Presented By
The Organizations Behind the Event
Open Innovation Centers (OIC)
OIC builds hands-on learning and entrepreneurship programs across San Joaquin County — from the OIC Incubator to FuturePlay Academy — helping residents and business owners build real skills and real ventures.
Lodi Chamber of Commerce
The Lodi Chamber champions local business growth and connection, advocating for the Lodi business community and helping members access the resources, partnerships, and opportunities they need to thrive.
AWS & AWS Partners
Amazon Web Services and its partner network provide the cloud infrastructure and AI services behind the conference, plus the Partner Proof of Concept funding at the center of the Day 2 Pitch Event.
More About the AWS Partners
Minfy Technologies is an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner that helps organizations modernize, innovate, and grow through cloud and artificial intelligence solutions. Their expertise includes generative and agentic AI, cloud migration and modernization, data analytics, application development, cost optimization, cybersecurity, and managed services. They work closely with AWS to deliver secure, scalable solutions and help eligible customers access AWS funding programs that can reduce the upfront cost of assessments, proofs of concept, and implementation.
Emumba is an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner with the AWS AI Services Competency, helping SMBs build, modernize, and scale with AI and cloud on AWS. For over 15 years, they have turned technology into measurable results through world-class engineering and a design-first mindset. Today, they pair that foundation with practical AI expertise — meeting businesses wherever they are, helping define where they want to go, and working backward from there.
AI is changing how business gets done.
Hosted by Open Innovation Centers (OIC) and the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) partners, the AI Emergence Conference brings together business leaders, technology experts, and our regional community to explore what AI can do today and where it is headed next.
Whether you are just beginning to explore AI or are already using it in your organization, you'll have opportunities to learn, experiment, see real-world applications, and gain ideas you can take back to your business.
Our goal is simple: move beyond the hype. We want to help businesses take practical first steps with AI, explore what comes next, and do it without feeling overwhelmed by the growing number of tools, platforms, and possibilities.
Two Days. Practical AI. Real Business Opportunities.
Learn and get hands-on with AI on Day 1, then put ideas into action through
the Day 2 Proof of Concept Pitch Event.
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST) both days — join us for a light breakfast starting at 9:00 a.m. each day.
Who Should Attend
Is This Conference Right for You?
The AI Emergence Conference is built for the San Joaquin County business community — no technical background required.
Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
Looking for practical ways to put AI to work in your business.
Chamber & Community Members
Connecting with the Lodi business community and regional partners.
Team Leaders & Managers
Exploring how AI tools could support your team's day-to-day work.
Builders & Innovators
Bringing an AI or tech-focused idea you want to pitch on Day 2.
Conference Breakdown
Two Paths, Two Days
Every attendee starts with Day 1. From there, Day 1 attendance opens the door to a second path on Day 2 — taking your idea in front of judges and funders.
Learn, Explore & Get Hands-On
Hear from business and technology leaders, explore practical AI use cases, and learn how organizations are putting AI to work today. Multiple hands-on tracks let you engage with AI tools at a pace and depth that fits where you're starting from.
- Keynotes from business & technology leaders
- A live look at real-world AI use cases
- Hands-on AI tracks matched to your experience level
- Guided practice working directly with AI tools
- Networking reception to close out the day, with AWS & AWS partners
Your Day at a Glance
- 9:00 a.m. — Registration and light breakfast
- 10:00 a.m. — Conference begins, followed by business and AI discussions
- 12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch
- 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Business resources and training opportunities
- 2:15–5:00 p.m. — Hands-on AI tracks
5:00–6:00 p.m. — Networking. Stay for snacks and conversation with fellow attendees, AWS, and our AWS partners.
What You'll Walk Away With
Practical experience with AI tools, a clearer picture of where AI fits in your business, and next steps you can act on right away.
Bring
Your laptop — Day 1 is hands-on.
Featured Sessions
The Regional AI Pulse: What Business Leaders Are Seeing
Local Chamber of Commerce leaders share what they're seeing as AI begins to reshape business across the region — where adoption is happening, where businesses are getting stuck, and what training, resources, and support will help the regional economy navigate the AI era.
AI in Action: How Businesses Are Putting AI to Work
Business leaders and practitioners take us inside their organizations to show how AI is actually being adopted today — real-world use cases, implementation strategies, lessons learned, and how AI is changing the way their teams work.
Business Resources & Training Opportunities
Presented by WorkNet and the Economic Development Association, this session walks through the business resources available through the county — including the Employment Training Panel (ETP) program and other funding opportunities to help your business grow.
Proof of Concept Pitch Event
Day 2 opens with a morning round of qualifying pitches, where judges select the strongest ideas to advance. Those finalists take the stage that afternoon at the Pitch Event, presenting an AI or technology-focused idea they want to bring to life — a real shot at moving from concept toward a funded, partner-built proof of concept.
- Morning: qualifying pitches, judged to select the finalists
- Afternoon: the Pitch Event, finalists present to judges
- Judged by leaders from OIC, the Lodi Chamber & AWS partners
- Winners receive AWS Partner POC funding
- Networking session to close out the day
Your Day at a Glance
- 9:00 a.m. — Light breakfast
- 9:30 a.m. — Pitch qualifying round begins
- 11:30 a.m. — Deliberation and selection of finalists
- 12:00 p.m. — Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. — Afternoon pitch program begins, featuring opening remarks, finalist pitches, and Partner POC Funding awards
5:00–6:00 p.m. — Networking following the awards. Connect with other businesses and enjoy snacks as we close out the conference.
Eligibility
Day 1 attendance is required. Participation in the Day 2 POC Pitch Event is available to qualifying Day 1 attendees.
Total Funding
$40,000
Day 2 Opportunity
Up to $40,000 in Partner POC Funding
Winners can receive Partner Proof of Concept Funding to support the development and build of their proposed solution with an AWS Partner.
1st Place
Up to $25,000
AWS Partner POC Funding
2nd Place
Up to $10,000
AWS Partner POC Funding
3rd Place
Up to $5,000
AWS Partner POC Funding
This is not a cash prize and is not intended to cover AWS usage or cloud bills. Partner POC Funding supports the development and build of an approved proof of concept with an AWS Partner.
Ready to Join Us?
Reserve your spot for two days of practical AI, hands-on learning, and a chance to pitch your idea for up to $40,000 in AWS Partner POC funding.
Register NowRegistration closes Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 11:59pm PDT.
In Collaboration With
Thank You to Our Partners & Sponsors
The AI Emergence Conference is made possible through the support of organizations committed to helping businesses explore, adopt, and build with emerging technology.
Premier Sponsors
Amazon Web Services
Minfy Technologies AWS Premier Tier Services Partner
Emumba AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner
City of Lodi
Supporting Sponsors
iHub San Joaquin
San Joaquin Small Business Development Center
Additional sponsors and partners will be announced.
Get in Touch
Questions & Event Details
Have a Question?
We're Here to Help
If you have any questions about the AI Emergence Conference, reach out and we'll get back to you.
Contact Us