Cloud Nirvana Cincinnati: Transformation at Scale
About this Event
Join us on Sept 24, 2026, at Sparkhaus in Covington, KY, for Cloud Nirvana Cincinnati: Transformation at Scale - a conference exploring what happens when cloud and AI move beyond individual projects and begin reshaping entire organizations.
Cloud and AI are no longer emerging technologies. For many organizations, they're becoming foundational capabilities that influence how businesses operate, make decisions, manage risk, and create value. But transformation at scale isn't just about technology - it requires new operating models, new ways of leading, and a willingness to rethink how work gets done.
This event is about the realities of enterprise transformation.
Throughout the day, you'll hear honest, experience-driven stories from practitioners who have led organizations through meaningful change. We'll explore the successes, the setbacks, the difficult tradeoffs, and the lessons learned along the way. Sessions will cover organizational transformation, enterprise architecture, platform engineering, AI adoption, governance, security, compliance, operating models, and the cultural shifts required to scale innovation responsibly.
Rather than celebrating perfect success stories, we'll focus on the conversations that matter most: what worked, what didn't, what surprised us, and what others can learn from the journey.
Whether you're a CIO, technology executive, enterprise architect, cloud engineer, security leader, platform engineer, AI practitioner, or an early-career professional preparing to lead the next generation of transformation, Cloud Nirvana Cincinnati: Transformation at Scale will provide practical insights, actionable strategies, and meaningful connections with leaders who are navigating these same challenges.
Come learn, connect, and leave with a clearer understanding of what it takes to transform not just technology - but organizations.
Because transformation isn't measured by how much technology you deploy. It's measured by how effectively your organization evolves.
We look forward to seeing you in Cincinnati.
A special thank you to our 2026 sponsors for making this event possible:
Big Kitty Labs, Glean, Expedient, Sigma Computing, Alkira, ATC, Aztra, CBTS, Presidio, Rubrik, RWX, Veeva
See you there!
Cloud Nirvana Team
Code of Conduct for Cloud Nirvana
Purpose
At Cloud Nirvana , we are committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and collaborative environment where all participants feel welcome and respected. This Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and staff to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Expected Behavior
- Respect Others: Treat all participants with kindness, respect, and consideration. Avoid inappropriate, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and language.
- Collaboration and Openness: Engage constructively with others. Share knowledge, ideas, and feedback in a respectful and professional manner.
- Adhere to Venue Policies: Follow all rules and regulations set by the event venue and organizers.
- Protect Privacy: Obtain explicit consent before photographing, recording, or publicly sharing information about other attendees.
Unacceptable Behavior
- Harassment: Harassment of any kind, including but not limited to verbal abuse, intimidation, or inappropriate physical contact.
- Discrimination: Any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.
- Disruption: Disruptive behavior that interferes with sessions, networking, or other event activities.
- Unlawful Conduct: Engaging in illegal activities during the event.
Sharing of Contact Information
As part of our commitment to providing a valuable experience, Cloud Nirvana collaborates with sponsors to deliver relevant resources and opportunities to attendees. By registering for this event, you agree to share your contact information (e.g., name, company, email) with sponsors for follow-up communications unless you notify event organizers prior to the event. Additionally, by purchasing a ticket, you agree to receive marketing information from Cloud Nirvana.
If you prefer not to have your contact information shared, please email [email protected].
Attendance Policy
Cloud Nirvana events are reserved exclusively for technology practitioners and leaders. We strive to create a space for industry professionals to exchange knowledge and collaborate. Cloud Nirvana reserves the right to refund ticket purchases for non-practitioners at its sole discretion.
Reporting Violations
If you experience or witness any violations of this Code of Conduct, please report them immediately to the event organizers. You can:
- Approach any staff member wearing an official badge.
- Email us at [email protected].
All reports will be handled confidentially and with sensitivity.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
Participants who are found to violate this Code of Conduct may face consequences including but not limited to:
- Verbal or written warnings.
