Build Better
Digital Experiences
Join Charlotte's design and tech community for a half-day conference on modern composable platforms, smarter content assisted by AI, and the future of digital experiences.
Sharp Minds.
Bold Ideas.
Local Stage.
Since 2016, FusionConf has been a trusted event for Charlotte's design, technology, and strategy community to explore new ideas, discover practical insights, and connect with like-minded peers.
Half the Day, All the Value
7 curated sessions in just 5 hours. Every talk and panel is designed to deliver practical, useful insight.
Modern Topics, Real Tactics
Headless CMS, AI-driven workflows, serverless platforms, and more, shared by practitioners and teams working across the industry.
Designed for the Community
Affordable pricing, a welcoming environment, and a space to connect with others shaping Charlotte's digital future.
Featured Speakers.
Learn from industry leaders who are defining the future of composable web architecture
Andy Vitale
Head of AI Strategy & Product
Session Topic:
Panel — Customer Experiences in Flux: What's Fueling Impact, What's Fizzling Out
Andy leads AI strategy and product at Taxwell, shaping intuitive and trustworthy experiences for millions of tax filers each year. He positions design as a strategic driver across complex financial workflows, helping teams deliver clarity and simplicity at scale.
Bermon Painter
Global Composable Platforms Leader
Session Topic:
Opening Keynote – The Future is Composable
Bermon is a global technology and experience leader focused on helping organizations adopt composable platforms and modern delivery models. He has led large-scale digital transformations across industries, improving both customer experiences and team velocity.
Bryan Kowalinski
Director of Digital Experience
Session Topic:
Panel — Customer Experiences in Flux: What's Fueling Impact, What's Fizzling Out
Bryan is a digital experience leader with expertise in product management, ecommerce, financial services, and operations. He is known for driving organizational alignment, leading complex initiatives, and improving customer outcomes through thoughtful digital strategy.
Holly Thomson
Former Chief Digital Officer
Session Topic:
Panel — Customer Experiences in Flux: What's Fueling Impact, What's Fizzling Out
Holly is a digital experience and brand strategy leader who has shaped customer journeys at organizations like Ally Bank, Wells Fargo, and CAR-MART. Her work has earned national recognition and driven measurable improvements in trust, efficiency, and customer engagement.
Jami Rahman
Global Director Solutions Engineering
Session Topic:
Panel – The Modern Mar-tech Stack: Platforms in Practice
Jami is a solutions engineering leader with more than a decade of experience in product design, sales engineering, and digital transformation. He has guided customers through complex content workflows and built high-performing technical teams.
Jenn Grabenstetter
Head of Marketing Strategy
Session Topic:
Content AI Enablement: GEO, AEO, and the New Stack & Panel — Customer Experiences in Flux
Jenn is a marketing and transformation leader with deep experience building global functions across brand, communications, product development, and customer experience. She has led teams of all sizes and managed multimillion-dollar budgets to deliver high-impact digital initiatives.
Karen McGrane
Senior Director Customer Insights & Adoption
Session Topic:
Closing Keynote – Content for the New AI Age
Karen is a pioneering digital strategist with more than 25 years shaping major content and product experiences. She leads Customer Insights & Adoption at Contentful, transforming research and data into guidance for teams building scalable content systems.
Lauren Patterson
Head of Marketing
Session Topic:
Panel – The Modern Mar-tech Stack: Platforms in Practice
Lauren is a dynamic marketing leader known for driving measurable results in fast-paced SaaS environments. She has led both lean and full-scale marketing teams, focusing on engaging decision-makers and accelerating partner growth.
Lucas Sanders
Partners & Alliances
Session Topic:
Panel – The Modern Mar-tech Stack: Platforms in Practice
Lucas is a seasoned alliances leader with deep experience in enterprise partnerships and sales alignment. He has worked across the Salesforce ecosystem and global SaaS markets, developing plays and programs that drive revenue and joint customer success.
Sara Sullivan
Global Vice President Solution Engineering
Session Topic:
Panel – The Modern Mar-tech Stack: Platforms in Practice
Sara leads global solution engineering at Contentful, helping enterprises adopt modern content platforms and deliver scalable digital experiences. Her work focuses on enabling teams to ship faster with flexibility and clarity.
Schedule.
6 curated sessions packed into one productive afternoon. Every talk is designed to deliver practical, actionable insights.
Registration & Check-in
Grab your badge, meet fellow attendees, and get settled in.
Registration & Check-in
Grab your badge, meet fellow attendees, and get settled in.
Opening Keynote — The Future is Composable
Today's digital products need to move faster and work smarter. Bermon will explain why more teams are moving away from all-in-one systems and choosing flexible, modular tools. You will leave with a clear view of what composable means and how it helps teams move faster and do better work.
