CONTEX Conference
Date of Event: October 7, 2021
In Person and Virtually
The Converging Technologies Conference
Join Leaders Who are Disrupting Business Models and Creating New Ecosystems
See Companies that are Creating New Ecosystems
Gathering Prominent Industry Leaders to Share Actionable Insights Across Industries





Welcome to the Exponential Era
Are you prepared to thrive during this era of rapid changes? Digital disruptions resulting from platform technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), and flexible cloud computing are converging with technologies like 3D printing, 5G, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), creating a new set of ecosystems that are transforming our economics, our nations, and our lives.
While experts and pundits have predicted a multitude of potential futures, the CONTEX Conference is uniquely positioned to provide meaningful and actionable insights to embrace the transformations to come. This is why Intercepting Horizons, a strategic advisory services company for the Exponential Era, and the University of St. Thomas are gathering leaders and executives, currently implementing disruptive solutions and transforming markets, to speak on the innovative technologies that are propelling their businesses forward at this unique, one-day event.
Why Attend the Converging Technologies Conference?
At CONTEX you will learn about…
1
Learn about technology platforms that are converging and creating new ecosystems at exponential speeds
2
Learn how these new ecosystems are driving business disruptions and transformations
3
Learn how these disruptions and transformations are impacting your industry today
Event Details
Who Should Attend?
From C-suite executives to students, the Converging Technologies Conference is ideal for those interested in learning from CEOs, directors, and other distinguished professionals on how to lead and participate in shaping the Exponential Era.
October 7, 2021 8:00 AM–6:00 PM CDT
University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business, Schulze Hall 46 South 11th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This is a hybrid event that you can attend either in person or online. Please note that you do not have to attend the entire event. The conference will be recorded and available to all ticket holders. For in person attendees, University of St. Thomas protocols require mask wearing in all public spaces.
Technology Platforms = New Ecosystems
Learn more by clicking on the circles below.
AI
AI
AI is already entrenched in our everyday lives and is increasingly shaping much of what we do. AI is transforming industries like finance, insurance, retail, entertainment, healthcare, and more. In the last decade, we have seen the emergence of a new kind of company, one that is architected from the beginning to work in a digital operating model, leveraging networks, large amounts of data, and AI algorithms. This new digital operating model is adept at functioning at greater scale, scope, and with capabilities that can overwhelm traditional companies, resulting in a level of disruption that will challenge conventional managerial methods.
Networks and BlockChains
Networks and BlockChains
A vast infrastructure of fiberoptic cables, wireless towers, and satellites connect an estimated five billion people. The rest of the world’s population is expected to join the conversation in the next five years. 5G technologies promise to completely alter the connectivity landscape by offering much faster speeds. Blockchain is a distributed technology that runs on the network, allowing the effective authentication and securitization of transactions.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is advancing our ability to eliminate diseases that until recently seemed uncurable. Biotechnology also promises the development of healthier foods that are more efficient to produce and are environmentally sustainable.
Quantum Computing
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing offers a new paradigm where instead of the classical binary state represented by a bit, a multistate qubit, achieved via “superposition” in frigid temperatures, provides an extraordinary level of computing power. Quantum computers could spur the development of breakthroughs in science, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, material science, and much more.
IoT
IoT
The Internet of Things, also known as IoT, refers to the billions of devices that are connected to the internet. They include sensors, which are any electronic devices that measure things like temperature, pressure, light, or any other physical quantity and transmit their information over the network. These sensors will be non-stop monitoring and sensing all facets of our environment, creating a global sensor matrix that will allow us to know almost anything, anytime, anywhere.
3D Printing
3D Printing
3D printing is a fabrication technique for building three-dimensional structures based on a digital characterization of objects. The fabrication is achieved by adding layers of material until the final object is created with a technique called additive manufacturing. 3D printing technology is disrupting supply chains, manufacturing, transportation, and warehouses.
Robotics
Robotics
Robots are increasingly becoming ingrained in all aspects of life. Factories across the globe use robots to manufacture all kinds of products, from automotive to electronics. They are also being used in warehouses to sort, pick, and stack units. Today, the use of robots is focused on repetitive jobs or those that are dangerous or dirty. Tomorrow, robots will be used in a much wider range of careers from surgery to everyday maintenance and customer service.
Material Science
Material Science
Materials are the raw ingredients that go into products. They are easily taken for granted because most people don’t have a good grasp of the intricate work that goes into creating the materials that are used in today’s products. Behind the scenes, material science has enabled the creation and affordability of the everyday items we consume today.
AR/VR
AR/VR
Virtual and augmented reality will impact many industries, from retail to advertising, education, and entertainment. Avatars will represent our online personas for work, play, shopping, sports, and much more. Companies that want to stay ahead of the curve should consider investing in AR and VR capabilities now.
Technology Adoption Rates & Ethics
Technology Adoption Rates and Ethics
Today, leaders must make decisions about adopting and deploying technologies whose impact and ramifications on their people, community, and planet are unforeseeable. Due to the complexity and high adoption rates of modern technologies, decision making has become fraught with overwhelming and interrelated challenges. In fact, the consequences of our technology decisions are no longer obvious. Examples are the unintended consequences and ethical impacts of our science and technology choices, from energy generation affecting climate change and the desire for low-cost mundane functionality creating oceans of plastic, to the unfettered communications exploding in tribalism enabling the weaponization of nearly all media. As the consequences of individual and organizational decisions accumulate, personal responsibility has also grown, and the demand for accountability is rapidly increasing. In the Exponential Era, we need to explore new ethics able to intercept our rapid adoption of converging technologies now and on the horizon.

