Speakers: Having worked in Product Marketing and Product Management roles at Siemens and Schneider Electric, Haroon Rashid joined the solution development and solution marketing at Phoenix Contact in 2011, as Industry Manager for Transportation infrastructure. He also assumed responsibility for Building Automation when Phoenix Contact embarked upon the journey into the Building Automation Vertical. Currently, working as Senior Business Development Manager for Smart Buildings and Smart Cities, Haroon is focused on developing go to market strategies, identifying and developing repeatable solutions, and establish technology collaboration with IoT companies. Haroon has also been one of the founding members of Pennsylvania Automated Vehicle Coalition, senior member of IEEE and chairs/leads the Industry Value Proposition committee at Phoenix Contact. This committee is focused on Digitalization, Industrie 4.0 and Industrial IoT business. Apart for smart building solutions, Haroon has also been engaged with Tunnel and Railroad solutions. Haroon holds a bachelors in electrical engineering and a master in business... Read More

Session Abstract: Davis Mathews will give a brief history of this 101-year-old privately held company that was born out of a passion for engineering & technology.  He will then describe the purpose which energizes Phoenix Contact’s future – Empowering an All-Electric Society that drives our mission to create solutions for electrification, networking and automation. A brief historic view of what brings us into the convergence of energy and data transition that drives the need for new technologies that are rapidly evolving to solve specific applications.  The drive for digitalization with SMART industry solutions that connect the elements between society and the need for managing data.  He will touch on the various technologies that are being used to solve real life applications in a variety of industries bringing operational efficiency as the ultimate benefit. Attendees will hear how Phoenix Contact is helping demonstrate our sustainability practices through customer applications along with... Read More

Session Abstract: Senator DiSanto will share his insights and perspectives on state technology issues including: Broadband infrastructure, Electric vehicle charging stations and highly automated vehicles, Smart transportation technology, AI government use cases and regulations, Drones, and Agricultural technology initiatives. Speaker: John DiSanto is a second-generation family business owner with broad experience in construction and real estate development. He is a managing trustee of the Terra Trust, a real estate development and investment trust that owns and operates a multi-state portfolio of properties as well as construction and property management service providers. In 2016, John was elected to the Senate representing the 15th Senatorial District, which covers most of Dauphin County and all of Perry County. His agenda includes reforming government, cutting wasteful spending, eliminating property taxes and removing bureaucratic barriers to job creation. John has been instrumental in many large-scale philanthropic initiatives, including construction of the new Bishop McDevitt High... Read More

Session Abstract: With the global vision of All Electric Society, contributing to environmental sustainability, in this panel we will discuss the needs, challenges, and limitations to achieving these goals. We will be joined by industry experts who will talk about the actual application areas, measures and improvements needed to tie into what we have heard from Senator DiSanto and Davis Mathews. The experts in this panel bring a vast and diverse range of experience to enlighten us with their insight and knowledge of technology trends and realities in the field. Speakers: Having worked in Product Marketing and Product Management roles at Siemens and Schneider Electric, Haroon Rashid joined the solution development and solution marketing at Phoenix Contact in 2011, as Industry Manager for Transportation infrastructure. He also assumed responsibility for Building Automation when Phoenix Contact embarked upon the journey into the Building Automation Vertical. Currently, working as Senior Business Development Manager for... Read More

Session Abstract: Critical processes such as healthcare, utilities, and public safety depend on the continuous flow of real-time data, where even the smallest delay or security breach could have significant consequences. From edge devices to cloud-based applications, this keynote will underscore the importance of maintaining a secure, real-time data foundation to drive these innovations and explore how Smart Cities and Industrial IoT are transforming modern living by connecting physical devices and systems to collect, monitor, and analyze data Speaker: Cole Edmundson is a highly accomplished IoT expert with a deep passion for driving innovation and creating cutting-edge solutions. With a strong background in technology and a comprehensive understanding of IoT, Cole has firmly established himself as a thought leader in the industry. Throughout his career, Cole has successfully implemented IoT strategies that optimize business processes, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver exceptional user experiences. His ability to identify emerging trends and... Read More

