Remarks from San Antonio leadership welcoming attendees to explore and enjoy San Antonio.

This panel focuses on leveraging allies and building ecosystems to counter systemic issues with female representation in the Smart Cities industry. Hear unique perspectives from top women in the field who are challenging the status-quo, and learn from their experiences to shape your own unique approach to navigating a complex industry. This panel will focus on practical examples of how women influence smart city development, build community, and hold space for all women practicing or entering the field.

Industries like supply chains transformed when technology unlocked real-time optimization—cities are next. The first U.S. cities are already leveraging next-generation, real-time traffic management to boost mobility, safety, sustainability, and economic growth. These cities dynamically adjust multimodal traffic flow, reduce delays, prevent incidents, cut costs, and drive economic activity—all in real-time and throughout the infrastructure. The best part? It’s software. It scales fast and economically and gives you the power to adjust relative mode priorities and traffic flow as you learn. Are you ready to break free from vendor lock-in, optimize urban movement in real-time, and significantly cut transit operational costs? This transformation is here, inevitable, and coming to your city. Will you lead or follow?

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way cities operate, offering innovative solutions to improve urban management, enhance public safety, and provide better citizen services. This thought-provoking panel will dive into real-world applications of AI, from optimizing municipal operations to strengthening emergency response systems and delivering personalized services to residents. Attendees will also gain practical insights on how cities can begin or accelerate their AI adoption, addressing common challenges and unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology.

Municipal innovators, startups and urban planners will explore how participatory processes around smart city technology intersect with urban planning concepts and practices - and discuss how bringing these practices together is key to building public trust in developing a smarter, more inclusive future. Data, sensors and AI are increasingly new forms of public infrastructure being used in cities to operate and provide services; but unlike physical infrastructure, the outcomes they enable are invisible to most residents and community members. Ethical, democratic and effective use of these digital technologies requires foresight and planning. Yet typical practices around tech design and deployment are not best suited for having inclusion, equity and participation in the innovation process. This panel will highlight projects where participatory processes and open-source tools are used to build trust with residents around smart city technologies and strategies: Long Beach’s collaborative co-design program; Charlotte’s equity-focused smart city resident advisory group; Boston’s participatory processes for developing gender-inclusive data standards and oversight mechanisms for surveillance technology; and the open-source project Digital Trust for Places and Routines which is used by municipalities and innovation districts to support public awareness and participation in smart city strategies.

The interoperability of radio communications is important to the public's safety. One radio system to provide communications for multiple agencies with a common frequency and protocol to allow transmissions to be given and received by subscribers is crucial for major incidents and daily operations. The City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and CPS Energy have established a shared radio system, Alamo Regional Radio System (AARRS) through an interlocal agreement to allow for interoperability and shared infrastructure upon the sunset of the legacy radio system. For the first time, each organization's first responders (Police, Fire, and Utility workers) are able to seamlessly activate on mutual aid channels for public safety incidents.

Cities today are embracing drones as a force multiplier in public safety, with many starting their journey through Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs. By pre-positioning autonomous drones across urban areas, law enforcement and fire departments gain faster response times, better situational awareness, and safer operations. But the potential of these aerial assets extends far beyond emergency response. In this session, we’ll explore how the same drone infrastructure can redefine city-wide operations, streamlining building inspections, infrastructure assessments, traffic monitoring, and disaster response. Learn how forward-thinking cities are maximizing their drone programs—not just for emergencies but for everyday efficiencies, cost savings, and improved service delivery.

In this session, municipal leaders will discuss the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) projects they implemented for their residential and commercial water utility customers. This panel will highlight the many benefits of real-time data collection and analysis - from optimizing resource usage and reducing operational or maintenance costs, to enhancing the customer experience. The panelists will share key lessons learned and best practices with illustrative examples, addressing topics including: - Common challenges solved by and considerations of an AMI system; - Mapping this technology to enhanced customer service; - Data's impact on a water utility's finances and processes; - Maintenance best practices with newly available meter data; - The moment where AMI just made dollars and sense! City Managers, Public Works and Finance Directors, and Utility Billing Specialists alike will benefit from this peer-to-peer discussion. Attendees will be prompted to take action and leverage data and technology to make informed decisions that drive efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability for their water utility.

