Mark your calendars for Tech Fest 2025 on April 10 at the RiverCentre in Downtown St. Paul. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to level up your skills, connect with industry leaders, and have a blast!

Why Attend Tech Fest?

Learn. Leaders from across the business landscape will share winning strategies for driving stronger performance on your organizations mission-critical priorities. Inside access to the latest tech innovations, trends, and debates you won’t find anywhere else. 

Discover. See firsthand how Loffler’s product and solution ecosystem is evolving to meet the demands of businesses of all sizes and connect with Twin Cities and global experts. 

Grow. Connect with your peers and colleagues to grow your network and enhance your leadership skills. 

Win! Autographed sports memorabilia, PlayStation 5, Xbox, flat-screen TVs, home essentials, and much more! Plus, meet local professional athletes, including a Minnesota Vikings player and get autographs. 

Thursday, April 10, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Saint Paul RiverCentre
175 Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102


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Agenda

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Registration

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: Breakout Sessions

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM: Breakout Session

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM: Lunch & Panel

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Happy Hour, Athlete Autographs, & More

RiverCentre

Session Highlights

At Tech Fest 2025, we're bringing together industry leaders and experts to share their insights and knowledge on the most pressing topics in technology and business. From mastering AI in the workplace to understanding the latest trends in law and cybersecurity, our event offers a diverse range of sessions designed to equip you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed.

Browse Tech Fest Sessions Below:

Maximizing Your Business Potential with Microsoft Azure: Unlocking Cloud Solutions for Business Growth

Speaker: Kara Kolden, Director Partner Solution Sales Manager – Azure at Microsoft

Join Kara Kolden, Director of Partner Solution Sales for North America Azure Business at Microsoft, for an insightful session on leveraging Azure for hybrid and multi-cloud strategies. With over 16 years of professional sales experience, including 9 years at Microsoft, Kara brings a wealth of knowledge in sales leadership, strategic planning, and business transformation. This session will offer valuable insights into integrating Azure into your business and highlight the importance of connecting Azure with Microsoft 365 Copilot for maximum efficiency. 

Whether you're looking to understand where your data lives or how to integrate Azure and Copilot for maximum efficiency, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to unlock your business's full potential. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert and take your business to the next level. 

Cutting-Edge Legal Trends: AI and Cybersecurity Panel Insights

Panelists: 

  • Craig Wilson, Director of Information Technology at Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. 
  • Roberta Mathisen, Executive Director at Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A. 
  • Brent Eichten, CIO at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

In an era where technology is rapidly transforming the legal landscape, join esteemed law firm experts Roberta Mathisen, Craig Wilson, and Brent Eichten for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the multifaceted impacts of AI and cybersecurity on the legal industry. This session will delve into quality assurance in AI-driven legal work, job displacement, the evolving landscape of billable hours versus flat fees, and critical aspects of incident response and effective communication of cybersecurity incidents. Gain valuable insights into how law firms are navigating these challenges and opportunities, ensuring they maintain excellence while embracing innovation.  

Whether you're a legal practitioner, a tech enthusiast, or interested in the future of legal services, this session promises to offer critical perspectives and engaging dialogue. Don't miss the chance to be part of this essential conversation!

Cultivating Culture: Leadership, Community, and Team Dynamics

Panelists: 

  • Aaron Eggert, Founder of Coalition9 
  • Heidi Carpenter, CEO at Fafinski Mark & Johnson 
  • Andy Schornack, President at Security Bank & Trust 
  • Brian Johnson, CEO at Katapult Network 

Join a group of esteemed leaders for an engaging panel discussion on the dynamic theme of Culture in today's business environment. Our panelists will share their experiences and insights on leadership challenges, the value of community peers, and strategies for building and maintaining cohesive teams. They will also discuss leveraging relationships, strategic communication, and the evolving ecosystem of organizational culture. 

Learn how to navigate the complexities of leadership, foster a sense of community, and build a cohesive team that drives success. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on cultivating a thriving business culture and enhancing your leadership skills.

