A conference to learn about practical technology for real business productivity

Join business leaders and technology experts to explore practical applications of AI, automation, ERP systems, robotics, and modern software , all focused on improving productivity and business performance.

The Southern Manitoba Technology Conference 2026 is a focused, one-day, in-person professional conference tailored for manufacturing and operations leaders who are responsible for advancing business transformation through technology adoption. The event is designed to move beyond theoretical discussion and deliver practical, actionable insights from industry-leading practitioners, with an emphasis on real-world implementation of Robotics and Automation, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Attendees will:

  • Gain clear, actionable guidance on adopting key technologies in manufacturing environments
  • See firsthand how leading manufacturers approach automation, ERP, and AI
  • Build professional connections with industry peers and technology solution providers
  • Leave with practical strategies for addressing real operational and technological challenges
  • Have the opportunity to network with peers and subject matter experts while gaining insights

Featured Sessions

  • Live Hackathon Kickoff: Hands-on demonstration of real software solution development
  • Keynote Address: Why technology adoption is essential for modern manufacturing
  • Robotics & Automation Workshop: Practical robotics use cases and adoption strategies
  • ERP in Practice: Tools and support available, with implementation insights
  • AI in the Workplace: Real use cases showing how AI improves production outcomes

Panel and Interaction

  • Industry Panel: ERP, Automation, and the path forward with industry leaders
  • Hackathon Demo & Awards: Showcase of solutions developed throughout the day
  • Networking Breaks: Purpose-driven interaction to establish connections and share insights

 

Breakfast and Lunch included in ticket price.

Sponsorship opportunities available, $500 – $1,200.

Kicking off during MbTech Week,  Launch Coworking Space will host Founders Coffee, a weekly gathering designed to foster entrepreneurial community, connection, and collaboration. This event will be lead by 360 Coaching Group with coffee from Muse Café.

Chris Johnson – Three Mistakes I Made Building (and Exiting) a Startup in Winnipeg

THE TALK

Three Mistakes I Made Building (and Exiting) a Startup in Winnipeg

This is a short coffee conversation about three themes that slowed us down while building a SaaS startup — all things that felt reasonable at the time and only became obvious once the dust settled on the other side of an exit.

In ten minutes, I’ll share a few decisions that weren’t catastrophic, but in hindsight had us running with one of those weighted vests strapped on without knowing it. The kind of calls founders make every day while trying to be careful, scrappy, and “do the right thing,” without realizing the trade-offs.

THE SPEAKER

 Chris Johnson is a repeat enterprise SaaS founder and operator who has led multiple successful exits. He was the Founder and CEO of Permission Click, a K–12 workflow and forms platform acquired by SchoolMessenger in 2021. Following the acquisition, Chris became President of SchoolMessenger, where he led the business through its next phase of growth and operational maturity, culminating in a $300M acquisition by PowerSchool in 2023. Across these roles, Chris has built and scaled product-led organizations, overseen go-to-market transformations, and navigated the complexities of post-acquisition integration. Beyond operating roles, Chris is a co-founder of North Forge Technology Exchange and an active supporter of the Manitoba startup ecosystem as a mentor, advisor, and early-stage investor.

 

ABOUT FOUNDERS COFFEE

Beginning February 24th during Manitoba Tech Week, our Launch Downtown location will host Founders Coffee, a weekly Tuesday-morning (8 am to 9 am) gathering designed to foster entrepreneurial community, connection, and collaboration. Founders Coffee provides a welcoming space where local entrepreneurs can share their stories, present their ventures, and receive meaningful feedback from peers, mentors, and community partners.

Each session features:

  • A 10 min spotlight presentation from an early-stage founder or small business.
  • A guided 20 min Q&A and community feedback discussion.
  • Open Mic & networking (30 min) to help build relationships, spark ideas, and support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Our goal is to cultivate a consistent, inclusive gathering that brings together innovators, creators, small-business owners, and community champions.

Presented by Futurepreneur, hosted by Launch Coworking, lead by 360 Coaching Group, and fueled by Muse Cafe, Founders Coffee strengthens the connective tissue of our local business community and helps entrepreneurs access the insight, encouragement, and resources they need to grow.

Founders Coffee will serve as a weekly ritual—a place where relationships are built, ideas take shape, and founders feel supported on their journey.

🚨 Sold Out! 🚨

The next frontier of Artificial Intelligence is here: the shift from passive tools to active agents. Join us for a high-impact panel discussion exploring how Generative AI and the rise of autonomous AI agents are fundamentally redefining operations, leadership, and value creation in the enterprise.

Experts from our local Transformation Consulting team—spanning Finance Transformation, Organizational Change & Culture, and Technology & Cloud Strategy—will unpack the practical realities of the “Age of With,” where humans and machines collaborate to solve complex business problems.

Following the panel, join us for a networking session with the local consulting team to discuss your specific challenges and opportunities.