Welcome to the 10th Annual Smart Cities Connect Challenge! This premier event is a pitch competition designed to showcase innovative Smart Cities technologies. It brings together technology and solution providers working on next-generation Smart City solutions, offering them the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of city, military, investor, and industry leaders. At the end of the competition, one outstanding pitch will be selected as the awardee, recognizing the most promising solution for transforming urban living.

Join industry leaders from Ameresco, Acuity Brands and Ubicquia for an insightful presentation on how smart outdoor lighting is transforming public safety and urban resilience in the City of New Orleans. This discussion will explore innovative solutions that integrate advanced lighting technologies with IoT, data analytics, and situational awareness systems to create safer, more connected public spaces. Learn how these cutting-edge systems are improving emergency response, deterring crime, and optimizing energy efficiency while addressing the unique challenges of an iconic city known for its vibrant culture and historic infrastructure. Discover actionable strategies for implementing scalable, cost-effective lighting solutions that enhance safety, sustainability, and quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts driving the future of smart city innovation and resilience.

The electrification of municipal and transit fleets is reshaping urban mobility, offering opportunities for cleaner air, cost savings, and operational efficiency. This panel will explore best practices, innovative funding strategies, and the latest technologies driving bus and fleet electrification across cities, municipalities, and transit authorities. Panelists will address challenges such as infrastructure development, fleet management integration, and policy alignment while showcasing successful case studies from leading local governments. Attendees will gain actionable insights into deploying scalable, sustainable electromobility programs that align with climate goals and community needs.

The journey to building a smart city is not just a series of technology decisions—it’s a community-wide evolution that works best with a shared vision, flexibility, and clear stakeholder benefits. Smart city and utility solutions help communities reimagine how they can deliver services to enhance resiliency, spur innovation, create safer neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life for their citizens. Join leaders from CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), and the City of San Antonio as they share real-world experiences on how to break down traditional silos and work together to define and execute a digital transformation strategy for energy, water and city services. We’ll discuss practical strategies for navigating budget constraints, regulatory hurdles, integration and security challenges, and change management issues across multiple departments. For cities like San Antonio, bringing a diverse range of stakeholders together early has been key to making this vision a feasible reality for the betterment of the entire community.

The historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) present an unprecedented opportunity for governments across the country to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Beyond this, there are over a trillion dollars in value of grants, tax exemptions, and credits that the federal government provides annually to state and local governments. However, equity issues persist in dispersing the federal dollars to under-resourced communities who need it the most, due to lack of capacity to apply and administer these funding opportunities. As it stands, each federal agency (e.g. HUD, EPA, FEMA) has a siloed approach to communicate its data and available funding programs. Across all the federal agencies, it is altogether overwhelming – in our 200+ user interviews, we saw communities and practitioners alike yearn for a simplified and user-centric process. Airys is a student team building a web-based software platform that provides local governments a single storefront for disaster risk data and uses AI to match projects with active and upcoming grants across all federal agencies.

The Smart Cities Connect Challenge brings together technology & solution providers working on next generation Smart City solutions with city, military, investors, and industry leadership. Join us for the second challenge as we get one step closer to the winning pitch!

Private Cellular Network is a more reliable and cost-effective alternative to Wi-Fi, offering a more pervasive, scalable, secure solution that can support a large number of fixed and mobile devices. Our discussion will include use of private wireless as well as neutral host (in building carrier coverage) use cases for public buildings, transit stations, educational institutions, Water/Wastewater SCADA systems, and more. Additionally, we'll discuss how multiple campus networks can be interconnected to create a seamless enterprise-wide connectivity solution, giving enterprises full control over network management.

From managing lighting and water systems to optimizing waste, planning, and emergency response, city leaders are finding new ways to incorporate technology into urban operations. In this panel, they will share insights from their initiatives, discussing the challenges and opportunities of modernizing infrastructure while meeting community needs. Join the conversation to explore how cities are adopting emerging technologies and what the future holds for more adaptive, resident-focused communities.

