Looking Back at the 2026 Sovran Summit
On September 9, business and technology leaders gathered in St. Paul for the 2026 Sovran Summit, a full day built around learning, conversation, and making technology decisions a little clearer.
The Summit’s goal was never to focus on just one technology or trend. Organizations are making decisions across cybersecurity, Microsoft and modern IT, digital security, AI, business planning, and more, often at the same time. The Summit created an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, hear different perspectives, ask questions, and connect with others working through many of the same challenges.
Practical Perspectives Across Business and Technology
Throughout the day, attendees heard from speakers and technology professionals with experience across several areas affecting organizations today.
John Byron Hanby IV shared a practical approach to AI strategy and how to connect new technology with real business needs. Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota brought a business and trust perspective to the conversation. Hannah Johannsen of SecureLife by SynapTech discussed the growing digital risks that can extend beyond traditional corporate cybersecurity. Attendees also heard directly from Microsoft as part of the day’s broader discussion of modern technology and the decisions businesses are facing.
Those different perspectives were important. The technology landscape is changing quickly, but not every organization needs to chase every new tool or trend. Better decisions start with understanding what deserves attention, what risks need addressing, and where technology can genuinely support the organization.
More Than the Sessions
Some of the most valuable conversations happened outside the formal presentations.
The Summit gave attendees time to meet speakers, talk with technology partners, compare experiences with other Twin Cities leaders, and ask questions that were specific to their own organizations. Creating those connections was central to the event from the start.
Whether the conversation was about cybersecurity, planning, Microsoft, infrastructure, AI, or another technology priority, the goal stayed the same: help people leave with clearer questions and greater confidence about what comes next.
Thank You
An event like the Sovran Summit only works because people are willing to participate, share what they know, and contribute to the conversation.
Thank you to everyone who attended, our speakers, and the partners, sponsors, and exhibitors who helped make the 2026 Summit possible, including The CISA Group, SecureLife by SynapTech, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, Integrated Communications, Lakeview Bank, Insurance By Design, Blue Ox Websites & Marketing, Microsoft, Lenovo, Acronis, HP, and Dell. Sovran also publicly thanked these organizations following the event.
We appreciate everyone who spent the day with us in St. Paul and helped make the Summit a place for useful conversations and new connections.
