Monday, December 7, 2026 | Networking Evening

Event Kick-off and Happy Hour Hangout: Celeste Hotel Orlando

Join us for the Happy Hour Hangout, a perfect opportunity to network, connect with peers, and build relationships in a relaxed and casual setting. Kick off the event with great conversations, beer, wine and good vibes as we unwind together. Come set the tone for an unforgettable experience.

Registration and Continental Breakfast: SPRK Building (Strategic Partners Research Kitchen)

Participant Meet ‘n’ Greet

This networking activity offers a valuable opportunity to quickly connect with peers facing similar challenges. It’s an excellent way to identify participants with valuable thought leadership and lay the foundation for meaningful discussions throughout the event.

Welcome and Introduction

<!--Eric Free, Dallas Executive Experience Center Manager, Nokia-->

HEADLINER – What Are You Actually Trying to Transform

<!--Dakota Crow, Vice President, Head of Innovation Programs, US Bank-->

ASK THE EXPERTS! PANEL DISCUSSION – Choosing Innovation That Creates Value and Drives Growth

<!--Moderator: Rebekah Griffiths, Vice President, Product Management & Strategy, Device Lifecycle Solutions, Assurant Panelists Include: Ravi Chandu Ummadisetti, Head of Product, Generative AI Technical Architect, Toyota North America Manu Cyriac, Head of Digital Product and Software Engineering, Harley-Davidson Motor Company Ricky Houck, Creative Technologist, Arthur Brian Rowe, Vice President Information Technology, Rehrig Pacific Company Bilquise Sheikh, Former Vice President Innovation & Transformation, Swiss Re-->

Networking & Refreshment Break

COLLABORATION ZONE – Innovate Without Disrupting the Business That Pays the Bills

<!--Dr. Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space -->

Networking Luncheon

CASE HISTORY – Proving the Payoff: Measuring Innovation’s Business Impact

<!--Roundtable sessions capture the power of all participants’ voices, insights and experiences via group discussion and exploration of the issue at hand. Leo LaBranche, Director, Global Strategic Initiatives, Amazon Web Services (AWS) -->

CASE HISTORY – Governing Innovation Without Killing It

<!--Roundtable sessions capture the power of all participants’ voices, insights and experiences via group discussion and exploration of the issue at hand. Leo LaBranche, Director, Global Strategic Initiatives, Amazon Web Services (AWS) -->

Session to Session Travel Time

COLLABORATION ZONE – Jumpstart the Innovation Engine: Operating Model, Talent and Structure

<!--Mehul Udani, Vice President, Corporate Technology & Innovation, Murata Americas-->

Networking and Refreshment Break

PROBLEM–SOLVING CROWDSOURCE: Building Scalable Playbooks for Transformative Innovation Projects

<!--Dr. Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space -->

CAPSTONE – Sense What’s Next: Turning Signals into Opportunities

<!--Dr. Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space -->

Networking Reception

Close out the day with drinks, small bites and meaningful connections with fellow peers in a relaxed yet entertaining setting!

Innovation Tour Check-In and Continental Breakfast

Innovation tour shuttle transportation provided.

Shuttle Departs for Innovation Tour

Innovation Center and Labs Tour: University of Central Florida – Exolith Lab and Institute for Simulation & Training

Innovation leaders will get rare, behind-the-scenes access showcasing how the University of Central Florida is advancing the future of space exploration, simulation, and emerging technologies.

The first stop is the Exolith Lab located within the Florida Space Institute. This is a one-of-a-kind research and testing facility focused on lunar, Martian, and asteroid regolith simulants — engineered materials designed to replicate extraterrestrial soil. Participants will explore how researchers and industry partners are preparing for sustainable space exploration through advanced testing environments, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), and hardware validation for future lunar and planetary missions. Highlights include the lab’s massive lunar regolith testbed and insights into collaborations supporting NASA’s Artemis program and the future of off-world operations.

The second stop is UCF’s internationally recognized Institute for Simulation & Training (IST), a global leader in modeling, simulation, immersive learning, and human-centered technology research. Participants will gain firsthand exposure to cutting-edge applications spanning defense, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and extended reality. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with industry, government, and academia, IST is developing transformative simulation technologies that solve complex real-world challenges and shape the next generation of workforce training and digital innovation.

For leaders responsible for innovation, technology strategy, and the future of industry, this is a front-row seat to the ideas and breakthroughs that will shape what comes next.

<!--Dr. Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space -->

Shuttle Departs for Celeste Hotel Orlando