Think Gov 2026: Deliver Mission Success With AI, Automation, Data, and Hybrid Cloud
EVENT OVERVIEW
IBM is hosting a conference focused on AI, Automation, Data, Hybrid Cloud, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity.
This event provides direct access to high-level Federal IT decision-makers from agencies like GSA, CBP, and VA. It offers specific insights into how these agencies are deploying AI and hybrid cloud, providing contractors with a roadmap for upcoming agency priorities and technology requirements.
CORE DETAILS
- Date: 2026-06-09
- Location: Washington, D.C. (Nationals Park)
- Format: In-Person
- Audience: Federal IT decision-makers, government leaders, and industry partners
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Keynote Speakers:
- Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman, IBM — "Mission First: Accelerating Government Transformation Through Bold Partnership"
- Ed Forst, Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration — "Mission First: Accelerating Government Transformation Through Bold Partnership"
Additional Speakers:
- Caroline Boyd, Principal, Government Programs, MeriTalk — "Welcome"
- Susan Wedge, Managing Partner, U.S. Public & Federal Market, IBM — "Opening Remarks"
- Sonny Bhagowalia, Assistant Commissioner & Chief Information Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection — "Government Fireside Chat"
- Vanessa Hunt, General Manager, U.S. Federal Market Technology, IBM — "Government Fireside Chat"
- Carl Coe, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Energy — "Embracing AI for lasting advantage: A comprehensive approach to transformation"
- Richelle Gibson, Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — "Embracing AI for lasting advantage: A comprehensive approach to transformation"
- Jason Prow, Chief Technology Officer, Federal, IBM — "Embracing AI for lasting advantage: A comprehensive approach to transformation"
- Dr. Joseph Broz, Vice President, U.S. Government Quantum Business Development, IBM — "What’s next for the future of computing?"
- Dr. Delester Brown Jr., Chief Data & AI Officer, National Guard Bureau
- Bob Carter, Vice President, Public Sector, Apptio, an IBM company
- Dan Chenok, Executive Director, IBM Center for The Business of Government, IBM
- Bert de Jong, Director of the Quantum Systems Accelerator, National Quantum Initiative
- Bridget Deary, Partner, Automation & Data Platforms Practice, IBM
- Ryan Dolan, Managing Director of the AI and Data, U.S. General Services Administration
- Jonathan Entwistle, Field Chief Technology Officer, Federal Data, IBM
- Andi Fisher-Colwill, Director of Business and Administrative Services and Acting Deputy CIO, Department of Commerce Policy and Business Management
- Jeneen Iwugo, Deputy Director, CMS Center for Program Integrity
- Mark James, Director of the OIT Enterprise Cloud Services Division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Melanie M. Keller, Chief Operating Officer, Food and Drug Administration
- Sunil Madhugiri, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Justin Marsico, Assistant Commissioner for Fraud Prevention and Financial Integrity, U.S. Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service
- Linda Miller, President, Program Integrity Alliance
- Steve Moss, Director, watsonx Americas, Client Zero Go to Market, IBM
- Jahin Patwary, Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services
- Raafat Raafat, Associate Partner, IBM's Federal Strategy & Transformation Service Line, IBM
- Nikhil Radheshwar, Senior Partner and Vice President, Hybrid Cloud Management, IBM
- Dr. Travis L. Scholten, Technical Lead, Public Sector, IBM Quantum | IBM T. J. Watson Research Center
- Megan Sikora, Senior Account Manager – Public Sector, Apptio
- Jacob Waheed, Chief Information Officer, IBM
- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
- Registration | Breakfast | Exhibits (8:00 AM - 8:45 AM)
- Welcome (8:45 AM - 8:50 AM)
- Opening Remarks (8:50 AM - 9:00 AM)
- Mission First: Accelerating Government Transformation Through Bold Partnership (9:00 AM - 9:30 AM)
- Government Fireside Chat (9:30 AM - 9:45 AM)
- AI Agents that deliver on the hype (10:15 AM - 10:45 AM) [Track 1]
- Accelerate application modernization with AI and automation (10:15 AM - 10:45 AM) [Track 2]
- Discover and deliver meaningful data with data intelligence (11:00 AM - 11:30 AM) [Track 1]
- Automate hybrid cloud operations at scale with Generative AI (11:00 AM - 11:30 AM) [Track 2]
- Embracing AI for lasting advantage: A comprehensive approach to transformation (12:45 PM - 1:15 PM)
- What’s next for the future of computing? (1:15 PM - 1:45 PM)
- Transformation case study: GenAI in action – what’s next? (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM) [Track 1]
- Technology Business Management: Drive ROI with every dollar of tech spend (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM) [Track 2]
- Transforming the future of program integrity within the U.S. Federal Government (2:35 PM - 3:05 PM) [Track 1]
- Quantum Computing for Government: What’s Real and What’s Next? (2:35 PM - 3:05 PM) [Track 2]
- Ballpark Tours (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
REGISTRATION
- Government/Education: $0 (Complimentary (government, education email required))
- Non-government: $195
- Business Partner: $0
- IBM Staff: $0
- FSI: $0
- Government/military discount available
Registration: https://www.meritalk.com/event/ibm-think-gov-2026/#register
BD INTELLIGENCE
Organizations Represented: U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Guard Bureau, National Quantum Initiative, Department of Commerce, CMS Center for Program Integrity, Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, U.S. Coast Guard
Key Themes: AI Agents and Assistants, Hybrid Cloud Operations, Quantum Computing Readiness, Program and Payment Integrity, Technology Business Management (TBM), Application Modernization
Networking Opportunities:
- Breakfast and Exhibits
- Lunch and Demos
- Ballpark Tours
- Networking with IBM experts and industry leaders
SPONSORS
- AWS (Platinum)
- Arrow Electronics (Silver)
- TD SYNNEX - Public Sector (Silver)
- Four Inc. (Mascot)