Smart mobility initiatives must deliver measurable benefits or risk becoming mere technological exercises. As urban landscapes evolve, the focus shifts to tangible improvements—enhanced well-being, reduced travel times, increased safety, new travel modes, cost efficiencies, and optimized parking management. This panel highlights how two cities are addressing these challenges head-on. Dublin, Ohio, has implemented policies that are already delivering operational results, while Waco, Texas, will deploy cost-of-interaction principles in the coming six months to validate their impact. Dr. Mukesh Kumar (Waco MPO Director) and Marc Dilsaver (Dublin Transportation Program Manager) will provide a straightforward account of their strategies, projects, and outcomes. This discussion makes the case that if technology fails to deliver concrete value, the investment is not justifiable. Come see the results and judge for yourselves.

City leaders are at the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance urban infrastructure. In this panel, city leaders will share insights from their urban infrastructure initiatives, discussing the challenges and opportunities of modernizing operations while meeting community needs. Join the conversation to explore how cities are adapting to emerging technologies and what the future holds for connected communities.

Ensuring public safety and long-term cost savings requires proactive decision-making, yet many communities delay critical actions due to financial concerns, competing priorities, and bureaucratic hurdles. However, strategic procurement and meaningful community engagement can bridge these gaps, fostering both resilience and efficiency. This session will explore real-world examples of successful partnerships between the private sector and municipalities, demonstrating how tailored facilitation, corporate collaboration, and professional development initiatives can drive informed decision-making. We will also highlight the risks of neglecting community engagement, including stalled or cancelled projects, and showcase the tangible return on investment (ROI) when communities invest in education and stakeholder involvement. By leveraging vendors who specialize in bridging knowledge gaps, municipalities can ensure that both city staff and residents are equipped to make informed, forward-thinking decisions—ultimately strengthening their resilience in the face of future challenges.

The Smart Cities Connect Challenge brings together technology & solution providers working on next generation Smart City solutions with city, military, investors, and industry leadership. Find out which pitch will be selected as the awardee, recognizing the most promising solution for transforming urban living.

The Smart 20 Awards annually recognize global smart cities projects, honoring the most innovative and influential work. We will designate three winners from the overall awardee pool at the awards reception. This event is open to all attendees.

From hurricanes and wildfires to ice storms and flooding, extreme weather increasingly tests the resilience of our cities and critical infrastructure. These major events have significant, far-reaching impacts on emergency services, telecommunications, transportation, and financial services, potentially slowing the efforts of first responders and hindering vital information for citizens. For municipal leaders and utilities, the challenge isn’t just about responding to disasters but predicting and mitigating them before they escalate. Dave Herlong, Chief Operating Officer of Ubicquia, will discuss how AI-driven analytics and real-time grid intelligence are transforming storm preparedness, response, and recovery. Drawing lessons from recent disasters, he will highlight how smart infrastructure, predictive modeling, and automation can reduce outages, expedite restoration, and enhance public safety while cutting costs by identifying the most affected areas to prioritize and streamline recovery efforts. Attendees will gain insights into emerging strategies, such as wildfire risk detection, flood-resilient substations, AI-driven outage forecasting, and the role of smart streetlighting in emergency coordination. The session will also stress the urgent need for collaboration among cities, utilities, and technology providers to create a more resilient, data-driven energy future. Discover how your city can leverage technology, collaboration, and innovative infrastructure investments to stay ahead of the storm.

Smart cities promise improved infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced quality of life through technology. However, the challenges of achieving this vision in the Global South are unique due to socio-economic disparities, infrastructure deficits, and varying levels of digital access. This panel will address the implementation of smart city initiatives in the Global South, focusing on balancing innovation and inclusivity. Experts will explore the critical elements for enabling smart cities, such as affordable technology, community-centered design, and effective governance.

Bob Bennett from the City of Parkville, MO and Cities Today Institute will convene three city leaders from communities hosting major events and talk through the planning aspects required to support major events. From significant infrastructure deployments required by event producers to the use of technology and city procedures to meet increased demand on public resources, major events can bring opportunities to support long-term community improvements.

