Overview Agenda Speakers Partners Resources Recorded Sessions
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4
Opening Address
9:00 – 9:15, Rooms 220 – 230
Session 1 – From Hype to Reality: How Data and AI Will Shape Manufacturing’s Next Era
Adam Engel, Co-Owner & CEO, Running Robots, Iowa City, IA
The future of AI in manufacturing isn’t just about fancy algorithms—it’s about data. This talk will explore how current AI solutions mirror the dot-com bubble, and why data management, CRMs, and Websites will be at the heart of manufacturing’s success in the post-hype AI era. We’ll cover actionable strategies to prepare for this data-driven transformation and maintain competitive advantage.
9:25 -10:10, Room 252
Session 2 – Buyer Persona Power: Transform Your Online Visibility and Conversion Rates with Data-Driven Profiles of Target Customers
Neal Rabogliatti, Owner, Digital Marketing Strategies, Pittsburgh, PA
Effective digital marketing requires a deep understanding of your target audience. Buyer personas, when created with AI, provide invaluable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and decision-making processes. This knowledge can significantly improve your website’s visibility, conversion rates, and overall marketing effectiveness.
10:20 – 11:05, Room 252
Session 3 – How to use AI to prepare for deep B2B customer conversations
Dan Adams, President, The AIM Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Join Dan Adams as he demonstrates how AI can be used by sales, marketing, and technical staff to prepare a) in-depth, pre-visit customer reports, and b) briefs on expected customer problems. Attendees can access an AI tool during the session to try this on their own customers. They will also learn how to ask the best questions to understand customer needs…and even role-play this with an AI Guide called “Claire.”
11:15 – 12:00, Room 252
Lunch
12:10 – 1:10, Rooms 220 – 230
Session 4 – (Interactive Discussion) Mastering AI in Sales and Marketing
Track 2 AI Marketing and Sales Strategists
Join our Interactive Discussion with AI Sales and Marketing Strategists, where you’ll have the opportunity to engage with experts at the forefront of AI-driven marketing and sales strategies. This session will dive deep into how AI is transforming customer engagement, personalization, and campaign effectiveness. You’ll explore real-world applications, gain insights into the latest trends, and collaborate with peers to brainstorm innovative approaches tailored to your business. Whether you’re looking to enhance your marketing tactics, optimize your sales funnel, or better understand your customers, this session offers a unique platform to gain actionable insights and strategies directly from industry leaders.
1:20 – 2:05, Room 252
Session 5 – AI + MKTG IQ > AI MKTG
Travis Arndorfer, Creative Director, Anthologic, Des Moines, IA
AI may not yet be the push-button panacea of Silicon Valley dreams, but it is a tool with a lot of marketing potential. And more than a few pitfalls. In this session, we’ll explore both in a quest for true marketing utility. Along the way, we’ll discuss key considerations for how and when to include AI in your marketing tool set — whether you’re just toeing into marketing or looking to give your marketing team a competitive edge.
2:15 – 3:00, Room 252
Session 6 – The Ethics and Effective Use of AI
Scott Samuelson, Community and Economic Development & Philosophy and Religious Studies Professor of Practice – Community and Economic Development, Iowa State University Extension
This presentation will unpack the nature of AI, address common questions and fears, explore possible modes of use or non-use, and lay out fundamental ethical concepts relevant to how we move forward with it in an effective way.
3:10 – 3:55, Room 252
Closing Session
4:05 – 4:25, Rooms 220 -230
Networking
4:25 – 6:00, Rooms 220 – 230