About the Summit
The GNTC Summit is an annual conference that brings together hundreds of tech professionals throughout the region for thoughtfully curated content and displays of cutting edge technology. The scope of subject matter includes Data, AI, Leadership, and Innovation programming. Tech experts with hands-on experiences serve as speakers and facilitators. Attendees develop their skills and prepare their organizations for more innovation and opportunity.
2026 Details 
The 2026 GNTC Summit will take place on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10 in Nashville, TN.
Wednesday, Sept 9 · 4:00–6:00 PM
Pre-Summit Happy Hour
Bungalow Studios
915 Twin Elms Ct
Nashville, TN 37210
The GNTC Summit kicks off the night before with a happy hour at Bungalow Studios, a working soundstage and podcast production facility – included automatically with your Summit registration, no extra sign-up required. The event will include a live podcast with voices from the local tech community, lively music, small bites and fun drinks, networking with Nashville’s tech community in a one-of-a-kind space.
Presented by
Happy Hour Sponsor
Thursday, Sept 10 · 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
GNTC Summit
Omni Nashville
250 Rep. John Lewis Way S
Nashville, TN 37203
SUMMIT SCHEDULE – SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Full program 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Open seating – no advance sign-up. New sessions announced weekly.
7:00 – 8:00 AM – Registration, badge pickup & breakfast
8:00 – 8:10 AM – Welcome & opening remarks |Mark Blaze, President & CEO, GNTC
8:10 – 8:55 AM – Opening keynote | Gary Sorrentino, Global CIO, Zoom
9:00 – 9:15 AM – Transition
9:15 – 10:00 AM Concurrent sessions I
Breakout #1 – Earning Loyalty: The AI-Driven Customer Experience
Nate Brown, Founder & Executive Director, CX Accelerator
Breakout #2 – The Optimization Paradox: Why AI Makes Human Discernment the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Shruti Sharma, Data Operations Leader, Philips
Breakout #3 – Session details announcing soon!
10:00 – 10:30 AM – Networking break
10:30 – 11:15 AM Concurrent sessions II
Breakout #4 – Session details announcing soon!
Breakout #5 – Session details announcing soon!
Breakout #6 – Session details announcing soon!
11:15 – 11:30 AM – Transition
11:30 – 12:45 PM – Lunch | Seated lunch and open networking
12:45 – 1:30 PM Concurrent sessions III
Breakout #7 – Build Your First AI Employee, Live: 5 Guardrails Before It Touches Your Business
Shakita Trigg, CEO & Founder, Aligned Strategy Partners
Breakout #8 – From Ad Hoc to Agentic: A Field Guide to Real-World AI-Driven SDLC
Saman Saadat, Vice President, CGI Inc.
Breakout #9 – Session details announcing soon!
1:30 – 2:00 PM – Afternoon break
2:00 – 2:45 PM Concurrent sessions IV
Breakout #10 – Session details announcing soon!
Breakout #11 – Session details announcing soon!
Breakout #12 – Analytics Without Barriers: How Open Standards Make Data Actionable for Business Leaders
Heather VanCura, VP External Standards & Engagement, Oracle
2:45 – 3:00 PM – Break
3:00 – 3:45 PM – Closing keynote | Speaker announcing soon!
3:45 – 4:00 PM – Closing remarks & adjourn
Mark Blaze, President & CEO, GNTC
Program subject to change. Rooms confirmed on printed program.
$295 Members / $395 Non-Members
*includes both events
Nate Brown, Founder & Executive Director, CX Accelerator
Mark Blaze, President and CEO, GNTC
Mark Hammock, Enterprise Analytics Program Manager, Qlik
Saman Saadat, Vice President, CGI Inc.
Shruti Sharma, Data Operations Leader, Philips
Gary Sorrentino, Global CIO, Zoom
Shauna Sprague, Founder & Head of AI Initiatives, Elevate AI Studio
Shakita Trigg, CEO and Founder, Aligned Strategy Partners
Heather VanCura, VP External Standards & Engagement, Oracle
GNTC Innovation Lab, powered by Slalom Consulting LLC
Don’t miss your chance to showcase your technology, connect with industry leaders, and be part of the innovation driving Middle Tennessee forward at GNTC Summit 2026! Apply Here: https://form.jotform.com/261934971568169
SHOWCASE. CONNECT. COLLABORATE.
Step into the future of technology at the GNTC Innovation Lab, an interactive, expo-style space designed to spotlight emerging tech, visionary products, and forward-thinking companies.
The immersive experience brings together startups, establishing organizations, and innovators ready to share what’s next in tech.
Whether you’re unveiling a new product, showcasing a demo, or looking to connect with industry leaders, the Innovation Lab is your platform for visibility and collaboration.
Spark conversation. Drive partnerships. Inspire the community.
Want in on The GNTC Summit 2026 – without the ticket price? We’re looking for volunteers to help bring The GNTC Summit to life on September 9–10 in Nashville.
Volunteer for the day and you’ll get free admission to the full Summit -including the pre-Summit Happy Hour at Bungalow Studios – while helping make the event run smoothly for hundreds of tech professionals from across the region.
It’s a great way to be in the room with speakers like Gary Sorrentino (Zoom), and Heather VanCura (Oracle) – and meet the people shaping Nashville’s tech scene, all while giving back to the community that makes it happen.
Spots are limited.
Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/261896212510151
Presenting Sponsor
Happy Hour Sponsor
WiFi Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Innovation Lab Presenting Sponsor
Innovation Lab Partner
Supporting Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Education Sponsor
Education Sponsor
Contact us at events@technologycouncil.com
A Glimpse of Innovation
Data, analytics, AI, and innovation. These are just a few of the topics that emerge during the annual summit that celebrates a thriving tech scene. Check out the videos below to hear directly from event attendees.
