Pre-Conference Workshop Day | Monday, March 23 2026

7:30 am - 8:00 am Registration and Networking Break

8:00 am - 9:30 am Workshop A: Unlocking Operational Excellence: Building a Connected Digital Strategy

This session guides energy leaders through designing a digitalization strategy that connects frontline workers to the data, tools, and insights they need to drive safety, efficiency, and performance. Learn how to align technology with workforce needs, break down data silos, and scale connected worker programs across operations. 

Key Themes: 

  • Define what success looks like for your connected worker strategy 
  • Identify key tools, mobile apps, wearables, AR/VR, and digital workflows, that enable real-time decision-making 
  • Break down silos across OT, IT, and ET systems to deliver unified, actionable data 
  • Build intuitive, worker-friendly interfaces that drive engagement and usage 
  • Use connected worker tools to reduce downtime, improve safety, and streamline maintenance 
  • Track KPIs like productivity, compliance, and workforce retention to demonstrate ROI 
  • Learn how to pilot, iterate, and expand digital worker programs across teams and sites 

8:00 am - 9:30 am Workshop B: Designing for Adoption: Taking a Human-Centered Approach to Digital Transformation
Holly Frankenfield - Director - Land Administration, Vital Energy

Digital transformation initiatives often fail not because of the technology, but due to poor user adoption and lack of strategic alignment. This session explores how to embed behavioral science and human-centered design into connected worker programs. Through real-world examples, attendees will learn how to align digital tools with business strategy, engage diverse workforce demographics, and ensure pilots scale into enterprise-wide success. 

Key Themes: 

  • Why digital transformation must begin with business goals, not technology. And how to align initiatives accordingly 
  • Uncovering user barriers, integrating tools into workflows, and applying behavioral science to drive sustained engagement 
  • Tactics for overcoming resistance from legacy workers while empowering digitally native employees through collaboration 
  • How to design pilot programs that demonstrate clear ROI and secure buy-in for broader rollout 
  • Establishing measurable outcomes and ROI frameworks to guide implementation and justify investment 
  • Focusing on solving user pain points before selecting tools to ensure relevance and usability. 
  • Moving beyond traditional models by embedding behavioral insights and user-centered design into transformation efforts 
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Holly Frankenfield

Director - Land Administration
Vital Energy

8:00 am - 9:30 am Workshop C: Emerging Technology for Real ROI: Lessons from the Frontline

As connected worker technologies evolve, from wearables to agentic AI, the challenge shifts from innovation to adoption and value realization. This workshop explores how to critically evaluate new tools and identify technologies that truly deliver ROI. Drawing from real-world experience the session will highlight the nuances of adoption, the importance of security and data governance, and the need for pragmatic tech strategies. 

Key Themes: 

  • How to assess new technologies for real operational value, not just novelty 
  • Aligning tech investments with business goals and tracking success using specific, measurable KPIs. 
  • Evaluating full lifecycle costs to understand true ROI 
  • Measuring productivity gains and cost savings while also considering employee satisfaction and operational agility 
  • Assessing how technologies can enhance internal capabilities, competitive positioning, and future readiness 
  • Weighing short-term wins against long-term transformation potential

9:30 am - 9:45 am Networking Break

9:45 am - 11:15 am Workshop C: Agentic AI: The Next Level of Connected Workers

Agentic AI systems, and their capability for autonomous decision-making will significantly transform energy operations. However, implementation across complex operational environments can be challenging, especially when you are looking to scale beyond a single plant Agentic AI systems, and their capability for autonomous decision-making will significantly transform energy operations. However, implementation across complex operational environments can be challenging, especially when you are looking to scale beyond a single plantJoin this workshop to understand how to overcome the challenges you will face during the implementation stage and the benefits that can be achieved. 

