Convene: Cleveland 
August 26 - 27  
InterContinental Cleveland 
Cleveland, Ohio   
Hosted by the National Cybersecurity Alliance 

At the intersection of people and security, Convene is the only conference specifically designed for professionals responsible for security training, awareness, and culture. Whether you're running your Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign this October or explaining risk to your board, Convene is a space for YOU to connect, share, and learn. 

Convene heads to Cleveland this summer. Here's why you got to join us!  

1. Hear from top security leaders in Ohio and beyond   

This year's lineup includes Rakesh Sharma, CISO of Cleveland Clinic, and Holly Drake, CISO for our host state of Ohio. Their insights are deeply rooted in the realities of protecting massive, complex organizations. Get the inside story on how security leaders are handling evolving threats. 

2. Get inspired by a quirky, brilliant psychologist (who has patents!) 

Dr. Margaret Cunningham isn’t just an expert in human-centric risk modeling; she’s shaping how the industry thinks about behavioral threat detection. With multiple patents and a PhD in applied experimental psychology, Dr. Cunningham brings to Convene: Cleveland cutting-edge research and hilarious, refreshingly human insights to the cybersecurity world. 

3. Learn why social media is your most overlooked security risk   

Sue Serna has a message for you: your company’s social media presence is likely a massive hole in your threat model. From tool vulnerabilities to ungoverned brand accounts, Sue explains the communication breakdown between security and marketing, as well as what to do about it. 

4. Discover the psychology behind security nudges   

Accenture’s Kevin Bliss will showcase how behavioral science is being used to improve security habits, all without scaring or shaming employees. If you’re looking to make your training truly effective rather than just checking a box, then this talk is a must-see.  

5. Get a behind-the-scenes look at real-world sextortion cases   

Paul Raffile was recently featured on Hulu’s hit docuseries Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam, and he’ll bring his disturbing but deeply relevant expertise to Convene: Cleveland. Learn about sextortion, social engineering, and how scammers pull our emotional levers. His session will challenge your assumptions about what makes people vulnerable and how we can help protect them. 

6. Don't just attend...participate!   

Convene is designed for interaction. From networking happy hours to crowdsourcing solution sessions, this conference isn’t a passive experience. Share your story. Ask your burning questions. Brag about your successes. You’ll leave Cleveland with new ideas and helpful feedback. 

7. Meet a community that understands what you do 

Awareness and training professionals are often a small team. You might be a team of one! Convene brings together a tight-knit, supportive group that speaks your language and shares your challenges. This is your opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in your niche. Hint: this is why we named the conference Convene!! 

8. See what’s new in the human risk tech space   

Visit with curated exhibitors offering tools and services built for people-focused security teams. At Convene, we strive to highlight tech that supports the mission of better engagement and smarter communication. 

9. Experience the best of Cleveland in the summer   

Yes, you’ll be working, but you’ll also be in one of the Midwest’s greatest cities. Enjoy lakefront sunsets, world-class museums, amazing breweries, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. August is a perfect time to explore Cleveland’s vibrant food scene and maybe even cross a Great Lake (Erie) off your lake list. 

10. Return to the office with practical, shareable takeaways 

Every Convene session is geared toward real-world application. You’ll return with insights you can share with your team, plug into your training plan, or use to rethink how your team communicates risk. Convene is about more than just theory. We focus on what works. 

Make the case to your boss   

Convene: Cleveland is next-level professional development. A ticket is an investment in smarter, more effective security practices. You’ll leave with valuable peer connections, ready-to-apply insights, and renewed energy for your work. Join us August 26–27 and help shape the future of security awareness.