Schedule of Events

Registration

Hot breakfast

Kickoff  |  Welcome

Keynote

Derek Deprey  |  Everyday Leaders: Small Actions, Big Results

For too long, our recognition of leadership has been reserved for a select few—presidents, CEOs, or historical icons. But what about the everyday leaders who have shaped us on a personal level, the parents, mentors, teammates, and family members who have left an indelible mark on our lives? Let’s reimagine leadership to celebrate the silent influencers and recognize that

Executive Panel: PMOs

Oliver Yarbrough  |  Build Your Own AI Strategic Advisor for Project Management

Unlock the power of AI to transform your projects. In this session, you’ll learn how to create your very own personalized AI-powered advisor that can help improve your decision-making and drive project success.

Lunch & Learn

Kim Mauthe & Andrew Pierson  |  A Backstage Look at the Mile of Music

An inside view of what it takes to plan and execute a major Midwest music festival. This presentation will explore the key elements of festival management, including sponsorship acquisition, volunteer coordination, logistical challenges, and talent booking. 

Breakouts

Jay Nakagawa  |  The Journey From Brainstorm to Breakthrough: Turning Big Ideas Into Winning Strategies!

Ever had a great idea but weren’t sure how to make it a reality? The journey from brainstorm to breakthrough is an exciting one – filled with twists, turns, and strategic choices. In this session, we’ll explore how to sift through ideas, evaluate market dynamics, outsmart competitors, and land on a winning strategy.

Mary Iqbal  |   Limiting Work in Progress: Kanban Practices for Your Agile Team

Is your team always busy but not always delivering value? It might be time to rethink how much work is in progress. In this interactive session, we’ll explore why limiting work leads to faster delivery, higher quality, and happier teams. 

Breakouts

Cameron Vetter  |  Morality & AI: How Do I Use This Power Responsibly?

As artificial intelligence continues to advance it becomes increasingly important to address the ethical applications and moral considerations surrounding its use. In this talk we will expIore the intersection of moraligy and AI, focusing on how individuals and organizations can wield this power responsibly.

Amber Vanderburg  |  PM Accountability – The Foundation of Delivering Results

In project management, accountability is the foundation of delivering results, yet many teams struggle with ownership, follow-through, and responsibility. This engaging and practical session will provide  actionable strategies to embed accountability into your project culture. 

Endnote

Andrew Tarvin  |  Emotions are Just Data: How to Build, Maintain, and Leverage Relationships 

Let’s face it, humans are the hardest resource there is to manage: they can’t be programmed, don’t come with error messages, and are rife with “emotions” and “feelings.” And yet, mastering human connection is one of the most powerful skills you can develop—especially as a project manager. In this engaging program, you’ll gain powerful, actionable tools to build genuine relationships and leverage them to improve team dynamics, foster collaboration, and deliver projects more effectively.

Wrap-Up and Door Prizes