Menu
Log in
Log in

Technology First Events

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Technology First event!  Rules of Engagement | Cancellation Policy


Upcoming events

    • 02/03/2026
    • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Sonder Brewing - Barrel Room - 8584 Duke Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040
    Register



    Join Technology First for a fun and relaxed evening of networking, connection, and conversation with fellow technology professionals. Whether you're looking to expand your network, catch up with industry peers, or just enjoy some good company, this is the place to be!

    Sonders Brewing

    February 3, 2026

    Barrel Room, 8584 Duke Boulevard, Mason 

    4:00 - 6:00 PM

    Light appetizers and drinks will be provided.

    Come as you are, bring a colleague, and let's make some great connections together!

    Presented by:




    • 02/10/2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Business Solutions Center, 1435 Cincinnati St, Ste 300, Dayton 45417
    • 77
    Register


    Tech Forum: CIO Council OPEN to ALL

    Annual CIO Forecast Panel

    Featuring:

    Moderator: Treg Gilstorf, Smart Data

    Panelists: 

    Michael Stankas, CIO, Wright State University

    Greg Adams, CIO, Drees Homes

    Karen Kauffman, Director of IT, Precision Strip

    Chris Hickok, CIO, Messer Construction


    Powered By:

    Title Sponsor

      Contributing Sponsor:



    Interested in sponsoring? Contact marketing@technologyfirst.org for more information.



    • 03/11/2026
    • 8:15 AM - 5:45 PM
    • Sinclair Conference Center, 301 W Fourth St, Dayton, 45402
    • 300
    Register


    OHIO INFORMATION SECURITY CONFERENCE

    MARCH 11, 2026

    Next Threat. Next Move.

    Cybersecurity is a battlefield. To delay is defeat. Hesitate for one second and you’re already behind. Next Threat. Next Move. is a call to act — decisively, intelligently, and with purpose. This year’s conference explores the latest cyber risks, and the bold responses required to outpace them. 

    From real-time incident response to emerging AI-driven threats, we’ll examine how security professionals can stay one step ahead through strategy, speed, and innovation. The next threat is already here. 

    The next move is yours.


    • 03/31/2026
    • 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Life Connections- 2800 Donor Circle, Kettering
    • 49
    Register



    AI Governance Bootcamp: Why and How to Create an AI Governance Program for Your Organization

    As AI explodes across the globe, IT is left figuring out how to manage it in our environments. Is your group aligned with the business on expectations, tools, policies, and procedures to establish what is and isn't allowed on how AI is used? Are you prepared for changing laws (federal and local) that may affect what you need to gather and track?

    If you are at the beginning of your journey managing AI at a company level, this session is intended to take you through one organization's method for putting a plan in place. Join us while we share a real-world experience and have some whole room dialog about challenges and tips we can all share with each other. 


       Facilitated by: 

       Shawn Prince, Greater Dayton RTA

    Shawn is a technology leader with 30 years of experience driving innovation and transformation, setting the overall vision for technology departments, establishing 5-year strategic plans, and a history of delivering results through PMO leadership, leading customer success programs, and establishing high-performing IT operations.


    Agenda:

    8:30 - 8:45am Check-in & light breakfast

    8:45 - 10:00am Workshop


    Powered By:



    • 06/02/2026
    • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • The Common Beer Company, 126 E Main St, Mason
    Register



    Join Technology First for a fun and relaxed evening of networking, connection, and conversation with fellow technology professionals. Whether you're looking to expand your network, catch up with industry peers, or just enjoy some good company, this is the place to be!

    The Common Beer Company, 126 E Main St, Mason

    June 2, 2026

    4:00 - 6:00 PM

    Light appetizers and drinks will be provided.

    Come as you are, bring a colleague, and let's make some great connections together!

    Presented by: 

                                       