Key Themes: 

  • How Agentic AI is the solution you need when there isn’t enough human talent to get the job done 
  • The importance of data quality when it comes to maximizing the impact of Agentic AI across OT environments 
  • Identifying the best use cases for Agentic AI that can deliver real ROI  
  • Identifying critical skill gaps and developing upskilling programs so your workforce can successfully support and interact with Agentic AI 
  • Moving beyond providing practical insights and information to an agent that will proactively look for anomalies and provide resolution recommendations  

9:45 am - 11:15 am Workshop D: Predictive by Design: Data-Driven Asset Management

In an increasingly complex manufacturing environment, maintenance isn't just about fixing what's broken, it's about predicting what’s next. This workshop explores how predictive maintenance, powered by industrial data and AI, is transforming asset management and unlocking a new level of productivity and reliability for the connected worker.

Our dynamic workshop leaders will demonstrate how to operationalize siloed data, empower frontline teams with actionable insights, and create a connected maintenance ecosystem where workers, systems, and assets communicate in real time. Key Themes: 

  • Understanding the evolution of maintenance, from reactive firefighting to data-driven foresight 
  • Connecting workers to the asset ecosystem with mobile apps, AR interfaces, and digital twins to deliver real-time asset status and recommendations directly to frontline workers 
  • How to break down data silos across enterprise systems, sensors, historian databases, and asset registries 
  • Building a common language of data that feeds both predictive models and operator workflows 
  • Designing workflows that turn predictive insights into scheduled tasks, routed to the right worker, at the right time, with the right context 
  • Identifying patterns that humans can’t, predicting failure, optimizing servicing, and reducing unplanned downtime 
  • Step-by-step guidance on moving from pilot to full-scale deployment 

9:45 am - 11:15 am Workshop E: Enabling the Connected Worker Through Scalable Data Governance

In today’s energy landscape, data governance is the foundation for operational excellence. This workshop explores how energy companies can unlock the full potential of their industrial data by integrating, contextualizing, and governing it across OT, IT, and ET systems.

Attendees will learn how to build a trusted data ecosystem that empowers connected workers and drives smarter decision-making across the enterprise. 

Key Themes: 

  • Solving the “industrial data problem” by eliminating fragmentation and disconnection 
  • Reducing the cost and complexity of scaling data-driven solutions 
  • Increasing operational efficiency with quick access to trusted, contextualized data 
  • Freeing up data experts from manual data wrangling to focus on strategic analysis 

11:15 am - 11:45 am Networking Lunch

11:45 am - 1:15 pm Workshop F: Next-Gen Connectivity: Unlocking Operational Efficiency with Private 5G and Industry 4.0

This session explores how private 5G networks and advanced digital technologies are transforming energy operations, from power generation to utilities. Attendees will learn how enhanced connectivity supports Industrial IoT, predictive maintenance, augmented reality, and digital twins, driving improvements in asset management, grid reliability, and operational safety.

The workshop also highlights how energy-efficient network infrastructure contributes to sustainability goals. 

Key Themes:  

  • Unlock reliable, high-speed, low-latency connectivity with private 5G tailored for complex energy environments 
  • Connect and manage thousands of sensors for real-time monitoring, automation, and control across facilities 
  • Boost asset visibility and safety through secure, enterprise-wide network infrastructure 
  • Enable smarter, more responsive grids that integrate renewables and adapt to dynamic energy demand 
  • Drive energy efficiency and sustainability with advanced network capabilities that optimize performance 
  • Align connectivity investments with operational goals and long-term transformation strategies

11:45 am - 1:15 pm Workshop G: Turning Data into Decisions: Unlocking Efficiency and Reliability


This session explores how energy companies can harness big data, machine learning, and AI to optimize plant and field operations. From predictive maintenance to smart grid optimization, attendees will learn how to apply data analytics to improve performance, reduce costs, enhance safety, and support the energy transition. 

Key Themes: 

  • Using sensor data to anticipate equipment failures, schedule proactive servicing, and minimize downtime 
  • Identifying inefficiencies across plants and distributed systems, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall performance 
  • Training models to detect patterns, predict outcomes, and automate decisions 
  • Enabling advanced insights and intelligent automation with AI 
  • Connecting sensors and devices for real-time data collection 
  • Using dashboards and reports to make complex insights actionable

11:45 am - 1:15 pm Workshop H: Robotics in Action: Enhancing Autonomous Inspection and Mobility

This session explores how advanced robotics are transforming inspection, maintenance, and safety in energy operations. Attendees will learn how mobile robots equipped with sensors, cameras, and AI capabilities are enabling remote monitoring, reducing manual risk, and improving operational efficiency across plants, refineries, and field environments. 

