The third annual Bluewave NEXT | Technology Summit brings together IT Directors, Managers, and VPs for a half-day of insight, connection, and actionable strategy centered on the theme Cloud, Cyber, AI: Preparing for What's Next.
Cloud costs are rising, cyber threats are moving at machine speed, and AI is shifting from buzzword to business imperative. This event delivers the clarity technology leaders need to act, with keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and peer-to-peer networking designed to help you prioritize what matters, protect what's critical, and prepare for what's coming.
From opening keynote to closing connections, Bluewave NEXT is where technology leaders build lasting relationships, discover emerging solutions, and leave with a sharper plan for the road ahead.
Agenda Highlights
Keynote Speaker: Derek Top, Principal Analyst at Opus Research, will explore why most AI pilots fall short, where AI is delivering real value today, and how leaders can prepare for the next wave of autonomous agents.
Breakout Sessions:
- Cutting Through Cloud Costs: A Leader's Guide to FinOps & Optimization: Cloud spend grows fast and visibility disappears even faster. In this session we'll provide a practical framework for controlling costs across AWS, Azure, and multi-cloud environments — from identifying zombie workloads and commitment gaps to building a FinOps operating model that doesn't require adding headcount.
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Beyond VMware: Navigating Cloud Migration & Infrastructure Modernization: In this session we'll walk through the real decision framework for VMware exits, hybrid cloud migrations, and workload placement across public, private, and colocation environments. Diving into right-sizing, storage tiering, and how to avoid common migration pitfalls based on real world client experiences.
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From Reactive to Ready: Building a Proactive Cyber Defense: The threat landscape has fundamentally shifted. Attacks are faster, more automated, and increasingly driven by AI. In this session we'll cover where the biggest blind spots are hiding, how to prioritize limited resources for maximum impact, and what a modern, forward-looking security program actually looks like.
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AI in the Workforce: Reshaping Customer & Employee Interactions
Date & Time:
May 21, 2026
11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Eden Resort
222 Eden Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601

Featured Speakers


Derek Top
Opus Research
Principal Analyst and Research Director
Yalim Eristiren
Sestek
Managing Director, North America


Deepak Ahuja
OneMind Services
Chief Technology Officer
Jonathan Lloyd
CBTS
Field CTO


Chris Moore
Thrive
VP of Solutions Architecture
Paul Weiss
Bluewave
Managing Partner
Additional Speakers from:
- Bluewave Technology Group
- 11:11 Systems
- eSentire
- Comcast Business
- Sestek
- RingCentral
- Zoom
- and More!
Why Attend & What to Expect
An afternoon built for the way technology leaders actually think, big picture strategy on the main stage, then roll-up-your-sleeves breakout sessions where you choose the track that fits your priorities. Every session is designed to give you something you can take back to your organization and act on immediately.
- Get ahead of what's coming: Hear directly from cybersecurity, cloud, and AI experts on the trends reshaping IT strategy right now
- Choose your track: Technical or business-focused breakout sessions tailored to your role and priorities
- Walk away with a plan: Every session is built around actionable takeaways, not slide decks you'll never open again
- Connect with peers who get it: Network with fellow IT Directors, Managers, and VPs navigating the same challenges you are

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