Panelists from the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the City of Maple Ridge, British Columbia will explore how public-private partnerships and pilot programs are key to driving digital transformation within municipalities and create solutions of tremendous value for citizens beyond borders. Learn how Canadian-based company Cocoflo is leveraging Myrtle Beach's living lab, piloting an international project for next-generation parks and recreation software improving program registrations, facility bookings, and community engagement. The approach enables real-time testing, refinement of digital tools, and risk reduction. These collaborative environments adapt solutions precisely to municipal needs and innovate economic development, benefiting citizens and cities alike.

As energy systems face growing pressure, the need for efficient energy consumption has never been more critical to ensuring economic resilience. This panel delves into the transformative role of AI in shaping the future of urban energy management. We will explore how AI can be harnessed to optimize energy usage, even as the energy demands of AI technologies themselves continue to rise. Join us to uncover innovative solutions and strategies to help city personnel safely achieve greater energy efficiency.

The City of San Antonio and CPS Energy, the city-owned utility, have teamed up with Dalkia Energy Solutions and TerraGo Technologies to innovate the full lifecycle of San Antonio streetlight infrastructure management, including the introduction of new smart technologies to help make San Antonio a greener, safer and more connected community. Dalkia manages all processes associated with the complete operation of 135,000+ streetlights throughout the CPS Energy service territory, as well as innovation opportunities to test emerging technologies and apply enhanced smart city streetlight solutions. The program includes the City of San Antonio Command Center, where Dalkia orchestrates all operations and maintenance activities, as well as the City Street Demo Lab, where Dalkia helps CPS Energy evaluate emerging technologies. One of the early wins for this program is the introduction of new solar-powered LED streetlights to address illumination gaps, identified by a recent study.

As cities evolve, managing parking efficiently becomes an increasingly complex issue to solve. With the continuous demand for limited urban space, cities have begun to remove long-standing minimum parking standards. While this allows for greater infrastructure flexibility, municipalities have struggled to accurately track their parking inventory and occupancy. Data-driven solutions are transforming urban parking systems by providing valuable insights that help cities make smarter decisions amidst these informational challenges. Leaders from ParkMobile’s Insights offering will cover how lidar sensor technologies enable cities to safely collect data during routine municipal operations to better inform parking policies, zoning, and pricing strategies. This session will address how machine learning can be applied to predictive parking models and enable city planners to make informed parking policy decisions. The continuous flow of information helps optimize parking availability and drive towards broader city objectives such as sustainability, mobility, and quality of life.

As emerging technologies constantly push the envelope of technological advancement, what are companies doing to ensure community acceptance is high? This session highlights why education and community engagement programs are needed as new technologies partner with cities. Attendees will walk away with a plan for how to incorporate community engagement in existing or new programs.

Municipalities and military installations are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, disasters, and disruptions to critical supply chains. To address these challenges, they are seeking innovative solutions through technologies like AI, energy, communications, cybersecurity, and resilient infrastructure. Urban environments act as testbeds for these technologies, and with the U.S. federal government being the largest user of energy and landlord, there is immense potential for innovation. This discussion will focus on exploring how industry can provide solutions to these government and military challenges, creating opportunities for smart cities and smart bases to thrive.

Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are revolutionizing modern public safety by integrating advanced technologies into law enforcement operations, enabling rapid decision-making and measurable improvements in community safety. This session, led by an LVMPD program manager, explores the transformative role of RTCCs in urban safety, featuring compelling real-world case studies of technology in action. Through detailed examples, such as using ALPR to apprehend armed carjacking suspects and drones combined with gunshot detection systems to resolve a road rage homicide in under 24 hours, attendees will see how RTCCs enhance field collaboration, support critical incidents, and deliver life-saving outcomes. Key insights will include strategies for deploying tools like ALPR, drone systems, and real-time gunfire detection platforms, leveraging RTCCs to centralize intelligence, and using proactive data analysis to identify and mitigate threats. Additionally, the session addresses how RTCCs build public trust through transparency and measurable results, demonstrating their role as a vital part of smart city initiatives. Whether you're a city leader, law enforcement professional, or technology innovator, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to integrate RTCC capabilities into broader municipal planning and ensure smarter, safer urban environments.

