Agenda
27th Annual TribalNet Conference & Tradeshow

A robust agenda offering something for everyone, with diverse session tracks designed to engage and inspire, ensuring a dynamic experience that meets the interests of all attendees.
 

TribalNet offers something for everyone.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting your journey, a technical expert, or a non-technical professional – this event is designed with you in mind. Explore diverse sessions, connect with industry leaders, and gain insights tailored to tribal operations across all sectors.

TribalNet Conference & Tradeshow offers a variety of sessions within several different concentration tracks including:
  • General Technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • AI
  • Leadership/Executive
  • Let’s Get Technical
  • Tribal Gaming/Hospitality
  • Tribal Government/Member Services
  • Tribal Health Info Management

Sessions

Agenda
Time Session Speaker Track Location Access
Sunday, September 20, 2026
8:45am to 9:15am
CDT
Coffee & Refreshments for Golfers

Registered for and heading to the Tribal-ISAC charity golf event? Fuel-up before you go!

Golf Outing Grand Entrance Golf Pass Required
9:15am to 9:15am
CDT
Shuttle to Tribal-ISAC Charity Golf Event

Separate ticket must be purchased in order to participate! Visit tribalisac.org for more info. Grab a water or coffee to get you ready for the day. Hop on our shuttle for a free ride to the course!

Golf Outing Grand Entrance Golf Pass Required
9:45am to 10:45am
CDT
Player Check-In and Welcome Party

Check-in with us, grab your drinks and raffle tickets and try your hand at the putting contest! We'll help you get the day kicked off right!

Golf Outing Irving Golf Club - 2000 E Shady Grove Rd. Irving, TX 75060 Golf Pass Required
11:00am to 11:00am
CDT
Tribal-ISAC Charity Golf Event- Shotgun Start

4-person scramble format, club rentals available, ask in advance to reserve

Golf Outing Irving Golf Club - 2000 E Shady Grove Rd. Irving, TX 75060 Golf Pass Required
4:00pm to 5:00pm
CDT
Prizes, Raffle, Awards, Hors D'oeuvres

Stick around for this fun gathering!

Golf Outing Irving Golf Club - 2000 E Shady Grove Rd. Irving, TX 75060 Golf Pass Required
5:00pm to 5:00pm
CDT
Shuttle to Hotel

Dont miss your ride back to the hotel!

Golf Outing Golf Course Entrance Golf Pass Required
6:00pm to 7:30pm
CDT
The First Hello Cocktail Hour

Leave no guessing about where everyone will be — this is the official gathering spot to find old friends and make new connections! Settle in, grab a drink, and connect with the community as we kick off what’s sure to be an incredible week ahead. The perfect place to reunite, meet new faces, and start the event on a great note before the main programming begins.

Networking East Atrium ALL
Monday, September 21, 2026
7:00am to 9:00am
CDT
Breakfast Sponsored By NetApp

Thank you to our breakfast sponsor! Our MC will get you ready for the days ahead- lots of info to help you have the best experience at TribalNet 2026

Meals Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
7:00am to 3:00pm
CDT
TribalHub DataHub Sponsored By Agilysys and Rego Consulting

Visiting TribalHub's DataHub ensures your tribe or tribal enterprise's technology profile is accurate and up to date. Check your badge for your DataHub ticket; it only takes a few minutes! As a thank you, you will receive a TribalNet T-shirt and a gift card for the onsite coffee shop.

De Soto Green
7:00am to 3:00pm
CDT
TribalHub Members Only VIP Welcome Lounge (*tribal gov't/enterprise members only)

We love our TribalHub Members! Come enjoy refreshments and grab your Welcome Gift!

Networking Wedgewood TribalHub Members
7:00am to 3:30pm
CDT
Registration/Check-In

Come see the TribalNet team to pick up your badge and all your conference materials to get you set for the week!

Registration Wedgewood ALL
7:00am to 4:00pm
CDT
Tradeshow Setup ONLY

Sponsors can begin booth setup before tradeshow officially opens!

Tradeshow Trinity Exhibit Hall Blue & Red
9:00am to 9:30am
CDT
Making the Most of your Time

Join us for the opening of our 27th Annual TribalNet Conference & Tradeshow

Trinity Ballroom Green
9:45am to 10:45am
CDT
Technology Responsibilities of Non-Tech Executives

This presentation combines the perspectives and offers attendees a practical view of how executive leadership influences technology outcomes beyond technical implementation. Grounded in real-world lessons learned from technology transformations, system implementations, process improvements, and organizational change efforts. Rather than focusing on technology itself, speakers provide actionable guidance on the leadership behaviors, decisions, and accountabilities that most directly impact project success, adoption, and long-term value realization. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply within their own organizations, regardless of technical background. Learn how to confidently ask the right questions, evaluate tech proposals, and champion major IT initiatives from the top down.