    • 10/16/2026
    • 8:00 AM
    • 07/13/2027
    • 12:00 PM
    • TBD


    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

    Past events

    01/28/2026 Cybersecurity: Incident Response - The First 48 Hours
    01/27/2026 Workshop: AI Literacy for Project Stakeholders: Enhancing Acumen
    01/22/2026 Data Analytics: Buy or Build? Making the Right Call in the Age of Generative and Agentic AI
    01/20/2026 IT Leaders: IT Governance in the age of AI: Do the traditional models still work?
    01/14/2026 2025 12th Annual Leadership Awards
    12/11/2025 Workforce Development: Holiday Mixer & 2025 Success and 2026 Plans
    12/09/2025 IT Leaders: Securing the Supply Chain: Vendor Management & Third-Party Risk in the Modern IT Landscape
    11/19/2025 The Future of Data Now: Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud and Governed Data Sharing
    11/18/2025 Workshop: Software Leadership Roundtable: Applying AI to improve software team productivity & work-life balance
    11/12/2025 2025 Taste of IT Conference
    10/22/2025 Cybersecurity & Infrastructure/Cloud Joint Event: Cyber Defense Matrix
    10/21/2025 Data Analytics: Helping People with Managing their Diabetes
    10/15/2025 Workshop: Demystifying CMMC: From Readiness to Real-World Implementation
    10/14/2025 IT Leaders: Plan Smart, Budget Better, and Lead the Way into 2026
    10/09/2025 Empowering Voices: Navigating Challenges and Triumphs of the Workforce Luncheon
    10/09/2025 Small Business - Best IT Practices
    09/24/2025 Women 4 Tech: Meaningful Mentoring- Mentor for a Moment
    09/23/2025 Unleash Your Inner Magic: A Workshop on Mindfulness, Meditation, and Manifestation Techniques
    09/23/2025 Workshop: Smarter Service: How AI Is Shaping the Future of Customer Experience
    09/16/2025 Technology First Digital Mixer
    09/11/2025 Workforce Development: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Business, Interns and Apprentices
    09/09/2025 IT Leaders: Strategic Collaboration: How Leadership Works Together Towards a Successful Technology Department
    08/27/2025 Cybersecurity: Social Engineering Workshop
    08/26/2025 Women 4 Technology & Women in AI: Rise without Burnout
    08/20/2025 Technology First & The Circuit partner to bring you a fun night of Networking!
    08/19/2025 Workshop: AI in Action
    08/14/2025 Small Business - Cybersecurity Blueprint: Strategy, Risk & Resilience
    08/12/2025 IT Leaders: Jurgenson Tour and Tech's Role in the Organization
    07/23/2025 Women 4 Tech: Redefining the Rules: Women on the Rise
    07/22/2025 Technology First Summer Networking!
    07/16/2025 Workshop: AI Simplified
    07/15/2025 Infrastructure/Cloud: How Do You Build Secure Apps for Private 5G and IoT?
    07/10/2025 Workforce Development: Navigating the Employee Journey: Onboarding, Retention, and Exit Strategies
    06/25/2025 Cybersecurity: Back Doors and Breaches Game
    06/17/2025 Data Analytics: Student progress in higher education: examining and predicting retention
    06/12/2025 Small Business - Responsible IT Asset Disposition: Balancing Cybersecurity, Sustainability, and Social Impact
    06/10/2025 IT Leaders: Cybersecurity 2.0 – What’s happening in the Marketplace?
    05/20/2025 Infrastructure/Cloud: Cloud Administration Challenges and Successes
    05/13/2025 IT Leaders: Experience and Lessons Learned from Cyber Threats
    05/08/2025 Workforce Development: From Remote to Reconnected: A Guide to Local Networking in a Hybrid World
    05/07/2025 Lunch N Learn: Cybersecurity Threat Awareness
    04/30/2025 Women 4 Technology - Lift as You Rise Conference
    04/23/2025 Cybersecurity: The Road to Zero Trust
    04/15/2025 Data Analytics: When Social Media and Management Collide: Insights from Three Studies
    04/10/2025 Small Business - Demystifying the Shared Responsibility Model and Avoiding Common Misconceptions About Roles & Responsibilities with Cloud Services
    04/08/2025 IT Leaders: Organizational Design
    04/03/2025 2024 11th Annual Leadership Awards
    03/05/2025 2025 Ohio Information Security Conference
    02/26/2025 Women 4 Tech: Empowering Women in IT: Navigating Change, Building Skills, and Defining Success
    02/18/2025 Infrastructure/Cloud: Disaster Recovery and High Availability
    02/13/2025 Workforce Development: Harnessing Practical AI: Workforce Readiness and Organizational Success
    02/11/2025 IT Leaders: Annual CIO Forecast Panel
    01/28/2025 IT Leaders: 2025 Strategic Goals and Priorities
    01/22/2025 Cybersecurity: Supply Chain Risk Management
    01/21/2025 Data Analytics Roundtable: AI Analytics Methodologies
    01/15/2025 2025 Dayton AI Day
    01/09/2025 Small Business - Tips for Using Microsoft 365 at Your Small Business
    12/12/2024 IT Leaders: A Journey to FinOps
    12/11/2024 Women 4 Tech: Building Joy
    12/10/2024 Infrastructure/Cloud: Beyond High Availability: Building a Resilient, Secure, and Recoverable Business Continuity Strategy
    12/05/2024 Workforce Development: Resources to Upskill Your Workforce
    11/21/2024 Small Business - Tips, Tools, & Strategies: Leveraging Tech First to Grow Your SMB
    11/19/2024 Data Analytics Roundtable: Contact Center as a Service
    11/13/2024 2024 Taste of IT Conference
    10/16/2024 Cybersecurity: How to Safely Deploy Generative AI
    10/15/2024 Infrastructure/Cloud: Top Mistakes to Avoid in Your Cloud Strategy
    10/10/2024 IT Leaders - Shaping the Future of Tech Talent: Workforce Survey Results
    10/02/2024 Workshop - Cyber Secure My Business: Managing Risk Without the Technical Know-How


    MEET OUR PARTNERS

    Our Cornerstone Partners share a common goal: to connect, strengthen, and champion the technology community in our region. A Technology First Partner is an elite member leading the support, development, and expansion of Technology First services. In return, Partners improve community visibility and increase their revenue. Make a difference in our region and your business.

    CHAMPION PARTNER

    The McCracken Group (TMG) is proud to be a Champion Partner of Technology First. We share a commitment to education, collaboration, and empowering technology professionals across our tech region. Together, guided by our core values, Doing the Right Thing, Always Learning, Building Strong Relationships, and Giving Back, we’re helping advance innovation and continuous growth across our region’s tech community.
    The McCracken Group

    CORNERSTONE PARTNERS

    © 2026 Technology First. All rights reserved.