7:30 AM - Breakfast and Registration

Welcome to the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo

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TennSMART board president Dr. Rich Davies and Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo chair Andy Lucyshyn kick off the 2026 Expo!

Fireside Chat on Tennessee’s Quantum Opportunity ​

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On the heels of legislative session, listen as Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Dr. Shaun Gleason, director of partnerships at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, discuss Tennessee's vision for quantum innovation. This conversation will note recent state investments, strategies, and public-private partnerships that are connecting assets across the state to position Tennessee as an emerging leader in quantum innovation. ​​

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• Stuart C. McWhorter, Deputy Governor and Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development

• Dr. Shaun Gleason, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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Quantum on the Move: Unlocking Next-Generation Transportation & Mobility​

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Quantum technology is rapidly emerging as one of the most transformative frontiers in science and innovation. But what does it actually mean, and how might it impact the way people and goods move? This session will demystify the fundamentals of quantum science, offering a clear and accessible introduction to key concepts and the growing ecosystem of quantum technologies, including computing, sensing, and communications. 

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Building from this foundation, panelists will explore how these technologies could reshape transportation and mobility systems. From optimizing traffic flow and logistics networks with quantum computing, to enhancing navigation and safety through quantum sensing, the discussion will highlight real-world and near-term applications with the potential to improve efficiency, resilience, and security across the mobility landscape. 

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• Dr. Shaun S. Gleason, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (moderator)

• Ryan Harring, IonQ

• Junaid Ul Haq, University of Tennessee Chattanooga

• David Hyde, Vanderbilt University

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Keynote ​

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More to come! 

Networking Break

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Explore the technology showcase, student poster area, and meet your fellow industry colleagues. 

The Future in Motion: City Projects Delivering Results 

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Through a series of real-world case studies, municipal leaders and innovators will share how they are deploying tools such as AI-driven traffic management, smart infrastructure, connected vehicle systems, and data analytics to improve safety, reduce congestion, and expand access to transportation. Attendees will gain insight into the practical applications of these technologies, while also exploring the policy, equity, and implementation considerations that shape successful deployment.

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• Mina Sartipi, University of Tennessee Chattanooga (moderator) 

• Ross Wang, Oak Ridge National Lab

• Brad Freeze, Nashville Department of Transportation

• Jonathan Sprinkle, Vanderbilt University

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Networking Lunch

Connecting the Dots: Freight Innovation in Motion​

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As one of the most freight-intensive states in the nation, Tennessee sits at the crossroads of America’s supply chain. This session will explore how the state is advancing a more efficient, technologically enabled freight ecosystem. Panelists will unpack the Freight Electrification Framework and recent freight efficiency studies, as well as critical infrastructure considerations, including electric and alternative fuel networks, grid readiness, and public-private coordination. The conversation will also spotlight the I-40 Smart Freight Corridor as a living laboratory for connected infrastructure, real-time data, and operational optimization.

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• Deputy Commissioner Ronne Adkins, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

• Dan Pallme, Tennessee Department of Transportation (moderator)

• Allie LaCroix, Pilot Company

• Dr. Sabya Mishra, University of Memphis

• Alexa Voytek, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

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Startup Spotlight​

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Hear from a company that went through the inaugural Spark Mobility Lab, a new program of the Spark Innovation Center. This new program aims to equip early-stage mobility founders with the technical and economic tools they need to scale alongside industry engagement and investor readiness support.

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• Bill Malkes, Spark Innovation Center

• Hari Chawla and Krishna Chawla, Fuel Buddy

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Fireside Chat​

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Hear from the Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner about the department's priorities, investments, and areas for partnership.

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• Commissioner Will Reid, Tennessee Department of Transportation

• Alex Dennis, Hall Strategies

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AI Ready: Preparing State DOTs for the Next Era of Mobility​

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As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes transportation systems, state departments of transportation face a pivotal moment: how to move from experimentation to operational readiness. This panel will explore what it means for DOTs to be “AI-ready,” from building the right data infrastructure and governance frameworks to integrating AI into core functions like traffic management, asset maintenance, and safety analysis. Panelists will share real-world lessons on how to harness AI effectively, aligning innovation with public trust. 

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• Deputy Commissioner Preston Elliott, Tennessee Department of Transportation

• Eric Boyette, Deloitte

• Jermaine Scales, Tennessee Department of Transportation

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TennSMART Road Map & Closing Remarks

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Hear from TennSMART leadership about new focus areas, initiatives, and ways to be engaged with the growing consortium!

Closing Reception presented by KPMG