OPENING KEYNOTE / WEDNESDAY / JUNE 1, 2022 / 5:10 PM

Fostering Innovation: How to Create an Environment where Innovation Thrives

If you toss a handful of seeds in a desert and order them to grow, you aren’t going to get a tree. The tree will only grow in a suitable environment with rich soil, water, and sunlight. Innovation works the same way — sticking smart people in a room with the directive to innovate — is not the answer. To innovate, you must build a firm foundation, create psychological safety, and take good care of the team. Do these things first and watch your innovation efforts take off.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Andrew Laudato | EVP & COO | The Vitamin Shoppe

Andrew Laudato is the author of Fostering Innovation: How to Build an Amazing IT Team. He started his career as a computer programmer and quickly realized he was as passionate about business as technology. The intersection of business and technology is where innovation happens and where people and companies succeed. After spending more than 20 years as a CIO/CTO, Laudato currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe. In this role, he leads operations across digital commerce, information technology, enterprise portfolio management, supply chain, strategic sourcing, quality, and commercialization. Andrew is a member of the CNBC technology executive council and the New York City CIO executive council.

MODERATOR

Ken Hosac | VP, Business Development | Cradlepoint

Ken has 25 years of experience in marketing, sales, R&D and manufacturing. At Cradlepoint, Ken is responsible for driving strategic industry partnerships to accelerate the company’s market growth and leadership. As part of the leadership team since 2009, Ken has helped drive Cradlepoint’s growth and development through roles in strategic planning, product management, solution strategy and thought leadership. Ken frequently represents the company at industry conferences and events, and served on the original Advisory Board for the IoT/M2M Evolution Magazine. Ken holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. degree in Manufacturing Engineering, both from Stanford University.

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