Leadership/Executive Coronado BCD Green & Blue
9:45am to 10:45am
CDT
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Keeping the Crown Jewels of the Organization Safe

Every organization possesses critical data like customer records, employee and tribal enrollment files, and proprietary financial data—all of it must be protected at all costs. But do you know exactly where that data lives, where it travels, and who has access to it? This session demystifies Data Loss Prevention (DLP). Discover how to understand and map your organization’s "crown jewels," helping you build practical DLP policies that don't choke productivity, and leverage modern tools to stop data leaks before they happen.

Cybersecurity Cortez CD Green & Blue
9:45am to 10:45am
CDT
AI Purchasing and Licensing - what to consider in agreements and operations

Buying AI software is fundamentally different from purchasing traditional software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms. AI vendor contracts introduce entirely new legal and operational questions regarding data ownership, model training rights, algorithmic liability, and shifting cost structures. This session prepares procurement officers and leaders for AI negotiations. What to focus on, cut through the noise, paths to acquistion and alignment. Learn the critical clauses to look for in AI vendor agreements and how to ensure your organization retains complete ownership of its data.

AI Coronado A Green & Blue
9:45am to 10:45am
CDT
The Tech Behind Better Guest Experiences

In a highly competitive hospitality landscape, guest experience is usually the ultimate differentiator. Today's patrons expect immediate, friction-free service from check-in to cash-out. This session explores the cutting-edge technologies transforming the guest journey. Discover how property-wide integrations, smart room capabilities, and all digital touchpoints can be leveraged to eliminate wait times, personalize stays, and elevate the overall guest experience. Discuss how to deliver personalized guest experiences at scale and how unified guest data enables more meaningful, relevant interactions across the resort while building long-term loyalty through seamless experiences.

Tribal Gaming/Hospitality Cortez AB Green & Blue
10:45am to 11:00am
CDT
Break Co-Sponsored By Eaton and World Wide Technology

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break West Wing Foyer Green & Blue
11:00am to 12:00pm
CDT
The Foundational Policies and Practices for Tribes

AI isn't dangerous because it's powerful; it's dangerous when it's powerful without boundaries. Understanding why AI governance must come before AI adoption is paramount in keeping data secure and being successful in your AI endeavors. Before any tribal government or enterprise deploys an AI tool, a clear governance framework must be established to protect tribal resources, sovereignty, and employee integrity. Jumping into AI without clear guardrails invites severe data and compliance risks. This session outlines the essential first steps for crafting an organizational AI policy. Learn how to define acceptable use cases, establish basic security baselines, and protect your tribal data from being ingested by public AI models. The success of your AI strategy won't be defined by what it can do, but by how well you control it. Responsible AI use requires essential security baselines that include data protection, access control, and oversight. In this session we will review the foundational security practices that must be in place to safely support AI initiatives.

AI Coronado A Green & Blue
11:00am to 12:00pm
CDT
Network Segmentation on a Budget: Best Practices for Tribes

You don’t need an enterprise-wide micro-segmentation software license to isolate your critical tribal data. This practical session focuses on achieving robust network segmentation using the infrastructure you already own. Discover how to leverage existing firewalls, VLANs, and access control lists (ACLs) to effectively separate government operations, enterprise networks, and public Wi-Fi without breaking the bank.

Let’s Get Technical Cortez AB Green & Blue
11:00am to 12:00pm
CDT
Leadership's Role in AI

Non-IT Leaders have a very large role in setting the foundation and strategy for AI in their tribe or tribal enterprise. Leaders must define the strategic vision, set the boundaries, and guide the organizational culture through this massive technological shift. This session explores how executives can successfully champion AI initiatives, manage change resistance, and ensure AI adoption directly supports the long-term vision of the tribe or tribal enterprise. Pairing two perspectives the topic demands: a tribal CEO who owns AI strategy, investment, and risk at the enterprise level, and the IT leader responsible for turning that direction into working systems. Together, the speakers show the conversations between a CEO and an IT leader that shaped their approach, where leadership must set direction, and where it must get out of the way. Hear about what worked, and what didn't

Leadership/Executive Coronado BCD Green & Blue
11:00am to 12:00pm
CDT
Data-Driven Health Tech: Streamlined Data Systems

See how secure, connected data systems enhance care coordination, support informed decision-making, and help shape the future of behavioral health services. Go behind the scenes with the Choctaw Nation Tribal Research department to discover how they are transforming behavioral health grant evaluation through innovative, secure, and data-driven technology solutions. Through a real-world case study, this session will showcase the journey from spreadsheets to Power Apps and PowerBI dashboards, highlighting how streamlined data systems can reduce provider burden, strengthen care coordination, protect sensitive information, and support smarter decision-making for the future of tribal healthcare.