Unlocking the Value of Data in Digital Marketing

Speakers: 

  • Nelson Fox, VP of Web & RevOps at Rocket55 
  • Nick Goetsch, VP of Paid Digital & eCommerce at Rocket55

Join Nelson Fox and Nick Goetsch from Rocket55 for an enlightening session on unlocking the value of data in digital marketing. Simplify data analytics concepts and discover how to extract meaningful insights—now with the power of AI—without advanced technical expertise. Learn to make smarter, data-driven decisions by leveraging AI and data to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and optimize strategies. Understand the importance of key metrics by prioritizing key performance indicators (KPIs) and avoiding "analysis paralysis." Be inspired by real-world success stories of companies that used data to fuel growth, improve customer engagement, and optimize their digital strategies.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge on leveraging data to transform your digital marketing efforts.

Debunking Cloud Security Myths: A Hybrid Approach to Physical Security

Speakers: 

  • Mike King, Director of Business Development at YourSix 
  • Tony Rocheford, Practice Manager of Physical Security at Loffler

Join Mike King and Tony Rocheford as they dive into the evolving landscape of physical security in our insightful session on cloud-based surveillance. Contrary to popular belief, physical security isn't an all-or-nothing choice between on-premises and cloud solutions. Discover how a hybrid approach can offer the best of both worlds, addressing common misconceptions and easing concerns about moving to the cloud. 

Learn how cloud-based surveillance can eliminate the need for premise-based appliances while providing unparalleled redundancy, scalability, and cybersecurity. Rapid deployment ensures a seamless experience compared to traditional methods, making it easier than ever to protect your assets. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in physical security technology.

The Anatomy of a Cyber Attack – From Exploit to Detection and Beyond

Speakers: 

  • Tim DeWaard, Regional VP, Sales Engineering at Arctic Wolf 
  • Randy Anderson, Cybersecurity and IT Consulting Manager at Loffler

Join Tim DeWaard and Randy Anderson as they break down tactics, techniques, and procedures observed in recent cyberattacks. Many small and medium businesses mistakenly believe they are ‘too small to be targeted’ by cybercriminals, but their size and lack of defenses make them attractive targets. Learn valuable strategies to protect your organization against increasingly sophisticated threats in 2025. Equip yourself with the knowledge to safeguard your business from cybercriminals. 

This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the cyber threat landscape and practical steps to enhance your cybersecurity posture. Don't miss this chance to fortify your defenses and stay ahead of cyber threats.

AI’s Role in Modern Security and Threat Detection

Speakers: 

  • Chris Fielder, Field CTO at Arctic Wolf 
  • Randy Anderson, Cybersecurity and IT Consulting Manager at Loffler

Join Chris Fielder and Randy Anderson as they explore the pivotal role AI plays in modern security and threat detection. Small and medium businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their size and often limited defenses. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, it is essential for SMBs to leverage AI to stay ahead of potential threats. Gain insights into how AI enhances security measures and detects threats in the digital landscape. 

Learn about the latest advancements in AI technology and how they can be applied to protect your business. This session will provide valuable knowledge on integrating AI into your security strategy to ensure robust protection against cyber threats.

Unlocking IT Maturity: Actionable Technology Roadmap to Enable Your Business

Speakers: 

  • Alex Markov, Founder and CEO of Strategy Overview 
  • Nick Johnson, IT Solutions Program Manager at Loffler 

Join Alex Markov and Nick Johnson for a session on developing a robust IT roadmap that aligns with your business goals. Explore actionable strategies to achieve IT maturity and learn how small- and medium-sized businesses can leverage IT to drive business growth and efficiency. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the importance of continuous oversight and methodic iteration in maintaining IT systems that support your business objectives. Transform your business operations with a well-structured IT strategy that is proactive, moves at the speed of your business, and aligns with your needs. 

This session will provide practical insights and best practices for creating an IT roadmap that ensures your technology infrastructure is a dynamic, ever-evolving asset. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your IT strategy and drive business success. 

