11.09.23
FARGO, ND | VIRTUAL
8:30 - 8:45
WELCOME
Welcome
President's Address
About Ben Carlsrud
Ben Carlsrud started at NCI as a service technician after college graduation. Not long after, he was promoted to service manager, and continued to work his way through the ranks. Now more than two decades later, he is the president of NCI.
8:45 - 9:45
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Unleashing the Power of AI:
Transforming Growth-Oriented Businesses
The global landscape is witnessing a shift with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). For businesses focused on growth, integrating AI isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity for efficiency and unlocking revenue streams. The path to AI isn’t without its hurdles: data privacy concerns, ensuring the workforce evolves in tandem, and more.
Our session will demystify AI for you, and take you on a journey from foundational concepts to tangible uses tailored for your business. Learn effective strategies for seamless AI implementation, aligned with business objectives, data infrastructure, and testing through pilot projects.
We’ll showcase hands-on demos addressing real-world business challenges, offering a practical glimpse into AI’s transformative potential.
About Loren Horsager
Loren Horsager is a tech entrepreneur and the force behind Model Mind AI, where he serves as the Founder and CEO. With 30 years of experience leading software development firms, Loren envisioned a world where AI could propel organizations forward. This led to the creation of Model Mind AI, a platform that allows businesses to use their own private AI and data to fuel their growth via a user-friendly and highly secure interface.
10:00 - 10:45
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BOARD ROOM
FlexCare Flash
Team NCI
Be more nimble and secure; Learn about services available in security, and maintenance. Including:
10:00-10:15: Maintenance Flash
- VMware Care
- NCI Pro
- Managed network
10:15-10:30: Break
10:30-10:45: Security Flash
- Managed backup
- Breach detection
- Email filtering suite
Our team members from NCI are always ready to answer your questions.
DIRECTOR’S ROOM
Covering Security Bases for Your SMB
Jason Dahl, Sr. Security Engineer, NCI
Just because you’re an SMB doesn’t mean you’re too small to hack. Don’t let your guard down! Cover your bases to secure your business and data.
Jason has 24+ years of technical and cyber security experience within the Department of Defense and private sector. He has held positions within leadership and senior technical level. His passion for security and designing technical solutions for organizations of all sizes is what drives him every day.
EXECUTIVE ROOM
Digitizing Spaces: People & Things
Matt Ham, Systems Architect, Cisco
Cisco Spaces is a location platform that provides Cisco wireless customers an ability to take their wireless network beyond connectivity to drive digitization of their physical spaces.
Matt Ham is a talented and dedicated Systems Architect at Cisco with a passion for helping customers modernize their infrastructure and software. With a strong background in Enterprise Networking, he brings over a decade of experience his work. Matt is dedicated to helping customers achieve their technology goals
11:00 - 11:45
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BOARD ROOM
Discover Microsoft Teams
David Groth, Technical Sales Specialist, NCI
Meet Microsoft Teams, your tool for all things collaboration and communication. Explore capabilities and how to close workflow and process gaps, all in one tool! Including:
- Copilot (AI)
- App integrations
- Real time editing
- And more
David is a 25-year IT, telecom, and collaboration veteran. He is the author of the original Network+ exam as well as several IT certification study guides. He is currently the Microsoft Teams champion and Microsoft Modern Workplace consultant for NCI.
DIRECTOR’S ROOM
Using your IT Strategy as a Catalyst
Todd Bortke, Vice President of Operations, NCI
Jason Carlson, Infrastructure Team Manager, NCI
Increase your businesses value, security, and profitability by defining a multi-year IT strategy that aligns with your goals.
As a leader in technology, Jason has been successful at driving transformational change and implementing process improvements across multi-faceted industries, including finance, manufacturing, and healthcare. From spearheading project implementations to seamlessly integrating systems, Jason’s expertise in change management has taken organizations to new heights.
