2025 Smart Region Summit
The impact of AI and digital twins
The 2025 Smart Region Summit will focus on the impact of AI and digital twins to advance smart cities and regions.
The Summit will bring together experts, academics, mayors/city leaders, urban planners, and technology innovators to explore how digital twin technology can transform urban environments. Key discussions will center on the integration of real-time data with virtual models of cities to enhance decision-making, optimize resource management, expand economic development and improve citizen engagement. Attendees will be a mix of leaders, practitioners, academics and senior decision makers.
Elective streams will focus on the impact of digital twins on major components of smart cities.
Sessions will highlight successful case studies where cities have implemented digital twins for infrastructure planning, traffic management, environmental monitoring, and much more. Speakers will focus on the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as the need for robust data governance frameworks to ensure privacy and security.
This year, we're focusing on the impact of AI, digital twins and the future of the smart region. Thought leaders, academics, mayors, urban planners and tech innovators will gather to explore how communities can build smarter, more sustainable cities and regions.
Sign up now to secure your spot! Seats are limited!
Agenda
**All times are MST
8:30 a.m. | Doors Open for Networking and a Light Breakfast
9:00 a.m. | Welcome
9:15 a.m. | Keynote: Louis Stewart, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Developer Ecosystem, Nvidia
10:15 a.m. | Digital Twins: Definitions
- Devney Majerle, President & CEO at Downtown Phoenix Inc.
- Marios Nicolaou, Metacities Excellence Hub of SE Europe and European Metacities Partnership
- Patrick Wallis, Head Innovator, Esri Innovation Lab
- Moderated by: Duke Reiter, Senior Advisor to the President, Arizona State University
11:00 a.m. | Digital Twins: Use Cases
- Kevin DeVito, CEO, CyberCity 3D
- Amahl Hazelton, Producer – Strategy and Development, Moment Factory
- Jenna Leveille, VP of State and Local Government for Sanborn
- Moderated by: Rick Rundell, Track 5, Autodesk
11:45 a.m. | Morning Wrap Up
12:00 p.m. | Lunch and Networking
1:00 p.m. | Keynote: Mayor Kate Gallego
1:30 p.m. | Breakout into Elective Streams
Economic Development
This Economic Development stream focuses on the application of digital twin technology to drive economic development in urban environments. Participants will explore how digital twins can enhance urban planning, strengthen economic modeling/analysis, help with attracting investment, improve resource management, and foster community engagement to create sustainable economic growth.
Education and Workforce Development
- The Education and Workforce Development stream will delve into the use of digital twin technology to enhance education and workforce development. Participants will explore how digital twins can create immersive learning experiences, improve training outcomes, and better align educational programs with industry needs.
Panelists:
John Baker, Founder & CEO, D2L
Dan Munnerley, Founder and Executive Director of Next Lab, ASU
Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow, Center for Technology Innovation, The Brookings InstitutionJim Van Voorhis, AI for the Public Sector, Glean
Moderator by: Jeff Melanson, Unity & Lansberg Gersick Advisors
Hospital and Healthcare Systems
- The Hospitals and Health Care stream will focus on the transformative potential of digital twin technology in healthcare. By creating virtual replicas of patients, processes, and healthcare systems, participants will explore how digital twins can enhance patient outcomes, optimize clinical workflows, and drive innovation in medical research and public health.
2:45 p.m. | Breakout into elective streams
Airport and Transportation Nodes
- The Airports and Transportation stream will explore the application of digital twin technology in optimizing airport operations and transportation nodes. Participants will gain insights into how digital twins can enhance efficiency, safety, and passenger experience in complex transportation ecosystems.
Tourism and Entertainment
- The Tourism and Entertainment stream will explore the integration of digital twin technology in the tourism and entertainment sectors. Participants will investigate how digital twins can enhance visitor experiences, streamline operations, and foster sustainable practices within these industries.
Security and Public Safety
- The Security and Public Safety stream will focus on the application of digital twin technology to enhance security and public safety. Participants will explore how digital twins can be utilized for risk assessment, emergency response, and community resilience, ultimately improving safety outcomes in urban environments.
Panelists:
Manish Hirapara, CEO, PeakActivity
Edward McGovern, Founder and CEO, CERA
Moderated by: Lev Gonick, CEO, ASU
3:45 p.m. | Indigenous Communities and Social Impact
The Indigenous Community Development stream will explore the use of digital twin technology to empower Indigenous communities in their economic development initiatives. Participants will learn how digital twins can facilitate community planning, resource management, job creation and cultural preservation, leading to sustainable economic growth.
- Panelists:
Christian Dandeneau, CEO and Co-Founder, iDFusion
Traci Morris, Executive Director, American Indian Policy Institute, ASU
Bea Rodriguez-Fransen, Co-Founder & Director, Next Lab, ASU - Moderated by: Trevor Reed, Professor, ASU College of Law, ASU
4:45 p.m. | Wrap Up: Summary and Next Steps on Charter
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Menu Options
A light breakfast will be available at 8:30 a.m.
• Greek Yogurt Parfaits
• Bagels & Cream Cheese (Gluten Free and Vegan Options Available)
• Breakfast Pastries & Muffins (Gluten Free and Vegan Options Available)
• Deviled Eggs
• Fresh Fruit
• Orange juice & Coffee
Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m.
Burrito Bowl Lunch Buffett:
• Cilantro Rice or Green Cauliflower Rice
• Corn or Flour tortillas
• Grilled Chicken, Carne Asada, Shrimp, Al Pastor, Black Bean
• Roasted fiesta corn
• Pico, Salsa, Mango Salsa
• Grilled peppers
• Avocado lime sauce
• Crema
• Mini Churro, Tres Leches or Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry
- We encourage alternative travel such as walking, carpooling or rideshare to attend our events.
- Promote bringing your reusable water bottles to reduce single use cup usage.
- Our team only uses evergreen signage and decor which is reused each year.
- Our events promote Think Before You Throw waste awareness.
- Request attendees leave lanyards behind to be reused for future events.
Need directions to On Jackson?
Address: 245 E Jackson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Visit:
The On Jackson is easily accessible via the Valley Metro Lightrail.
The Smart Region Summit planning team highly encourages using alternative transportation such as carpool and public transportation.
Parking will be available at the Jefferson Street Garage at 261 S 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, is conveniently located diagonally across the street from the venue. Please note that a Phoenix Suns game begins at 8:00 p.m. and attendees will begin arriving around 5:00 p.m. Parking validations will be available at the front desk.
Need a hotel?
Coming to Phoenix, AZ from out of town? Welcome! The following ASU approved hotels are located near the On Jackson. For additional information about airports and hotels, please visit ASU's Travel information for ASU campus visitors at visit.asu.edu/travel
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix
2 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(307) 699-0441
Hampton Inn and Suites Phoenix Downtown
77 E. Polk Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-710-1240
Book your stay
Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown
15 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 343-0006
Book your stay
Please note these are only ASU approved hotels, you may find alternative lodging near the venue.