Session Abstract: As urbanization accelerates, the need for smarter and safer cities becomes paramount. Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and roadway authorities are focusing on improving road user safety, reducing traffic congestion, speeding up emergency responses, and achieving sustainability goals. The key to these improvements lies in modernizing roadways and network infrastructure for flexible connectivity, low-latency communication, and high-bandwidth connectivity across all environments. This IoT members Slam 2024, let’s dive further into · validated solutions that securely connect all our roadside and intersection needs. · cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communication and multi-access intelligent transportation systems. · advanced monitoring of traffic signals, weather conditions, and electric vehicle charging stations to shape the smart cities of tomorrow. Speaker: With a Master of Technology in Networks and Networked Systems, Richa Daga is as technical as you can get. She is working as a Software Engineer at Cisco and has vast work experience in the telecom... Read More

Session Abstract: As urban environments evolve into smart cities and industries embrace the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the need for security, real-time data, and intelligent systems has never been greater. This panel will bring together leading experts in IoT security, software, real-time data processing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to discuss the roles and opportunities that lie at the intersection of these critical areas. Speakers: Cole Edmundson is a highly accomplished IoT expert with a deep passion for driving innovation and creating cutting-edge solutions. With a strong background in technology and a comprehensive understanding of IoT, Cole has firmly established himself as a thought leader in the industry. Throughout his career, Cole has successfully implemented IoT strategies that optimize business processes, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver exceptional user experiences. His ability to identify emerging trends and transform them into tangible business opportunities has earned him a well-deserved reputation as... Read More

Session Abstract: The future of manufacturing is on the horizon, and it’s brimming with potential. This keynote speech will explore the transformative power of two key technologies: the Internet of Things (IoT) and Generative AI. We’ll begin by examining how the vast network of connected devices in an IIoT-enabled factory generates a wealth of real-time data. This data acts as the lifeblood for Generative AI, a revolutionary technology capable of creating entirely new designs and optimizing existing ones. The talk will delve into the projected impact of this powerful combination on various aspects of manufacturing: Product Design: How Generative AI, empowered by IIoT data, can design innovative products that are not only functional but also meet evolving customer demands. Personalized Manufacturing: How real-time data and AI can personalize production processes, creating customized products on a large scale. Predictive Maintenance and Self-Optimizing Factories: How AI, fueled by IIoT data, can anticipate... Read More

Speakers: Guy Merritt is an experienced C-suite executive, Guy has 35 years engineering leadership advising and developing IoT solutions, native cloud-based systems, products and engineering & manufacturing test solutions for a wide variety of industries. He is an author of the award-winning book “Proactive Risk Management: Controlling Uncertainty in Product Development.” Ira Sharp is the Director of Product Marketing – Automation at Phoenix Contact USA. Ira has over 18 years of experience in Industrial Automation,  with a focus on Open Control, IIoT, Industry 4.0, Networking, and Cybersecurity. Over the past 15 years, he has led marketing, engineering, and sales teams to run a multi-million dollar product portfolio. In addition, Ira has an active digital presence as a LinkedIn Content creator focused on Automation and as a co-founder of the Industry 4.0 club and on the board of advisors for IIoT-World. Ira was named a who’s who for IIoT on the annual... Read More

Session Abstract: IoT-enabled digital transformation is revolutionizing industries, with Digital Twins at its core. Despite its potential, Digital Twins is an innovation, a concept a technology? that is often misunderstood and misused. In this keynote will demystify Digital Twins, clarify concepts and showcase successful and unsuccessful implementations in healthcare, agriculture, and construction. We’ll explore the mechanics of Digital Twins, from physical IoT data collection through to the use of Gen AI and provide insights for maximizing their business value. We will learn how to effectively implement Digital Twins to drive innovation and efficiency in digital transformations. Speaker: Barry Haughian has 30 years’ experience, in Software and Hardware development with a background in IoT, Telco and A.I. He has designed, developed and launched multiple global IoT platforms that have connected over 100 million devices. He has created in IoT services on these platforms in numerous verticals including Energy, Telco, Fintech, Automotive,... Read More