Tribal Health Info Management Cortez CD Green & Blue
12:00pm to 1:15pm
CDT
Lunch Sponsored By ImageSource

Thank you to our lunch sponsor!

Meals Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
1:30pm to 2:30pm
CDT
Regulators and IT: Best Practices for Best Results

The relationship between IT departments and regulatory bodies is often viewed as a balancing act between technological innovation and strict compliance. It doesn’t have to be a battle. This session discusses strategies for fostering a collaborative partnership between tech teams and gaming regulators and provides insight into the reasonings and motivations behind the actions of tribal gaming regulatory authorities. Recognize the root causes of friction between regulators and IT teams and translate regulatory requirements into clear, actionable language. Building an environment of trust that accelerates technology use while maintaining full compliance and a shared understanding of security and risk mitigation. Leave this session with more clarity on creating a partnership that supports innovation, security and regulatory confidence.

Tribal Gaming/Hospitality Cortez CD Green & Blue
1:30pm to 2:30pm
CDT
Leading and Managing the Tech Generation

This session is designed to move beyond generational stereotypes and give leaders practical ways to build connection across age, experience, and technology preferences. Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each with wildly different expectations, habits, and preferences when it comes to technology. Managing this environment requires a thoughtful leadership strategy. Hiring, retaining, mentoring, and engaging the new generation of workers is a skill. What does the younger worker expect and need? It can be just as difficult for a young worker to understand a much older worker as it is for the older employee to understand the younger one. New tools that automate and digitize proven personal assessments and leadership concepts might be the best way to bridge the gap. In this sessions, we discuss creating a practical leadership plan to bridge generational gaps at work by using scalable coaching habits and technology to support connection, engagement, knowledge transfer, and long-term performance.

Leadership/Executive Coronado BCD Green & Blue
1:30pm to 2:30pm
CDT
Active Directory Security: Deeper Dive

Active Directory remains the crown jewel for attackers looking to escalate privileges and move laterally across your network. This session gets into the weeds of AD hardening, focusing on misconfigurations that standard audits miss. We’ll break down secure Tiered Administration models, how to audit nested groups, and the exact telemetry you need to monitor to catch Kerberoasting and pass-the-hash attacks in real time.

Let’s Get Technical Cortez AB Green & Blue
1:30pm to 2:30pm
CDT
Using PATH EHR to Enhance Traditional Medicine Practices for Holistic Care

This session explores how PATH EHR will support integration of traditional Native American healing practices into modern healthcare delivery while honoring cultural values and patient-centered care. PATH EHR allows documenting culturally relevant health information and incorporating traditional healing practices into care plans and improves communication among healthcare providers to promote holistic care. This session will discuss considerations for data governance, privacy, cultural sensitivity and care coordination, using uniquely created and thoughtfully designed workflows, to support improved health outcomes for Native American communities.

Tribal Health Info Management Coronado A Green & Blue
2:30pm to 2:45pm
CDT
Break Co-Sponsored By Docusign and Esri

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break West Wing Foyer Green & Blue
2:45pm to 3:45pm
CDT
The Metrics of Healthy IT

This session breaks down the essential metrics every leader should track. Learn how to measure system reliability, security posture, and project delivery in a way that aligns with your organization's broader financial and strategic goals. How do you know if you are investing adequately in IT resources, if your technology investments are actually delivering value, or if your technology infrastructure is at risk? To lead effectively, executives need clear indicators of IT health and performance that go beyond standard jargon.

Leadership/Executive Coronado A Green & Blue
2:45pm to 3:45pm
CDT
Tribal-ISAC Turns 5: Celebrating Our Community, Sharing the Pulse - NOTE, THIS SESSION IS CLOSED TO VENDORS

Join Tribal-ISAC as we mark five years of strengthening cybersecurity across Indian Country! In this open session, we'll look back at key milestones and look ahead at what's next for our Tribal-ISAC community. We'll unveil highlights from The Pulse: The State of Cybersecurity Within Tribal Nations, our annual survey report capturing how tribes are evolving on staffing, budgets, and security practices. And because five years deserves a celebration, we're closing things out with an interactive game built just for this crowd. Expect laughs, friendly competition, and a few surprises. Whether you're a longtime member or learning about Tribal-ISAC for the first time, come connect, celebrate, and see what's possible when tribal nations share knowledge to stay secure together.

Cybersecurity Coronado BCD Green & Blue
2:45pm to 3:45pm
CDT
Understanding and Establishing AI Data Governance

AI tools are completely dependent on the data fed into them—meaning poor data quality or unmapped access controls will result in flawed outcomes and serious security liabilities. This session focuses on building an AI-ready data governance framework. This session dives into the CARE Principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics), alongside OCAP and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent where relevant, to draft an Indigenous Data Sovereignty plan. Discussion on evaulating AI vendors and contracts against risk and operational governance. Learn how to cleanse and classify your organizational data, manage user access permissions across AI applications, and ensure your internal data architecture complies with tribal data privacy standards.

