AI/VR SUMMIT

Future of Innovation in Higher Education


Gain a clear vision for how to align AI and immersive technologies with workforce demands in a rapidly evolving world.

July 20-21, 2026
Ameristar Conference Center
St. Charles, Missouri

Step Inside the Future

This immersive summit brings together the leaders redefining education, workforce development, and technology—those not just talking about the future, but actively building it.

Experience It Firsthand

Experience how artificial intelligence and virtual reality are transforming how we teach, train, and prepare for what's next. Engage directly with cutting-edge platforms including Dreamscape Learn and explore hands-on demonstrations.

Connect With Pioneers

Connect with pioneers driving real-world impact across K–12 and higher education. Build meaningful partnerships with leaders who are actively shaping the future of workforce development and technology.

Leave With a Clear Vision

Walk away with practical strategies, meaningful partnerships, and a clear vision for how to align education with workforce demands in a rapidly evolving world.

Learn From Visionary Leaders

Hear from pioneers at the intersection of education, technology, and immersive learning who are shaping the future of higher education and training.

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Walter Parkes

Producer & Co-Founder
DreamWorks Pictures & Dreamscape Learn

Academy Award-nominated producer behind iconic films including Men in Black, Gladiator, and Minority Report. Co-founded Dreamscape Learn to revolutionize education through cinematic VR storytelling.

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Dr. Hod Lipson

Professor of Engineering & Data Science
Columbia University

Pioneer in artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing. Director of Columbia's Creative Machines Lab, exploring AI systems that can self-replicate, self-reflect, and innovate autonomously.

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Kyle Bowen

Deputy CIO
Arizona State University

Leads strategic initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, and the future of learning technologies. An experienced entrepreneur, author, and nationally recognized speaker, Kyle’s work explores how AI, immersive learning, and digital innovation are reshaping education and workforce development.

Don't Miss the AI Event of the Year!

Education Meets Technology

Education and workforce training are entering a pivotal moment—one where artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and immersive technologies are powerful tools reshaping how learning happens.

Leadership Connections

The AI/VR Summit brings together leaders from across the country to explore how innovation is transforming teaching, learning, and workforce preparation with real-world examples and forward-thinking strategies.

Who Should Attend

  • ✓ Business and Industry Leaders
  • ✓ Presidents, Chancellors and Academic Leaders
  • ✓ K-12 Academic Leaders
  • ✓ Workforce and Economic Development Leaders
  • ✓ Innovation and Technology Officers
  • ✓ Foundation and Philanthropic Partners
  • ✓ Policy and State Agency Leaders

Ready to be Part of the Future?

