IEEE Young Professionals Amplified – Cleveland 2026 – Saturday Conference and Dinner
Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/11/2026
8:45 am - 5:00 pm
Categories No Categories
IEEE Young Professionals Amplified – Cleveland 2026
IEEE Young Professionals (YP) Amplified – Cleveland – July 10-11, 2026
| IEEE Young Professionals Amplified Cleveland 2026 offers young professionals a unique opportunity to enhance their skills and grow their network through engaging presentations, panels, and relaxed social settings. This dynamic event provides a collaborative platform where young professionals come together to shape the future of technology and leadership. We will kick off the weekend with an exclusive networking happy hour at Collision Bend Brewing Company. This gathering provides the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow young professionals, industry leaders, speakers, and the event’s volunteers. Our main event, taking place on Saturday, July 11 at Cleveland State University, will feature a full day of programming centered on technical innovation and professional development. The morning will begin with a welcome and “What is IEEE” presentation by 2025 IEEE President Kathleen Kramer, followed by “The Pulse of Technology” by Mike Wise of IoT Sandbox. The first technical block will explore Internet of Things (IoT) and Emerging Technologies, featuring “IoT Basics” with Peter Sords and Ken Loparo and a fireside chat with Larry Sears, creator of the Sears think[box] at Case Western Reserve University, one of the nation’s premier university innovation and makerspaces. In parallel, attendees can participate in AI and Controls sessions covering AI for autonomous vehicles and Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), as well as a Women in Engineering breakout session. The morning concludes with a cross-disciplinary technology panel highlighting IoT, AI, and high-tech opportunities in Cleveland region. The second half of the day will focus on career growth and professional success. Attendees will hear a keynote presentation by NASA Research Engineer Dr. Rachel Dudukovich on the soft skills essential for long-term career success, participate in interactive career development sessions, connect with speakers and industry professionals during dedicated networking time, and gain valuable perspectives from a Young Professionals and Women in Engineering career panel featuring professionals at various stages of their careers. Following our main event, we invite all attendees to join us for dinner at a Hofbräuhaus to continue the conversation, build meaningful professional connections, and unwind with fellow attendees in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. This networking dinner provides an excellent opportunity to connect with speakers, industry professionals, and peers while reflecting on the insights and experiences shared throughout the day. Whether you are preparing to enter the workforce, recently graduated, or navigating the first 15 years of your professional journey, IEEE Young Professionals Amplified Cleveland 2026 is the place to connect, learn, and grow. |
Registration Links (Register for Both Today!):
6:30-8pm: Reception at Collision Bend Brewing Company – Drink tickets will be administered to registered attendees.
Address: 1250 Old River Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
From Collision Bend: Collision Bend Brewing Company is an artisanal brewery and full-service restaurant, featuring crisp, bright beers brewed on site, served alongside a menu. Saturday Experience – Cleveland State University Glasscock Ballroom and Hofbräuhaus Address: SC 311, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
Agenda:
| Time | Activity on July 11 | Duration | ||
| 8:45a-9:45a | Breakfast and registration | 60 m | ||
| 9:45a | Welcome & What is IEEE with 2025 IEEE President Kathleen Kramer | 30 m | ||
| 10:15a-10:30a | The Pulse of Technology by Mike Wise of IoT Sandbox | 15 m | ||
| 10:30a-10:45a | Break | 15 m | ||
| 10:45a-12:00p | IoT and Emerging Technologies 30 min – IoT Basics with Peter Sords and Ken Loparo 30 min – Fireside Chat with Cleveland Legend, Larry Sears, the Inventor of IoT 15 min – Q&A | AI and Controls 30 min – AI for Autonomous Vehicles: From Foundation Models to Functional Safety with Kartik Srinivasan 30 min – Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) Decoded – Advancing Rail Through Transparency and Technology with Alexander Impastato 15 min – Q&A | WIE Breakout Speakers: Claire Harding – NASA TBA | 75 m |
| 12:10p-12:45p | Across the Technology Spectrum PanelThink Cleveland: IoT, AI, High Tech Opportunities Panelists: Alexander Impastato, Kartik Srinivasan, Peter Sords, Larry Sears Moderator: Charles Rubenstein | 35 m | ||
| 12:45p | Lunch | 60 m | ||
| 1:45p-2:15p | Soft Skills for Navigating a Successful Career – Dr. Rachel Dudukovich – NASA Glenn Research Center | 30 m | ||
| 2:15p-3:30p | Career Change Readiness with Haley Coppes | Bridging the gap between education and industry requirements with Vaibhav Mishra | WIE Panel – TBA | 75 m |
| 3:30p-4:15p | Break and Networking with Speakers | 45 m | ||
| General Networking and Resume Workshop with Neeta Bastakumar in Ballroom | Industrial Engagement Committee – What do you get out of IEEE? (30 minutes) | CBTC Extended with Alexander Impastato (30 minutes) | ||
| 4:15p-5:15p | YP & WIE Career Panel Panelists: Vaibhav Mishra, Alexis Gorgacz, Colin Russell, more speakers TBA Moderator: Steve Galecki | 60 m | ||
| 5:15p | Wrap-up and closing | 15 m | ||
| 6:00p-7:00p | Dinner at Hofbräuhaus Cleveland | 60 m | ||
Hotel Room Block at The Hotel Cleveland
Start Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
End Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
- Hotel Cleveland, Autograph Collection for 199.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Click this link to book today!
Our Sponsors
- IEEE Region 1
- IEEE Region 2
- Cleveland State University – Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Cleveland State University – Washkewicz College of Engineering
- IEEE Regions 1 and 2: Member and Geographic Activities (MGA), Young Professionals (YP), and Women in Engineering (WIE)
Media Partners
Contributing Sponsors
Interested in Becoming a Contributing Sponsor?
Donations will help us pay for food and beverage expenses.
Suggested Amounts: $500-$1,000
Please email Colin Russell at [email protected].
IEEE YP Amplified 2025
Please see this LinkedIn post for information on last year’s YP Amplified: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/colinrussell17_ieee-youngprofessionals-ieeecleveland-activity-7356288733525995520-tyM4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACdESwABRV-PSRrnK-MLxOi7_g5IbB52Bek
IEEE Cleveland is a recipient of the 2025 Greater Cleveland Partnership Best of Tech Award.
IEEE Cleveland Section
Please visit ieeecleveland.org to learn more about the Cleveland Section!
IEEE Cleveland Section is a proud recipient of the Greater Cleveland Partnership Best of Tech 2025 Award!
The Greater Cleveland Partnership recognizes the IEEE Cleveland Section as a Tech Community Group and Ecosystem Amplifier.