Advanced Telephony within Microsoft Teams

Speakers: 

  • Mike Garza, Solutions Architect at Intermedia 
  • John Murphy, Program Specialist - Unified Communications at Loffler  
  • Clint Miller, VP of Sales at Loffler  

Transform how you communicate and collaborate. If your business relies on Microsoft Teams for collaboration (chat, meetings, files), integrating Loffler's Elevate telephony solution enables your organization to communicate at the next level. Elevate enhances the Teams experience to add advanced UCaaS features such as voicemail-to-email, advanced hunt groups, call queues, call recording, analytics, and reporting.

This integration offers savings with unlimited local, national long distance, and free international calls to 33 countries, along with the ability to send/receive SMS text messages. 

Maximizing Customer Engagement: Strategic Implementation of Contact Center Solutions

Speakers: 

  • Josh Varela, Sr. Director, AI & Cloud Contact Center Sales at Intermedia
  • John Murphy, Program Specialist - Unified Communications at Loffler  
  • Clint Miller, VP of Sales at Loffler  

Are you ready to transform your customer interactions and drive unparalleled business growth? Join us for an insightful session where we delve into the benefits of strategically implementing contact center solutions. Discover how these solutions can enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and drive business growth.

Learn from industry experts about best practices, innovative strategies, and real-world success stories that demonstrate the power of a well-executed contact center strategy.

Mastering the Art of Artificial Intelligence: Starting Your AI Journey with Microsoft Copilot

Speakers: 

  • Kenneth LeCastre, Microsoft Modern Work Development Executive at Ingram
  • Brian Mrugalski, Technical Enablement Engineer at Ingram

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant buzz around AI? Join us for an exciting workshop where we demystify artificial intelligence and show you how to get started with Microsoft Copilot. This session is designed to move beyond the hype and provide real, actionable insights. 

You'll discover practical applications, hands-on demonstrations, and real-world examples that will empower you to harness AI's potential. Whether you're looking to boost productivity, drive innovation, or simply stay ahead of the curve, this workshop will equip you with the tools and knowledge to make AI work for you. 

Navigating the Future of Cloud Printing and Secure Print Management

Speakers:

  • Karsten Huster, Founder and President at NT-ware 
  • Jeff King, Senior Director of Intelligent Automation at Loffler

Join Karsten Huster and Jeff King for a session on the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud printing and the growing importance of secure print management, particularly with the introduction of Windows Protected Print. As businesses and organizations continue to adopt cloud-based solutions, traditional printing methods are being transformed. 

Gain insights into the benefits of cloud printing, such as improved scalability, reduced costs, and enhanced document security. Learn best practices for implementing secure print management to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with industry standards. 

This session will provide valuable knowledge on navigating the complexities of cloud printing and leveraging these advancements to optimize your organization's printing infrastructure. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the world of printing technology and security.

Lunch Panel with Top Industry Experts | 12:15 PM

Navigating Modern Business Challenges: Top 10 Questions Answered

3-1

Karsten Huster

Founder and President of NT-Ware

2

Nick Schneider

CEO of Arctic Wolf

4

Jim Ibister

Senior Vice President of Facility & IT Administration at the Minnesota Wild

1

Peter Kujawa

VP & GM of Service Leadership at ConnectWise

Special Guest Appearance

Harrison Phillips from the Minnesota Vikings will be joining us! Just like he defends the field with his impressive skills, you'll learn how to defend your business with the latest technological advancements.

Harrison will be available to sign autographs and take pictures, providing a unique opportunity to meet a professional athlete and gain inspiration from his dedication and teamwork.

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Fantastic Prizes

Enter our exciting raffle for a chance to win an array of incredible prizes generously provided by our esteemed sponsors, including:

  • MN United Tickets, donated by Bell Bank.
  • 3M Open Tickets, donated by 3M Open.
  • St. Paul Saints Club Seats, donated by St. Paul Saints.
  • Signed Freddy Gaudreau Jersey, donated by Minnesota Wild.
  • Signed Jared Spurgeon Puck, donated by Minnesota Wild.
  • Minnesota Timberwolves Swag Bag, donated by Minnesota Timberwolves.
  • Signed & Framed Justin Jefferson Jersey, donated by Minnesota Vikings.

 

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Thank You To Our Sponsors!

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