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3rd Annual Canton AI Tech Innovation Summit

May 12, 2026 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (EDT)

Description

Turning Artificial Intelligence Into Real-World Business Impact

The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Walsh University invites you to join the region’s leading business minds for the 3rd Annual Canton AI Tech Innovation Summit, a half-day event designed to help organizations understand, adopt, and scale artificial intelligence. This summit brings together executives, managers, and professionals from every department to explore how AI is transforming the way we work. From productivity tools and workforce development to data and analytics, attendees will gain practical insights they can immediately apply within their organizations. Whether you are just beginning your AI journey or are already integrating advanced tools, the summit is structured to meet you at your level.

What You Can Expect

Keynote Session:
How organizations can move beyond AI experimentation to build real, internal AI capability.
Heather Lenz, Founder, AI Navigator Collective

Panel Discussions:
Inside the AI Journey: Lessons From Canton’s Leading Companies
David Besse, 415 Group, IT Partner
Lisa Radigan, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary, Diebold Nixdorf

How AI Is Changing Every Department: HR, Accounting, Marketing and IT Perspectives
Andrew Sarachman, Talent Acquisition Manager, AWP Safety
Jason Colón, Director of Information Technology, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Tommy Karcher, Account Manager, TKG 

Breakout Learning Tracks
Participate in breakout sessions that align with your experience and business needs.

Networking and Collaboration
Connect with other business leaders and professionals across Stark County and the broader region who are actively navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions: From Theory to Implementation

Dive deeper into the specific applications of AI during our afternoon breakouts. Whether you’re leading a company or a department, these sessions are designed to give you a roadmap for 2026.

Featured Tracks:

Manufacturing Your AI Roadmap: Vetting High-Impact Use Cases

Presenter: Ramana (Raam) Bhavaraju, Founder & CEO, NCompas Technology Solutions Inc.

Description: For manufacturers, the challenge isn’t finding AI—it’s finding AI that works for the shop floor. In this session, Raam Bhavaraju introduces a proven framework to help manufacturers identify, vet, and prioritize AI use cases that drive actual ROI. Participants will explore specialized tools designed to move beyond the "hype" and into practical applications for operational efficiency and supply chain resilience.

The Shift to Agentic AI: Building Your Autonomous Workforce

Level: Intermediate

Presenter: Loay Al-Zube, Ph.D., Director of Innovation and AI Literacy, University of Mount Union

Description: Moving beyond simple prompts, the next frontier is Agentic AI—systems capable of reasoning, planning, and acting autonomously. Dr. Al-Zube demonstrates how these "AI Agents" are revolutionizing training, onboarding, and workforce development. Featuring a live demonstration of creating an agent in Microsoft Copilot, this session shows how to build reusable digital assistants that can interpret goals and execute complex workflows with limited human intervention.

The Executive Eureka Moment: Making Confident AI Decisions

Presenter: Carla Anderson, Director of Operations, Akron Innovations

Description: For leadership, AI is more than a tool—it’s a strategic pivot. This session is designed for executives who need to move beyond "wait and see" toward intentional AI adoption. Carla covers the leadership implications of AI, from budgeting for training to managing the organizational shift, helping you make confident decisions that align with long-term growth.

Choosing the Right AI for the Job: A Platform-by-Platform Guide

Presenter: Nick Carrino, AI Solutions Architect, AI Catalyst Institute

Description: With so many AI tools on the market, the hardest part isn’t getting started, it’s knowing which platform fits your actual business needs. Nick Carrino walks through the major AI platforms side by side, including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Claude. Participants will see live demos of each tool handling the same real-world tasks so they can compare strengths, limitations, and pricing. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for choosing the right AI tool for their role and budget.

Turbocharged Pipelines: Scaling Sales with Predictive AI

Presenter: Dave Payne, M.S., System 3 Performance Consulting

Description: AI is redefining the sales funnel through the lens of neuroscience and behavioral psychology. Dave Payne, a leader in world-class sales training, reveals how to use predictive data analytics and AI-enabled tools to maximize efficiency and optimize your pipeline. Learn how to empower a new generation of "sales champions" by leveraging technology to close deals faster and smarter.

Who Should Attend: This event is designed for: Business owners and executives, department leaders and managers, HR and talent professionals, marketing, finance, and operations teams, IT and data professionals, small, mid-sized, and large employers. 

Why It Matters: AI is no longer a future concept — it is reshaping industries right now. The AI Summit provides: clear, practical education on AI tools and applications, guidance on building internal policies and protecting your data, insight into the workforce and economic implications of AI, and a path forward for businesses at every stage of adoption. This is your opportunity to move from experimentation to real capability. If your organization wants to better understand how to use AI, build internal capacity, and prepare your workforce for the future, this summit is for you.

Presenting Sponsor:
Presenting Sponsor


Gold Sponsors:
Huntington Oswald Companies


Event Sponsors:

 
Sponsorship Opportunities are available!   Sign up online or contact  Melinda Kaplako , Vice President Development & Partnership Relations, Ph (440) 855-9097. 

Presenting Sponsor – $5,000, Exclusive opportunity

  • Recognition as the Presenting Sponsor in all marketing and event materials
  • Speaking opportunity during the Summit
  • Verbal thanks at the beginning and end of every breakout session
  • Logo on event signage, screens, website, and emails
  • Sponsor spotlight on social media
  • Sixteen tickets for two reserved tables at the front with company name on display
  • Opportunity to provide branded materials to attendees

Breakout Session Sponsor – $2,500

One-minute speaking opportunity at the start of the sponsored breakout session

  • Opportunity to distribute marketing collateral during sponsored breakout session
  • Recognition as the sponsor of your selected session in marketing and agenda materials
  • Table display in the networking area
  • Logo on event screens and website
  • Eight tickets to the AI Summit with reserved seating at the front and name on display

Event Sponsor – $1,500

  • Logo on event signage, screens, and event webpage
  • Recognition throughout the event
  • Six tickets to the AI Summit
  • Opportunity to place marketing collateral near the registration table

Table Sponsor – $1,000

  • Reserved table of eight with company name on display and webpage
  • Name recognition on the event program
  • Company thanked during welcoming remarks

Pricing

$40 Chamber members; $50 non-members
(includes breakfast and lunch)

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Contact Information

Name: Melinda Kapalko
Email: melinda@cantonchamber.org
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