Experience the Future of City Living through immersive engagement and intelligent data. Imagine a city where technology seamlessly enhances the human experience, creating a safer, more engaging, and vibrant environment for all. This is the promise of immersive technologies and intelligent data, and it's closer than you think. Join AMSYS and a collective of solution partners including Lenovo & NVIDIA. We have built solutions using NVIDIA NIM™ Agent Blueprints including NeMo, ACE, RIVA to enable our customized Computer Vision, and Agentic AI solutions. Through this foundational technology and workshop we explore how immersive experiences are transforming cities: Enhanced Public Safety: Experience how real-time data and AI can create safer streets and faster emergency response. Thriving Commerce: Discover how immersive technologies can revitalize businesses and attract investment. Engaging Entertainment: Explore the potential of immersive experiences to create vibrant cultural attractions and entertainment districts. Elevated City Services: Learn how data-driven insights can optimize city services and improve quality of life for residents. The Success Story of Frisco, Texas: Sharing compelling metrics, and providing a practical BLUEPRINT for cities to implement their own connected community solutions. Discover How To: Benchmark your city's readiness. Harness the power of urban data. Transform your city into an engaging and safer destination. Don't miss this opportunity to discuss the future of urban living!

Hear how mobility solutions are shaping the future of smart cities. This panel of city leaders and innovators will discuss their mobility priorities and the biggest challenges they face in transforming urban transportation. From integrating emerging technologies to enhancing accessibility and sustainability, panelists will share insights on how cities are navigating the shift toward smarter, more connected mobility systems.

Curiosity Lab in Peachtree Corners collaborated with Juganu, a leading provider of smart lighting whose groundbreaking and sustainable platform leverages lighting infrastructure to create a fully digitized and connected environment. Juganu’s smart city lighting solutions are deployed within the Curiosity Lab ecosystem and at City of Peachtree Corners Town Center. This solution paired with Curiosity Lab’s 5G provider T-Mobile, enables unique capabilities within the lighting solution, including Wi-Fi. Juganu’s lighting solution eliminates the need for multiple devices on one light pole, with multiple systems unified in a single fixture. Their smart city fixture includes energy-efficient and high-quality LED lighting, environmental sensors to monitor air quality, IoT framework for additional smart city applications and leverages a security camera that features AI and edge computing for enhanced capabilities. Each light fixture includes a wireless access point to provide free public Wi-Fi. As the project expands, these lighting solutions will be deployed across the Town Center for a total of 80 units across the City of Peachtree Corners. In this panel, speakers will discuss how solutions like Juganu, paired with T-Mobile’s 5G, can enhance safety, connectivity, environmental monitoring and the everyday lives of residents in cities like Peachtree Corners.

Join us for the IDC Awards breakout session, where we celebrate groundbreaking smart city initiatives that are driving digital transformation and improving urban life. This session will highlight award-winning projects that exemplify innovation, efficiency, and community impact. Hear from city leaders and technology partners as they share insights into their successes, challenges, and the future of smart city development. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from top-performing cities and gain inspiration for your own initiatives.

Municipalities and military installations, of all sizes and in all locations, are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, natural and man-made disasters, and disruptions to energy, food, and water supply chains. Presented by TechConnect, Advanced Technology International (ATI), and the RISE Consortium, the Smart Cities - Smart Bases Innovation Challenge is a pitch competition where participants present cutting-edge, dual-use technologies to address the overlapping technical, environmental, and security challenges faced by both smart cities and smart bases. At the end of the competition, one awardee will be selected for their innovative solution.

In the journey toward becoming truly "smart," cities cannot thrive without ensuring digital equity for all their residents. This panel explores the transformative power of partnerships between local governments, private sector leaders, and community organizations in addressing the digital divide. Panelists will discuss successful collaboration models, highlight initiatives that have made tangible impacts, and share insights on aligning resources and expertise for long-term sustainability. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for forging cross-sector partnerships, leveraging data and technology, and scaling efforts to create digitally inclusive smart cities where everyone has the tools to participate in and benefit from a connected society.