Key Discussion Topics

  • The Agentic Shift: Moving beyond simple prompts to managing hybrid teams of humans and AI agents.
  • Tackling Technical Debt: Strategies to modernize legacy systems to support an AI-enabled future.
  • Funding the Future: Practical frameworks for securing capital and ROI for high-potential AI initiatives.
  • Leading Through Change: How cross-functional collaboration is evolving in an automated workplace.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we learn, work, and innovate—but with rapid adoption comes significant governance challenges. From privacy and bias to transparency, accountability, and the rise of “shadow AI,” organizations must navigate complex risks while unlocking AI’s full potential.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring IT community leaders who share real-world experiences and lessons learned in governing AI responsibly. This session will explore practical strategies to maximize value while mitigating risks related to ethics, misinformation, and data security.

Why Attend:

  • Gain actionable insights from experts who have implemented AI governance frameworks
  • Understand emerging risks and how to address them effectively
  • Network with peers and thought leaders shaping Manitoba’s technology landscape

Manitoba knows how to build great ideas. What happens when those ideas, curious minds, and a great breakfast come together? You get a morning fueled by innovation, and a little bit of magic.

As part of MbTech Week, CGI invites you to a welcoming, interactive breakfast celebrating local innovation and the people shaping it.

Discover the Unicorn Academy, CGI’s innovation ecosystem, through real stories from start-ups and clients who are turning ideas into meaningful impact.

What’s on the menu?

• Breakfast, coffee, and great conversations
• The Unicorn Academy — where ideas meet experience and start-ups meet clients
• Panel discussions with start-ups sharing their journey and clients driving innovation in Manitoba
• An interactive session designed for questions, connections, and collaboration

Whether you’re part of Manitoba’s start-up community, a client exploring innovation, or simply curious about what’s next, come for the breakfast, celebrate Manitoba innovation and leave inspired.

⚠️ Space is limited — please register early

 

Join us for an engaging and insightful panel discussion exploring Wawanesa’s AI Journey—a candid look at how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, serve our members, and deliver value across the organization.

This session will bring together business and technology leaders to share real-world experiences from the front lines of AI adoption. Hear how teams have navigated early successes, tackled organizational challenges, and built momentum in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

A highlight of the discussion will be a deep dive into SmartQuote, one of Wawanesa’s most impactful AI-enabled solutions. SmartQuote has delivered measurable improvements in underwriting efficiency, quote accuracy, and has become a flagship example of how thoughtful AI integration can enhance both internal workflows and broker experiences.

Whether you’re curious about how AI is reshaping insurance, looking to learn from practical use cases, or wanting a behind‑the‑scenes view of Wawanesa’s innovation path, this session promises valuable insights and an open Q&A to spark meaningful dialogue.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the people advancing AI at Wawanesa—and to explore what’s next on our modernization journey.

Black Business Ventures Association is Proud to Partner with Social Entrepreneurship Enclave, Manitoba Innovates and Tech Thursday to host a dynamic Panel Session Led by Black Founders sharing hard-earned insights from building, exiting, and launching again.

Hosted by BBVA & SEE

🚨 Sold Out! 🚨

Join Payworks on February 26, 2026, for Breaking the Code of Confidence, a women in tech panel exploring imposter syndrome, resilience, and authenticity. Hear inspiring leaders share strategies to overcome self-doubt and foster thriving workplaces.

Moderated by Payworks General Counsel & Privacy Officer and Tech MB Board Chair, Grainne Grande, this panel will explore the challenges of imposter syndrome in the tech industry and highlight the voices of women who are leading with resilience, innovation, and authenticity.

Hear from Payworks leaders and other trailblazing women in technology as they share personal stories, strategies for overcoming self-doubt, and insights on how organizations can foster environments where women thrive.

 

This dynamic panel session will dive into the cutting-edge technological innovations, such as Artificial Intelligence and how it’s transforming the film industry and what they mean for Manitoba’s own creative landscape.

Attendees will enjoy a lively, moderated conversation featuring industry insights, followed by an open Q&A with the audience.

The event is free and open to all University of Winnipeg students, faculty, and members of the public. A networking reception will follow the session, offering a chance to connect, share ideas, and continue the conversation.

 

 

Manitoba’s tech scene is being built by bold, creative thinkers shaping what comes next.

This panel brings together the founders behind Manitoba-made tech companies Aryval, Taiv, ConstructionClock, Checkkit and Bobo offering an inside look at how innovation takes root, how these companies grow and scale, and how local founders and teams collaborate to build successful tech ventures in Manitoba and beyond.

This panel features:

  • Dan Yorsh, Co-Founder & CEO, Aryval
  • Noah Palansky, Co-Founder & CEO, Taiv
  • David Peters, Founder & CEO, ConstructionClock
  • Emily Franz-Lien, Co-Founder & COO, Chekkit
  • Klaudia McDonald, Co-Founder & COO, Bobo

What You’ll Take Away:

  • Real Insights from Founders: Hear what it really took to build these companies—the
    highs, the lows, and everything in between.
  • A Behind-the-Scenes Journey: Discover where these companies are today and their
    vision for the future.
  • A Glimpse into Manitoba’s Tech Future: Learn where the province’s tech sector is
    heading and what opportunities lie ahead for emerging talent.
  • Lessons in Growth and Innovation: Get advice and practical insights for aspiring
    founders or anyone building a business.