Jamf After Dark: JNUC
Kat Garbis and Josh Thornton sit down with Jeff Ovik and Kelsey Dahl to preview JNUC 2026 in Kansas City — new programs, sessions and the after-party.
On the latest episode of Jamf After Dark, co-hosts Kat Garbis and Josh Thornton welcomed back two familiar voices to talk all things JNUC. Joining them were Jeff Ovik, Sr. Events Specialist, and Kelsey Dahl, Sr. Events Specialist — two people who know the conference inside and out.
Ovik attended his first JNUC back in 2014, and Dahl is gearing up for her fifth. Together, the group dug into:
- What's new this year
- Why the location matters
- What awaits attendees
During this episode, the two walk through the full lineup of what's back and what's brand new at JNUC 2026.
Why Kansas City, Mo?
Garbis kicked things off by asking how the team landed on Kansas City, Mo, for this year's event. Ovik and Dahl shared that the city was on the radar years before it became a reality, and a few key pieces had to fall into place first.
From a growing airport terminal to a brand-new streetcar line, Kansas City checks a lot of boxes for attendees looking for a central, walkable destination with plenty to do between sessions, like what places to explore in the Power and Light District after event hours.
What's new at JNUC this year
While Dahl and Ovik confirmed a few fan favorites are making a comeback, there are some changes to how the big-stage moments are being structured.
Expect updates to the schedule that give the Commercial State of the Union some breathing room, plus details on a returning hands-on program that comes in two flavors depending on whether you're looking to sharpen core management and security skills or dig deeper into automation and the Jamf API.
There's also word on a beloved networking feature returning to help attendees connect with speakers long after the breakout ends.
First Look: JNUC 2026 - A fireside chat with Jamf CEO Beth Tschida
A party you won't want to miss
No JNUC would be complete without talk of the party, and this year's spot is a first for the event. Garbis pressed the guests for hints, and they didn't disappoint, teasing an evening at a Kansas City venue with a history-making distinction tied to women's professional sports.
Expect live music, food and plenty of networking – all included with a full conference pass.
Worth the investment
With budgets tighter than ever, Garbis didn't shy away from the elephant in the room: how do you convince your boss that JNUC is worth the trip?
Ovik and Dahl offer some practical talking points for anyone building a case to attend: from the value of the “hallway track” to the kinds of problems that tend to get solved simply by being in the room with the right people.
Closing things out, they touch on ways to make the most of the trip once you're there, alongside a few JNUC stories that are best heard in their own words.