This panel will focus on the recent developments of an emerging innovation ecosystem in Detroit along with the partnerships that have made it possible. This panel will also include recent projects pioneered by Detroit in the autonomous vehicle space and how we are fostering an environment for innovators to succeed.

In the journey toward building smarter, more sustainable cities, partnerships are the cornerstone of progress. This panel will delve into how collaborations across governments, private enterprises, academia, and nonprofits drive innovation, equity, and resilience. Panelists will share insights on successful cross-sector and cross-jurisdictional partnership models, highlighting how regional alliances are fostering breakthroughs in smart mobility, sustainable energy, and workforce development. Key discussions will explore the role of data-sharing in optimizing urban services such as traffic management, emergency response, and infrastructure planning. The panel will also address how partnerships are bridging equity gaps, from expanding broadband access to enhancing digital literacy in underserved communities. Additionally, the conversation will spotlight public sector innovation labs as incubators for emerging technologies, policies, and solutions that are shaping the future of urban life. Join us to uncover actionable strategies for leveraging partnerships to create greener cities, foster workforce transformation, and build the collaborative frameworks necessary for smarter, more connected regions.

Municipalities and military installations, of all sizes and in all locations, are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, natural and man-made disasters, and disruptions to energy, food, and water supply chains. Presented by TechConnect, Advanced Technology International (ATI), and the RISE Consortium, the Smart Cities - Smart Bases Innovation Challenge delivers cutting-edge, dual-use technology pitches to address the overlapping technical, environmental, and security challenges facing both smart cities and smart bases.

Presented by TechConnect, Advanced Technology International (ATI), and the RISE Consortium, the Smart Cities - Smart Bases Innovation Challenge delivers cutting-edge, dual-use technology pitches to address the overlapping technical, environmental, and security challenges facing both smart cities and smart bases. The winner of the Smart Cities - Smart Bases Challenge will be announced in this session!

This panel will explore the application of artificial intelligence in city management, focusing on the ethical challenges and opportunities it presents for city administrators and municipal leaders. Discussions will examine how AI impacts governance and decision-making, as well as its broader effects on various stakeholders within a municipality, highlighting the balance between innovation and responsibility in urban leadership.

Wireless connectivity serves as the backbone for smart cities, creating a seamless and interconnected urban ecosystem that is adaptive, sustainable, and citizen-focused. While a "smart city" can mean different things to different agencies, it commonly leverages wireless LTE and 5G to ensure that access is always available and simple to troubleshoot. In this panel discussion, we'll discuss implementing real-world examples including EV charging stations, intelligent transportation systems, advanced traffic control cabinets, video cameras, fleet management, public safety, green energy infrastructure, waste management, environmental monitoring, digital signage and more.

Urban ecosystems face challenges in connecting the first and last mile, affecting residents' access to city amenities. Mozee's autonomous shuttles offer a solution to these gaps, ensuring efficient, accessible urban transit. Mozee shuttles, equipped with advanced autonomous technology, provide safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation. These vehicles are inclusive, accommodating all users, and adapt to real-time urban conditions through smart city integration. Impact and Initiatives: Mozee is developing pilot programs to showcase the shuttles' ability to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve accessibility. These initiatives aim to demonstrate the shuttles' potential for broader urban adoption.

City leaders are at the forefront of digital transformation, leveraging technology to enhance responsiveness, safety, and long-term investment in urban infrastructure. In this panel, four city leaders will share insights from their digital initiatives, discussing the challenges and opportunities of modernizing operations while meeting community needs. Join the conversation to explore how cities are adapting to emerging technologies and what the future holds for connected communities.

This panel focuses on opportunities and challenges for AI deployment in municipal contexts, focusing on projected impacts of this emerging technology on workforce, talent acquisition, municipal programming, and government investments in digital transformation. Hear from practitioners in a variety of sectors including academia, non-profit, municipal and state governments describe their journeys to navigate this complex environment, and consider potential futures for the impact AI technology will have on life in cities. How will subnational governments pivot to build capacity for AI in their organizations? How are cities already using AI to improve social services and public programming? How can cities pool their resources to prepare for potential disruptions from AI technology? All these issues will be discussed in this exciting and dynamic panel of practitioners.

