National Emerging Technology Conference

November 14-15, 2024

Disrupt Up is a new annual innovation event in the Roanoke-Blacksburg region. Speakers, workshops, and panels will center on AI this year.

Annual Emerging Technologies Conference powered by Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council

November 14-15, 2024
Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, VA

The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC) is launching an annual conference to share global knowledge and resources with the ecosystem surrounding emerging technologies. The November conference will focus on AI in 2024 and deliver a variety of keynotes, panels and breakout sessions through three tracks: life sciences, technology and a track dedicated to startups.

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What To Expect

Who Should Attend?

As the convener of the region’s innovators driving the tech-based economy, RBTC’s annual conference will serve technologists of all stages and ages through access to global subject matter experts leveraging emerging technologies for success across industries. 

What’s the Agenda?

The two-day conference is filled with insightful keynotes and panels featuring professionals from all corners of the tech industry.


Speakers

The two-day event will offer sessions focusing on AI in technology and life science, with an additional track dedicated to startups.

Track themes include: AI in the workplace, emerging trends, leadership, social impact, R&D, and modern engineering among others. Hear use-case presentations and engaging founder stories plus an overall focus on building a region for STEM talent. 

Frederic Bertley, PhD
Keynote Speaker
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

Richard Ford, PhD
Keynote Speaker
CyberCube

Michelle Maldonado

Michelle Maldonado
Keynote Speaker
Virginia House of Delegates

Todd Mostak

Todd Mostak
Speaker
HEAVY.AI

Amethyst Edmond headshot

Amethyst Edmond
Speaker
BIT SWVA Member

Guy DeCorte headshot

Guy DeCorte
Speaker
Gravy Analytics

Angela Dickerson
Speaker
BIT SWVA

Jack Shanahan headshot

Jack Shanahan
Speaker
DoD Joint AI Center

Katie Beach headshot

Katie Beach
Speaker
Katie Beach Consulting

Anna Gutowska headshot

Anna Gutowska
Speaker
IBM

Tara Newberry headshot

Tara Newberry
Speaker
Carilion Clinic

Charlie O'Brien headshot

Charlie O’Brien
Speaker
757 Collab

Bret Danilowicz, PhD
Speaker
Radford University

Lee Adcock
Speaker
Capital One

Nick Serfass
Speaker
Richmond Technology Council

Todd Dube headshot

Todd Dube
Speaker
CarMax

David Bates headshot

David Bates
Speaker
Ozmo

Jeff Pompeo headshot

Jeff Pompeo
Speaker
Caretaker Medical Corp

Drew Hunt
Speaker
Dreamit Ventures

Anton Toutov, PhD
Speaker
Astranav

Brett Malone headshot

Brett Malone
Speaker
UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm

Ryan King headshot

Ryan King, PhD
Speaker
Carilion Clinic, VTCSOM

Stephen Morgan, MD
Speaker
Carilion Clinic

Nick Rider, DO
Speaker
Carilion Clinic, VTCSOM

Eddie Amos
Speaker
GO Virginia

Shawn Gomez headshot

Shawn Gomez, PhD
Speaker
UNC Chapel Hill & NC State

James Ramey
Speaker
Middleland Capital

Kalaina Anderes
Speaker
DORIS

David Longo
Speaker
Ordaƍs

David Townsend, PhD
Speaker
Virginia Tech

Marty Martin
Speaker
LOCOMOTIVE Agency

Anthony Young headshot

Anthony Young
Speaker
Tableau Software

Adam Goode headshot

Adam Goode
Speaker
Carilion Clinic

Missi Zhang headshot

Missi Zhang, PhD
Speaker
Virginia Tech

Creed Jones III, PhD headshot

Creed Jones III, PhD
Speaker
Globe Biomedical

Sam Steidle headshot

Sam Steidle, PhD
Speaker
Radford University

Braden Croy headshot

Braden Croy
Speaker
Dominion Energy Innovation Center

Santosh Iyer headshot

Santosh Iyer
Speaker
MOONSHOT

Wesley Faulkner headshot

Wesley Faulkner
Speaker

Ollie Howie headshot

Ollie Howie
Speaker
Mount Auburn Venture Partners

Natesha Ross headshot

Natesha Ross
Speaker
Carilion Clinic

Scott Acton
Speaker
University of Virginia

Aidong Zhang, PhD
Speaker
University of Virginia

Mona Kasra Disrupt Up speaker

Mona Kasra
Speaker
University of Virginia

Chris North Disrupt Up speaker

Chris North
Speaker
Virginia Tech

Abhijit Sakar Disrupt Up Speaker

Abhijit Sarkar, PhD
Speaker
Virginia Tech

Dr. Fred Epstein disrupt up speaker

Fred Epstein, PhD
Speaker
University of Virginia


Hotel Info

Book your stay at the iconic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in downtown Roanoke, Virginia for Disrupt Up.

The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

We Thank Our Disrupt Up Sponsors

Sponsors for Disrupt Up