Information Technology executive with IT experience; senior management, leadership, system and network administration, virtual CIO, software development, EHR implementation, health information exchange, privacy, security, project management, data center design and operations support. Ability to drive business processes and optimization throughout the organization in support of corporate goals and revenue enhancement.
EXECUTIVE ROOM
Two Simple Ways to Dramatically Improve your Security Posture and Insurability
Tim DeWaard, Regional VP of Sales Engineering, Arctic Wolf
This presentation will focus on the latest cyber security threat landscape and threat actor trends. You will learn the two most common failures to secure an environment and how to remediate them.
Tim DeWaard is a Sales Engineering Manager for Arctic Wolf. Tim has 24 years of IT experience ranging from IT infrastructure, managed services, data protection, information security, disaster recovery/business continuity, and cyber security. Tim is currently leading a team of sales engineers for Arctic Wolf and is focused on helping clients reduce, and ultimately eliminate, cyber risk through a business oriented approach.
12:00 - 1:00
LUNCH
NCI Live on demand
Bi-weekly livestream
Join our host David Groth as he interviews subject matter experts about current technologies and trending topics.
Tune in every other Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. CT and join us LIVE on YouTube and LinkedIn.
1:00 - 1:45
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BOARD ROOM
AI-Driven Business: How to Use Your Own Data
Loren Horsager, CEO and Founder, Model Mind
Unlock the potential of your data with the power of artificial intelligence. In this session led by an AI expert, you’ll discover three innovative strategies to leverage data in your business. Tailored for leaders in healthcare, banking, and beyond, this practical yet inspiring talk will equip you with the know-how to implement AI solutions that drive results. Join us to transform your approach to data and open new doors for your business.
Loren Horsager is a tech entrepreneur and the force behind Model Mind AI, where he serves as the Founder and CEO. With 30 years of experience leading software development firms, Loren envisioned a world where AI could propel organizations forward. This led to the creation of Model Mind AI, a platform that allows businesses to use their own private AI and data to fuel their growth via a user-friendly and highly secure interface.
DIRECTOR’S ROOM
Your Cloud Anywhere with Nutanix
Ben Bykowski, Account Executive, Nutanix
Scott Prachal, Enterprise Account Executive, Nutanix
Nutanix unites public cloud simplicity and agility with private cloud performance and security. Whether on-premises or hybrid, you’ll ensure cost-effective business continuity through united management, one-click operations, and Al-driven automation.
Ben has been with Nutanix for over 4 years and has extensive experience in the data center software and cloud solutions. He local to the region with home being outside of the Ten Cities. Please let him know if there is anything he can help discuss.
Scott Prchal is a Sr. Account Manager on the Nutanix Enterprise Accounts Team and has been a part of the regional tech community for 28 years – including 13 of those years supporting Nutanix customers from both the partner and OEM sides of the business.
During the winter Scott enjoys back-country mountain riding in the Rockies as well as fishing and motorcycling in the summer months here locally.
EXECUTIVE ROOM
Do More with Less: Part 1
Abby Hanson, US Microsoft Modern Work Sales Practice Leader, Ingram Micro
David Groth, Technical Sales Specialist, NCI
Join us for the first part of a two part series and hear real-world scenarios demonstrating how Microsoft 365 can solve key business challenges.
Abby is the Microsoft Modern Work Sales Practice Leader with 19 years of experience in the Microsoft Industry, working for partners, Microsoft, and Ingram Micro. In her role Abby main goal is to help her customers and partners do more with less by helping to reduce spend, mitigate risk and help with complexity. In her spare time, Abby loves to travel, volunteer, photography and has three awesome kids that keep her crazy busy.
David is a 25-year IT, telecom, and collaboration veteran. He is the author of the original Network+ exam as well as several IT certification study guides. He is currently the Microsoft Teams champion and Microsoft Modern Workplace consultant for NCI.
