Samdesk User Conference
This year, Samdesk User Conference is focused on what matters most: real-world outcomes.
Thursday May 28, 2026 Pendennis Building, Edmonton, Alberta
You'll hear directly from security, risk and operations teams who are using samdesk today to:
Shorten the gap between an alert and a clear decision.
Verify what matters faster - without chasing noise or false signals.
Make confident decisions while situations are still developing.
“Three years ago, we asked, ‘Did we act fast enough?’ Now rapid response is the standard.”
Chad Dennis
Manager, Safety Strategy & Operations, DoorDash
Agenda
Morning
Samdesk CEO Keynote
Samdesk CEO, James Neufeld, kicks off the day with a candid look at how security operations are evolving—what’s working, what’s changing, and how leading teams are using AI and samdesk to stay ahead. Get a first look at what’s on the horizon for samdesk and what it means for you.
When It Hits Your Industry: The First Real Test of a Security Team
What happens when a new system is immediately put to the test? Hear how one global security team navigated a high-profile kidnapping that shook the crypto industry, and how their preparation, tools, and decisions played out in real time.
Next Generation of GSOC's: What Security Leaders are Thinking About
Security operations are changing fast. In this panel, security leaders share how they’re rethinking GSOCs to handle increasing threat volume, move faster, and make smarter decisions when it matters most.
The Shift in Coordinated Security Response
Security teams don’t have an awareness problem—they have a speed of understanding problem. Hear how the samdesk Product team are closing that gap and enabling security teams to run autonomously.
Afternoon
Bridging the Gap: Physical Security Meets Technology
Most security challenges aren’t just about the tools—they’re about the disconnect between operators and the technology meant to support them. In this session, speakers from IOBSE explore where teams struggle to connect tools with action, and how leading organizations simplify complexity and design workflows that actually work under pressure.
Security Practitioner-Led Round Tables
Join candid, peer-led discussions with corporate security leaders tackling today’s toughest challenges including how to scale GSOCs and best practices for managing risk in an unpredictable world.
From Alert to Action: How Samdesk Supercharges Threat Monitoring and Crisis Response
AAA takes you inside their GSOC to show how they move from detection to action in real-world incidents such as mass casualty events, executive protection threats, and severe weather. In this session, they’ll share how they use samdesk to drive faster, more confident operational decisions.
How Samdesk Changed the Way We Manage School Safety
A major U.S. school district shares how they use samdesk to cut through information overload, assess real-world threats, and respond with greater speed and clarity to protect students, staff, and their community.
Evening
🛳️ Riverboat Social
Step aboard the Edmonton Riverboat for an evening of fresh air, flowing drinks, and unbeatable views. Cruise the North Saskatchewan - no slides, no speakers, just good conversation and a boatload of vibes. Shuttles provided
Previous Speakers Include:
Chad Dennis
Manager, Global Trust & Safety Strategy
DoorDash
Morné du Preez
Senior Director of Global Security
Nutrien
Keon Ellison
GSOC and Travel Security
Anthropic
Chom Loth
Insider Risk & Protective Services
Anthropic
Scott Stewart
Senior Vice President of Protective Intelligence
Torchstone
Anika Smart
Director of Transportation
LA Metro
Dan McEleney
Product Lead
samdesk
James Neufeld
Founder & CEO
samdesk
Sean Solbak
CTO
samdesk