This panel will explore the challenges and technology around conversion of public fleets to EV transition “green” and clean sustainable energy. The City of Raleigh (Fleet Management Operations) has adopted an EV Implementation Strategy Rollout (EVISR) an aggressive plan to transition its fleet to EVs of 2,200 assets over the next 10-years commencing in 2034 including infrastructure, take home vehicles, behind the wheel and under the hood training, including Fuel/EV software. The City of Charlotte and Wake County and other nearby agencies have transitioned to an electric fleet from light, to medium and heavy duty vehicles and other clean energy fuels.

To ensure a future-ready workforce, a comprehensive approach to developing various skill types from trade to post-doctorate can be created through an economic opportunity with upskilling and a pathway to high-income employment through innovation, federal grant funding, and more. Public, private, and university entities will discuss programs and funding currently in place that help develop Texas’ workforce of the future by leveraging collaborative ecosystem development. Speakers will discuss current programs in place and how cross-sector organizations can work to secure funding, federal grants, etc. This includes the Urban Resilience Fellowship Program that connects faculty experts and students from higher education to local government to solve real-world problems. This panel showcases how programs like the Urban Resilience Fellowship Program cultivate innovative talent in North Texas by providing a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment for students to research and make recommendations on real issues while preparing them for jobs in emerging fields. NTXIA, in partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington, launched its Urban Resilience Fellows Program in 2024 and connects interdisciplinary teams from higher education institutions across DFW with community partners from local governments or industry to embed and develop innovative solutions to pressing issues for North Texas.

This session brings together city leaders, technology providers, and regional innovation facilitators to demonstrate how collaborative innovation can lead to practical, impactful solutions that enhance citizen participation and inform data-driven decision-making. Attendees will gain insights into implementing innovative civic engagement tools and fostering regional cooperation. The panel draws on two cutting-edge civic engagement technologies in Greater Phoenix: 1. The gesture recognition project, a collaboration between City of Avondale, City of Mesa, Steadynamic, and The Connective, enables real-time, intuitive feedback collection at events and public spaces, breaking down barriers to participation, increasing response rates, and providing valuable insights for cities. 2. City of Avondale, The Connective, and Grand Canyon University are developing a metaverse platform aimed at empowering youth to interact with city leaders. This virtual environment creates new avenues for civic participation in a system in which traditional processes are the primary barrier to inclusion.

Be part of shaping the future of disaster response and recovery! This interactive workshop, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will explore innovative technology applications and strategies to improve public safety planning and community resilience in Smart Cities and Communities. Help define the framework for a cutting-edge cyber-physical-social system that enhances multi-agency collaboration, disaster planning, and emergency response. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking initiative that empowers cities and regions to manage complex crises more effectively.

Discover how mid-sized cities like Brownsville, Texas, are leading urban innovation with technology-driven, citizen-focused solutions. This panel highlights the City of Brownsville's transformative smart city initiative, showcasing strategies for scalable infrastructure, AI-powered public safety, Private 5G networks, and fostering digital equity. Learn how cutting-edge technology is optimizing city services, enhancing sustainability, and shaping community-centric urban transformation.

As smart cities embrace IP-based technologies to enhance public safety communications—spanning 911 systems, land mobile radio, broadband, and alert networks—these critical systems become increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks. A robust, resilient public safety communication network is the cornerstone of any smart city, ensuring that emergency services like fire, EMS, and law enforcement can respond swiftly to protect lives. In this panel, we’ll explore the evolving cyber threats targeting 911 centers and other public safety systems, including ransomware, Temporary Denial of Service (TDOS) attacks, and other advanced tactics. Experts from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will present actionable insights, detailing how their products, services, and frameworks help communities defend against these escalating risks. Additionally, the session will include firsthand accounts from city leaders who have confronted cyberattacks, offering lessons learned and best practices for municipalities and their IT teams. Whether you are a Smart City Manager, CIO, CISO, IT specialist, or technology vendor, this session equips you with the strategies and tools to safeguard public safety infrastructure and maintain trust in urban resilience.