2:00 - 2:45
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BOARD ROOM
Rethinking Pen Testing
Mike Saunders, Principal Consultant, Red Siege
In this talk, I’ll discuss some of the differences between red teaming, assumed breach testing, and purple teams. I will highlight the strengths and shortcomings of each, provide guidance to help organizations understand which test is right for them, and provide questions they should be asking themselves and their consultants during the initial contact and scoping phases.
Mike Saunders is Red Siege Information Security’s Principal Consultant. Mike has over 25 years of IT and security expertise working in ISP banking, insurance, and agriculture businesses. Mike is an experienced international speaker with notable cybersecurity talks at conferences such as DerbyCon, Circle City Con, and NorthSec. Mike is the Lead Red Team Operator for Red Siege Information Security.
DIRECTOR’S ROOM
Fortinet – Security Under one Fabric
Andrea Adams, Regional Account Manager, Fortinet
Kevin Walter, Regional Sales Engineer, Fortinet
Convergence, platform, threat intelligence and security services come together to work under one operating system.
Andrea joined Fortinet in 2017 with over 10 years of experience in Technology covering several industries including Federal, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Energy and etc. She is regarded as the Fortinet go-to source for her customers, partners and colleagues and attributes this along with her passion of helping others to her success.
Kevin is a Regional Sales Engineer for Fortinet. He brings over 20 years of experience in networking and information security and has spent 3 years at Fortinet.
EXECUTIVE ROOM
Do More with Less: Part 2
Abby Hanson, US Microsoft Modern Work Sales Practice Leader, Ingram Micro
David Groth, Technical Sales Specialist, NCI
Join us for part two of a two part series and experience how to collaborate and work efficiently from virtually anywhere, improve security, and maximize your technology investment.
Abby is the Microsoft Modern Work Sales Practice Leader with 19 years of experience in the Microsoft Industry, working for partners, Microsoft, and Ingram Micro. In her role Abby main goal is to help her customers and partners do more with less by helping to reduce spend, mitigate risk and help with complexity. In her spare time, Abby loves to travel, volunteer, photography and has three awesome kids that keep her crazy busy.
David is a 25-year IT, telecom, and collaboration veteran. He is the author of the original Network+ exam as well as several IT certification study guides. He is currently the Microsoft Teams champion and Microsoft Modern Workplace consultant for NCI.
3:00 - 3:45
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BOARD ROOM
Choose Your Own Ransomware Adventure Disaster
Mike Pagan, Sr Solution Architect / Azure Product Manager, NCI
Join us for a “Choose Your Own Adventure” styled ransomware incident. If you’ve never done a security incident tabletop exercise, now is your chance! Audience participation is required.
Over the past 22+ years, Mike has worked in many areas of information technology and uses this experience to design and install solutions for our customers. A majority of his experience is in server software and hardware technology such as VMware vSphere and Microsoft products such as Exchange Server, Windows Server, Active Directory, Remote Desktop Services, and virtual desktops. Along with his server experience, he works with Cisco networking, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Veeam Backup & Recovery, and various server and storage hardware. Most recently, Mike has been designing and implementing cloud services including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and Azure Active Directory.
DIRECTOR’S ROOM
Explore Veeam 12's Unbreakable Backups
Roger Lund, Solution Architect, NCI
Fortify and tailor your Veeam backup infrastructure:
- Glean actionable insights for setting up a Linux environment tailored for Veeam
- Optimize storage costs with Wasabi
- Learn why immutable backups are the bedrock of a foolproof data recovery plan
Roger evangelizes virtualization by night and is a Solutions Architect at Network Center Inc by day. He has over 20 years of experience in the industry, specializing in Virtualization, Cloud, Disaster Recovery, Backup, Networking, and Storage. Roger has spoken at conferences such as VMworld and is a Tech Field Day Delegate. He is also a VMware vExpert and social media influencer and blogger at www.vbrainstorm.com
EXECUTIVE ROOM
Vendor Showcase
Visit with our showstopping vendors in the great hall.
4:00 - 4:30
PANEL DISCUSSION
Our generous sponsors include:
