Explore
Write
Chat
Call
2026 UT Innovative Technologies Symposium
Service navigation
Connecting people. Sharing ideas. Shaping IT.
The University of Tennessee’s Office of Innovative Technologies is excited to extend an invitation to all higher education institutions across the state of Tennessee.
This three-day symposium will focus on our everyday IT challenges, shared interests, honed skills, and newfound passions. We aim to foster innovative IT solutions and promote opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among Tennessee higher education IT professionals. The event will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities with peers, industry experts, and technology companies involved in higher education.
Join Us for the Third Annual UT Innovative Technologies Symposium
March 24-26, 2026
Knoxville Convention Center
Knoxville, TN
View these video highlights from the 2025 Symposium.
The Full Agenda is Now Available
View the list of speakers and sessions on the symposium website.
General Session Overview
Tuesday, Mar. 24
Check-in/Registration:
7:00 a.m. at Henley Concourse
Vendors Open:
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Cumberland Concourse
Sessions:
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
in meeting rooms with networking breaks between sessions.
Lunch:
11:30 a.m. at Ballroom
Wednesday, Mar. 25
Check-in/Registration:
7:00 a.m. at Henley Concourse
Vendors: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Cumberland Concourse
Keynote: 8:00 a.m. at Ballroom
Sessions:
9:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
in meeting rooms with networking breaks between sessions.
Lunch:
11:30 a.m. at Ballroom
Networking Reception:
3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 26
Check-in/Registration:
8:30 a.m. at Henley Concourse
Vendors:
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at Cumberland Concourse
Sessions:
9:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
in meeting rooms with networking breaks between sessions.
Lunch:
11:30 a.m. at Ballroom
Closing Remarks:
3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Ballroom
Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to welcome Michael Shepherd, Senior Distinguished Engineer and Services CTO at Dell, as the keynote speaker at the 2026 UT Innovative Technology Symposium.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in AI as he shares his vision for the future of technology and its role in empowering individuals and institutions alike.
In addition to Shepherd’s Keynote address, look for his special topic, AI for Technicians and the Digital Avatar Landscape, in the Agenda.
Michael Shepherd, Senior Distinguished Engineer and Services CTO at Dell
More About the Symposium
The UT IT Symposium invites you to a dynamic convergence of ideas, expertise, and innovation. Prepare for two days of topics where the latest IT developments take center stage, presented through a mix of formats designed to foster interaction, collaboration, and community.
It’s not just about the discussions you’ll witness but also about the community you’ll become a part of. Prepare for an experience where every conversation could lead to new insights, spark future collaborations, and broaden your IT horizons.
We hope that you will spend these days learning, sharing, and connecting with colleagues from across the state in an exchange focused on UT’s innovative uses and practices of technology.
This is a state-wide event. All full- or part-time staff, faculty, and graduate students involved in information technology work, learning, or research are eligible to attend.
We are encouraging attendee participation from higher education institutions across the state.
Location
Knoxville Convention Center
(opens in a new tab)
Facility Map
701 Henley Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
Parking & Transportation
Attendees will be responsible for transportation to and from the conference, parking, hotel, and dinner. There are several parking options near the conference center. Please check the rates for each parking garage, as they vary in cost and distance to the Knoxville Convention Center.
Locust Street Garage
PBA Parking info. for 540 Locust St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Hilton Hotel Garage
Google Book Online Info 500 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Main Avenue Garage
PBA Parking Info 550 W Main Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
Summer Place Garage
Parkopedia.com 502 W. Summit Hill Drive Knoxville, TN 37902
The Langley Garage
Parkopeida.com 407 Walnut St Knoxville, TN 37902
State St. Parking Garage
PBA Parking info. for 500 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Market Square Garage
PBA Parking info. for 406 Walnut St, Knoxville, TN 37902
KAT Bus
You can find the schedule and route information at Knox Area Transit, Schedules and Maps Website.
Vol Hall Garage
UT Visitor’s Hourly Parking Garage 1545 White Avenue Fort Sanders Knoxville, TN 37916
Lodging Information
For those traveling from other campuses, there are many hotels in the downtown Knoxville area conveniently located near the Knoxville Convention Center.
Please note that links in this section open in a new tab.
Nearby Hotels
Please check with your institution’s travel agency to check for state rates.
Additional Knoxville Guides
Check out these websites for more hotels, restaurants, and other local points of interest:
Visit Knoxville Tennessee Website
Downtown Knoxville Tennessee Guide
City of Knoxville Visitors Guide
Visiting the UT Knoxville Campus
About Knoxville Website: Virtual and self-guided tours, campus maps, and parking of this website.
Catering & Accommodations
We’re planning to provide nourishment to keep you energized throughout the day. Expect convenient and tasty meal options to complement your symposium experience. Selections will be offered in the registration form, ensuring we cater to a variety of tastes and dietary needs.
Registration
Registration for the 2026 UT Innovative Technologies Symposium has closed.
We hope to see you at one of our future events!
For questions, please email us at UT_IT_Symposium@utk.edu
The Call for Proposals is Now Closed.
Thank you to Everyone Who submitted a proposal
Look for the full agenda and presenter announcements coming soon.
Information from the call for presenters.
Your expertise is needed! All institutions are encouraged to submit proposals to share their IT expertise and experience. Share your unique perspective and expertise, and share your experiences with your innovative IT solutions, collaborations, research, and education by presenting on a topic at this upcoming symposium.
Proposal Review Timeline
- Proposals due: January 30
- Presenters notified by: February 13
- IT Symposium dates: March 24-26, 2026
Symposium areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Frontline IT: Empowering Operational IT and End User Support
- Infrastructure: Improvements and Optimization
- Application Development: Enterprise Software for Teaching & Research
- High Performance Computing: Research at Scale
- Data Solutions: Transforming Data into Insights
- Artificial Intelligence: Next-Gen AI Capabilities
- Teaching with Technology: Tools for Tomorrow
- Ethics, Legal, and Safety: Responsible Tech in Practice
Session Formats
We appreciate the vast array of talent within our community and are eager to learn from you—whether that is through a presentation, a hands-on workshop, or a lively panel discussion. Name what works best for you. Sessions will be set up in 1-hour blocks with the option to request a two-part block, dependent on availability.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact ut_it_symposium@utk.edu.
Questions?
For questions about this exciting symposium, please email the IT Symposium Committee
at ut_it_symposium@utk.edu.