Howard County Innovation Summit 2026
Elevate. Explore, Expand. Excel.
Behind every breakthrough is a person with an idea and the courage to pursue it. The Howard County Innovation Summit, hosted by County Executive Calvin Ball, celebrates the people and ideas driving progress in our community.
This year’s event will bring together leaders from technology, government, business, and education to exchange insights and explore bold new solutions in Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, and Government Technology. The day will feature thought provoking panels, hands on breakout sessions, a vibrant vendor showcase, and a live pitch contest that celebrates creativity and entrepreneurship.
Join us for a full day of inspiration, collaboration, and discovery, with unmatched opportunities to connect, collaborate, and chart the future of innovation. Be part of a growing network that’s powering progress across Howard County and beyond.
Public Attendee Registration
Registration is Open – Reserve Your Spot at the Howard County Innovation Summit!
Tuesday, February 24th, 8am - 4pm
APL Kossiakoff Conference Center, Laurel, Maryland
Innovation starts with action—don’t miss your chance to be part of the region’s premier event for bold ideas and breakthrough solutions. Hosted by County Executive Calvin Ball, this summit brings together top minds from business, technology, education, and government for a full day of insight, collaboration, and opportunity.
From interactive sessions and expert panels to a live pitch competition and vendor showcase, this is where connections spark and ideas take flight. Seats are limited, so act now.
Click here to Register to Attend Today! - Attendee Event Registration Portal
The event is free to register. We look forward to seeing you there!
Keynote Speaker
Known as the Pitch Queen and #KillerPitchMaster, Precious delivers unmatched expertise, proven strategies, and measurable results. With 30 years as an international speaker and corporate trainer, she has helped organizations and individuals secure millions in competition winnings, obtain lucrative speaking engagements, and convert bold strategies into sustainable success.
Innovation Summit Panels
Healthcare Innovation Panel
Join local healthcare leaders as they explore how cutting-edge technology is transforming patient care. This dynamic discussion will highlight innovations that improve coordination among providers, enhance patient outcomes, and streamline service delivery. Discover how these advancements are shaping the future of healthcare in our community.
HoCo Dash Panel
Innovation often stalls between vision and execution and often involves many stops and starts. In this session, Howard County will share the approach they used to deliver the new Howard County Performance Website, HoCo Dash, in less than five months. Session attendees will gain insight on modern project design principles and tools that can quickly transform ideas into actual results.
Innovation Summit Breakouts
Entrepreneur - Breakout Track
Empower your business journey with the Entrepreneur Track. This session provides essential resources and expert guidance for launching and growing your enterprise. Learn how to navigate the startup landscape, access funding opportunities, and secure government contracts to take your business to the next level.
Healthcare Tech - Breakout Track
Dive into the future of healthcare with an in-depth look at Howard County’s innovative technology projects. From point-of-care diagnostics to advanced communication tools, this track showcases how tech-driven solutions are improving patient care and operational efficiency across the healthcare system.
Government Tech - Breakout Track
Discover how technology is transforming governance in Howard County and beyond. This track highlights groundbreaking initiatives that enhance transparency, streamline services, and improve community engagement. Explore the tools and strategies driving smarter, more connected government operations.
Innovation Summit Pitch Contest
Experience the excitement of our “shark tank”-style Pitch Contest, where local entrepreneurs showcase their innovative ideas to a panel of judges. Watch as bold visions come to life, hear compelling pitches, and see who will rise to the challenge. This is your chance to witness the next big success story in our community!
Johns Hopkins APL Kossiakoff Center
Address and Campus Map
The Innovation Summit will be hosted at:
Kossiakoff Center at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
Kossiakoff Center Auditorium
11100 Johns Hopkins Road,Laurel, MD 20723
From the Baltimore Area
- Take I-95 South toward Washington, DC
- Take MD Route 32 West (toward Columbia)
- Go 2.5 miles and take U.S. Route 29 South (toward Washington, DC)
- Go 1.5 miles and take exit 15 for Johns Hopkins Road
- Exit onto Johns Hopkins Road
- APL is on the right about 0.5 miles past Route 29
From the Washington, DC Area
- Take I-95 North toward Baltimore
- Go 8 miles and take MD Route 216 West (toward Scaggsville)
- Go 1.2 miles and turn right onto Leishear Road
- Go 0.8 miles and turn left onto Gorman Road
- Go 0.7 miles and cross traffic circle and bridge over U.S. Route 29
- The road name changes to Johns Hopkins Road
- APL is on the right about 0.5 miles past Route 29
Visitor Entrances and Location of the Kossiakoff Center
There are several visitor entrances to APL. The map below shows all of the south entrances, but the most convenient entrances for this event are via either the Pond Road or the APL Drive entrances, both off of Johns Hopkins Road.
The Kossiakoff Center is circled in red in the map above. The entrance to the Kossiakoff Center is on the road running between Pond Road and APL Drive.
Parking
Visitors may park in any open parking lots but the most convenient parking will be either in the visitor lot closest to the Kossiakoff Center marked with a yellow V in map diagram, or in the designated APL Staff and Education Center Parking or the Kossiakoff Center Parking areas (both off of Pond Road). These parking areas are indicated with red arrows in the map.
Johns Hopkins APL Kossiakoff Center
11100 Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723