OETC Summit Logo

OETC CIO Summit

October 3-4th, 2024

Cedarbrook Lodge, Seattle, WA

With total attendance of under 100 people, Summit is a one-of-a-kind event — intimate in scope, enormous in possibility. We look forward to connecting with you!

Peers and Conversation

Peers + Conversation

OETC’s Summit is a retreat tailor-made for CIOs and IT directors working in education. Because all Summit attendees are in leadership roles, it’s the rare chance to discuss anything from bonds to leadership to 1:1 roll-outs, with people who really get it.

Location and Hospitality

Location + Hospitality

Every year, OETC selects a great location — sometimes a beautiful lodge, other times the heart of a Northwest city — to provide a wonderful experience for our attendees.

Partneres and Product

Partners + Product

Each year, OETC works with a small group of carefully selected sponsors. We choose just one partner in each space — one that not only brings the best technology, but that we personally recommend and vouch for. Get one-on-one time, ask any questions you may have, and see the latest.

The Schedule

Thursday, October 3

4:00-6:00 p.m.
Event Check-in
Reflections Gallery
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Dinner
Tamarack Hall

Friday, October 4

7:00-8:45 a.m.
Event Check-in
Reflections Gallery
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Tamarack Hall
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Keynote – Aditi Nerurkar
Summit
10:30-12:00 p.m.
Partner Meetings
Cedars | Lily
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Tamarack Hall
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Keynote – Shelby Reynolds
Summit
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Partner Meetings
Cedars | Lily
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Keynote – Eric Cross
Summit
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Dinner & Drinks
Tamarack Hall

We’re welcoming three incredible speakers:

Eric Cross Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a 7th-grade science and technology teacher at Albert Einstein Academies International Baccalaureate schools and the host of the “Science Connections” podcast. He also teaches as an Adjunct Professor of Learning and Technology and Science Methods at the University of San Diego. Eric holds a B.S. from Azusa Pacific University and an M.Ed from the University of San Diego. Known for his engaging STEM lesson plans, effective use of digital tools, and culturally responsive pedagogy, Eric is dedicated to promoting student agency and accessibility in STEM education.

Shelby Reynolds Shelby Reynolds

Shelby began her educational career in 1999 as a junior high math teacher and is now the manager of Instructional Technology and Library Services at Northshore School District where she oversees professional development programs, strategic planning, and implementation of instructional technology. Shelby has also served on Washington state committees for online learning and digital citizenship. She manages the Library, Information, and Technology program for Northshore, supporting teacher-librarians in empowering 21st-century learners. Shelby holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s in mathematics education from the University of Washington and is a CoSN Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL).

Aditi Nerurkar Aditi Nerurkar, M.D.

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, MD, MPH is a Harvard physician with expertise in the science of stress, resilience, and burnout. A vibrant and engaging speaker, Dr. Nerurkar offers insights on optimizing mental health, well-being, and productivity. She leaves audiences energized and empowered to take control of their lives with practical, science-backed, and approachable recommendations that can be applied both immediately and in the long-term.

Testimonials

Portland Public Schools

Don Wolff, Chief Technology Officer

“There are many technical conferences, but the CIO Summit is about bringing leadership together for specific, relevant topics beyond just how to keep things running. It’s about getting together with colleagues in similar positions to talk planning, vision, execution and how to be a good leader. It’s seeing people I’ve known for years, and fostering the long-term connections that make the difference.”

Northshore School District

Allen Miedema, Executive Director for Technology

“It is a unique conference in that it’s all CIO/CTO level folks that are there, and everyone there is your organizational peer. They have an understanding of your issues and challenges that a more broad audience might not; you can start in the middle of a conversation with these folks. There’s nothing else like Summit.”

Summit 2023 Sponsors

Thanks to our 2023 partners

OETC works with a small group of carefully selected sponsors. If you would like to partner on future Summits fill out our interest form and OETC will reach out.