- Expulsion from the event without refund.
- Referral to appropriate authorities.
The organizers reserve the right to take appropriate action to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.
Acknowledgment
By registering for and attending Cloud Nirvana, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.
Thank you for helping us create an inclusive and respectful event experience for everyone!
Agenda
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Opening + Welcome.
Host: Chris Bittlinger, Solutions Architect @ Presidio
Info: Every community has a story. Presidio Solutions Architect Chris Bittlinger opens the afternoon by welcoming Cincinnati to Cloud Nirvana and sharing a look back at the year that brought us here -- the speakers who showed up, the conversations that sparked something, and the practitioners across Columbus, Cleveland, and now Cincinnati who are quietly building the future of cloud and AI in the Midwest.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
I Let AI Run My Business. Here's What Running It Looks Like.
Host: Sean Erikson, CEO & Co-Founder, Cloud Nirvana
Info: That title is a lie Sean Erikson tells at parties. He didn't hand his business to an AI and walk away, and the real story is far more useful. For 18 months he's been building an agentic AI operating system in public, and sharing what he learned as he went. Earlier this year he covered what broke, then the patterns he built to fix it. This is the field report from six months later: what a real operational AI system looks like once the demos end and production begins.
The surprise isn't the agents. It's everything you have to build around them, the onboarding, the guardrails, the observability, and the discipline that lets a system run when no one's watching. Including the night his most trusted agent bypassed its own security boundary, and what that cost to fix. Not a case study. Not a pitch. A practitioner's honest account of what "transformation at scale" actually takes.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
From Creation to Innovation: The Universal Patterns Behind Every Breakthrough.
Host: Matt Sias, Founder @ Innovation Acceleration, LLC
Info: For decades, we've treated creativity as mysterious and innovation as unpredictable. But from Soviet patent research to Israeli cognitive psychology to design labs across Europe and the U.S., a different story emerges: the world's breakthroughs follow a small set of recognizable patterns, and for the first time, those patterns are teachable at scale. This session reveals what they are, and makes the case that the next leap forward isn't AI replacing human creativity, but finally giving it the reach it always deserved.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Break + Networking.
Info: Grab a drink, swap stories, and meet the people building real systems in your backyard. This is where the best conversations happen.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Intentional Machines: Designing AI That Thinks With Purpose, Not Just Prompts.
Host: Chris Brock, Founder @ QuantumProof
Info: Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from isolated chatbots into persistent systems of collaborating agents. But the next breakthrough isn't simply building more capable AI -- it's designing machines that operate with intentionality. In this talk, Chris explores what an "Intentional Machine" is, why intent may become the defining architecture of next-generation AI, and how organizations can move beyond prompt engineering toward orchestrating AI systems that reason, plan, remember, coordinate, and execute meaningful work. Drawing from philosophy, mathematics, agentic AI, and real-world enterprise implementations, he shares a practical framework for building AI that is not only more powerful, but more purposeful, trustworthy, and aligned with human goals.
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Build, Break, Scale: A Practitioner Panel on AI in the Real World.
Host: Arian Green, Host @ AI on the Rocks Podcast
Info: The demos are easy. Production is where it gets interesting. AI on the Rocks host Arian Green moderates a candid conversation between three practitioners who are building and running AI systems at scale right now -- QuantumProof Founder Chris Brock, InnovationAcceleration.ai Founder Matt Sias, and Cloud Nirvana CEO Sean Erikson. No polished case studies. No vendor pitches. Just honest answers about what's working, what's broken, and what "transformation at scale" actually demands from the people doing the work.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Closing + Happy Hour.
Host: Sean Erikson, CEO, Cloud Nirvana
Info: Ben Blanquera wraps the day with energy, key takeaways, and a call to action. Then stick around. The conversations that start during happy hour are the ones that turn into collaborations, partnerships, and the kind of relationships that make this community what it is. Drinks are on us.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 21.20
