted by The Circuit, the IT Leadership Institute is a leadership development program now available to Technology First members.

Successful IT leaders, whether in formal leadership roles or leading through influence, combine technical expertise with emotional intelligence and a commitment to growth. They set vision, understand people, and shape culture with intent. The payoff: stronger teams, better business outcomes, and lasting impact across the IT community.

About the Program

The IT Leadership Institute is a 10-month, immersive leadership development experience designed specifically for IT professionals. Through expert-led sessions, peer discussion, and applied learning, participants will:

Increase self-awareness and understand how they are perceived by others
Identify their leadership style and apply it for maximum impact
Build and inspire high-performing teams
Develop critical leadership skills for an evolving technology landscape
Lead through influence rather than authority
Navigate complex organizational dynamics with confidence

Program Structure

Schedule: One half-day session per month, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, October through July (no December session)
Format: Expert-led discussions, peer collaboration, and CIO-level guest speakers
Environment: A focused, trusted space for tackling real-world IT leadership challenges

Key Topics

The Essence of Leadership
Community Project Planning
Technology Leadership and Why It’s Different
Is Management for Me?
Transformational Leadership: Vision and Strategy
Transactional Leadership: Delivering Results That Matter
IT Budgeting and Financials
Relational Leadership: Coaching, Communication, and Trust
Higher-Order Leadership: Leading Other Leaders
HR Insights: Interviewing, Career Management, and Networking

Click here to register and use the password TechnologyFirst

2026 Taste of IT Conference (11/18/2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Taste of IT 26:

THE CONNECTED STACK

Sinclair Event Center | Nov 18, 2026

The future of IT is Connected

AI affects data strategy. Cybersecurity shapes infrastructure. People, platforms, and business priorities influence every technology decision. Today’s technology challenges no longer exist in isolation, and neither can the conversations around them.

Now in its 20th year, Taste of IT 2026 brings Ohio’s technology community together to explore how these priorities connect. Through practical sessions, real-world perspectives, and conversations with technology leaders and peers, attendees will gain insights and ideas they can bring back to their teams and organizations.

Taste of IT has sold out four years in a row, bringing hundreds of technology professionals together to learn, connect, and explore what’s shaping the future of IT.

Join Our Sponsor Lineup!