Become a Sponsor

Past Attendees

  • Anchorage School District
  • Arlington School District
  • Ashland School District
  • Beaverton School District
  • Bonneville Joint School District
  • Bozeman Public Schools
  • Camas School District
  • Centennial School District
  • Central Oregon Community College
  • Clackamas ESD
  • Coeur D’Alene Public Schools
  • Corvallis School District
  • Crook County Unit School District
  • Deer Park School District
  • Eastern Washington University
  • Everett Public Schools
  • Evergreen Public Schools
  • Federal Way Public Schools
  • Gresham-Barlow School District
  • Helena Public Schools
  • Highline School District
  • Hillsboro School District
  • Idaho Digital Learning
  • Idaho Falls School District 91
  • Intermountain ESD
  • Kellog School District
  • Kennewick School District
  • Linn-Benton-Lincoln ESD
  • McMinnville School District
  • Mead School District
  • Medford School District
  • Methow Valley School District
  • Newberg School District
  • North Clackamas School District
  • Northshore School District
  • NW Regional ESD
  • Oregon City School District 62
  • Pasco School District
  • Portland State University
  • Redmond School District
  • Reynolds School District
  • Richland School District
  • Salem-Keizer School District
  • University of Idaho

Past Summits

2023 – Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, WA

This year, we returned to the serene Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, WA. Alexandra Sunderland, Director of Engineering at Fellow.app and author of “Remote Engineering Management,” kicked off the event as our first keynote speaker. She shared her management knowledge and provided a guide for empathetic and people-first management in a remote world.

Kevin Roose joined us as our second and final keynote speaker. Roose is a NYT tech columnist and podcast host of “Hard Fork” and Rabbit Hole.” His extensive interviews, research, and acclaimed book “Futureproof” offer a guide to thrive in the technological future and his presentation for CIO Summit did the same. Roose covered the potentials and perils associated with the commercialization and burgeoning use of AI.

2022 – Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, WA

We returned to in-person events at the cozy Cedarbrook Lodge, tucked away in Seattle. The year’s theme was Leading through Change and we had two incredible speakers come to the event.

The first keynote kicked off with Cassandra Worthy, Founder & CEO of Change Enthusiasm who led us through an innovative approach that includes mindset, language, and an instantly effective toolkit on thriving through change.

Mark Horstman, the co-founder of Manager Tools, presented the second keynote. He led a workshop on effective leadership, allowing attendees to collaborate and exchange ideas.

2019 – Skamania Lodge, WA

With a return to Skamania Lodge, 2019’s event was the largest and most involved yet. Taking place over a packed 36 hours, Summit 2019 drew dozens of CIOs and IT Directors to talk leadership, check out new technology, foster connection and exchange ideas.

The event kicked off with PDX Women in Tech founder Megan Bigelow discussing how to actively foster female leadership in technology departments. Keynote speaker Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, delved into into how to create an environment where every employee — regardless of background, demographics or rank — can truly feel integrated and thrive. PSU CIO Kirk Kelly led an interactive workshop on helping employees lean into their autonomy and develop mastery, while Know Your Team CEO Claire Lew talked strategies to integrate every employee into the decision making process.

2018 – Coeur d’Alene, ID

With a theme of security — both physical and digital — our third Summit was the best-attended yet.

Anchored by a keynote from Major General Brett T. Williams, attendees also heard from Dr. Wayne Machuca of Mount Hood Community College on staffing fort the cybersecurity void, while Leslie Golden ran a workshop on developing security priorities.

This year, we went a bit further afield to the beautiful Coeur D’Alene Resort, located right on the lake of the same name. Many attendees stayed the weekend to network further — and golf, kayak, boat, hike, fish …

Special thanks to our partners: Acer, HPE/Aruba, Securly, Freshworks, Pacific Office Automation, JAMF, Epson, Insight (IFS), Illuminate Education, SMART Technologies, GuideK12, and Classlink.

2017 – Skamania Lodge, WA

Our first Summit tackled a challenge central to every CIO: change leadership.

People — and institutions — are inherently averse to change; how can you effectively lead, communicate and empower staff and students to embrace newness?

Keynote speaker Sara El-Amine, who worked as President Obama’s national organizing director, shared 10 tips for change, while Leslie Golden spoke about cybersecurity and Beaverton School District chaired a panel on their large-scale 1:1 Chromebook rollout — and how attendees can do the same.

Everyone gathered at Skamania Lodge, nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, and many stayed to keep talking … or go on a hike.

Special thanks to our partners: Insight (IFS), GuideK12, Epson, Pacific Office Automation, Classlink, Nimble Storage, Illuminate Education, LocknCharge and Acer.

CIO Summit 2024 Attendee Waitlist

Although Summit is invite only, as spots open up we will start inviting from the waitlist. Please join the list if you’re interested in attending the event.

Looking to become a sponsor? Please visit our sponsor waitlist.