ENGAGE Orlando 2025: Highlight Reel

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year at ENGAGE 2025 in Orlando! ENGAGE 2025 brought together customers from across the country for three incredible days of learning, networking, and product insights.

With over 1600 public safety and public administration professionals in attendance, 200+ sessions hosted, and countless connections made, ideas were glowing all throughout the event! This event was our way of saying thank you – because we wouldn’t be here without you.

ENGAGE 2025 was all about helping you do what you do best. Here’s a look back at everything we shared and celebrated together.

Welcome Reception: Paradise at the Palms

We kicked off the conference in style with our tropical-themed Welcome Reception on Sunday night. Attendees mingled, listened to live music, and enjoyed fun refreshments while soaking in the relaxing vibes. It was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with peers, meet new faces, and gear up for a packed week of learning and growth. The reception set the tone for a high energy conference and gave everyone a moment to unwind before diving into sessions the next morning.

Day 1: Cloud, AI, and Innovations

ENGAGE 2025 kicked off with an opening keynote from CentralSquare’s CEO Manolis Kotzabasakis, who emphasized CentralSquare’s ongoing commitment to innovation and investing in the future of the public sector technology. His keynote highlighted how our technologies are evolving to help agencies thrive amid rising demands and resource constraints. CentralSquare is building what’s next for government.

“We’re building what’s next to help our customers create safer and more productive communities. CentralSquare is not just providing solutions for today, we’re invested in long-term solutions that will serve our customers for the next 5-10 years.”

Manolis Kotzabasakis, CEO of CentralSquare

A major theme of the keynote was the shift to the cloud. Legacy systems are becoming increasingly difficult and risky to maintain. From cybersecurity vulnerabilities to high maintenance costs, legacy platforms are holding agencies back. In contrast, cloud offers resilience, scalability, cost efficiency, and built-in security and compliance.

We were proud to celebrate our cloud early adopters that shared how migrating to the cloud transformed their operations and their success stories served as powerful proof that the cloud isn’t just an idea – it’s happening right now, and it’s working.

To make that transition easier and faster than ever, we introduced a range of initiatives to lower the cloud barriers:

• Cloud upgrades in as little as 10 days
• Implementation services under $10,000
• 2-5 Day Go-lives for Payments
• $0 service options
• New products and 50% faster projects
• Up to 70% less services

The keynote also spotlighted our newest AI product with the launch of Centerline AI, a smart suite of tools that streamlines and reduces manual burden. Centerline AI includes features likes: automated transcriptions, voice dictation, narrative co-pilot, case analytics, CJIS chatbot, AI-based tasks, form management, and customizable templates.

Designed specifically for the public sector, Centerline AI is another step forward in empowering public safety and public administration professionals, increasing efficiency, and enabling agencies to deliver more with less.

Day 2: ENGAGE Awards, Duncan Wardle, BIG IDEAS

Day 2 was all about big ideas, innovation, and celebrating the people making them happen. CentralSquare’s CPO Brian Fugere opened with powerful metrics from the past year:

• Over 133k customer cases closed
• 500 requiring product or engineering support
• More than 3500 professional services projects completed

His message was clear – CentralSquare is delivering meaningful results.

We also took time to honor the agencies going above and beyond with the ENGAGE 2025 Awards. This year, seven winners were recognized for their innovation, creativity, and standout achievements:

• Excellence in Resourcefulness Award – Lake Worth Beach, Florida
• Innovation Excellence Award – West Palm Beach, Florida
• Smart Community Award – Wichita, Kansas
• Smart Safety Award – East Baton Rouge and St. George Fire, Louisiana
• User Group Award – Southwest Ohio CAD-to-CAD Network
• Citizen Experience Award – Ames, Iowa
• Exemplary Service in 911 Award – Clackamas County 911, Oregon

Each winner was an inspiring example of how local agencies are using technology, teamwork, and tenacity to better serve their communities.

The morning keynote wrapped with a powerful session from Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. He reminded us that innovation feels uncomfortable – and that’s a good thing. He shared a simple but powerful tool to foster creative thinking: instead of responding with “no, because” try saying “yes, and.”

“The opposite of bravery isn’t cowardice, it’s conformity.”

Duncan Wardle, Former Head of Innovation at Disney

Afterwards, attendees headed to BIG IDEAS sessions that tackled some of the most important challenges facing public agencies today. These topics included early cloud adoption, harnessing AI, and supporting 911 dispatchers facing PTSD. Each session sparked bold conversations, encouraging agencies to think and act decisively in shaping what comes next.

Meanwhile, the Expo Hall was buzzing with activity as attendees connected with exhibitors showcasing innovative solutions designed to support and strengthen agency operations. The Townsquare area allowed for peer-to-peer meetups, on-site customer support, and in-person collaboration. We loved seeing these tables filled with great discussions and collaboration!

Customer Celebration: Retro Rewind Night

Tuesday night was one to remember. Our customer celebration event, Retro Rewind, took attendees back in time with neon lights, arcade games, airbrush tattoos, and a rocking live band. The celebration was more than just a party – it was a thank you to our customers, who continue to innovate and lead in service of their communities.

Day 3: Paid Trainings, BIG IDEAS (Government Trends, Disaster Recovery, AI)

The final day of ENGAGE 2025 was all about hands-on learning and even more BIG IDEAS. Attendees dove into paid training sessions designed to deepen their expertise and help them get even more out of their CentralSquare solutions. These sessions offered a valuable opportunity to learn directly from our experts and walk away with new skills to better serve your community.

This day also featured more BIG IDEAS sessions that explored the road ahead for public agencies. A fireside chat spotlighted trends shaping local government today. While other sessions tackled topics like how AI is reshaping modern policing and why it’s important to prepare for natural disasters, even when it’s unlikely to happen. From strategy to skill building, the last day of ENGAGE wrapped up on a high note, equipping agencies to lead with confidence in the face of change.

Save the Date: Join Us at ENGAGE 2026 in Washington, DC

As ENGAGE 2025 comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for the inspiring insights, conversations, and connections made over the past three days. Your dedication to making a difference in your communities is truly what drives us forward, and we can’t wait to continue this journey together. Save the date for ENGAGE 2026 in Washington, DC – March 15-18. We look forward to seeing you there!