Register Now →

Summit Schedule

Day One
Monday, July 20, 2026
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Registration & Continental Lunch
Network with fellow presidents, experts and business leaders.
1:30 PM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Barbara Kavalier, St. Charles Community College President, Dan Borgmeyer, St. Charles, MO Mayor, and Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
2:00 PM
Kyle Bowen
Kyle Bowen, Deputy CIO - Arizona State University
3:00 PM
Panel: Immersive Technologies in Education
3:45 PM
Break
4:00 PM
Keynote: Leading in a Time of Change
Walter Parkes, Producer & Co-Founder – DreamWorks Pictures & Dreamscape Learn
Join Academy Award-nominated producer Walter Parkes as he reveals how the same storytelling principles behind award-winning films like Men in Black can be transformed into powerful tools for education. As co-founder of Dreamscape Learn, Parkes will demonstrate how cinematic storytelling, combined with AI and virtual reality, is reshaping how students engage, learn, and retain information.
5:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Day Two
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
7:00 AM
Breakfast & Networking
Continental breakfast with fellow attendees.
8:00 AM
Panel: Innovating to Meet Learner's Needs
Track 1
8:45 AM
Shuttle to SCC
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Dreamscape Experience, AI/VR Demos and Vendor Showcase
11:15 AM
Shuttle to Ameristar
Track 2
8:45 AM
Operationalizing AI in State Government
9:30 AM
Building the Human Systems for Applied AI at WashU
10:30 AM
AI Efficiencies in Business
11:15 AM
Reimaging Learning in the Age of AI
8:45 AM
Shuttle to SCC
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Dreamscape Experience, AI/VR Demos and Vendor Showcase
11:15 AM
Shuttle to Ameristar
8:45 AM
Operationalizing AI in State Government
9:30 AM
Building the Human Systems for Applied AI at WashU
10:30 AM
AI Efficiencies in Business
11:15 AM
Reimaging Learning in the Age of AI
12:00 PM
Keynote Lunch: The Next AI
Hod Lipson, Professor of Engineering and Data Science, Columbia University
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics technologies have been accelerating over the past decade, outperforming humans in tasks once thought to be impossible to automate. Machines can now understand video and interpret language with unprecedented reliability. Cars can drive themselves and machines outperform doctors in medical diagnostics. AI can generate creative art and engineering blueprints. Soon, robots will be able to do simple physical tasks. But where will this technology go next, and how far can it reach? How will we prepare the next generation and ourselves? This talk will take a deep dive into what is driving AI, how it really works, and where it is likely to go next. No matter what you care about, from cancer to climate, AI can help us solve our greatest maladies. Don't fear; steer!
1:45 PM
Operationalizing AI in State Government
2:30 PM
Building the Human Systems for Applied AI at WashU
3:30 PM
AI Efficiencies in Business
4:15 PM
Reimaging Learning in the Age of AI
1:45 PM
Shuttle to SCC
2:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Dreamscape Experience, AI/VR Demos and Vendor Showcase
4:15 PM
Shuttle to Ameristar
1:45 PM
Operationalizing AI in State Government
2:30 PM
Building the Human Systems for Applied AI at WashU
3:30 PM
AI Efficiencies in Business
4:15 PM
Reimaging Learning in the Age of AI
1:45 PM
Shuttle to SCC
2:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Dreamscape Experience, AI/VR Demos and Vendor Showcase
4:15 PM
Shuttle to Ameristar
5:00 PM
Closing Reception & Networking

Ameristar Conference Center

 

Getting There

Address
Ameristar St. Charles
1 Ameristar Blvd
St. Charles, MO 63301
From Lambert Airport
12 minutes (8 miles) via I-70 West
Parking
Complimentary self-parking
Accommodations
Special summit rate: $189/night
(636) 949-7777

Reserve Your Seat Today

$200
Register Now →
Questions? Contact eschneider@stchas.edu
Hosted By

This summit is made possible through the collaborative vision of organizations pioneering the future of learning, work and innovation.

St. Charles Community College is redefining what a community college can be through innovation, industry partnership, and community impact. As a regional leader in AI, immersive technology, workforce development, and experiential learning, SCC prepares learners of all ages to lead, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Founded by DreamWorks veteran Walter Parkes and Arizona State University, Dreamscape Learn creates cinematic VR educational experiences that combine Hollywood storytelling with advanced pedagogy to transform student engagement.

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) is a public, multi-campus community college in western Missouri dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to diverse communities. Established to serve both traditional and nontraditional students, MCC offers associate degrees, career and technical programs, workforce development training, and transfer pathways to four-year institutions.

Lindenwood University is a private university located in St. Charles, Missouri, founded in 1827. With a strong tradition of academic excellence and innovation, Lindenwood offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across disciplines including business, education, arts and sciences, and health professions.

Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) is the state agency responsible for coordinating Missouri’s higher education system and aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs. The department supports public colleges and universities, oversees financial aid programs, administers workforce development initiatives, and provides data and policy guidance to strengthen educational outcomes statewide.

Washington University Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) is a division of Washington University in St. Louis dedicated to serving adult learners and working professionals. CAPS offers flexible undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and noncredit programs designed to help students advance their careers, change professions, or complete their degrees.

Sponsorship Opportunities

AI and VR technologies are rapidly reshaping how people learn and work. As a sponsor of the AI/VR Summit, companies can align their offerings with decision-makers and thought leaders shaping the future of innovation. Engage with innovators from across the U.S. through branding opportunities networking, live demonstrations, and more.


Click Here to Sponsor Click Here to Learn More


Ready to Shape the Future?

July 20–21, 2026  ·  Ameristar Conference Center  ·  St. Charles, MO

Register Now →

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