Managing the uncertainty of the pandemic
Thursday, September 9, 2021
by Eileen Manning, Co-Founder, Executive Producer, Cyber Security Summit
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the 11th annual Cyber Security Summit this fall, we have been inundated with questions about the safety of in-person attendance. Since the pandemic’s onset, keeping our attendees safe has been our top priority. To inform our decision-making, we’ve taken a measured approach to assess the Covid landscape, consulting with a spectrum of stakeholders and gleaning insights from trusted data points. Recently, we’ve observed a marked shift.
Between last Tuesday and Friday, Minnesota added an average of 1,882 new Covid cases per day, up from 1,557 new cases per day just the previous week. In an email poll to Summit speakers last week, over 50% responded they were uncomfortable traveling to present in person either due to company travel restrictions or personal concerns. Reviewing Summit registration reports, the majority of ticket purchases to-date are for Virtual-Only attendance. Based on these factors and wanting to utilize our resources to put together the very best Summit experience possible, we have decided to pivot and make the 11th Annual Cyber Security Summit virtual only.
We know that for those of you who are fully vaccinated and eager to connect in person, this is a disappointing announcement. Never before have we so valued being able to attend live events. How fitting that this year’s theme is The Power and Peril of Connection. We considered delaying the event until we could reconnect in-person, however the content we are prepared to deliver is needed now. Sharing cybersecurity solutions and education cannot be put on hold. The trends, takeaways and collaboration the Summit provides are crucial to securing your company, our nations and the world. By going virtual, registration pricing can be drastically reduced which should also make the Summit more accessible to a wider audience.
We have an exciting partnership with vFairs online platform and the Zoom Event Services team to make the Summit a dynamic and interactive experience. Attendees can go online, visit Security Solution Providers and build custom agendas in the month leading up to the Summit and also go online for 30 days post event to revisit presentations. For VIP All-Access Pass Holders, your experience will also include invitations to live events next spring and summer, a full year of access to presentations and a pre-Summit box filled with swag.
We would prefer to connect with you in person but are committed to safety and security first. We value and need your participation in this important dialogue. Please join us Oct 25-27 and take advantage of our extended early bird savings through Sept 24!
Sincerely,
 |
Eileen Manning
Co-Founder, Executive Producer
Cyber Security Summit
Eileen Manning
Eileen has been honored with a Women in Business Award; Progress Minnesota Award recognizing entrepreneurs and organizations that are driving business growth and economic development in Minnesota in innovative ways such as creating the Cyber Security Summit. Titans of Technology and an international Enterprising Woman of the Year Award. She is a graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy and an active Board Member.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-manning-805b37b/