AI Cortez CD Green & Blue
2:45pm to 3:45pm
CDT
Creating and Supporting Enhanced Tribal ID's

Enhanced Tribal ID production and acceptance have turned out to be ongoing challenges for many tribes. They represent a powerful assertion of sovereignty, streamlining border crossings, federal identification compliance, and access to services for tribal citizens. However, launching and maintaining an enhanced ID program requires a complex blend of secure technology, intergovernmental cooperation, and careful data management. This session covers the technical infrastructure, security standards, and operational workflows necessary to successfully issue and support secure, legally-compliant Enhanced Tribal IDs.

Tribal Government/Member Services Cortez AB Green & Blue
4:15pm to 5:00pm
CDT
VIP ACCESS! TribalHub Members Only Early Access to Meet & Greet Event

Members get more and this is no exception!

Networking Outdoors- Anatole Sculpture Park Green OR Purchased Tix
5:00pm to 7:00pm
CDT
TribalNet Exclusive Meet & Greet Event Sponsored by Oracle Health and GDIT

Conversation, cocktails, and entertainment- you won't want to miss this!

Networking Outdoors- Anatole Sculpture Park Green OR Purchased Tix
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
7:00am to 8:00am
CDT
Breakfast Sponsored By Salesforce/Carahsoft

Thank you to our breakfast sponsor! Fuel up and get yourself ready for a great day ahead!

Meals Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
7:00am to 3:30pm
CDT
Registration

Come see the TribalNet team to pick up your badge and all your conference materials to get you set for the week!

Registration Wedgewood All
8:00am to 9:15am
CDT
MC's Morning Kick Off and Keynote Session: Digital Revolutionaries delivered by Human-First AI Transformation Leader | Senior Partner @ Velocity Road | Global Speaker | 2x Business Book Author, Greg Verdino

DIGITAL REVOLUTIONARIES
The future doesn't wait for permission, and it won't wait for you either. The only question is whether you'll be the one writing the next chapter of your industry, or reading about the ones who did. Digital Revolutionaries isn't a talk about technology. It's a challenge to build the future.

Organizations that can't transform at the speed of change will face an uncertain future at best and certain failure at worst. Those that can harness AI and the wave of exponential technology arriving in its wake will find the greatest opportunity for growth and reinvention in a generation. Welcome to the world of Digital Revolutionaries. In this thought-provoking exploration of the technologies rebooting business right now, you'll see how the world's boldest businesses — disruptors and innovative incumbents alike — are putting tomorrow's biggest ideas to work today, from AI reshaping how we work and decide, to robots and physical AI moving off the factory floor and into every industry, to quantum computing quietly rewriting what's computationally possible. Understand the top trends shaping the future of business, society, and the world — from generative and agentic AI to the rise of physical AI and robotics to the coming quantum shift. See powerful examples of the ways exponential technology is changing what it means to be human, and consider why human transformation sits at the heart of customer and employee experience. See how companies in a wide range of industries are putting these technologies to work to transform how they operate, how they create and capture new value, and the relationships they have with their customers. Gain insight into how you can apply these lessons to transform your own business to thrive for the future.

Keynote Trinity Ballroom ALL
8:00am to 1:30pm
CDT
Tradeshow Setup ONLY

Sponsors can begin booth setup before tradeshow officially opens!

Tradeshow Trinity Exhibit Hall Blue & Red
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Enterprise AI in Healthcare

Navigating HIPAA, data security, and the limits of autonomous AI. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes healthcare, organizations face a critical divide between enterprise-grade AI systems and standalone consumer AI tools. Differentiate between enterprise-grade AI solutions and standalone consumer AI tools, including where each may or may not be appropriate in healthcare settings. Participants will learn about the intersections between HIPAA and other healthcare regulations as they apply to AI use in tribal health systems and clinics. This session explores what is actually possible—and what is strictly off limits—shape the safe use of AI with protected health information when deploying AI in environments governed by HIPAA and other healthcare regulations.

Tribal Health Info Management Cortez AB Green & Blue
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Data Sovereignty Best Practices

Data Sovereignty and the need for tribes to identify and protect their data has never been more complicated or challenging. Information is power, and for tribal nations, data may be a sovereign asset. Protecting and controlling how tribal data is collected, stored, and potentially utilized by external entities can be vital to a tribe's sovereignty. Do you know what data tribes should consider sovereign in the first place? We will discuss practical best practices for establishing tribal data governance codes, cloud storage agreements, and ensuring your tribe maintains control and ownership of its digital footprint. Attendees will learn a structured classification framework for identifying which categories of organizational data should be treated as sovereign assets and how to rank them by exposure risk and conduct a data sovereignty assessment. Leave with more knowledge in building prioritized action plans.