Session Abstract: This keynote will discuss the transformative potential of Composable Digital Twins in creating smarter and safer cities. We will begin by discussing key market drivers and challenges influencing urban innovation. The concept of composable digital twins will be defined, followed by an overview of essential building blocks for different types of digital twins. A practical flood prediction example will demonstrate their application. Finally, the session will conclude with a forward-looking view of next-generation architectures that empower cities to be more adaptive, resilient, and intelligent. Speakers: Paul Venditti is an experienced Leader (29+ years) and strategist with a passion for leveraging technology and customer relationships to create solutions that solve tough problems and excite people. Constantly looking for new ways to gain and embed desired customer insights into new innovative software solutions across a number of different industry-application areas Demonstrated expertise in: – Program management for strategic enterprise initiatives... Read More

Session Abstract: This panel session will discuss: How smart cities can improve access to care How smart cities can impact social determinants of health How smart cities can improve healthcare operational efficiency (predicative analytics, communication, etc) Speakers: Karen has 30 years of experience in distributed intelligent edge systems, with an emphasis on healthcare, aviation, defense, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity and other regulated markets. Karen is currently the Chief Solution Architect of the Intel Health and Life Sciences (HLS) global sales team. In her global HLS role, Karen works with all major healthcare equipment manufacturers, healthcare ISVs, and hospital systems, as well as biopharma manufacturing customers, to modernize and digitize their solutions and businesses. Karen’s past experience includes solution design, development, management and sales of distributed transaction systems, AI for healthcare/aviation/military systems, software-defined radio, network and web acceleration solutions, and data-centric secure messaging solutions, working for Oracle, BEA Systems and private companies... Read More

Speakers: Kevin Grant is the CMO and a co-founder of the Internet of Things Community – IoT Community. He is an emerging and disruptive technology industry specialist, whose passion is to elevate brands, open new markets, enhance loyalty, improve business effectiveness, and motivate high performing teams. For over 8 years, Kevin has been the driving force of the IoT Community evolution, growth and continued success. He is a highly connected and seasoned IoT, cloud and next gen b2b executive. Prior to co-founding IoT Community Kevin spearheaded several clouds computing efforts, including running and managing global cloud communities. His specialties Include: Creating business collaborations on a global scale, Cultivating Thought leadership advocating IoT (Internet of Things), aligning Corporate Strategy, Integrated Marketing, Branding & Communications, Demand Generation Initiatives, Research & Intelligence. Dave Eifert is the Senior Business Development Manager – IIoT for Phoenix Contact USA. Prior to accepting this role, he was the Industry... Read More

Session Abstract Dave Eifert will be joined by the experts who installed and commissioned the IIoT-based plant floor energy monitoring system at Phoenix Contact’s manufacturing center in Harrisburg. After Dave provides an initial overview of Phoenix Contact’s Digitalization and Sustainability efforts, Russ Kolacek – Building Automation Engineer, and Barry Carter – Operations Analyst – Production Intelligence will detail their real-world experience in implementing this beneficial and dynamic project. Attendees will learn about the hardware, software, communications, and IT infrastructure used, and practical challenges that were overcome. Further, the team will discuss what is next in the evolution of this project. Speaker: Dave Eifert is the Senior Business Development Manager – IIoT for Phoenix Contact USA. Prior to accepting this role, he was the Industry Manager for Water Resource Management at Phoenix Contact. Earlier in his career he served in various business development, marketing and technical sales roles for various leading companies.... Read More

