Technology exchange
First-Time Attendees

Start your TechEX journey with confidence:

• Pre-Conference Orientation
  Join us for a special pre-conference huddle designed to help you navigate the event and understand the schedule. You’ll discover some expert networking tips while there, too! Stay tuned for more details, including date and time.
• Meet a Community Connector
  Be paired with a seasoned event attendee from the Internet2 community who can help you get acclimated, answer questions, and introduce you to others. Sign up to be paired with a Community Connector.
• Pre-Conference First-Time Attendees and Community Connectors Virtual Meet-n-Greet
  Join us for a special pre-conference huddle designed to help first-time attendees and paired Community Connectors meet prior to the conference and begin to get to know one another. Stay tuned for more details, including date and time.

• Attire is business-casual. There’s a lot to see and do at TechEX, so pack comfortable shoes to take full advantage of your time there.


• Consider dressing in layers, as some rooms may be cooler than others.


• Download the Internet2 app (available a week or two before the conference) to help you keep track of the schedule and locations.


• Don’t forget your chargers. In case you run out of juice, there will be a charging bar to keep the learning and communication going.


• Display your badge visibly while attending the conference to be easily identifiable by your peers and conference staff, and remember to put it in a safe place when outside of the hotel so it can be easily found the next day.


• Share your learning and experiences by posting on social media using #TechEX26.


• Ask questions, introduce yourself, and exchange socials and networking materials. Also, be sure to follow up after the event.


• Visit and engage the event sponsors for unique insights and conversations related to your needs.


• Be sure to pack a water bottle.


• There will be lots to process, so take breaks when you need them.

These events are open to everyone, but we think first-time attendees will find them especially valuable. Stay tuned for more information on sessions especially helpful for first-timers as the program continues to be built out.

Sunday, Oct. 25

• TBD: Event Space Tour
  Join Internet2 staff for a walking tour to get an exclusive first look at the event space and conference rooms that span multiple floors. We’ll meet at the registration desk to begin.

Monday, Oct. 26

• 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Registration Open
  Arriving in Minneapolis on Monday? Skip the Tuesday morning rush—check in early at the registration desk!


• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Pre-Conference Tutorials & Workshops
  Separate registration or invitation required.


• TBD: Event Space Tour
  Join Internet2 staff for a walking tour to get an exclusive first look at the event space and conference rooms that span multiple floors. We’ll meet at the registration desk to begin.


• 5 - 7 p.m.: Small Group Dinners Connect with fellow attendees in a more relaxed setting during a no-host, small-group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Sign-up!


• 7 – 9:30 p.m.: Game Night @ the Hotel
  Kick off the week with some fun and friendly competition! This event will include a variety of board games, card games, and other interactive activities.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

• TBD: First-Timers’ Professional Networking Meal Connect with other first-time attendees and Community Connectors who share your interests and goals. This will either take place during breakfast or lunch. Keep an eye out for more details soon.


• 5 – 6:30 p.m.: Welcome Reception Mingle with attendees and enjoy refreshments.

Wednesday, Oct. 28

• 6:30 – 8 a.m.: Fun Run / Walk
  Get moving and meet fellow attendees in a relaxed setting. Information on where to meet the group will be added to the program by Oct. 5.


• 5 – 6:30 p.m.: Poster Social
  Share your work or explore others’ projects — great for sparking conversations! Submit your proposal between April 27 - Aug. 28.

Thursday, Oct. 29

• 8 a.m. – 4:50 p.m.: Advance CAMP
  Advance CAMP (ACAMP) is a must-attend unconference experience for anyone exploring the latest IAM advancements and trends. During ACAMP, the IAM community huddles to build the agenda live and on the spot. Participants pitch their own timely topics, run demos of tools, and participate in breakout discussions that resonate most.


• 12:10 – 6 p.m.: Peer-to-Peer: The Advanced Networking Unconference
  Peer-to-Peer: The Advanced Networking Unconference invites participants to shape the agenda in real time and explore topics across advanced networking, networking for cloud, AI, automation, and security. It creates space for deeper, participant-driven discussions on the ideas, challenges, and debates emerging throughout the week.

Friday, Oct. 30

• 8:30 a.m. – Noon: Advance CAMP
  Advance CAMP (ACAMP) is a must-attend unconference experience for anyone exploring the latest IAM advancements and trends. During ACAMP, the IAM community huddles to build the agenda live and on the spot. Participants pitch their own timely topics, run demos of tools, and participate in breakout discussions that resonate most.