The IEEE Region 3 Young Professionals (YP) and IEEE Computer Society (CS) present the Tech Futures 2026 Series – Virtual Kickoff, a flagship region-wide session designed to explore the most impactful emerging technologies highlighted in the IEEE Computer Society Technology Predictions 2026 <a href="http://report.This" target="_blank" title="report.This">report.This virtual kickoff marks the official launch of a coordinated regional initiative that will combine a high-impact virtual session with a sequence of locally hosted hybrid deep-dive events across Region 3, organized by Section YP Affinity Groups and Computer Society Chapters. The session will provide attendees with insights into future technology trends, career alignment, and industry directions, while fostering collaboration between students, Young Professionals, academia, and industry <a href="http://leaders.What" target="_blank" title="leaders.What">leaders.What to Expect-Overview of IEEE Computer Society Technology Predictions 2026-Keynote insights from distinguished technical leadership-Expert panel on future technologies and career pathways-Interactive audience poll to shape upcoming local YP & CS hybrid events-Opportunities to engage with industry, academia, and IEEE leadershipSession Highlights-Emerging Tech Insights-Distinguished Keynote-Expert Panel Discussion-Live Q&ASpeaker(s): Dr. Grace Lewis, Mr. John McDonaldAgenda: Agenda (CT)8:30 – 8:35 AM – Opening & WelcomeIntroduction to IEEE Region 3 YP, Computer Society, and Tech Futures 2026 Series8:35 – 8:45 AM – Leadership RemarksImportance of future technologies, YP engagement, and cross-society collaboration8:45 – 9:10 AM – Keynote: Technology Predictions 2026 Overview(IEEE Computer Society Distinguished Speaker)9:10 – 9:40 AM – Expert Panel: Future Technologies & Career AlignmentSpeakers from academia, industry, and technical leadership9:40 – 9:45 AM – Interactive YP Poll & Audience EngagementLive polling to identify top technology topics for upcoming local hybrid events9:45 – 9:55 AM – Series Roadmap & Next StepsOverview of Phase 2: Local YP & CS Hybrid Deep-Dive Events across Region 39:55 – 10:00 AM – Live Q&A and Closing RemarksVirtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/550712

The IEEE Mississippi Section 2026 Professional Development Day will provide technical presentations on industry topics as well as an ethics presentation. The attendees to this event will receive 5 PDH credits including 2 in ethics. The event will be held on Friday, April 17 at the Jackson State University (JSU) College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) building Auditorium from 8 am to 3 pm and will include lunch. There is a registration cost of $35 for IEEE members and $50 for non-IEEE members. The event is run by the IEEE Mississippi Section Professional Activities Committee for Engineers (PACE).Co-sponsored by: Mississippi PES ChapterSpeaker(s): Brian Balmes, Neal Rich, Brian Sullivan, Paul WatsonAgenda: 8 am – 8:15 am – registration and networking - CSET Building 1st Floor outside auditorium8:15 am – 9:15 am – presentation 1 - Brian Balmes, Siemens - Power disconnects9:15 am – 10:15 am – presentation 2 - Neal Rich, Long International -Inverter technology10:15 am – 10:30 am – break10:30 am – 11:30 am – presentation 3 - Brian Sullivan, Entergy – Data Centers11:30 am – 12:45 pm – lunch - Faculty lounge12:45 pm – 2:45 pm – presentation 4 – Paul Watson – Ethics2:45 pm – 3 pm – distribute PDH certificatesRoom: Auditorium, Bldg: CSET, 1400 J. R. Lynch Street, Jackson, Mississippi, United States, 39217