The City of Charlotte is calling for speakers to contribute to its upcoming data conference, aiming to explore the intersection between data and urban community development. Set for February 9, 2026, the event will be held at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte City Center and intends to assemble a diverse group of civic innovators, data professionals, and public sector leaders from the Southeast. According to a press release by the City of Charlotte, the "Smarter Data, Smarter Communities" themed conference will delve into data's role in enhancing the quality of life and fostering equitable growth in cities.
Presenters at the conference are expected to discuss real-world applications and share experiences that reflect the transformative capacity of data in urban settings. The city is looking for contributions that feature "practical models, pilot projects and community-centered outcomes." While learning from case studies of smart city initiatives with measurable community impact, speakers are invited to talk about methods of data collection, analysis, innovative strategies for equity-focused data governance, and ethical considerations in civic data utilization.
The platform provides speakers with an opportunity to reach a regional audience, share knowledge, and position themselves as leaders in the field of data-driven governance. Those interested in presenting can choose between an interactive workshop or a classic presentation format. The conference is aimed at researchers, technologists, community leaders, and public sector professionals passionate about solving real-world challenges through data. Details shared by the City of Charlotte emphasize the conference’s focus on collaborative and equitable approaches to data handling.
The deadline for speaker submissions is Friday, December 12. Individuals looking to share their insights and help shape the data-centric dialogue in urban community advancement can submit their proposals online. The call for speakers and additional details on the conference can be found in a statement obtained by the City of Charlotte.