Session Abstract: As cities embrace digital transformation, interoperability has emerged as a crucial factor for achieving scalable and sustainable smart city solutions. This panel will discuss the pivotal role of interoperability in enabling smart city ecosystems to grow seamlessly, allowing diverse technologies, platforms, and data systems to work together effectively and scale efficiently. Panelists will address the challenges of integrating various systems, analytical tools and applications, overcoming data silos, and navigating technologies. And how these problems limit the scalability of smart city solutions while emphasizing the importance of collaborative frameworks, cross-sector partnerships, and open standards. The discussion will cover potential solutions and will also highlight some successful case studies where interoperability has driven the scalability of smart city initiatives. Speakers: Dr. Divya Gupta brings over 11 years of experience in cloud computing, distributed systems, fault tolerance, big data analytics, technical consulting, and business collaborations. Divya is Senior Solutions Architect at... Read More

Session Abstract: Machine data is the most abundant source of data on the planet … yet it can be the hardest to access, normalize, convert and use. Edge computing unlocks the power of this data and AI can translate massive payloads of complex information into simple directives that can move a business forward. Yet, alone, this impressive technology isn’t particularly useful to the operators in a business who lack technical knowledge but need to know what actions to take now to maintain safety, efficiency and sustainability. Connected digital twins fill that gap, presenting key alerts to operational teams that enable them to repair, replace and maintain equipment before a costly breakdown occurs. Use cases are only limited by your imagination and range from water management to intelligent video analytics. In this session, ClearBlade CTO Aaron Allsbrook will walk through customer use cases, including sharing how easy and accessible connected digital... Read More

Session Abstract: In this presentation, we will introduce a groundbreaking concept called “Cyber Harmony” and discuss its relevance to the roles of the owner, consulting engineer and systems integrators in cybersecurity. We’ll delve into the fundamental hardware and software prerequisites that must be integrated into your designs to guarantee the cybersecurity of your OT systems. Furthermore, we will provide insights into the essential responsibilities and roles of system integrators when it comes to ensuring the security of their deployments. Speaker: With over 30 years of experience in the Building Systems and Controls Industry, Greg offers expertise in smart building technology, providing guidance and support for Consulting Engineers, Systems Integrators, and End Users. His background includes positions as a Principal for a Consulting Engineering firm, Senior Sales Engineer for two major equipment manufacturers, Chief Mechanical Design/Commissioning Manager for a program management team that managed a $1.3B bond, and he has also... Read More

Session Abstract: This presentation will be explaining how EnergyIQ utilizes data and networks to manage various Ice Hockey rinks in South Florida for the Florida Panthers NHL Hockey Team.  There are 3 rink locations with a total of 6 ice sheets.  Data collected from many and various devices s allows us to maintain optimal environmental conditions for NHL-Quality Ice. Speaker: Karl Zimmerman is a founder and CEO of Energy IQ Group, LLC. Karl graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and began his career with IBM in Boca Raton, FL. Responsible for the design and construction of specialized manufacturing and distribution facilities, Karl dealt with extremely complex and highly technical environments. Later as a Network Engineer with IBM, he managed the design and installation of several large communications networks for national clients. Combining his mechanical systems and information technology backgrounds, Karl shifted to developing... Read More

Speakers: Grant Vandebrake has 11 years experience in industrial controls, networking and security, of which 6 have been working specifically with critical infrastructure industries. Grant started with Phoenix contact in 2013 as a solutions engineer, programming PLC applications for customers primarily related to SCADA. From there he started working on secure remote SCADA networking for utilities and process customers. In 2019 Grant completed the SANS course for industrial control systems security and received his GICSP certification. Currently, Grant supports network and security application design in critical infrastructure markets for Phoenix Contact globally. Oscar De Leon, IoT Solution partnership with ITS Practices (Digital Velocity, Hybrid Infrastructure, Security) CDW, has 25+ years experience in Data Networks, OT, Sensor technology, Cloud and AI. He has helped to transition BAS/OSS service organization from install to integration consulting services. He has partnerships with agricultural equipment manufacturer deployed IR system to improve crop germination. He is... Read More

Session Abstract: PennDOT is receiving $171.5 million in federal funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program to install public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.  Come learn about PennDOT’s plan to support and expand EV charging infrastructure. Learn about the newly released framework for the “community charging” phase which will bring federal investments to communities across Pennsylvania. Speaker: Natasha Fackler, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Register Now!