Michigan IT Tech Showcase & Social | Office of the VPIT-CIO

Building Community Through Connections

“Community is built through connections, friendships, and memories forged through experiences.”

The 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social event was a new and exciting gathering for the Michigan IT community. This in-person, networking event welcomed more than 270 technology professionals to the Michigan Union on November 30. Designed to cultivate a sense of curiosity, cooperation, and unity within the community, the goal of this event was to create a more connected, collaborative, and innovative learning environment. The “showcase” aspect highlighted interesting new technologies from across the university in a fun and interactive atmosphere. The “social” side provided opportunities to strengthen community bonds.

The event opened with a greeting by Michigan IT chairperson, Kerry Flynn, Ross School of Business CIO, describing a renewed energy for the Michigan IT community. Profiling goals for upcoming activities and opportunities for engagement, she offered a call for people to volunteer and get involved.

Vice President for IT and U-M CIO, Ravi Pendse took the stage to welcome everyone. He stated how wonderful it was to see so many people reconnecting and the enormous value there is in connecting with one another. He went on to give remarks about the opening of the term and provided an early holiday greeting with a video by ITS marketing and communications.

Attendees engaged with several interactive demonstrations and activities. Each 30-minute activity was aimed to pique curiosity, share knowledge, inspire future technological advancements, and encourage open dialogue. Attendees rotated to their selected activities throughout the afternoon where they:

Discovered all the capabilities surrounding U-M GPT and Generative AI for themselves in sessions led by Don Lambert and Ben Andries, from ITS Emerging Tech & AI Services. Various use cases involving the three-tier service launched in August, were discussed in a dialogue format with attendees.
Learned how MBot, a low-cost, adaptable ecosystem for teaching robotics with a real robot, and a 3D lidar worked. Hundreds of MBots have been used to teach courses across undergraduate and graduate levels. A 3D lidar is how many autonomous systems see their environment. They could also check out the Michigan Robotics swag table.
Experienced the latest advancements in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in an interactive demonstration conducted by the Emerging Technologies Group.
Networked, engaged, and (re)connected with people, which is at the core of what Michigan IT is all about. They could grab a friend, meet some new colleagues, collaborate on a puzzle, or team up on a game at various networking locations.
Participated as individuals or in teams in a friendly competition to see who could answer the most IT-related trivia and fun U-M trivia questions. Across all five sessions the high score was 8/10.
Took a few minutes out between sessions to visit the Therapaws of Michigan therapy dogs who were there with us for a portion of the afternoon.
Visited the visual artist, Yen Azzaro, shared what they love about the Michigan IT community, and saw their ideas come to life in a collective illustration evolving throughout the event. The final images were inspired by contributions made by attendees. Click on the thumbnail images below to view the illustrations at a larger size.

Technology tours of the Michigan Stadium with round-trip transportation provided from the Michigan Union were also available for people who preregistered. The tours involved traversing floors of the stadium that are not accessible by elevator and spaces that are unavailable to the general public.

Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, CIO for Michigan Medicine, gave closing remarks speaking to the personal and professional value of getting involved in the Michigan IT community. He challenged all attendees to share their experience with four other people and encourage them to attend future events and get engaged.

Event co-chairs, Cheryl Sobkow (Ross IT) and Jennifer Herron (ITS) wrapped up the afternoon thanking the planning committee and giving away the games and puzzles from the networking tables. They also thanked the attendees for being open-minded and willing to try our new format.

Feedback from lessons learned and survey results from attendees are being reviewed and a final report will be published in the first quarter of 2024.

Image Gallery

Click on an image to see it larger.

More than 270 people gathered for the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social; Photograph by Tony Giusca, LSA Technology Services

Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications hosted the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social; Photograph by Tony Giusca, LSA Technology Services

Kerry Flynn, Ross IT CIO and Michigan IT Steering Committee chairperson; Photograph by Tony Giusca, LSA Technology Services

Ravi Pendse, VP for IT and Chief Information Officer for U-M provided leadership remarks; Photograph by Tony Giusca, LSA Technology Services

Ben Andries and Don Lambert led sessions on UM-GPT at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social; Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Don Lambert and Ben Andries answer questions about UM-GPT at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social; Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Michigan Robotics sessions on UM-GPT at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social; Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Attendees at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social gathered at the Michigan Robotics session; Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Person tries on a pair of Augmented Reality goggles to experience the technology during a demonstration session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Two technology professionals reconnect in the networking area at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Two people reconnect between sessions at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Teams formed at tables in the Michigan IT trivia session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Visual artist, Yen Azzaro created four illustrations inspired by words attendees to the Tech Showcase and Social shared regarding what they love about the Michigan IT community. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

