When attendees gather for the Fall Emerging Tech Dialogues on October 13, they will come to hear about new technologies, innovative projects, and emerging ideas from across Cornell. But for many participants, the most memorable moments occur not during the featured presentations, but in the breakout sessions where ideas, questions, and experiences are shared among colleagues.

Since the Emerging Tech Dialogues launched in 2024, breakout sessions have been a cornerstone of the event, giving colleagues opportunities to move beyond listening and actively engage with one another.

"The breakout sessions are great because they are focused on a topic, and there are more opportunities for the audience and presenters to have a dialogue," said Phil Robinson, Cornell University Library assistant director for software development and one of the event's earliest breakout session facilitators.

Unlike traditional conference presentations, breakout sessions are designed to encourage discussion. A facilitator may introduce a new technology, describe a project, share lessons learned, or pose a question to the audience. From there, participants contribute their own experiences, perspectives, and ideas, often leading conversations in unexpected and valuable directions.

That interactive format helps participants connect with colleagues across Cornell who share similar interests, tackle comparable problems, or bring different perspectives to the same issue, whether they work in central IT, unit IT, administration, research, teaching, or student services.

The conversations themselves are only part of the appeal. Participants can also tailor the experience to their own interests.

For Sean Walsh, another longtime planning committee member, the variety of breakout sessions is part of what makes the event special.

"Breakout sessions let you choose your own adventure, exploring the technical, operational, and people-focused topics that are most relevant to your work and interests," he said.

Over the past two years, breakout sessions have explored topics ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to service improvements, communications strategies, project management practices, and campus-wide technology initiatives. The common thread has been people sharing ideas that others can adapt, improve, and put into practice.

Breakout sessions are not limited to polished success stories or completed projects. Some of the most engaging discussions begin with a work in progress, a lesson learned, or a problem that does not yet have a clear solution.

As planning continues for this year's event, organizers are looking for additional breakout session ideas and facilitators. Topics that support the event theme, From Ideas to Impact: Celebrating IT Innovation Across Cornell and the People Bringing It to Life, are especially encouraged.

Whether you have a project to showcase, an emerging technology to explore, or a question that could spark meaningful discussion, your idea could become the session that inspires a new collaboration, solves a persistent problem, or helps move an idea into impact.

To suggest a breakout session topic or volunteer to facilitate a discussion, email itevents@cornell.edu or include your idea when you register for the Fall Emerging Tech Dialogues.