Tribal Government/Member Services Coronado BCD Green & Blue
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Business Continuity: Connecting the Non-Tech Executives to Incident Response

Business Continuity - engaging the non-technical executives in the need to plan and test beyond the incident response and disaster recovery plans. When a cyber incident strikes, it isn't just an IT problem; it’s a business crisis. Yet, a massive gap often exists between technical recovery plans and executive decision-making. This session focuses on bridging that divide. What is most important? Who is most important? Who needs to be engaged and what should we be planning for? Join this session to discuss the importance of business continuity planning and testing.

Cybersecurity Coronado A Green & Blue
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Vendor Success Meeting- access for vendors ONLY

..

De Soto Blue & Red
9:15am to 10:15pm
CDT
Upskilling: Preparing Your Employees for AI

The AI revolution isn't coming for your workforce — it's already here. And the organizations that will fall behind aren't the ones that failed to buy the right tools. They're the ones that bought the tools and left their people behind. To remain competitive, organizations must proactively prepare their teams for this shift. This session provides a practical roadmap for employee upskilling. Discover how to identify AI skill gaps across various departments, design effective internal training programs, and teach employees how to leverage AI tools safely and creatively to eliminate mundane tasks. Learn about practical roadmaps for building an AI-ready workforce, not by replacing people, but by giving them the skills and confidence to work alongside AI tools in ways that make their jobs easier, their decisions smarter, and their organizations more competitive. Identify where AI can genuinely help your people, how to design training that actually sticks, and how to establish guardrails that protect your data and sovereignty while still moving forward. The tribes that get this right won't just keep up. They'll set the standard. Attend this session to learn more!

AI Cortez CD Green & Blue
10:15am to 10:30am
CDT
Break Co-Sponsored By NinjaOne and Acuvance ROI

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break West Wing Foyer Blue & Green
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
Super Users - the key to successful application use

Launching a massive new software application is only half the battle; getting your staff to actually use it correctly is the real challenge. It is not IT, but the super user that is REALLY responsible for continuing full and proper use of their operational software system. Learn about strategies to identify the best system for your property and how to create, support, and maintain application super users. Discover how these frontline advocates can drive software adoption, provide immediate peer-to-peer troubleshooting, and drastically reduce the burden on your IT helpdesk. Communication at all levels is critical to success- we will discuss managing change, buy in, training plans, processes, timelines and how to set and meet your goals and objectives. Real life examples and industry experts share lessons learned to be applied to improve the future.

General Technology Cortez AB Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
PATH EHR in Action: Bringing Modern Healthcare Tools to Indian Country

The PATH EHR—the Indian Health Service’s new enterprise electronic health record solution—is no longer just a vision; it’s actively taking shape in IHS facilities today. Named to reflect “Patients at the Heart,” PATH EHR represents IHS’s commitment to delivering a modern, patient-centered system built to support high quality, sustainable, and easy to use care tools across Indian Country. As we continue charting the next generation of IHS care, this session will highlight substantial progress made in pilot site implementation, system build, testing, and readiness activities. The IHS Modernization Program team will share key milestones, new functionality now coming online, and lessons learned from the pilot site. Attendees will gain insight into how PATH EHR is designed to minimize disruptions, strengthen data access across facilities, and provide clinicians with a comprehensive view of patient health—while empowering patients with greater control over their care. Whether you work in clinical care, administration, or IT, this session offers an inside look at what’s working, what’s improving, and what comes next as PATH EHR moves toward wider rollout.

Tribal Health Info Management Cortez CD Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
Gaming Systems Panel: Hear From Industry Leaders

Hear directly from gaming system providers about where they think the industry is going, what new advancements we should expect in gaming systems, how gaming systems are staying secure in an age of increasing cyber-attacks, and how casinos can better leverage their CMS capabilities. We will have panelists representing gaming system leaders at Aristocrat, IGT, Light & Wonder and CasinoTrac speaking on these topics and taking questions from the audience. Moderated by Patrick Tinklenberg, VP of IT at Sycuan Casino. You don’t want to miss this engaging and informative discussion!

Tribal Gaming/Hospitality Coronado A Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
Cybersecurity Awareness: How to Increase Participation and Achieve Better Results

A real business or tribal "culture of cybersecurity" starts with an effective cybersecurity awareness program. Those standard, boring compliance videos aren't stopping modern cyber threats—but an engaged workforce can. Join us to discover how to transform your security awareness program from an ineffective chore into an effective cybersecurity culture. Learn operations and psychological hooks that increase employee participation, gamification strategies that work, and how to measure real behavioral changes that will lower your cybersecurity risk.