Opening Keynote — The Future is Composable
Today's digital products need to move faster and work smarter. Bermon will explain why more teams are moving away from all-in-one systems and choosing flexible, modular tools. You will leave with a clear view of what composable means and how it helps teams move faster and do better work.
Bermon Painter · Slalom
Panel — The Modern Martech Stack: Platforms in Practice
This panel looks at how teams are using today's tools to get work done. You will hear what is working, what is not, and how companies are improving how content moves from idea to screen. The panelists support marketers, designers, and developers every day and will share what they see across companies.
Moderator: Lauren Patterson · MACH Alliance
Panel — The Modern Martech Stack: Platforms in Practice
This panel looks at how teams are using today's tools to get work done. You will hear what is working, what is not, and how companies are improving how content moves from idea to screen. The panelists support marketers, designers, and developers every day and will share what they see across companies.
Moderator:
Lauren Patterson · MACH Alliance
Panelists:
Sara Sullivan · Contentful
Lucas Sanders · Algolia
Jami Rahman · Bynder
Break
Take a few minutes to reset, refuel, and catch up with other attendees.
Break
Take a few minutes to reset, refuel, and catch up with other attendees.
Personalization at Scale: From Strategy to Execution
Personalization is easy to talk about but hard to do well. This session will focus on the real steps teams can take to deliver better, more tailored experiences across channels without getting stuck in endless planning or tech confusion.
Personalization at Scale: From Strategy to Execution
Personalization is easy to talk about but hard to do well. This session will focus on the real steps teams can take to deliver better, more tailored experiences across channels without getting stuck in endless planning or tech confusion.
Content AI Enablement: GEO, AEO, and the New Stack
AI is changing how we create and organize content. This session will explain how teams can use geographic and algorithmic optimization to reach the right people at the right time. You will learn what to watch, what to test, and what to ignore.
Content AI Enablement: GEO, AEO, and the New Stack
AI is changing how we create and organize content. This session will explain how teams can use geographic and algorithmic optimization to reach the right people at the right time. You will learn what to watch, what to test, and what to ignore.
Jenn Grabenstetter · Slalom
Break
Refill your drink, meet a speaker, or grab a seat before the next session.
Break
Refill your drink, meet a speaker, or grab a seat before the next session.
Panel — Customer Experiences in Flux: What is Fueling Impact, What is Not
Customers want better and faster experiences, but not all trends work. This panel will explore how real companies are creating simpler and more human experiences. You will hear where teams are seeing value and where they are pulling back.
Moderator: Jenn Grabenstetter · Slalom
Panel — Customer Experiences in Flux: What is Fueling Impact, What is Not
Customers want better and faster experiences, but not all trends work. This panel will explore how real companies are creating simpler and more human experiences. You will hear where teams are seeing value and where they are pulling back.
Moderator:
Jenn Grabenstetter · Slalom
Panelists:
Andy Vitale · Taxwell
Holly Thomson · Formerly CAR-MART
Bryan Kowalinski · Highline Warren
Closing Keynote — Content for the New AI Age
AI is changing how we create and manage content. But some things still depend on people, clear plans, and strong systems. Karen will close the day with a talk on how teams can build content systems that last and stay focused in a time of change.
Closing Keynote — Content for the New AI Age
AI is changing how we create and manage content. But some things still depend on people, clear plans, and strong systems. Karen will close the day with a talk on how teams can build content systems that last and stay focused in a time of change.
Karen McGrane · Contentful
Wrap-Up and Thank You
Closing thoughts, community shout-outs, and what is next for FusionConf.
Wrap-Up and Thank You
Closing thoughts, community shout-outs, and what is next for FusionConf.
Schedule subject to minor adjustments. All times are Eastern (ET).
Discover
the Venue
FusionConf will be hosted at the beautifully restored Carolina Theater, a landmark venue in the heart of Charlotte.
Originally opened in 1927 and now thoughtfully reimagined, the Carolina combines historic charm with modern amenities. With its dramatic stage, intimate auditorium, and central location, it's the perfect backdrop for a bold, design-forward conference.
The Carolina Theater
224 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Partner with Us
FusionConf is made possible through the generous support of sponsors who believe in growing Charlotte's tech community. Sponsorships help us keep ticket prices low, offer student and hardship access, and create an exceptional experience for all attendees.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? We'd love to feature your brand onsite, in our materials, and in front of a highly engaged audience of digital professionals.
Get Your Ticket
Pick the option that works best for you. All passes include access to every session, panel, snack bar, and sponsor swag. Pricing is based on how early you grab yours.