Appalachia Advance2025 - 4th Annual CyberTech Conference

A full-day in-person event packed with practical information from industry thought-leaders, including general and breakout sessions.

About this Event

Appalachia Technologies is excited to present Appalachia Advance 2025, a CyberTech Conference. Our 4th annual in-person event brings together globally-recognized cybersecurity leaders and vendors with Appalachia’s own highly-certified staff to educate, challenge, and even entertain attendees. This year’s full-day event will feature general sessions and interactive breakout sessions. The day begins with breakfast during registration and ends with a networking happy hour at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA.

Check out the agenda for full details! (Note: Please select your preferred breakout session during registration to help with planning.)

Intended Audience: Business owners, executives, and departmental leaders (both technical and non-technical) who want to stay ahead of emerging tech and gain actionable strategies to protect their organizations.

For Appalachia Advance sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to dGVycmkgISBiZW5kbCB8IGFwcGFsYWNoaWF0ZWNoICEgY29t.

Please note that this event may be photographed or videotaped. By attending, you consent to the use of your image or likeness in promotional materials related to this conference. No business-sensitive information will be shared.

Agenda


🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Welcome
Host: Mike Miller

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
State of Cyber Panel
Host: Reanna Schultz

Info: In this session, panelists will discuss the current cybersecurity landscape: What threats continue to reek havoc and why haven't we gotten ahead of them? How do leaders explain how cybersecurity risk management supports business resilience? And when is AI going to take over the world and steal all our jobs?

🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Responsible AI: Appalachia's Framework for Trust and Impact
Host: Chris Swecker

Info: AI is transforming the way we work. But without a clear values-driven approach, it can do more harm than good. We believe responsible AI starts with trust, purpose, and people. In this session, we'll share Appalachia's AI framework: a practical, values-driven approach to adopting AI securely and ethically. Whether you're a business leader, tech professional, or curious learner, you’ll walk away with a grounded view of how AI can be done right.

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Lunch

🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Transition to Breakout Sessions

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Breakout Option A - The AI Adoption Journey: From First Steps to Full Speed
Host: Mark Leeper

Info: AI has the potential to transform how we work—but only if your team is ready to use it well. In this session, Mark Leeper from Hatz outlines a crawl-walk-run strategy to help organizations roll out AI initiatives with clarity and confidence. From training and pilot programs to full-scale integration, you’ll learn how to get employees involved early and build long-term momentum. Whether your company is just starting or looking to level up, this roadmap will help you go from first steps to full speed.

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Breakout Option B - How to Build a Cybersecurity & Risk Management Program
Host: Wil Klusovsky

Info: Cyber risk isn’t just a tech problem; it’s a business issue. In this hands-on session, you won’t just learn about cyber risk management, you’ll build your own program step by step. Designed specifically for business account for your priorities and data. This workshop walks you through the essential components to strategize, assess, define, and build a comprehensive cybersecurity & risk management program for your business.

This session is guided by Wil Klusovsky who brings 26 years of experience for you to steal. You’ll fill in a guided framework in real time, with expert instruction to ensure you leave with a clear roadmap tailored to your organization. Whether you're starting from scratch or tightening up what you already have, you'll walk away with practical, actionable tools to bring back to your company and put into motion immediately.

You don’t need to be a cyber or IT expert to participate. Just bring your business knowledge and a willingness to roll up your sleeves.

🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Transition/Break

🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Audit-Ready All the Time: How to Simplify GRC
Host: Mike Miller, Moderator

Info: In this panel, we’ll explore what it means to be audit-ready all the time, and why that mindset benefits organizations even if a formal audit isn’t on the horizon. Learn how to simplify GRC by aligning controls across frameworks like PCI, CMMC, and NIST, reduce redundancy, and build stronger internal processes that improve both security and accountability.

🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Building Resilience in High-Stress Roles
Host: Chris Swecker, Moderator

Info: Burnout is more than a buzzword in today's cybersecurity world - it's a growing concern. In this candid panel discussion, industry leaders share their experiences and strategies for supporting mental well-being in high-stress roles. We'll explore how organizations can recognize burnout, create a culture of support, and help debunk the lingering stigma around mental health in the workplace.

🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Future State - What's Next in Tech?
Host: Dan Houser

Info: We’ll close out Appalachia Advance 2025 with a forward-looking capstone session designed to challenge our assumptions and spark curiosity about what lies ahead. From the acceleration of AI to the potential reality of commercial quantum computing, this session invites attendees to think critically about the future of technology, cybersecurity, and leadership. What will the next five years demand of our organizations, our strategies, and ourselves? And more importantly - how do we prepare today for a world we haven’t fully imagined yet? Let’s explore what Future State really means.

🕑: 04:45 PM - 06:15 PM
Happy Hour

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