Starbridge

Connecting public- and private-sector leaders to build AI that works for the people it serves.

Where AI-forward public- and private-sector leaders gather.

New York, July 21-22

Who attends

Connect with 500+ innovative public-sector leaders

Meet mayors, CIOs, presidents, provosts and superintendents, alongside the private-sector leaders building the fastest-moving AI companies.

Filter
All Government Higher education K-12

Meet mayors, CIOs, presidents, provosts and superintendents, alongside the private-sector leaders building the fastest-moving AI companies.

Headliners

Public-sector leader

Government

Steve Adler
Former Mayor, City of Austin

Established the city of Austin as a startup capital. Steve now works with cities and mayors worldwide to build stronger futures.

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Dr. Justin H. Lonon
Chancellor, Dallas College

Leads one of the nation’s largest community colleges at a pivotal moment in its history.

Public-sector leader

K-12

Dewayne McClary
Deputy Superintendent of Innovation & Student Pathways, Virginia DOE

Leads statewide efforts to improve student outcomes through district partnerships, operations, leadership, and technology adoption.

Enterprise CEO

Government

Zac Bookman,
CEO/Founder, OpenGov

Founded OpenGov, the leader in AI-enabled software serving 2,000 cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and special districts across the United States.

Enterprise CEO

K-12

Adeel Khan
CEO/Founder, MagicSchool

Founded one of the fastest-growing AI platforms for educators, helping schools responsibly adopt AI to save teachers time and improve classroom outcomes.

Public-sector leader

Government

Andrew Ngui
Chief Digital Officer, Kansas City

Leads technology strategy and the modernization of digital services for Kansas City.

Enterprise CEO

Government

Zac Bookman,
CEO, OpenGov

Leads OpenGov, the leader in AI-enabled software serving 2,000 cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and special districts across the United States.

Public-sector leader

Government

Steve Adler
Former Mayor, City of Austin

He helped establish the city as a startup capital. He now works with cities and mayors worldwide to build stronger futures.

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Dr. Justin H. Lonon
Chancellor, Dallas College

Leads one of the nation’s largest community colleges at a pivotal moment in its history.

Enterprise CEO

Higher education

John Katzman
CEO, Noodle

An American Edtech Pionner. John founded and ran Princeton Review, 2U and Noodle Partners.

Public-sector leader

K-12

Dewayne McClary
Deputy Superintendent of Innovation & Student Pathways, Virginia DOE

Leads statewide efforts to improve student outcomes through district partnerships, operations, leadership, and technology adoption.

Enterprise CEO

K-12

Adeel Khan
MagicSchool CEO

Founded one of the fastest-growing AI platforms for educators, helping schools responsibly adopt AI to save teachers time and improve classroom outcomes.

Speakers

The biggest public sector names are
speaking at BRIDGES 

The biggest public sector names are speaking at BRIDGES 

Public-sector leader

K-12

Patrick Gittisriboongul
Superintendent, Lynwood
Public-sector leaders

Public-sector leader

Government

Brian Pillmore
Mayor, Yukon

Public-sector leader

K-12

Amanda Lanicek
CTO, Springtown ISD

Public-sector leader

K-12

Kris Hagel
CIO, Peninsula School District

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Carrie Pitts-Densmore
VP Enrollment, Johnston Community College

Public-sector leader

Government

Bob Henderson
Director of IT, Cass County

Public-sector leader

K-12

Wes Kriesel
AI Education Lead, 
Orange County

Public-sector leader

Government

Viggo Forde
CIO, Snohomish County

Public-sector leader

K-12

Daniel Friedman
Director of Technology, Hicksville

Public-sector leader

Government

Andrew Ngui
CAIO, Kansas City

Public-sector leader

Government

Jesse Marks
Director of Operations & Cabinet Affairs, Colorado

Public-sector leader

K-12

Chris Bell
Exec Director Technology, Huntington Beach 

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Sadique Isahaku
Vice Provost, Milwaukee Area Technical College

