About the event
Cut friction. Put agentic AI to work.
Join us at The Tess Hotel in the heart of Buckhead, steps from Buckhead Village District shopping and dining. See how teams cut operational friction to unlock agility, speed, and rapid innovation across the business.
October 29, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
What to expect
- The path forward: Hear IT leaders make the case for why the enterprise moves at IT's speed, and walk away with a modern playbook for unifying service, operations, assets, and knowledge on a single AI-powered platform.
- Real-world examples: Get inspired by peers from Piedmont Health, American Residential Services, and Artera Services who have seized a more strategic role by cutting friction within IT and across the organization.
- Practical masterclass: Leave with proven strategies to solve real business problems to take back to your team.
- Relaxed networking: Sip cocktails with executive peers while enjoying the sunset from the rooftop lounge.
Why attend
- Get inspired: Are you being asked to lead your company's AI transformation? Move from AI experimentation to real impact, for your team and your business.
- Get smart: Hear where AI is delivering value in service and enabling preventive operations.
- Get started: Chart your own path to cut friction across IT and every department with AI-powered service operations.
- Get connected: Join fellow Senior Directors, VPs, and C-suite leaders for high-value peer networking in Atlanta.
Speakers
Powerful ideas, real talk, and pragmatic guidance. Speakers share what it takes to improve service, elevate employee experiences, and drive business growth.
- Jeremy Minich, Solution Engineering Manager, Freshworks: Jeremy is a technology leader and Solutions Engineering Manager at Freshworks. With over 17 years of experience at organizations like Salesforce, he specializes in architecting practical AI solutions that drive measurable business value and building high-performance technical teams.
- James Kowalczyk, Head of IS Operations, Piedmont Health: Jim Kowalczyk is an Information Services operations leader with extensive experience in IT service management, customer support, and operational transformation. As Head of IS Operations at Piedmont Healthcare, Jim focuses on improving the customer experience, strengthening service delivery, and modernizing ITSM processes and technologies. He brings a practical, people-centered approach to leading teams, improving operations, and translating technology initiatives into measurable business value.
- Tim Gates, VP of IT Operations, American Residential Services: Tim Gates is a senior technology executive with over 30 years of experience in IT, including more than 20 years in technology leadership. He has held executive leadership roles at American Residential Services (Vice President, IT Operations), Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Vice President and Chief Technology Officer), Orlando Health (Chief Technology Officer), and Surgical Care Affiliates (Vice President and Chief Technology Officer), guiding organizations through modernization, growth, and acquisition integration. Tim brings a practical, collaborative approach to aligning technology with business goals, building strong teams, and improving the experience of patients, customers, and employees. He holds a master's degree in Information Technology, a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, the Certified Healthcare CIO designation, and the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals certification. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Tim and his wife have three children. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, running, and fishing.
Agenda
- 2:00 PM (30 minutes): Badge pick-up and registration
- 2:30 PM (75 minutes): Keynote. Executive leadership presentation on modernizing IT service operations, featuring enterprise insights and customer success stories.
- 3:45 PM (60 minutes): AI transformation workshop. An interactive session designed to drive peer-to-peer learning and applied thinking led by Freshworks' Solution Engineering team.
- 4:45 PM (60 minutes): Rooftop reception. Conclude the day at the Tesserae Rooftop Restaurant with direct peer networking, craft cocktails, and premium culinary offerings overlooking the Atlanta skyline.
Frequently asked questions
- Who should attend Refresh Roadshow? This roadshow is designed for IT Directors, VPs of Infrastructure & Operations, Chief Information Officers, and Enterprise Technology Leaders seeking to optimize service operations.
- Is Refresh Roadshow free to attend? Refresh Roadshow is free to attend for qualified enterprise IT executives, but registration requires confirmation due to capacity constraints.
Venue and registration
- Venue: The Tess Hotel, Buckhead, Atlanta
- Registration: Request a spot on the event page
