Everyday Tech in WNY: The BNP Tech Industry Leaders Forum
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March 22, 2024
Industry changing technology is not coming, it is here. If Buffalo Niagara is going to optimize for these changes, our business community needs to strategize.
Decision makers from both tech, and tech enabled companies, came together on March 14th at the Tech Industry Leaders Forum (ILF) for a conversation on Everyday Tech: Cyber Security and AI Across All Industries.
Dottie Gallagher, BNP’s President & CEO, provided a timely update on the regional tech hub application, submitted to the federal government in February. The New York SMART I-Corridor encompassing Buffalo, Rochester, Ithaca, and Syracuse, along with Auburn and Batavia, has been designated as one of only 31 Tech Hubs in the United States. The BNP has been proud to be a stakeholder throughout the process and looks forward to convening leaders in business, nonprofits, higher education, and training as we position our regional as a new center of gravity for world-class tech production, research, development, and manufacturing.
Jack O’Donnell, Managing Partner of O’Donnell & Associates, gave a government affairs report including ongoing New York State budget negotiations and the future of Empire AI.
A distinguished group of though leaders then closed out the session with a discussion on emerging technologies and how to best position, and protect, regional companies in this ever-changing landscape.
Jim Scopis, SVP & Cyber Crime Senior Specialist, Bank of America
Sarah Tanbakuchi-Ripa, President & Chief Executive Officer, Tech Buffalo
Courtney Lewis Starnes, Chief Information Officer, Kaleida Heath
The application of tech is the primary theme of all ILFs in 2024. Tech constantly evolves, affecting every industry and business. Our Tech ILF is a cross section of new tech companies, and the IT staff of tech-enabled companies, representing both the growth and stability of the Buffalo Niagara economy. In 2024, the ILF will continue to be a place for leaders to come together to problem solve around common industry challenges and strategize around the local, national and international trends and external factors that impact everyone.
The BNP is proud to welcome in Bank of America as the Title Sponsor for the 2024 ILF. Matt Smyczynski, Bank of America’s Senior VP of Global Commercial Banking and Senior Relationship Manager, kicked off the March 14th ILF with a welcome.
The Tech ILF is also fortunate to have Tech Buffalo as its strategic partners, helping us drive our conversations in the most useful direction for the industry.
Learn more about the Industry Leaders Forum  here.
Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
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