Key Themes: 

  • Enable autonomous inspections with mobile robots that navigate complex industrial sites without human intervention 
  • Capture rich visual, thermal, and acoustic data to power predictive maintenance and early anomaly detection 
  • Integrate seamlessly with CMMS, SCADA, and enterprise systems for real-time insights and streamlined workflows 
  • Enhance safety and compliance by minimizing human exposure to hazardous environments 
  • Reduce downtime and boost asset performance through continuous, automated inspections 
  • Empower remote operations teams with real-time monitoring and control from anywhere 
  • Scale robotic inspection programs efficiently across multiple sites with proven deployment strategies 

1:15 pm - 1:30 pm Networking Break

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Workshop I: Scaling Connected Worker Technology Across the Enterprise

 Scaling connected worker technology requires more than technical readiness. Organizations must overcome barriers related to cost justification, infrastructure, cybersecurity, workforce adoption, and pilot limitations. This session explores how to build a holistic strategy that addresses the full value chain, aligns with business goals, and fosters a culture of change to support enterprise-wide deployment. 

Key Themes: 

  • Recognizing upfront investment in hardware, software, and infrastructure as a foundation for long-term value 
  • Quantifying ROI through reduced risk, productivity gains, and strategic impact 
  • Building persuasive business cases that highlight transformation beyond cost savings 
  • Aligning pilot projects with business goals to demonstrate value 
  • Overcoming legacy challenges by addressing fragmentation and integration barriers 
  • Designing scalable architectures that support evolving operational needs 
  • Mitigating data and connectivity risks to ensure secure, resilient digital operations

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Workshop J: Generative AI 101: Introduction to the Fundamentals
Grant Ecker - Chief Enterprise Architect, Ecolab

While the hype around Generative AI means the business community is now aware of the technology, many people are still relative beginners as it is a relatively new and rapidly evolving field with complex concepts and a variety of technical approaches. With that in mind, this workshop will explore the underlying principles of generative AI models and learn how to design and implement them for a variety of applications.  

Key Themes: 

  • Explore high-impact applications of Generative AI, from 3D object creation to interactive visuals and intelligent text generation 
  • Leverage today’s tools with a clear view of the current GenAI technology landscape and what’s ready to deploy 
  • Pinpoint high-value use cases to apply Generative AI where it drives the greatest business impact 
  • Optimize your data and models to unlock better performance and more accurate outcomes 
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Grant Ecker

Chief Enterprise Architect
Ecolab

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Workshop K: Building a Culture that Supports the Connected Workforce

Digital transformation succeeds when innovation is embedded into the culture, not just the technology stack. This workshop explores how to cultivate an environment where creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning thrive.

Attendees will learn how to define a clear vision, lead by example, empower employees, and build agile, collaborative teams that embrace change and drive transformation forward.

Key Themes: 

  • Set a bold transformation vision that directly supports strategic business outcomes 
  • Model innovation and adaptability to inspire teams and accelerate cultural change 
  • Empower teams with autonomy by decentralizing decision-making and fostering ownership 
  • Foster a culture of experimentation where effort is valued, even when results are uncertain 
  • Celebrate quick wins to build momentum and reinforce innovative mindsets 
  • Drive engagement and creativity by incentivizing digital adoption and fresh thinking 

