FutureIT Vancouver 2025: AI, Data and Tech Leadership

All times are listed in Pacific Standard Time.

This event is a one-day, in-person, live event.

This event will run from 10:20 AM – 5:15 PM, with lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day!

Thursday, September 25

9:15 AM - 10:20 AM
Check-In, Badge Pickup & Exhibits
10:20 AM - 10:30 AM
Welcome to FutureIT Vancouver

Our host welcomes you to FutureIT Vancouver. Setting the stage for the day, they’ll provide an overview of the strategic insights and tech trends you can expect to hear about during the day.

Speaker
Kevin Lim Emcee & Live Event Host | Voice-Over Artist | Award-Winning Radio & TV Personality
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
AI Adoption: The Maturity Journey to Agentic AI

As organizations accelerate their AI initiatives, the journey from experimentation to enterprise-wide adoption is evolving rapidly. Drawing on IDC’s global AI MaturityScape Benchmark survey and insights from C-Suite, CEO and CIO research, this keynote explores the critical stages of AI maturity, from automation to the emergence of AI agents that act with autonomy and strategic intent. Attendees will gain insights to align AI investments with business outcomes and accelerate value realization.

Speaker
Tony Olvet Group Vice President, Worldwide C-Suite and Digital Business Research IDC
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Guided Networking Exercise

Build professional connections during this stress-free guided networking time and learn about your fellow event attendees. Expect to find some of our speakers joining you during this time to network and answer questions candidly from your seat.

Host
Allice Shandler Events Director IDC
11.15 AM - 11.40 AM
Empowering Canadian Enterprises: AI-Driven Cloud Transformation for Scalable Success

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion tailored to Canadian IT leaders and CIOs. This session will delve into how organizations across Canada are embracing cloud-first strategies and AI innovation to drive digital transformation. Our expert panel will share key milestones, frameworks, and actionable insights that enable scalable operations, enhance customer experiences, and foster business agility. From navigating modernization in regulated industries to optimizing data for intelligent automation, this conversation will provide practical guidance for IT leaders aiming to future-proof their enterprises in the Canadian market.

Moderator
Erin Lawrence Executive Editor TechGadgetsInternational
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Simplifying AI and Unlocking Enterprise Innovation with AI Factory

AI is everywhere, it is shaping the way we work, communicate, and solve problems across the globe, and it continues to evolve. However, complexity is one of the main barriers to its successful adoption and value realization. Let’s simplify it! Learn how to get started, and how enterprises can accelerate innovation, streamline deployment, and empower their organization to turn data into actionable insights.

Speaker
James Scott Field CTO Dell Technologies
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch & Exhibits

Pull up a chair and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with your new contacts! Plus meet our partners and learn how their solutions can help you overcome your latest challenges.

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Expert Perspectives from a Platinum Partner

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, staying ahead requires more than just innovation—it demands a future-focused strategy. This sponsored session explores cutting-edge tools, frameworks, and approaches that empower organizations to seamlessly integrate emerging technologies, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth. Join industry leaders and technology experts as they share success stories, key trends, and practical solutions to help your enterprise thrive in the digital era.

1:20 PM - 1:30 PM
503: Session Under Construction

This session is under contruction – come back soon for more details.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Navigating AI Adoption: Insights from IT leaders in Complex Enterprises

Embarking on the AI journey within a large, established organization is no small feat. There’s no one-size-fits-all playbook, and the path is often fraught with challenges. In this candid panel discussion, leading CIOs and IT executives will share their firsthand experiences of initiating AI adoption in complex enterprises. From overcoming early hurdles like stakeholder alignment and data management chaos to evaluating a sea of technology options and fostering internal momentum, this session dives into the realities of starting without a prototype or a dedicated AI team. Join us for a peer-driven conversation that explores what’s working, what’s not, and how organizations are finding their footing amidst uncertainty.

Speaker
Hong-Lok Li Chief Technology Officer Alma Mater Society of UBC, Vancouver
Moderator
Erin Lawrence Executive Editor TechGadgetsInternational
2:00 PM - 2:05 PM
Lightning Insights powered by CISCO
2:05 PM - 2:10 PM
Lightning Insights powered by Yash Technologies
2:10 PM - 2:15 PM
Lightning Insights powered by Cloudflare
Speaker
Trey Guinn Field Chief Technology Officer Cloudflare
2:15 PM - 2:20 PM
Lightning Insights powered by RingCentral
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
Networking Break

Enjoy some snacks in our exhibit area. Visit our sponsors to learn how their solutions can help you overcome your latest challenges.

2:40 PM - 3:25 PM
Hot Topic Discussion Tables

Join a discussion topic that best meets your needs. Facilitated by our partner subject matter experts, take a deep-dive into ideas, common questions, and proven solutions in an interactive, peer-sharing environment.

3:25 PM - 3:55 PM
The Challenges of Taking GenAI from POC to Production

Generative AI is transformative technology. Thousands of large language models (LLMs) have been built by enterprises, academia, and the open-source community. Many organizations are running GenAI POCs to assess feasibility, value, and tech fit. Moving to production is complex—requiring planning, testing, and integration. Often underestimated, this step can stall initiatives. This keynote will address how to overcome the hurdles from POC to production.

Speaker
Peter Rutten Research Vice-President, Performance Intensive Computing, Worldwide Infrastructure Research IDC
3:55 PM - 4:05PM
503: Session Under Construction

This session is under contruction – come back soon for more details.

4:05 PM - 4:35 PM
Future-Ready IT: Overcoming Technical Debt to Maximize AI Impact

As AI adoption accelerates, IT leaders face the critical challenge of driving innovation while maintaining cost efficiency and operational sustainability. This dynamic panel session features senior IDC analysts alongside Canadian industry executives, offering fresh insights into leveraging AI to modernize workflows and tackle entrenched technical debt. Discover practical approaches to scaling AI solutions, measuring impactful outcomes, and sidestepping common obstacles that hinder digital transformation. Leave equipped with actionable strategies to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and lay the groundwork for an AI-powered future—free from the burdens of legacy systems.

Speaker
Tony Olvet Group Vice President, Worldwide C-Suite and Digital Business Research IDC
Speaker
Peter Rutten Research Vice-President, Performance Intensive Computing, Worldwide Infrastructure Research IDC
4:35 PM - 4:45 PM
Closing Remarks

Hear a full summary of the days’ takeaways during these final remarks from our Event Host.

Speaker
Kevin Lim Emcee & Live Event Host | Voice-Over Artist | Award-Winning Radio & TV Personality
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Networking Reception

Wrap up the day with refreshments while making some final connections to complete your event experience.