RAPID CITY, S.D. (Oct. 8, 2025) — Business leaders, IT professionals, and tech enthusiasts from across the Black Hills are invited to the third annual TECHLeadership Conference, set for Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Box Elder Events Center in Box Elder.
The one-day event brings together experts in technology, cybersecurity, and business strategy for a collaborative exchange of ideas and actionable insights. Attendance is free and open to members of the press.
This year’s conference features two keynote speakers: Tony Pannone, Chief Information Officer at Highmark Federal Credit Union, and Val Bergman of Microsoft.
Pannone will open the morning with “Preparing Yourself to Hold the Hard Conversations That Are Keeping You Stuck,” offering tools for leaders navigating organizational and technological challenges. After lunch, Bergman will present “Generative AI: Transforming Business Without Breaking the Bank or Blowing Up the World,” sharing how artificial intelligence can be responsibly and affordably implemented in business.
Breakout sessions throughout the day will highlight cybersecurity strategies, leadership lessons, and practical tech solutions from regional experts at Golden West Technologies, SDN Communications, Omnitech, Inc., SEAM, Kaseya, and others.
Notable sessions include:
- “Crisis Clarity: Mastering Communications During a Cybersecurity Incident” — Mark Geary, Kaseya
- “From Connecting to Broadband to SecureSD: Leadership Lessons in South Dakota’s Cyber Journey” — Mike Waldner, SecureSD
- “Current Nation State Actor Cybersecurity Threats & Mitigation Strategies” — Jim Edman, CISA
- “Cultivating Successful Technology Habits: Time-Saving Tips to Streamline Work” — Julie Erickson, Lan Crew
- “Off the Grid: Empowering Teams to Take Control of IT Decommissioning” — Clint Parsons, SEAM
- “Plans Are Nothing, Planning Is Everything” — Eric Eisenbraun, Golden West Technologies
- “Communication in Security” — Katelyn Flowers-Velasquez, Verizon
- “Software That Fits: Knowing When to Build and How to Do It Right” — Isaac Smith, Omnitech, Inc.
Interactive elements, including a tech and cybersecurity trivia game and panel discussions with past attendees, will keep the day engaging. Prizes and networking opportunities will follow the closing remarks.
Registration is free and open now at gwtis.com/events.
The TECHLeadership Conference is designed to help businesses and organizations across Rapid City, the Black Hills, and western South Dakota stay ahead of technology trends and foster stronger collaboration between the IT and business communities.
