45Drives has announced the first wave of featured speakers for its fourth annual Creator Summit, scheduled for October 20-22 at the Skyline Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. The event, which has become a premier gathering for enterprise technology leaders, open-source enthusiasts, and creators, will focus on private AI infrastructure, data sovereignty, and self-hosting. This year's lineup includes representatives from Unraid (Lime Technology), JR Automation, and influential technology creators such as Wendell Wilson, Jeff Geerling, and Tom Lawrence.
The announcement comes as organizations increasingly build private AI systems and individuals embrace self-hosting and open-source solutions. According to Dr. Doug Milburn, CEO of 45Drives, the technologies transforming AI and enterprise infrastructure are emerging from communities that value openness and collaboration. "Creator Summit exists to bring those communities together under one roof," he said, emphasizing the event's role in fostering knowledge sharing.
The confirmed speakers include leaders from Unraid, which recently partnered with 45HomeLab to provide purpose-built server platforms for the self-hosting community. This partnership reflects a shared philosophy of open infrastructure and freedom from vendor lock-in. Additionally, representatives from JR Automation, a Hitachi Group company, will share insights on industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing. Wendell Wilson of Level1Techs, Jeff Geerling, and Tom Lawrence of Lawrence Systems will also present, bringing expertise in enterprise hardware, open-source technologies, and networking.
The 2026 Creator Summit will feature dedicated tracks: the Enterprise Track covering private AI, high-performance storage, cybersecurity, and data sovereignty; and the Creative Track exploring AI's impact on content creation and production workflows. Attendees can participate in person or via a global livestream, which will include keynotes, technical sessions, and hands-on workshops. Registration is open at 45drives.com/creator-summit.
Additional speakers and sessions will be announced throughout the summer. 45Drives, known for its open-source storage and private AI solutions, also operates 45HomeLab for the self-hosting community. More information is available at www.45drives.com.
