Connect 2025: Bringing Inspiration Home

May 15, 2025 by Craig Patton

5,300 public sector attendees participated in three days of learning, networking, and fun in San Antonio, Texas, before riding into the sunset. An empowering first day and ample opportunities to learn and collaborate over the next energized everyone. With more to see and do than a rodeo, the final stretch of programming included dozens of workshops, a pair of inspirational speakers and one epic Client Appreciation Event.

Overcoming Obstacles and Living an Intentional and Inspired Life

Neil Pasricha onstage at Connect

Tuesday afternoon included two featured speakers. New York Times bestselling author and speaker Neil Pasricha delivered a keynote titled, “You Are Awesome: How to Navigate Change, Wrestle with Failure, and Live an Intentional Life.” Using stories from his own life, Pasricha offered advice on how to become more resilient, how to bend instead of break, and how to get back up after failure and loss knocks you down.

Melanie Tellez and Jose Vargas of City of Las Cruces, New Mexico, were in the audience. Tellez responded to Pasricha’s reframing of happiness as the first step toward success rather than a product of success. “I think it was applicable for me not just at work but in my home life.” Vargas agreed and appreciated the practical advice on reducing time spent on his phone.

John O’Leary onstage at Connect

National bestselling author and speaker John O'Leary delivered the final keynote, “ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life.” He reminded attendees that just getting out of bed in the morning does not mean that we are truly living and encouraged everyone to learn from past mistakes, rise above challenges, and thrive no matter the circumstances.

Erik Zavala, Bernadette Holden, and Tabitha Villaverde of Gilbert, Arizona, found O’Leary’s personal journey and perspective powerfully emotional, moving, and inspiring. "You touch more lives than you know.” Zavala said. “That’s what I took from it.”

A Texas-Sized Celebration

Attendees fueled up before hitting the dance floor

Connect has always been, in part, a celebration of the public sector technology professionals serving their communities. In that spirit, the final evening of Connect traditionally features the much-anticipated Client Appreciation Event. This year’s filled two cavernous halls with Texas-themed neighborhoods of entertainment to explore.

Bringing It All Home

Empower. Collaborate. Imagine. The entire Connect experience amplified these themes, but not simply for attendees while they were in San Antonio. As everyone reflected on their learnings and headed home, they took inspiration, knowledge, and an expanded network of contacts with them to continue delivering results for their local communities.

Nathan Collins of Kaufman County, Texas, said, “The classes have been very helpful in showing me where Tyler is going with their products. It’s been a good mix of learning how to use them and seeing what’s coming up in the future.”

Stefany Boice of Zephyrhills, Florida, said, “The one-on-one with Tyler staff at the ERP support desk was helpful. It was great to be able to ask questions and get answers in person.”

Jessica Hunter of Wicomico County, Maryland, said, “I’ve learned about new updates coming, especially the mobile app that we'll be able to use for payments and other tasks in the field.”

They also shared advice for anyone who has not been to Connect.

Hunter said, “There’s so many classes! You will learn something new and even if it doesn’t pertain to your department, you can share the information with everyone.”

Boice said, “You’ll form a lot of connections with Tyler professionals and also other agencies that use Tyler.”

Collins said, “I’ve been here a few times and there are enough classes that you can get into ones where you’ll learn a lot, no matter what your role or department.”