3rd Annual VRARA Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit

NOTE YOU MUST REGISTER FOR A TICKET EACH DAY ON APRIL 9th & APRIL 10th. The format and content of each day is different.

ALSO: The Technology expo will be open from 11AM to 5PM EACH DAY - OPEN HOUSE - No advance registration required.

SEE AGENDA BELOW for details of each day.

The VR/AR Association Central Florida Chapter is pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit on April 9th and 10th at the Central Florida Tech Grove on the University of Central Florida Campus.

Every year the Central Florida Chapter hosts a summit and conference to provide members of our community with a forum to learn about immersive technologies, how they are being developed and implemented locally and globally with a focus on the MS&T industry.

This year’s theme is “The Intersection of XR and AI” and will span 2 days of workshops, presentations and a hands-on technology showcase, 2 evening socials to provide attendees and opportunity to network.

This conference is free and open to the public. There will also be a technology expo for agencies and industry to showcase their technologies and solutions.

April 9th - “How are XR and AI technologies impacting Academia, Research and the Public Sector and how can collaboration drive awareness and adoption”

The first day will be focused around our Universities, colleges and applied research programs. The entire day will be structured around working group session lead by faculty and researchers from UCF, FullSail, UF, USF , Embry Riddle & The University of Miami

Topic 1 - XR and AI Technology in Higher Education and Vocational Training

Topic 2 - XR and AI in Healthcare

Topic 3 - XR and AI in Aerospace and National Security

April 10th Theme - “How XR and AI technologies are enabling the MS&T industry, National Security and the Public Sector and how organizations can accelerate growth and adoption”

This day will contain a series of presentations and panel discussions provided by Government, Military and Industry leaders and technology experts.

Join leaders from NAWCTSD, PEO STRI, AFAMS, USSF, PM TRASYS along with other agencies and industry executives to explore the topics below:

• How is XR and AI is transforming MS&T - Government Leaders Panel discussion
• How is XR and AI transforming MS&T - Government Technical Leaders Panel discussion
• XR and AI - US Legislation and Policy Update - Presentation
• XR and AI - Why Orlando is Leader in Innovation - Panel Discussion
• XR and AI in Healthcare - Panel Discussion
• XR and AI in Energy Public Sector focus - Panel Discussion
• XR and AI in Space Exploration and Defense - Where is XR scaling - Panel Discussion
• XR and AI in Public Safety - Panel Discussion

The Video below is an excerpt from an interview on Wesh 2 News with John Cunningham and Haifa Maamar in preparation of the 2024 2nd Annual VRARA Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit that was hosted by Full Sail University.

This year's event will be hosted by the University of Central Florida at the Central Florida Tech Grove.

Info: Carol Ann Dykes Logue is the Co-Founder and Director of the Central Florida Tech Grove and has been a leader in innovation in the Central Florida Community for many years. Carol Ann will be the event leader for the day along with our 2025 Central Florida Immersive Technology Summit Chair Candace Croughwell!

Info: Tom Merrick is leading initiatives at the University of Miami and across North America to foster collaboration in applications and research of XR. He is the Chair of the VR/AR Association North America Universities and Colleges Committee. Tom will share how academia and researchers can work together to drive adoption of XR!

Info: Session Topic: Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have become prominent research topics in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Computer Science in general. Previously, research on these topics happened primarily within their respective fields. However, tools and technologies such as Unity3D and Keras have made XR and AI more accessible to researchers from different domains and backgrounds. As a consequence, a new research field has emerged at the intersection of XR and AI. This session will ask participants to identify how this intersection can enable research and what are some of the challenges and recommended solutions. Refer to https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3544548.3581072

Info: Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing healthcare by enhancing diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. AI-powered algorithms assist in early disease detection, personalized treatment plans, and medical imaging analysis, improving accuracy and efficiency. Meanwhile, XR technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), are transforming medical training, surgical procedures, and patient rehabilitation. Surgeons use AR for real-time visualization of complex anatomy, while VR aids in pain management and mental health therapy. Together, XR and AI are driving innovation, making healthcare more precise, immersive, and accessible. This session will focus on exploring how collaboration between universities, industry and associations like the VRARA can help to accelerate the adoption of XR and AI or reduce friction points to adoption

Info: Have lunch, connect with fellow attendees at visit the Technology Expo inside the Tech Grove to see some of the latest research and solutions.

Info: Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are playing critical roles in aerospace and national security by enhancing training, operations, and decision-making.
Aerospace:
Autonomous Systems:
Air Traffic Management:
XR-based Training & Simulation:
National Security:
AI-driven Threat Detection:
Surveillance & Reconnaissance:
Cybersecurity:
XR for Tactical Training:
Together, XR and AI are transforming aerospace and national security by enhancing efficiency, safety, and strategic capabilities in both military and civilian applications.
This session will explore how academia, research and associations like the VRARA can assist to help accelerate adoption of XR and AI.

Info: Join us for drinks and hor dourves at the outdoor (covered Patio) at the Celeste Hotel restaurant to connect and network with fellow conference attendees.

Info: Orlando is recognized as the epicenter of the modeling and simulation world where XR found its origin. How can organizations leverage the competencies and skills right here in the region. What programs exist and how can companies access those. Join some the leaders driving innovation in Central Florida!

Info: The Healthcare industry is being disrupted by XR and AI technologies. This panel discussion will focus on where the healthcare industry is headed and why organizations from Orlando are in a prime position to drive innovation. This panel will be led by Orlando based Neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Masson and a panel of healthcare experts.

Info: How can XR and AI technologies enable first responders and emergency response leaders improve public safety. What are the opportunities and challenges for solutions providers and how can Associations such as the National Tactical Officers Association and the National Center for Integrated Emergency Response (NCIER) here in Orlando lead the way. Our panel moderator is Bill Godfrey, Retired Fire Chief, CEO of C3 Pathways, an Orlando based training services provider and founder of the NCIER.

Info: OPEN HOUSE - NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED Come get hands on with some of the latest solutions that incorporate XR, AI, and other emerging technologies. The expo will feature local companies from Central Florida as well as global technology companies.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Central Florida Tech Grove, 12809 Science Drive, Orlando, United States