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Technology Leadership Summit 2024

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 - Thursday, August 15th, 2024

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Pendry Hotel Chicago

230 Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60601

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Technology BCKGRND

Event Overview

How Innovation Can Accelerate Your Business

In the constantly evolving business landscape, organizations are increasingly looking to their executive IT teams to help deliver success. Innovative technology and digital-first initiatives increase the odds of achieving business outcomes, but meaningful change also depends on wholesale buy-in from the top down.

Learn how to accelerate digital transformation while staying ahead of evolving trends — from the exciting potential of artificial intelligence to macroeconomic challenges, supply chain demands and cybersecurity needs — by participating in this Technology Leadership Summit.

We are delighted to extend to you an exclusive invitation to join us at the Pendry Hotel in Chicago on Wednesday, August 14th, and Thursday, August 15th.


Event Details:

  • Wednesday, August 14th: Enjoy an afternoon sailing down the Chicago River, soaking in the city's renowned architecture. This will be followed by a dinner reception at City Winery Riverwalk, offering a perfect opportunity for networking with peers.

  • Thursday, August 15th: Engage with CDW experts on crucial topics such as digital transformation, data modernization, AI, and security strategies aimed at enhancing efficiencies and resilience.

 

Logistics:

  • This invitation is exclusive and non-transferable.

  • The event includes a complimentary one-night stay at the Pendry Hotel. Travel costs associated with attending the event will also be covered where necessary.
     

Additional Information:

  • Please note that this invitation is for you alone; additional guests or pets are not included. However, service animals are permitted with prior arrangement.

 

We look forward to your participation in this insightful and engaging event. Kindly complete your registration by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Limited space is available for this event.

Please RSVP no later than Friday, August 9th, 2024.

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Noor Bains

Principal Field Solutions Architect – Security

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Noor is passionate about helping organizations improve their Security Posture and programs. 
As a Cyber Security SME, Noor aids business partners in quantifying and managing information security risks. Noor specializes in helping organizations' leadership determine and articulate its desired state of security by providing strategic direction.


Noor's background ranges from working in different environments such as Security Operations Center (SOC), Security Advisor (Risk and Compliance), Leading Implementation Projects as a Professional Services Engineer, and Leading Technical Sales discussions as a Security Solutions Architect.


Noor's background in Cyber Security positions him as a Trusted Security Advisor for CDW Customers.

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Brent Blawat

AI Strategist

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Brent Blawat is an AI Strategist at CDW with over 24 years of experience in developing and supporting leading-edge products.

 

He has a diverse IT background and extensive business acumen, having facilitated significant cost savings and revenue-generating projects for Fortune 500 companies.

 

Brent excels in bridging the gap between technical staff and decision-makers, providing strategic direction and innovative solutions that align with core business goals.

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Paul Zajdel

Vice President & GM,

Data & Analytics

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Paul's mission is helping customers modernize their data platforms to enable business insights and fuel value creation.

 

He leads the Data and Analytics teams at CDW,  providing world-class service for Modern Data Platforms, Data Governance, and Analytics. His synergistic approach puts the right people, processes, and technology in place to enable sound data stewardship. He ensures data platforms are highly scalable, agile and cost-effective.

His teams use advanced AI/ML tools to provided prescriptive and predictive insight allowing customers to make informed decisions.
 

Paul previously served on Oracle, Sun, IBMand HP’s partner advisory councils.

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Josh Walters  

Manager Delivery 

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Josh Walters is a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience in the technology and software industry. His expertise spans across 8 years of delivering Microsoft Solutions, including Microsoft Exchange, Skype for Business, and Teams. Josh's technical prowess was further honed during his 3 years as a Technical Architect, where he developed CDW's Microsoft Collaboration services portfolio. This role was a precursor to his current 3-year tenure managing services delivery teams in the Microsoft Collaboration and Contact Center/Customer Experience domains.

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Anthony Ceratti

Google Sales Manager

Digital Experience Team

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Anthony Ceretti has over 14 years of experience selling enterprise solutions, managing partner relationships, and now managing our CDW's Google practice within CDW's ITS organization

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Tony Minasola

Microsoft SE -

Modern Workplace

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Tony has over 18 years of IT industry experience that he brings to helping CDW's customers every day. He started his Microsoft consulting career working with a variety of partners that specialized in large volume contracts and expertise around Microsoft consulting services. After 18 + years, I am still working with mid to large customers around all Microsoft requirements with a focus on the Modern Workplace and consumption services.

 

Tony's experience and the different industries he has worked with has allowed.. More...

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Tentative Agenda - More details to follow

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024

  12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

  3:00 PM

  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

  6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

SB Central Regional Summit Welcome

Drop Your Luggage at The Pendry Hotel Chicago

Hotel Check-in

Group Activity held at:  Chicago First Lady Boat

Riverwalk Chicago

Return to The Pendry Hotel & Refresh

Welcome Reception/Dinner

City Winery - East Bank 2

Thursday,  August 15th, 2024

  7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

  8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

  8:45 AM - 9:30 AM

  9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

    1:15 PM - 2:00 PM 

    2:00 PM 

Breakfast & Networking

Opening Remarks - Gallery Ballroom 

Sections, 3,4 & 5

Speaker: Will Stephens

Data Foundations & Modernization

Speaker: Paul Zajdel

Exploring Generative AI Applications and Strategies

Speaker: Brent Blawat

Break

The Future of Work with Microsoft Copilot & Google Gemini

Speaker: Anthony Ceretti & Tony Minasola

Driving Customer Experience with AI Contact Center Solutions

Speaker: Josh Walters

Buffet Lunch

Cyber Resilience and it's Importance in Business Continuity

Speaker: Noor Bains

Event Concludes

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Pendry Hotel

 

Set within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, Pendry Chicago pays homage to both the past and the present. With modern interiors, signature culinary concepts and inspired gathering spaces, this contemporary luxury hotel embodies the spirit of Chicago and offers a prime locale to discover the best of the city.

Please scroll the bottom of the page to complete your registration

Group Activity

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Chicago's First Lady

Riverwalk Chicago

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Boarding time is sharp at 1:45 PM

Chicago Welcome Activity-Chicago's First Lady

Custom-designed namesake cruise vessel, Chicago's First Lady, offers a spacious open-air upper deck where you can admire gorgeous skyline views and inhale the fresh lake breezes.

 

Retreat to a fully enclosed, temperature-controlled carpeted main salon, elegantly appointed in mahogany and brass tones and featuring round tables with cushioned chairs, as well as spectacular views through large windows.

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Group Welcome Dinner Reception

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City Winery Riverwalk

11 E. Riverwalk South, Chicago, IL 60601

 

Wednesday, August 14th, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Welcome reception will be hosted in the East Bank 2 room.

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Your CDW Travel Contacts

 

Katie Llenza

Small Business Event Coordinator

Cell: 815-687-2074

Email: katie.llenza@cdw.com

Questions...Please contact your Events by M Team:

Sandy Carosielli

Sandy@eventsbym.com

Cell: 847-337-2444

Laura Mahnke

Laura@eventsbym.com​​​

Cell: 847-848-7516

Registration​​

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