About this Event
North Carolina's boards and commissions make decisions that shape how people work, build, and do business across the state. But the people doing that work rarely get the chance to compare notes.
Progress in Practice brings together members and staff from licensing, permitting, and titling boards, commissions, and state agencies for a full day focused on what's actually working. Sessions cover practical applications of AI and emerging technology in regulatory operations, workforce and licensure trends shaping the pipeline, legislative and policy updates, and peer conversations about the operational challenges every board is navigating.
This is a working day, not a showcase. Expect candid discussion, applicable takeaways, and time to build relationships with counterparts you'd otherwise only meet by email.
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 8 AM to 5 PM
McKimmon Center, NC State Campus, Raleigh
WHO CAN ATTEND: This event is open to members and staff of North Carolina licensing, permitting, and titling boards, commissions, and state agencies only. It is not open to vendors or the general public.
AGENDA, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12
8 to 9 AM: Coffee and Breakfast
9 to 9:30 AM: Opening Session
9:45 to 10:30 AM: Breakout Sessions, choose one
Legislative Update, with Chris Wall, EQV Strategic
Communicating with Government, with Sadie Weiner and Ford Porter, WP Advisors
10:45 to 11:30 AM: Risk Management for Boards and Commissions, with Liz Hale, IIANC, and Latarsha Silver, NC Department of Insurance
11:30 AM to 12:15 PM: Roundtable Discussion
12:15 to 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 to 2 PM: AI Breakout Sessions, choose one
AI in Communications, with Kelley O'Brien, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Adopting AI at Work, with Mark McNeilly, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
2 to 2:30 PM: Fireside Chat with Secretary Nate Denny, NC Department of Information Technology
2:45 to 3:30 PM: Roundtable Discussion
3:30 to 4 PM: Crisis Communications and How to Handle Them, with John Mims, High Point University
4 to 5 PM: Happy Hour and Networking
Breaks at 9:30, 10:30 and 2:30.
SPEAKERS
Secretary Nate Denny, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, NC Department of Information Technology
Liz Hale, Director of Risk Management, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina
Latarsha Silver, Division Chief for Risk Management, Office of State Fire Marshal, NC Department of Insurance
Chris Wall, Partner, EQV Strategic
Sadie Weiner, Principal, WP Advisors
Ford Porter, Principal, WP Advisors
Kelley O'Brien, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management and Corporate Communication, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Mark McNeilly, Professor of the Practice of Marketing, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
John Mims, Chair and Professor of the Practice, Strategic Communication, High Point University
Full speaker bios and details at ncboardsandcommissionsconference.com
Agenda and speakers subject to change.
Event venue & nearby stays
McKimmon Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, United States
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