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm Networking Break

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm Masterclass A: Managing CW Investment: Navigating Innovation and Avoiding Tech Debt
Brent Railey - Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
According to Bill Gates, AI is ‘the first technology that is happening faster than even the insiders expected’. With the rapid pace of innovation, energy leaders face a critical question: How do we invest in AI today without being left behind tomorrow?
In a landscape where AI capabilities are doubling every 6–10 months, the risk of technological obsolescence is real and costly. Poorly chosen initiatives can lead to mounting technical debt, draining resources from high-value opportunities and delaying ROI in markets where every dollar must count. This session will unpack the strategic and architectural decisions that can make or break your AI investments.
Through real-world insights and practical frameworks, we will:  
  • Explore the roots of tech debt by examining how rapid obsolescence, fragmented data strategies, and misaligned implementation approaches create long-term inefficiencies in AI systems, and learn strategies to avoid these pitfalls 
  • Understand the importance of designing for longevity through modular, component-based architectures that extend the lifecycle of AI systems, enabling you to integrate emerging models (like GenAI) without rebuilding from scratch 
  • Learn how to prioritize AI initiatives by evaluating not only their potential value but also their resilience to change to determine whether an initiatives long-term upkeep is justified in the rapidly evolving AI landscape 
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Brent Railey

Chief Data and Analytics Officer
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

We hear about AI every day, but the truth is, not all AI is the same. What if you could have AI that learns directly from your subject matter experts, combining their knowledge with traditional data to understand how your business really works? Imagine having an AI capability that does the heavy lifting in near real time, pinpoints what is wrong, weighs each possible response, and shows you the action that delivers the strongest outcome with reduced risk and higher profitability.

That is the power of Causal AI.

Generative AI, Traditional Data AI, AI Workflows, Causal AI, and Agentic AI each solve different classes of problems. In energy, where complexity is high and decisions carry enormous risk, choosing the wrong type of AI can waste investment and weaken trust. Choosing the right combination, anchored by Causal AI, can transform operations, safety, decision-making, and other complex challenges through cause and effect.

This masterclass will cut through the hype to show how the types of AI work together and why Causal AI and Agentic AI represent the next frontier for decision speed and enterprise intelligence.
Participants will learn to: 

    • Understand the five main types of AI (Generative, Data, Workflows, Causal, Agentic) and how each one contributes to an integrated Agentic AI system 
    • See how Causal AI combines expert knowledge with data to reason through cause and effect in complex operations 
    • Learn how AI types work together, with Causal AI serving as the reasoning layer for real-time decision support 
    • Explore practical use cases in energy that reduce risk, accelerate decisions, and increase profitability 
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    Ron Norris

    Innovation & Transformation Leader | AI Visionary | Business Growth Strategist
    Advanced Innovation Management

    3:15 pm - 5:30 pm The Connected Worker Executive Boardroom: Strictly Senior and Invitation Only

    Connected Worker technology is redefining the energy industry in a way that it hasn’t previously experienced, expanding ecosystems and value chains. In the current operating environment, a connected workforce isn’t just about boosting productivity — it’s about operations where technology, process, and people move as one.

    The Connected Worker Executive Boardroom is a peer to peer, highly interactive meeting for 25 senior energy executives actively working on connected worker projects. Carefully crafted case studies from the best in the industry, including how to:

    • Align connected worker tech with business goals, prioritize projects, and optimize your labour
    • Keep up with the rapidly evolving tech landscape, accelerate ROI and avoid tech debt by investing in high return technologies
    • Build senior leadership support and engagement and move connected worker tech from cost to value
    • Leverage CW tools as an enabler for change and profitability
    • Expand pilots to full scale deployment and turn connected worker tech into a strategic advantage

    Engage in deeper conversations and develop exclusive connections. In this intimate, closed-door setting you’ll have multiple opportunities to engage with peers, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships, creating opportunities for connection that other formats simply can’t offer. 

    Visionaries step this way.   

    The Executive Boardroom runs from 3:15-5:30 
    Post Boardroom Dinner, 5:30-7:30 


    6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Welcome Networking Reception

    Join us for a relaxed and engaging welcome reception, as we kick off the Connected Worker Energy Summit. This informal evening gathering is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow attendees, speakers, and partners in a casual setting before the main event begins. Enjoy a drink, make new connections, and set the stage for two days of insightful discussions and collaboration. We look forward to welcoming you! Join us for a relaxed and engaging welcome reception, as we kick off the Connected Worker Energy Summit. This informal evening gathering is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow attendees, speakers, and partners in a casual setting before the main event begins. Enjoy a drink, make new connections, and set the stage for two days of insightful discussions and collaboration. We look forward to welcoming you!