Join us in Chicago for a focused day of discussion around the evolving landscape of exchange technology. This year’s AFM Tech Day will explore the full spectrum of solutions powering modern markets — from matching engines and market surveillance to cloud infrastructure, APIs, and digital asset integration.
We’ll spotlight emerging trends, practical implementations, and lessons learned from exchanges across the globe. Expect a mix of technical deep dives, strategic insights, and peer-driven dialogue as we look toward the future of exchange innovation.
The agenda will include the following practical sessions:
- Setting the Scene: What to expect from exchange solutions/systems
- Scaling: Explore the architectural decisions that drive performance and reliability in modern exchanges
- Interoperability and API Strategy
- Build – Buy Practical Session
- Case Study Session
Dr. Richard L. Sandor will deliver the keynote at Tech Day 2025. Widely recognised as the "Father of Financial Futures" and "Father of Carbon Trading," Dr. Sandor’s groundbreaking work has shaped markets from Chicago to China — from the birth of electronic trading to the frontier of environmental finance.
Whether you’re an exchange technologist, policy thinker, or financial futurist, this is a keynote not to miss.
Agenda
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025
09:00 - 09:05Conference Welcoming Remarks
- Pat Kenny, Chairman, Association of Futures Markets
- James Downs, Founder & CEO, Connamara Technologies
09:05 - 09:30Keynote Presentation
- Dr. Richard Sandor, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Environmental Financial Products
09:30 - 10:30Session 1: Setting the Scene: What to expect from exchange solutions/systems
This panel as the kick off session for the day will discuss in detail the expectations exchanges have of the solutions and systems they operate, how they are expected to perform, the flexibility to adapt to change and critical success factors to consider. As exchange operators, they will share their own technology experiences and what they expect as key drivers of technology of the future.
Moderator: Pat Kenny, CQG
Panelists:- Julie Winkler, Chief Financial Officer, CME
- Brett Harrison, CEO, Architect X
- Others to be confirmed
10:30 - 11:00Coffee/Tea and Networking
11:00 - 11:45Session 2: Scaling: Explore the architectural decisions that drive performance and reliability in modern exchanges.
This panel will dive into innovations in matching engines, low latency infrastructure, and strategies for ensuring uptime in the face of high volumes and unexpected interruptions.
Moderator: Patrick L. Young, Chairman, Revolution Market Capital Panelists:- Matheus Kroef, CTO, Forecast Ex
- Magnus Almqvist, CEO, Exberry
- Others to be confirmed
11:45 - 12:30Session 3: Interoperability and API Strategy
Market infrastructure is no longer a silo. This panel will examine how exchanges are open, developer friendly platform that integrate with brokers, vendors and digital asset infrastructure to create a vibrant exchange ecosystem.
Moderator: Dan Davis, Head of Growth, Connamara Technology
Panelists:- Dewald Marais, STT
- Others to be confirmed
12:30 - 14:00Lunch and Networking
14:00 - 15:00Session 4: Build – Buy Practical Session
Exchanges briefly present their tech/vendors decision
Moderator: Chris Sturgess, AFM President
Panelists:- Vuyo Mpumza, Manager, Commodities | Commodity Markets, JSE
- Chris Dorougidenis, Project Manager, Vermiculus Financial Technology
- Others to be confirmed
15:00 - 15:30Coffee/Tea and Networking
15:30 - 16:45Session 5: Case Study Session
Moderator: TBD
Speakers:- Kevin Darby, Vice President, CQG
- Others to be confirmed
16:45 - 17:00Conclusions, Farewell
Speakers
Dr. Richard Sandor
Chairman of the Board
Environmental Financial Products
Pat Kenny
Senior Vice President of client relations for CQG, AFM Chairman
Patrick Young
Founder, Exchange Invest
Julie Winkler
Project Manager
CFO, CME
Chris Sturgess
President of the Association of Futures Markets
James Downs
CEO
Connamara Technologies
Chris Dorougidenis
Project Manager
Vermiculus Financial Technologies
Daniel Davis
Head of Growth
Connamara Technologies
Kevin Darby
Vice President, CQG Inc
Vuyo Mpumza
Manager, JSE
Dewald Marais
STT
Magnus Almqvist
CEO, Exberry
Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities please contact conference@afmorg.net.
