2025 Summerfest Tech Ed Courses

New this year! In partnership with the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, Summerfest TechAI has created 6 Tech Ed Courses for attendees, with specialized training in emerging technologies ranging from networking and cybersecurity systems to cloud and AI use-case centered applications. With any class purchase there is also a bonus free class that can be added.

1. AI in Supply Chain hands on workshop, led by Databricks [2 sessions]
• Tuesday, June 24^th  (9-11am, 2-4pm) 4 hours.
• $200
• Instructor: TBD
• Optimize transportation costs and improve distribution network performance
• The delivery of goods across a global distribution network is highly costly and logistically complex. Manufacturers can use data and AI to address these operational challenges to maintain competitiveness and profitability in the marketplace. With the Databricks Lakehouse for Manufacturing, organizations can:
• Use linear programming (LP) to optimize product distribution at scale
• Train models to predict supply and demand of products
• Leverage Apache SparkTM to easily speed up model training on Pandas DataFrames
2. Build, Innovate, Automate: Unlock the Power of Generative AI & M365 Copilots!
• Tuesday, June 24^th (9-11am) 2 hours.
• $100
• Instructor: Kyle Severson, Principle Technical Specialist, Microsoft
• This class provides an in-depth introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot, a powerful AI-driven assistant designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Participants will learn how to leverage Copilot's capabilities to automate routine tasks, generate insights from data, and improve collaboration across teams.
• The course covers key features and functionalities of Microsoft 365 Copilot, including its integration with popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Through hands-on exercises and real-world examples, attendees will gain practical skills for maximizing the potential of this innovative tool, ultimately driving efficiency and innovation in their professional environments.
3. Unlocking Data Potential with Microsoft Fabric: A Hands-On Workshop for Technical Professionals, led by Heartland Business Systems [2 sessions]
• Tuesday, June 24^th (2-4pm) and Wednesday, June 25^th (9-11am) 4 hours.
• $200
• Instructor: Josh Marek, Data and AI Practice Manager, Heartland Business Systems
• Learn how to leverage the different tools within Microsoft Fabric in an immersive, hands-on workshop. This session will empower participants to harness the potential of Microsoft Fabric's suite of tools. Through practical exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will build their skills in leveraging the different technologies that Microsoft Fabric provides to explore data in innovative ways, uncover deeper insights, and drive significant value for their organizations.
4. Creating an Automated, Inherently Secure Network Architecture with Fabric Networking, led by Step CG
• Wednesday, June 25^th (9-11am) 2 hours.
• $100
• Instructor: Adam C. Bolander, Director of Technical Training , STEP CG
• This class will provide an introduction into Fabric Networking using Extreme Networks switching including how it works from both a Control Plane and Data Plane perspective.  The class will culminate with hands-on labs that will on-board and configure a complete switching architecture of up to 20 nodes.
5. ZTNA (Zero-Trust Network Access) Strategies to Fully Secure Your Networking Environment, led by Step CG
• Wednesday, June 25^th (2-4pm) 2 hours.
• $100
• Instructor: Dan Rogers, Senior Solutions Architect, STEP CG
• This class will provide a historical perspective of firewall evolution, culminating in a deep dive into ZTNA technology. In addition to reviewing the concepts behind ZTNA, this session will highlight and explore the differences between some leading security vendors’ offerings and strategies.
6. AI/ML Powered IoT Security, led by Palo Alto
• Wednesday, June 25^th (2-4pm) 2 hours.
• $100
• Instructor: Edwin Menor, Technical Specialist IoT, Palo Alto
• Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity landscape, Traditional vs Generative AI. What is AI for Security with tangible customer outcomes and challenges in AI for Cybersecurity. Discuss AI application in cybersecurity, explore Secure AI around industry initiatives for AI and adversarial threat landscape. How do we move forward with AI around Next Gen AI Application consideration and overall benefits of AI in Cybersecurity.
  
  • IoT/IoMT/OT Security Use Case
  • How AI/ML Secures the security blind spot
  • Future State and Considerations

Included with the purchase of one of the above courses, you may also choose one of the sessions for the following course free of charge.

• Why soft skills matter in age of AI, led by Esper Collective
• Tuesday, June 24^th (12-1pm) or Wednesday, June 25^th  (12-1pm)
• FREE with purchase of a course
• Instructor: Faith Harron, Founder, Esper Collective
• Soft skills are even more important in the age of AI, especially for technical folks – yet there’s relatively few opportunities to actually learn them, and many damaging myths out there (e.g., that technical people can’t communicate). In this session, we’ll discuss why soft skills matter in the age of AI, unpack some of the common myths, and cover an important reframe: technical people actually have some key advantages when it comes to learning soft skills. We’ll also discuss, and practice, two skills live: communication and resiliency. A separate, but complimentary, second two hour session would focus on applying these skills to networking and interviewing.

To add more than one course to your cart, select each one at a time, and individually “add to cart”.