Cybersecurity Coronado BCD Green & Blue
11:30am to 12:30pm
CDT
Lunch Sponsored By Arctic IT

Thank you to our lunch sponsor!

Meals Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
12:15pm to 12:30pm
CDT
Preview of the Regions

Have you met others in YOUR region yet? Hear from TribalNet's MC and Regional Ambassadors as they share how TribalHub's regional groups help tribes connect and collaborate the entire year.

Networking Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
12:30pm to 12:45pm
CDT
Regional Groups - GET CONNECTED!

Head to YOUR region's table to meet Regional Ambassadors, learn about upcoming regional meetings, and find out how staying connected with your regional tribes can strengthen your network beyond TribalNet.

Networking Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
12:45pm to 1:45pm
CDT
Engaging Tribal Youth in Government Through Culture and Technology

"Engaging Tribal Youth in Government Through Culture and Technology
This session explores innovative, culturally centered approaches to engaging Indigenous youth in government and technology. Speakers will highlight hands-on programs—including Cherokee Nation’s syllabary bingo game, Run IT for a Day, and AISES’s Auntie Tech Collective and micro‑bit climate action projects—to demonstrate how digital tools can strengthen cultural learning, civic awareness, and pathways into tribal tech careers. "

Tribal Government/Member Services Coronado A Green & Blue
12:45pm to 1:45pm
CDT
Transformation and Automation: What to Focus on

We all want to harness technology solutions to save us money, make us more money, reduce risk, improve customer satisfaction, and make our lives more simple. Which operations should you focus on with existing modern technology? This session cuts through the hype to help leaders identify which legacy processes should be top-of-mind for automation. Learn how to calculate the true ROI of a digital transformation project, avoid common deployment pitfalls, and focus your resources where they will yield the greatest impact on efficiency and employee morale.

Leadership/Executive Cortez AB Green & Blue
12:45pm to 1:45pm
CDT
Understanding What Technology Structure is Right for Your Tribe

Every tribe has a unique organizational blueprint, often balancing government services, health clinics, and diverse commercial enterprises. Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to organizing your IT department. Should you centralize all technology under one roof, or decentralize IT across separate entities? This session analyzes the pros, cons, and operational impacts of various IT structures, helping you determine the ideal framework to support your tribe's specific goals.

General Technology Coronado BCD Green & Blue
12:45pm to 1:45pm
CDT
Tools and Tips to Defend Against Phishing and Vishing

Attackers are increasingly combining sophisticated email phishing with AI-driven voice cloning (vishing) to bypass standard defenses. Nerd out on the technical controls, email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and validation tools needed to intercept these multi-channel attacks. We’ll break down real-world adversarial frameworks and map out bulletproof verification processes to secure your help desks and endpoints.

Let’s Get Technical Cortez CD Green & Blue
1:45pm to 2:00pm
CDT
Tradeshow Ribbon Cutting

It's time to start networking!

Tradeshow Trinity Foyer All
1:45pm to 2:15pm
CDT
Co-Sponsored Break by Box and ..

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break Trinity Foyer Green & Blue
2:00pm to 6:30pm
CDT
Vendor Tradeshow Floor Open

Join us for the opening of our 27th Annual Tradeshow Floor

Tradeshow Trinity Exhibit Hall ALL
3:30pm to 6:30pm
CDT
Tradeshow Floor Reception Sponsored By Insight Public Sector and SHI

Time to network! Don’t forget your wristband! Wear it to enjoy drinks on the tradeshow floor.

Networking Trinity Exhibit Hall Green & Blue
6:30pm to 7:30pm
CDT
TribalNet Cocktail Hour Sponsored By Synergy Information Solutions

Thanks to our sponsor for bringing the fun! Don't forget to check your badges for your drink tickets.

Networking Gossip ALL
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:00am to 8:00am
CDT
Breakfast Sponsored By Lenovo

Thank you to our breakfast sponsor! Fuel up for a great day ahead!

Meals Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
7:00am to 1:30pm
CDT
Registration/Information

Come see the TribalNet team to pick up your badge and all your conference materials to get you set for the week!

Registration Wedgewood ALL
8:00am to 9:00am
CDT
MC's Morning Kick Off and Keynote Session - Amplifying Leadership to Inspire Success

In many organizations today—especially those managing complex communities like Tribal enterprises—technical experts and leadership teams often struggle to fully understand each other. IT leaders speak in systems. Executives think in strategy. Boards focus on impact and outcomes.
When these worlds are disconnected, critical ideas are lost in translation. In this dynamic and interactive keynote, communication specialist and author Jennifer Morgan shares practical strategies to help leaders bridge the gap between technical expertise, business priorities, and community leadership. Through powerful stories and immediately usable tools, participants will learn how to: translate technical complexity into clear, compelling messages, communicate with confidence to executives, boards, community leaders and communities & earn trust and alignment through storytelling. Drawing on Jennifer's vast experience and research in emotional contagion, leadership communication, and audience awareness, this session will help you elevate how you communicate so your ideas become action. Participants will leave with practical frameworks they can use immediately to communicate with greater clarity, confidence and impact.