A Tech Showcase and Social volunteer reads off a trivia question that is displayed on a large monitor to players during a session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Women kneels down to pet a dog brought to the Tech Showcase and Social by Therapaws of Michigan. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Four Tech Showcase and Socialevent volunteers staff the information table throughout the afternoon. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Player during one of the Michigan IT Trivia sessions. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Woman watching the Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality headset as part of a demonstration. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Michigan IT Steering Committee chairperson, Kerry Flynn, talks with event attendees at a networking table. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Ben Andries and Don Lambert answer questions during a UM-GPT session in the Michigan Union Pendleton Room. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality demonstration in the Michigan Union Pendleton Room. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

The Managing Director for Michigan Robotics, Damen Provost, explains the advancements being made in robotics to attendees during a demonstration. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Three volunteer staff available to answer attendee questions at the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Michigan IT trivia session leaders keep track of scores during their session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Looking down into the Michigan Stadium from the upper suites during one of the Stadium Technology Tours. Photograph by Kranthi Bandaru

Colleagues (re)connect at a table in the Michigan Union Rogel Ballroom. Photograph by Tony Giusca, LSA Technology Services

Attendee asks a question during the Michigan Robotics session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Members of the Michigan IT community participating in a Michigan Robotics demonstration. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Attendees gather around various hands on stations at the Michigan Robotics demonstration. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Participants take turns driving a robot on the floor of the Rogel Ballroom. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Community members networking at a table in during the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Colleagues play games and enjoy each others company at a networking table. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Person listens intently to a presentation during the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Event co-chair, Cheryl Sobkow, Dima Tawakkol, Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, and Kerry Flynn, network by the information table for a few minutes before the next session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Community members discuss advanced research computing at a table in during the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Person watches the Michigan Robotics presentation during the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Two technology professionals catch up with each other as they move between sessions. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Damen Provost, managing director for Michigan Robotics answers a final question from Eric Brannon, ITS, as a session ends and attendees make their way to the next event. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

A woman actively listens as a Tech Showcase session begins. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Two of the more than 270 attendees at the 2023 Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

People engaged in conversations with colleagues throughout the day at the networking tables in the Rogel Ballroom. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Sylvia Galaty, research administrator for Michigan Robotics, holds up one of the take aways attendees can pick up following the session. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Collegues took a break from a session to share ideas at a table in the Rogel Ballroom. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Lynn Ertel, from ITS, sits in the front roll for the last Michigan Robotic demonstration of the day. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

A technology professional sits with her laptop talking to a colleague. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Michigan Medicine Chief Information Officer, Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, shares some closing remarks, speaking to the personal and professional value of getting involved in the Michigan IT community. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

Greg Laman, director of technology at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance enjoyed conversations with colleagues from across the university at the Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social. Photograph by Tony Giusca, LSA Technology Services

Michigan IT Tech Showcase and Social attendee pulls out his phone to scan QR codes for upcoming events. Photograph by Joel Iverson, ITS Marketing and Communications

The Michigan IT Steering Committee

The Michigan IT Steering Committee is dedicated creating an ecosystem of inclusive engagement for the University of Michigan community while building avenues to learn, mentor, support, and participate while sharing our passion for technology. The vision for the Michigan IT community was updated in early 2023 to reflect the values and input received through community surveys.

Since 2012, the Michigan IT community has flourished through numerous initiatives, programs, and events. In previous years, the annual Michigan IT Symposium became the “fall classic,” but over time and coming out of the pandemic a new approach emerged thanks to feedback. The Michigan IT Steering Committee is eager to reveal a fresh community approach beginning with the Michigan IT Tech Showcase & Social. Our primary goal is to engage, inspire, and connect people through the unique mix of tech, events, and community spirit.

“The Michigan IT Community is dedicated to building avenues for collaboration and growth,” explained Kerry Flynn, chair for the Michigan IT Steering Committee and CIO for the Ross School of Business. “Our mission is to create an ecosystem of inclusive engagement for the University of Michigan community while creating avenues to learn, mentor, support, and participate while sharing our passion for technology. We invite you to join us.”

Tech Showcase & Social Planning Committee

Cheryl Sobkow, Ross School of Business
Jennifer Herron, Information and Technology Services (ITS)
Kinnothan Nelson, School of Nursing
Stephen McClatchey, College of Pharmacy
Katherine Seeburger, ITS
Jane Berliss-Vincent, ITS
Michelle Zuelke, ITS
Lisa Leutheuser, Ross School of Business
Sungwon Park, School of Nursing
Christine Hale, Health Information Technology Services (HITS)
Josh Simon, LSA Technology Services
Tyra High, Wolverine Pathways
Sheri Fillip, Ross School of Business
Kim Wooton, ITS
Joel Iverson, ITS