Public-sector leader

Government

Dave Solaro
Assistant County Manager, Washoe County

Public-sector leader

K-12

Kip Glazer
Principal, Mountain View High School

Public-sector leader

Government

Peter Pirnejad
Director, Davenport Institute

Public-sector leader

K-12

Julia Fallon
Exec Director, SETDA

Public-sector leader

Government

Steven Carter
City Manager, Portsmouth

Public-sector leader

K-12

Mike Lawrence
Director of IT, ABC Unified School District

Public-sector leader

K-12

Roberto Vargas
Managing Director of IT, Distinctive Schools
Enterprise CEOs

Enterprise CEO

Higher Ed

John Katzman
CEO, Noodle

Enterprise CEO

K-12

Adeel Khan
Founder & CEO, MagicSchool

Enterprise CEO

Government

Tom Spengler
CEO, SOVRA

Enterprise CEO

Government

Zac Bookman
CEO, OpenGov

Enterprise CEO

Government

Dustin Haisler
CEO, Darwin AI

Enterprise CEO

Government

Erica Olsen
CEO, Madison AI

Enterprise CEO

Government

Anthony Jamison
CEO, CivStarts

Enterprise CEO

Government

Shannon Beckham
CEO, Chief AI

Enterprise CEO

K-12

Jacob Kantor
CEO, JK K12

Investor

Government

Rachel Stern
Founder, GovTech Ventures

Investor

Higher education + K-12

Amit Patel
Founder, Owl Ventures

Investor

Government

Harrison Marks
Investor, Commonweal
Investors & Associations

Public-sector leader

K-12

Jenn Womble
Chair, FETC
Public-sector leaders

Public-sector leader

Government

Andrew Ngui
Chief Digital Officer, Kansas City

Public-sector leader

Government

Brian Pillmore
Mayor, Yukon

Public-sector leader

Government

Bob Henderson
Director of IT, Cass County

Public-sector leader

Government

Steven Carter
City Manager, Portsmouth

Enterprise CEO

Government

Dustin Haisler
CEO, Darwin AI

Public-sector leader

Government

Viggo Forde
CIO, Snohomish County

Public-sector leader

Government

Dave Solaro
Assistant County Manager, Washoe County
Investors

Investor

Government

Rachel Stern
Founder, GovTech Ventures
Enterprise CEOs

Enterprise CEO

Government

Tom Spengler
CEO, SOVRA

Enterprise CEO

Government

Erica Olsen
CEO, Madison AI

Investor

Government

Harrison Marks
Investor, Commonweal

Investor

Government

Anthony Jamison
Founder, CivStart

Enterprise CEO

Government

Shannon Beckham
CEO, Chief AI

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Dewayne McClary
Innovation Lead, Virginia DOE

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Carrie Pitts-Densmore
VP Enrollment, Johnston Community College
Public-sector leaders

Public-sector leader

Higher education

Sadique Isahaku
Vice Provost, Milwaukee Area Technical College
Enterprise CEOs

Enterprise CEO

Higher education

Ray Batra
Co-Founder, FOHE

Investor

Higher education

Amit Patel
Founder, Owl Ventures
Investors

Investor

Higher education

John Katzman
CEO, Noodle

Public-sector leader

K-12

Julia Fallon
Exec Director, SETDA
Founders

Public-sector leader

K-12

Patrick Gittisriboongul
Superintendent, Lynwood
Public-sector leaders

Public-sector leader

K-12

Wes Kriesel
AI Education Lead, 
Orange County

Public-sector leader

K-12

Amanda Lanicek
CTO, Springtown ISD

Public-sector leader

K-12

Mike Lawrence
Director of IT, ABC Unified School District

Public-sector leader

K-12

Kris Hagel
CIO, Peninsula School District

Public-sector leader

K-12

Jenn Womble
Chair, FETC
Enterprise CEOs
Investors

Public-sector leader

K-12

Daniel Friedman
Director, Tech Hicksville

Public-sector leader

K-12

Steve Iglesias
CIO, Mater Brickell Academy Middle High

Enterprise CEO

K-12

Jacob Kantor
CEO, JKK12

Public-sector leader

K-12

Chris Bell
Exec Director Technology, Huntington Beach 

Enterprise CEO

K-12

Jeff Piontek
Educational Consulting Services

Public-sector leader

K-12

Wesley Lombardo
Director of Technology, An East Tennessee Public School System

Public-sector leader

K-12

Evan Abramson
Director of Innovation & Technology, Morris-Union
Founders

Sponsors

We're proud to be supported by industry leaders

Sponsorships here won't feel like sponsorships: they'll feel like the reason people came. That's what we're building.

Learn more about sponsorships

Why attend as a public sector leader

Leave better equipped to lead in the age of AI

Gain insight and inspiration from the agencies, school districts, and universities that are successfully putting AI to work.

Discover frontier AI solutions built for the public sector

See the tools your peers will be talking about next year, and try them firsthand.

Connect with the people who get it

Through programs like "Meet Your AI Match," you'll meet with leaders who've faced the same challenges you have.

Why attend as a private sector leader

Build direct relationships with potential buyers

Meet with public-sector leaders and gain direct feedback on solutions.

Access exclusive industry briefings

Get first access on the state of public sector AI from proprietary Starbridge data.

Connect with industry executives & peers

Build relationships with 300+ industry executives across local government, higher ed, & K-12.