Keynote Trinity Ballroom ALL
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
The AI Steering Committee - engaging the entire organization

Move collaboratively from AI curiosity to AI action. AI adoption shouldn't be dictated solely by the IT department or restricted to executive or individual department silos. Because AI impacts every facet of operations, successful implementation requires an "entire organization" approach. This session covers how to design and run an effective AI Steering Committee. Attendees will learn how to structure an AI steering committee that includes representation from leadership, operations, IT, legal, and front-line staff, ensuring diverse perspectives guide adoption decisions across the organization. Leave with ideas to ensure AI initiatives directly align with the tribes strategic AI and technology goals and a playbook for prioritizing AI use cases through a steering committee lens, balancing quick wins against long-term strategic value while managing risk, budget, and change fatigue across the enterprise.

AI Coronado BCD Green & Blue
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Harnessing Shadow IT Rather than Fighting It

Uncovering "Shadow IT" across the organization and tips and tricks to reign it in through better shared understanding, communication, and meeting the technology needs and timing that supports success for employees and operational departments. When employees feel stymied by slow IT processes, they take matters into their own hands—downloading unauthorized software and cloud apps to get their jobs done. This "Shadow IT" creates massive security and compliance risks, but it also highlights a genuine user need. Instead of fighting an endless war against unauthorized apps, this session teaches you how to harness that user drive. Learn how to discover hidden applications on your network, evaluate their utility, and safely bring them into the official organizational fold.

General Technology Cortez CD Green & Blue
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Protecting the Care Continuum (Ancillary Services)

Securing ancillary services data without disruption. Ancillary services-lab, imaging, therapies and home care for example, are essential to patient care, but they also introduce complex challenges in data protection, privacy, and operational security. This session explores how healthcare organizations can safeguard sensitive patient data across these environments while minimizing disruption to clinical workflows. We will examine the unique risks associated with ancillary systems.

Tribal Health Info Management Cortez AB Green & Blue
9:15am to 10:15am
CDT
Third-Party Vendor Risk: Is This Your Weakest Cyber Link?

Do you know how secure (or unsecure) your vendors are? Your internal defense network might be a secure cyber fortress, but how secure are the vendors connected to it? Recent tribal cybersecurity surveys support that third-party software, cloud providers, and external contractors represent one of the fastest-growing attack vectors for tribes and tribal enterprises. Do you fully understand the third-party threat landscape? This session breaks down how to identify, assess, and mitigate vendor risk. Learn how to establish a practical vendor risk management process, enforce strict security requirements in service contracts, and ensure your partners aren't accidentally opening the back door to your data.

Cybersecurity Coronado A Green & Blue
10:15am to 10:30am
CDT
Break Sponsored By Poppulo and LogicMonitor

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break West Wing Foyer Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
The Tech Tools Making Executives More Productive Today

True leadership productivity isn't about working harder or filling your day with more administrative tracking. It is about building smart, sustainable systems that give you the clarity to lead effectively. This session introduces essential, easy-to-use technology driving executive productivity right now. Learn practical techniques and how to leverage the latest in AI, task management, and communication tools to streamline your daily routine, eliminate administrative bottlenecks, and lead your organization with greater efficiency. Walk away with ideas for better workflows, communications, automation and beyond.

Leadership/Executive Cortez CD Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
Mobile Apps: Managing "An App for That" World

Every property desires a single integrated mobile app, but launching a successful one requires a strategy that goes far beyond a simple download link. Guests and players expect mobile apps to seamlessly handle booking, communications, mobile gaming, digital keys, cashless, and loyalty rewards all in one place. This session tackles the operational realities of mobile app management. Learn methods and strategies to avoid app fatigue and keep customers engaged long after they leave your property.

Tribal Gaming/Hospitality Cortez AB Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
Strategy and Innovation: Where Technology Really Shines

Technology is a key part of every single operation across your tribe or tribal enterprise. So, why is it so difficult to engage key executives, IT leaders, and the organization in building a technology strategy and innovation roadmap? When properly aligned with long-term strategy, IT becomes an incubator for new revenue streams and optimized services. This session explores how to build an innovation accelerator hub that the entire organization can get behind to shift your organization's mindset from reactive IT maintenance to proactive technology strategy. Move from putting out fires to strategic initiatives. Learn how to foster a culture of innovation and use emerging tech to gain a true competitive advantage.

