Upcoming Events
Keeping business representatives informed is an important part of successful technology solutions. Each year Golden West hosts value-added sessions and events for organizational leaders. Watch this page for details.
The 2025 TECHLeadership Conference will be held on October 15, 2025. Check back for more information on this conference!
In the meantime, learn more about the 2024 TECHLeadership Conference:
RAPID CITY, SD – More than 100 people at the second annual TECHLeadership Conference learned how to innovate and create better work practices for cybersecurity safety and networked with other attendees. The conference was held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Box Elder Events Center in association with SDN Communications, Omnitech, Inc., and Elevate Rapid City.
“The TECHLeadership conference is an annual event that aims to bridge the gap between Information Technology and leadership by creating an environment where professionals can share experiences and insights,” says Golden West Chief Technology Officer Nick Rogness. “This year’s conference focused on preparing technology leaders to anticipate and accept the risks inherent in technology innovation within their organizations.”
Keynote success from two speakers
The conference featured two keynote speakers: Scott Meyer, CEO of Chipp.ai, and Dr. Rachel Headley, CEO of Rose Group International. Meyer kicked off the day with his presentation, “Unlocking AI’s Potential: Mastering Tools to Innovate Your Business,” which showcased how companies can utilize AI for efficiency. He included demonstrations of his software and how he implements it into business.
Dr. Rachel Headley delivered a lunchtime keynote exploring practical strategies to foster an innovative culture called “Have You Tried Trying Harder? What It Takes to Be a Truly Innovative Organization.” She shared her experience working as a scientist for NASA and explained the importance of shaping new leaders for the future of any business or organization.
Breakout sessions and activities
Throughout the day, attendees could join various breakout sessions led by industry experts. Notable sessions included:
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- “The Top 6 Controls to Reduce Your Risk of a Cyber Incident” by Nick Podhradsky of SBS CyberSecurity.
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- “Balancing Risk: Goal-Based Strategic Planning” by Eric Eisenbraun of Golden West Technologies.
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- “Defending the Frontlines: Actionable Cybersecurity Strategies for Today’s Threat Landscape” by Jim Edman of CISA.
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- “Turning Data into Insights” by Joshua Henderson of Omnitech, Inc.
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- “AI in Action – Integrate AI into Your Workflow” by Scott Meyer of Chipp.ai.
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- “Strategic Cyber Risk Management: Transforming Insurance from Expense to Asset” by Travis Kroger of FifthWall Solutions.
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- “Ubiquitous Connectivity – Driving Innovation” by Chris Aeilts of SDN Communications.
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- Success Spotlights on Riddle’s Jewelry and Cornerstone Rescue Mission, showcasing real-world examples of technology-driven transformations.
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- Panel Discussions from top businesses in the area and cybersecurity specialists.
Between the morning and afternoon sessions, special activities and discussion panels were held. Participants played cyber jeopardy, answering trivia about technology and cybersecurity. Winners were awarded prizes including a two-night stay at a hotel, gift cards, and more.
Impact and information
After the conference, attendees were given surveys to complete anonymously. One participant wrote: “I really enjoyed hearing the success stories and there was information that I could use in my organization. I also enjoyed learning new things. The AI content was particularly impressive and educational. The conference went great. Thank you for all you do.”
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