HD Tech Tower Talks: Trick or Threats 🎃
Know who's knocking before you answer the door. A working roundtable for Orange County CEOs, COOs, and business owners navigating AI threats.
AI is moving fast. So are the threats hiding behind it.
This isn't a keynote. No lectures, no sales pitches. Just honest conversation with other OC executives who are figuring out the same things you are — what's real, what's hype, and what actually protects your business.
Bring your questions. We'll bring the answers, the appetizers, and the drinks.
Date
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue
Long Beach Yacht Club
Oct 29, 2026 · Long Beach Yacht Club · Seating is limited.
Hosted for Orange County Business Leaders
Three Threats. One Honest Conversation.
Tower Talks is built around three themes that matter most for business leaders evaluating AI right now — discussed openly, with peers, in plain English.
Real-World AI Adoption
How business leaders are actually putting AI to work today — beyond the hype, beyond the buzzwords. What's working, what isn't, and what's worth your time.
Practical Implementation
Hands-on tips you can take back to your team on Monday morning. No 12-month roadmaps, no enterprise-only tools — just things you can use right away.
Cybersecurity Awareness
The new attack surface created by AI tools — and how to roll out AI responsibly without exposing your business to data leaks, prompt injection, or compliance risk.
Two Hours. Real Answers You Can Actually Use.
Speaker-driven discussions set the stage, but the round table discussion is the main event — a live, facilitated conversation where you bring your own AI and cybersecurity questions to the group.
4:00 – 4:15 PM
Arrival & Networking
Check in, grab a drink, and meet other business leaders before the program begins.
4:15 – 5:00 PM
Speaker-Driven Discussions
Minimal slides — each speaker provides a focused conversation with one trick, one threat, one question keeping executives up at night.
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Round Table Discussion
The centerpiece of Tower Talks — no scripts, no slides, just the open, facilitated conversation Orange County executives actually need.
6:00 PM
Closing & Networking
Wrap up conversations, exchange contacts, and keep the discussion going one-on-one.
Who's at the Table
Tom Hermstad
HD Tech
Tom will share how businesses can adopt AI safely, strategically, and in a measured way. His perspective will focus on practical implementation, risk awareness, and how organizations can move forward without creating unnecessary security or operational issues.
Sean Patterson
StartGuides
Sean will speak on executive AI use in the workplace, including where businesses are today, where they can go next, and what successful adoption looks like when leadership is aligned and intentional.
Dave Cunningham
Alvaka
Dave will discuss AI through the lens of today's changing ransomware and cybersecurity landscape, helping attendees better understand the risks, realities, and security considerations that come with modern AI use.
Not a Webinar. A Working Roundtable.
Tower Talks is intentionally small, intentionally in-person, and intentionally peer-driven. No slides full of bullet points. No vendor pitches. Just business leaders talking honestly about what AI is — and isn't — doing for them right now.
You'll leave with a short list of things you can actually try, names of peers to follow up with, and a clearer sense of where AI fits into your business — and where it doesn't.
Every attendee gets:
Submit Your Question + Reserve Your Seat
Seats are limited to keep the roundtable conversation meaningful. Tell us a bit about yourself, drop in an AI or cybersecurity question if you've got one, and we'll be in touch within 1 business day.
Your Questions, Answered Before You Even Ask
Want to Talk Before the Event?
If you'd rather get straight to the point, we're happy to walk you through how HD Tech approaches AI adoption and cybersecurity for businesses your size.