12 Years Running: The IT Summit Creates Connections
Networking was the key word at this year’s 2024 University of Arizona IT Summit!
475 IT professionals came together to share ideas and foster collaboration on Aug. 6 for a daylong in-person experience of meeting up with peers and learning more about advances in technology. The event is designed for university IT professionals who serve, support, or use campus IT services.
The Student Union Grand Ballroom hummed with conversation throughout the day, with a Navigator Expo, two Open House sessions, and Birds-of-a-Feather Networking. Nearly 60 speakers lead thought-provoking and innovative sessions that sparked conversation, ideation, and the ability to take new ideas and technologies back to teams to enhance work and projects. A newly introduced Engagement Arcade brought a new twist to the IT Summit, offering games that could be enjoyed solo or in teams.
As a part of the event, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Joe Glover joined Chief Information Officer Barry Brummund for a dialog on Artificial Intelligence. With AI being such an important topic in the technology community, the engagement and interest in the conversation was palpable.
The afternoon featured an inspiring keynote address from Peter Hughes, the Director of Arizona Adaptive Athletics. With his extensive experience and passion for empowering athletes of all abilities, Hughes captivated the audience with insights into the transformative power of adaptive sports. His presentation not only underscored the importance of inclusivity in athletics but also provided a fresh perspective on overcoming challenges, both on and off the field.
This year’s IT Summit also featured a second, virtual day on Wednesday, Aug. 7 to engage IT professionals remotely. to This provided even more content, and ensured that those unable to attend in person could still participate and learn. The virtual day welcomed 364 unique attendees via Zoom. The diverse session topics ranged from AI and Web & App Development to Project & Change Management, Teaching & Learning, Data Analysis, Tools & Process Automation and Security, catering to the varied interests of our attendees. This broad spectrum of content ensured that there was something for everyone, solidifying the IT Summit's reputation as a premier event in the U of A tech community.
Visit the photo gallery on Smugmug.
Morning keynote and afternoon keynote recordings are available online. Stay tuned for an upcoming series of articles that will recap all the exhilarating sessions from the IT Summit, complete with accompanying recordings. Whether you attended in person, virtually, or not at all, these recaps will provide valuable insights and allow you to revisit—or catch up on—the standout moments from the event.