General Technology Coronado A Green & Blue
10:30am to 11:30am
CDT
We Will Rock You - the power of information sharing

Information sharing is one of the most effective—and underutilized—tools in cybersecurity. Through an interactive demonstration and practical examples, this session explores how individuals and organizations can become information sharing champions and strengthen resilience by sharing timely, actionable information. Attendees will explore proven best practices for information sharing within their organizations and across trusted partner networks while examining the role of ISACs, collective defense, and public-private partnerships in strengthening cybersecurity. Participants will leave with practical, actionable steps they can implement immediately to improve information sharing and strengthen their organization's security and resilience.

Cybersecurity Coronado BCD Green & Blue
11:30am to 12:30pm
CDT
Lunch Sponsored By Dell

Grab your lunch and find a seat- this is our closing lunch- thanks to our sponsor!

Meals Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
12:15pm to 1:15pm
CDT
Keynote Session delivered by international speaker, two-time TEDx speaker, and three-time author, Tracy Spears

Tracy Spears doesn’t just give a keynote, she delivers an experience that sticks with you long after the standing ovation. With unfiltered honesty, laugh-out-loud humor, and jaw-dropping storytelling, Tracy invites audiences to stop performing, start telling the truth, and lead from a place of bold authenticity. From corporate boardrooms to national stages, Tracy has inspired thousands of leaders to tell their truth, lead stronger, and live more intentionally. Whether she’s speaking to executive teams, emerging leaders, or entire organizations, her message is always the same: you have the power to curate your personal ecosystem starting today.

Keynote Trinity Ballroom Green & Blue
1:00pm to 6:00pm
CDT
Vendor Tradeshow Floor Open

Last chance to make you way around the tradeshow floor - over 200 products and solutions to explore! Plus, fun, prizes, and great new connections.

Tradeshow Trinity Exhibit Hall ALL
1:15pm to 1:30pm
CDT
MC Wrap Up and $1000 Drawing Sponsored By Wipfli and Vasion/PrinterLogic

Check your badge holder and drop your keynote raffle ticket in the ballot box at the ballroom entrance to be entered to win! Winner announced at the close of the keynote. Must be present to win!

Trinity Ballroom ALL
1:30pm to 1:45pm
CDT
Co-Sponsored Break by NetCov and Xerox IT Solutions

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break Trinity Foyer Green & Blue
3:30pm to 6:00pm
CDT
Tradeshow Floor Reception By ServiceNow and Signature Systems, Inc.

Time to Network! Don’t forget your wristband! Wear it to enjoy drinks on the tradeshow floor.

Networking Trinity Exhibit Hall Green & Blue
5:00pm to 6:00pm
CDT
Booth Prizes, Awards and Bingo Run $2500 Drawing Sponsored By IBM and IMPRES

Attendees gather as we give away some amazing booth prizes from the exhibitors on our show floor. PLUS, one lucky winner will win $2500- be sure you’ve collected your stamps and participated in the BINGO run for your chance to win! Must be present to win.

Tradeshow Trinity Exhibit Hall ALL
6:00pm to 7:00pm
CDT
TribalNet Cocktail Hour Sponsored By Business Operational Concepts

Thanks to our sponsor for bringing the fun. Don't forget to check your badges for your drink tickets

Networking Outdoors- Croquet Lawn ALL
Thursday, September 24, 2026
7:30am to 9:00am
CDT
Breakfast Sponsored By Comcast

Fuel up for a great day ahead or if you are traveling home today- let us get you started! Thank you to our breakfast sponsor!

Meals West Wing Foyer Green & Blue
8:30am to 12:30pm
CDT
Workshop: From Co-Pilot Users to Co-Pilot Builders

Microsoft is delivering a two-part training and build program with a single objective: make Copilot normal across the tribal enterprise. Not a pilot in one department. Not a proof of concept on a shelf. Normal — the way email and Teams are normal. Present in every workflow, governed by tribal leadership, and built by the people who actually run the operations. The program pairs a six-session virtual prep series with a four-hour, hands-on workshop at TribalNet. It moves participants from foundational fluency to building real agents grounded in their own data, their own governance, and their own operational needs — then puts those agents on a path to production within 30 days. This is not a demo. Every session produces a working deliverable. Participants will work together in small groups and an assigned Microsoft expert. Groups will each work on an agent that solves a common manual process within their tribal department or agency and at the end of the 4 hours, everyone will leave with access to all of the agents that were created. Along with the confidence and knowledge to create additional agents within their own tribal entity.

Seats are limited- separate sign up is required for anyone wanting to attend: https://form.jotform.com/262093303605046

AI Cortez ABCD Green
10:30am to 10:45am
CDT
Break Co-Sponsored By Cisco and Veeam

Thank you to our break sponsors for helping us all re-fuel!

Break West Wing Foyer Green & Blue
12:30pm to 12:30pm
CDT
Conference Ends - See you in 2027

Be sure to join us next year for TribalNet 2027

TBD ALL

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