John Zangardi
President of Redhorse Corporation, Operating Advisor Crosspoint Capital, startup advisor, and board member for Qualys, Forcepoint, and Symetrica. Former CIO at Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Navy (DON).

Tarek Tomes
Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) and the State of Minnesota’s Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Tom Fisher
Director of the Minnesota Design Center, Director of MSMD Dayton Hudson Chair in Urban Design, University of Minnesota

Jim Hovland
Mayor of Edina, Founding Member of the Board, the Global Wellness Consortium & Global Wellness Connections (501c3)

Chuck Michael
North American Feasibility & Lead Regulatory Advisor, HyperloopTT

Gopal Khanna
Board Member, Advisor, Former Director of AHRQ (Agency for Health Research and Qualty, Department of Health and Human Services), and first CIO of MN

Uma Natarajan
Head of Presales & Customer Success, Public Sector, UiPath

Rick Harrison
CEO, Rick Harrison Site Design, LLC

Edmond Lonergan
CEO, The Green Planet Group, LLC

Pablo Calabuig
CEO, North America, GoAigua, Inc.

Chad Seidel
President at Corona Environmental Consulting, LLC

James Bachman
CEO, LiberoHealth, Inc.

Liz Diedrich
CEO, DRPM

Patrick McKinney
CEO, PKT

David Espindola
Co-founder & Partner, Intercepting Horizons, LLC

Ron Peterson
CEO, Peterson Technical/Business Strategies, Inc. Former Vice President of Technology Honeywell

Grant Riewe
Executive Adviser, Professor St. Thomas

Jeremy Lenz
Conference Moderator, Technology and Innovation Adoption Consultant

Michael Wright
Conference Chairman, Co-founder & Partner, Intercepting Horizons, LLC

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
Explore our various sponsorship levels to be involved and represented at this unique event.

- Mention on all press materials
- Large logo recognition in CONTEX marketing materials
- Logo and company website link from CONTEX web page
- Speaker slot at the conference
- Fifteen complimentary registrations
- Two presentation tables

- Mention on all press materials
- Medium logo recognition in CONTEX marketing materials
- Logo and company website link from CONTEX web page
- Five complimentary registrations
- Two presentation tables

- Name recognition in CONTEX marketing materials
- Logo and company website link from CONTEX web page
- Two complimentary registrations
- One presentation table

- Company website link from CONTEX web page
- One complimentary registration
- One presentation table

- Name recognition on website