Spotlight events

Day 1
Day 2
Meet Your AI Match
A double-opt-in matchmaking program designed to link senior decision makers with vetted vendors and solution providers through a series of 1:1 meetings.
The AI Expo Hall
Get up close with the most cutting-edge AI products and live demonstrations from the innovators defining what's next in the industry.
Industry Hackathons
Small teams. Real challenges. You'll work directly alongside public and private-sector leaders to prototype an AI solution to real problems.
Small-Group Roundtables
Curated, small-group discussions where you'll engage in focused conversations with industry peers and counterparts tackling the same AI challenges as you.
10:00 AM
Opening keynote
Hear from AI leaders across local government, K-12 and higher ed on how they're making AI work.
11:00 AM
Industry roundtables
Role-based, off-the-record roundtables. Led by public-sector peers.
1:00 PM
Lunch: Great debates
Lunch with entertainment. Hear the strongest arguments for and against AI.
3:00 PM
Meet your AI match
Connect with industry leaders across the private and public sectors in curated conversations.
04:30 PM
AI showcase
Live walkthroughs of the fastest-growing AI vendors.
06:00 PM
Happy hour
Enjoy the NYC sunset while connecting with AI peers.
10:00 AM
Opening keynote
Leading at Scale in the AI Era: A conversation 
with leaders from government, K–12, and 
higher education.
11:00 AM
AI demonstrations
Small-group, off-the-record roundtables. 
Led by public-sector operators.
1:00 PM
Lunch: Great debates
Small-group, off-the-record roundtables. 
Led by public-sector operators.
3:00 PM
Meet your AI match
Case-driven sessions from agencies, districts, 
and universities on how they're operationalizing AI.
04:30 PM
AI innovators awards ceremony
Live walkthroughs of the fastest-growing AI vendors.
TK Address and other dits

Location & travel

Location
BRIDGES will take place at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers on Manhattan’s west side overlooking the Hudson River.
Hotel & travel
We recommend staying in Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or the Meatpacking District - all within a short ride of the venue. We will also have a hotel block available to attendees closer to the date.
Things to do
Walk the High Line, visit Hudson Yards, or grab dinner in the West Village - all minutes from the venue. The perfect spots for post-conference meetups!

Registration

Agencies & Schools
For government and/or education leaders deploying and/or exploring AI in their local agency.
This pass includes:
  • Full conference access, all 2 days
  • Participate in small-group roundtables & interactive workshops.
  • Curated 1:1s 'across the bridge' with peers and executives.
  • Full access to the AI expo hall & vendor demos.
  • Connect with public- and private-sector leaders.
$299
$199
Register now & save up to $100
Select this pass
Corporate
For private-sector leaders building AI solutions to improve the public sector.
This pass includes:
  • Full conference access, all 2 days
  • Access to AI expo hall
  • Participate in roundtables, built for authentic conversations with public-sector partners
  • Curated 1:1s 'across the bridge' with public-sector leaders and peers.
  • Starbridge GTM insider sessions
  • Connect with investors & peers.
$2299
$1299
Register now & save up to $1000
Select this pass

Be the first to know when tickets are released.

FAQ

Any questions?
We got you.
Still have questions, contact us at
events@starbridge.ai
What is BRIDGES?
BRIDGES is a conference for AI-forward public- and private-sector leaders. Hosted by Starbridge, it brings together government officials, education administrators, enterprise executives, and investors for two days of programming centered on real-world AI adoption in the public sector.

The conference is built around one core premise: the most important conversations about AI in government and education aren’t happening between technologists, they’re happening between the people responsible for actually implementing it. BRIDGES creates the room for those conversations.
How do I register for the conference and what is included in the registration fee?
Register for the conference via the ''Save Your Spot' button at the top right of the page. The registration fee includes full access to two-days of collaborative workshops.
Who should attend BRIDGES?
BRIDGES is designed for government leaders: City and county admins, mayors, CIOs; K-12 leaders: superintendents, CTOs, CIOs; and higher ed leaders: chancellors, presidents, provosts and CIOs.

Alongside private sector CEOs/founders building for the public sector.
Who puts on BRIDGES?
BRIDGES is hosted by Starbridge, an AI platform built for public-sector teams with a mission to make it easier for businesses to engage with the public sector. BRIDGES is an extension of that mission, a convening of the leaders who are doing this work in the real world.
How big will BRIDGES be?
We’re targeting 1,000+ attendees across three verticals: state and local government, k-12, and higher ed. The goal is to have a 50/50 split within each vertical between public and private sector leaders.
I'm a revenue leader. Is BRIDGES for me?
100%. The corporate attendee experience at BRIDGES is specifically designed to be high-value:

The “Meet Your AI Match” program gives vendors and solution providers structured, vetted access to public-sector leaders who are actively evaluating tools.

Instead of having endless panels/presentations, the majority of our agenda will be centered on workshops and roundtables, all opportunities to engage in authentic conversations.

Founders get unfiltered feedback from the buyers they’re trying to reach and the chance to position their work in front of a highly qualified audience.
In addition, Starbridge will be hosting exclusive GTM insider sessions.

The Corporate pass is priced accordingly and includes full access to all two days of programming.