FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Idaho Technology Council and Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber Announce iTECH Summit Inland Northwest 2026 Program


Regional leaders, AI innovators, entrepreneurs, and emerging talent will convene October 21 in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — September 2, 2026 — The Idaho Technology Council (ITC), in partnership with the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber, today announced the program for iTECH Summit Inland Northwest 2026, taking place Wednesday, October 21, at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Produced by ITC as part of its statewide iTECH Summit series, the event marks ITC's first program in North Idaho and will bring together business leaders, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and community partners under the theme Tech Powered. Community Led.

The morning summit begins at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast networking, a sponsor expo, and exhibitor connections, followed by main-stage programming from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.


"This program reflects what is possible when technology, business, education, and community leaders come together around a shared vision for the Inland Northwest," said Diane Temple, President and CEO of the Idaho Technology Council. "It is designed to make space for real conversations about the future of work, the companies and ideas being built here, and the partnerships required to turn innovation into lasting regional opportunity."

"We're grateful to partner with the Idaho Technology Council and an incredible group of organizations that share our commitment to growing North Idaho's technology community," said Linda Coppess, President and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber. "By bringing technology and business leaders together to exchange ideas, share best practices, and build meaningful connections, we are creating opportunities for collaboration that can strengthen our businesses and help grow the region's technology ecosystem."


Morning Summit Program

The morning opens with welcome remarks from Linda Coppess and Diane Temple, followed by a keynote from Alex Stanton, founder of ThinkPurple, and Meet the Boss LIVE: The Future of Work, moderated by Mark Norton, principal of Norton Strategic Consulting and executive director of NIMA.

The executive panel will explore how AI, technology, and evolving workforce expectations are reshaping leadership, hiring, and operations across the Inland Northwest. Panelists include:

Rick Rasmussen, CEO, Northwest Specialty Hospital

Mike Kennedy, President and CEO, Intermax Networks

Jacob Bonwell, President and CEO, ALTEK Inc.

Gena Hoxha, Chief People and AI Officer, Ignitium

Katie McKay, Vice President, MacKay Manufacturing


The summit will also feature AI Innovators You Should Know, moderated by Mark Olson, executive coach, advisor, investor, and co-founder of M+L Advisors. The conversation will highlight entrepreneurs and technology leaders advancing innovation across cybersecurity, AI, industrial robotics, hospitality, agriculture, gaming, and secure social platforms.

Featured participants include Garrett Oetken, co-founder and head of protocol at Tensora; John Shovic, director of the University of Idaho's Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics; Sam Jankovich, CEO of GuideTime; Joni Kindwall-Moore, CEO of The Ryzosphere; and Jen Richey, COO and co-founder of Haiven, Inc.

The morning will conclude with the IDEA² Lightning Pitch Showcase, ITC's third iTECH pitch competition of 2026. Entrepreneurs from across the Inland Northwest will pitch their business ideas live, one slide and ninety seconds at a time, before a live judging panel and audience.

In advance of the competition, ITC is partnering with Bill Kalivas and InnovateINW, alongside the Hagadone Technology team, to host September pitch sessions for students and local entrepreneurs. The sessions will give founders an opportunity to practice their pitches, receive constructive feedback, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs and Springboard advisors. The top three IDEA² winners will receive startup funding prizes, while attendees will select an Audience Choice award.

"Great pitches are built through practice, feedback, and connection," said Bill Kalivas, Founder and Executive Director of InnovateINW. "Through September pitch sessions with the Hagadone Technology team, students and local entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to refine their ideas, receive direct and constructive feedback, and connect with experienced founders and Springboard advisors. We are excited to help carry that momentum into the IDEA² Pitch Competition and create a stronger pathway for emerging entrepreneurs across the Inland Northwest."

Sarah Gerdes, co-founder of Incluud and author, will deliver the closing keynote, sharing reflections on entrepreneurship, building innovative companies, strategic partnerships, and the opportunity to create technology that strengthens people and communities.


Innovation Tours and VIP Executive Fireside Chat

Between the morning summit and afternoon VIP gathering, attendees can tour the shared Robotics, Automation, and AI Lab, a partnership between the University of Idaho Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics and North Idaho College X-Labs. The tour offers a firsthand look at how cross-institution collaboration is connecting learning with innovation and workforce opportunity."Some of the most valuable insights emerge when people with different experiences come together to learn from one another," said Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation, North Idaho College. "iTECH Summit Inland Northwest creates space for those conversations, where shared knowledge becomes a catalyst for innovation."

From 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Hagadone Technology will host an invitation-only VIP Executive Fireside Chat at its Coeur d'Alene headquarters, moderated by Jake Nicklay, Director of Sales at Hagadone Technologies. The conversation will feature Andrew Cook, founder of Breaking Alpha; Mysty Rusk, Executive Director of the Coeur d'Alene Area Economic Development Corporation (CdAEDC); and Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation at North Idaho College. The gathering is reserved for Premier Sponsors, summit speakers, and invited regional leaders, and will include a welcome reception, moderated executive conversation, and closing networking.

" The Idaho Technology Council is a group of technology companies and individuals in Idaho working together to connect people, ideas, expertise and capital to move the technology evolution faster. Founded in 2009 in the Boise Valley, the ITC sponsored Capital Connect conference highlighting the Idaho Deal Flow Report, the “50 to the A” program, plus the new Idaho Tech Economy report. The iTECH Summit, co-sponsored with the Coeur d’Alene regional Chamber, on October 21, 2026, will be the first ITC event in North Idaho. I’ve been fortunate to be part of the ITC almost from the beginning and this event will be a key cross fertilization opportunity for Tech companies and entrepreneurs in the Coeur d’Alene/Spokane area,” Steve Meyer, Founder of Intermax Neworks, ITC Board of Trustee Director and inducted into the ITC Hall of Fame 2014


Registration and Sponsorship

Registration is open for the morning summit, including Summit Pass and nonprofit-rate options. Sponsorship opportunities remain available.

Register HERE

Sponsorship opportunities


iTECH Summit Inland Northwest is presented in partnership with the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber, with support from Hagadone Technology, M+L Advisors, FatBeam Fiber, Idaho Central Credit Union, InnovateINW, and ThinkPurple.


About the Idaho Technology Council

The Idaho Technology Council is a statewide technology association dedicated to advancing Idaho's technology economy through member engagement, workforce initiatives, events, education, and advocacy.

About the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber

The Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber supports business growth, advocacy, and community partnerships throughout North Idaho.

Media Contacts

Diane Temple President & CEO, Idaho Technology Council Diane@IdahoTechCouncil.org

Linda Coppess President & CEO, Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber Linda@CDAChamber.com

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