The University of West Florida will hold its first leadership in an AI conference designed for business, community and government leaders on Friday, November 7, 2025. The conference will be provided directly at the UWF Conference Center on the university's Pensacola campus.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing every sector, and strong leadership is essential to responsibly leveraging its potential,” said UWF interim president Manny Diaz Jr.
The collaboration between the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis, Overholtz Center for Leadership, and Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, meetings include discussion, networking opportunities and experts. Participants will learn how to navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with connecting with local leaders while integrating artificial intelligence into leadership roles.
The keynote speaker is the UWF Center for Dr. Eman El Sheikh, vice president of Cybersecurity Associates, and will show you how leaders can leverage AI to enhance impact and success. Panelists include David Bear, CEO of Lewis Bear Company, and Doug Clais, president and CEO of Innisfree Hotel, and founding partners of Eilstock, Whitkin, Kreis and Overholz. Diaz will also serve as a guest speaker for the conference.
“UWF is proud to be at the forefront of moving forward with AI to serve our region and beyond,” El-Sheikh said. “Through this conference, we enable business, government and community leaders not only to understand, but to lead AI. We are driving innovation, strengthening our competitiveness, and our community is being prepared for a future that is effective for AI.”
This conference creates an opportunity to move into a ever-evolving landscape of technology and leadership. The AI Conference leadership will be held from 9am to 2pm and you will be checked in from 8am to 9am, but the event is free and space is limited so we recommend registering early. Breakfast and lunch are served.
For more information and registration of leadership in the era of AI Conference, please visit the EventBrite Event web page.
