7:30-9:00 a.m.
8:00-9:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m. (10 mins)
9:10 a.m. (20 mins)
Gain a clear, executive-level perspective on why quantum belongs in the boardroom, not just the lab. Presented by Janet Rehberg, President and CEO-elect of EPB, this session highlights how EPB is advancing real-world quantum capabilities. EPB is an energy and fiber optics provider and a national leader in advanced infrastructure.
The session will also cover EPB’s work on the nation’s first commercially available quantum network, as well as the EPB Quantum Center℠. The center provides access to both quantum computing and high-performance classical computing, creating a unique environment for accelerating practical, real-world applications.
9:30 a.m. (15 mins)
Hear from government leaders, including Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, representing city, state, and regional leadership as they outline why Tennessee’s moment is now. This session will explore the state’s push to compete in advanced technologies, the importance of industry-led adoption, and the critical role of workforce development in building a strong quantum ecosystem and driving long-term economic opportunity.
9:45 a.m. (30 mins)
Quantum has reached the point where leaders don’t need to understand how it works, but they do need to understand how it could reshape markets. Hear why quantum is such a big opportunity, how industries can benefit and which industries can benefit the most from early adoption and why.
10:15 a.m. (15 mins)
10:30 a.m. (30 mins)
Building public-private partnerships, identifying use cases, and developing business models are essential to accelerate market adoption and make quantum technologies more “bankable” in real-world applications.
11:00 a.m. (30 mins)
A practical, no nonsense look at what quantum is and where it is helping leaders cut through hype to understand where it fits today. Presented by Dr. Shaun Gleason, Director of Partnerships at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a leading U.S. Department of Energy lab at the forefront of advanced computing and quantum research. This session will help you identify the right use cases, avoid common mistakes, and evaluate when quantum offers an advantage over classical and AI approaches.
11:30 a.m. (45 min)
12:15 p.m. (30 mins)
Led by Evann Freeman, Vice President of Government and Community Relations at EPB, this fireside chat brings together key state government officials to discuss why quantum matters now for economic competitiveness and national security, and how Tennessee is leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate real world applications, enable early industry adoption, and position the state as a national model for quantum commercialization.
12:45 p.m. (30 mins)
A look at why business engagement with quantum is no longer a question of if, but how and when, featuring Niccolo de Masi, Chairman & CEO of IonQ, a leading quantum computing company advancing commercially available systems and applications. Gain insight into what early adopters are doing today, the types of problems being explored, and what leaders are learning as they begin putting quantum into practice.
1:15 p.m. (45 mins)
Led by IonQ, this session brings together business leaders to share real-world use case examples that move beyond theory and into application. Presented in clear, accessible terms, you’ll hear how organizations identified problems suited for quantum, partnered to explore solutions, and what outcomes they’ve achieved so far.
Focused on the business, not the technical details, this discussion will highlight why these problems were chosen, what challenges emerged, the value gained (even in early stages), and the practical insights that are already shaping executive decision-making and future roadmaps.
2:00 p.m. (15 mins)
2:15 (45 min)
This panel brings together leaders from Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), and Tennessee Tech to explore how quantum innovation transitions from academic research into real business application.
Led by Charlie Brock, CEO of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC), with participation from Rick Mukherjee, PhD, Director of the Quantum Center at UTC and Associate Professor of Physics, and Krishnendu (Krish) Roy, PhD, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering and University Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt University, the discussion will focus on how universities partner with industry to provide access to research, technical expertise, and emerging talent. Learn how these collaborations help companies engage earlier, apply quantum in practical ways, and build the workforce needed to support long-term innovation.
3:00 p.m. (30 mins)
A business-focused look at the distinct roles of AI and quantum computing, and where each creates the most impact. This session will clarify how AI excels in pattern recognition, prediction, and automation. We’ll also explore how quantum is emerging as a powerful tool for solving highly complex optimization and simulation problems.
Learn how the two approaches can complement—not compete with—each other, how to identify which technology fits your business challenge, and how leading organizations are beginning to explore combined strategies to unlock new value.
3:30 p.m. (20 mins)
You don't have to go it alone, or fund it alone. This session cuts through the noise to spotlight the funding opportunities your organization can pursue right now to support quantum innovation. Hear from CQC's Charlie Brock, Matt Cimaglia, Founder & Managing Partner of Quantum Coast Capital, and Daniel Crawley, Manager of Strategic Research at EPB as they share practical pathways, real examples, and the insider knowledge that turns interest into action. From state and federal grants to private investment strategies fueling the quantum economy, leave with a clearer picture of where the money is and how to go after it.
3:50 p.m. (10 mins)
Closing the day, Janet Rehberg, President and CEO-elect of EPB, outlines three practical decisions leaders should act on now to prepare their organizations for a quantum-enabled future. This session will focus on why security readiness is unavoidable, the importance of understanding your organization’s data, ownership, and timelines, and how to identify a single, high value problem worth learning from, not necessarily the biggest, but the most instructive. Leaders will leave with a clearer view of how to engage resources and take meaningful next steps with confidence.
