Getty Images
Strategic IT outlook: Tech conferences and events calendar
Tech conferences are a vital way for CIOs and IT leaders to keep abreast of trends and make real-life connections in a fast-changing business climate.
In today's climate of uncertainty and rapidly evolving technologies, the cost for CIOs of falling behind is higher than ever.
Technology industry conferences and events offer the best opportunities for CIOs to stay ahead of the curve and gain a deeper understanding of how to align emerging innovations with business value.
While there's a wealth of technical information you can gather at a quality technology conference, there are other good reasons to attend. Conferences provide opportunities to engage directly with peers, industry experts, potential vendors and other technology and business leaders to discuss similar challenges, build best practices and compare strategies.
Here are some conferences and events that CIOs will want to put on their calendars.
If you have a tech conference or event that you would like to appear in this calendar, email [email protected]. Check in frequently for conference calendar updates.
Forrester Technology & Innovation Forum Central
When: Sept. 14-15, 2026
Where: Austin, Texas
Cost: $1,099.
Agenda includes workshops, case studies, and sessions on data and AI readiness; AI workplace strategies; and operationalizing AI.
Keynote speakers include Alla Valente -- principal analyst, Forrester; Charles Betz -- vice president and principal analyst, Forrester; Joe Cicman -- principal analyst, Forrester; Mark Moccia -- vice president and research director, Forrester; and Srividya Sridharan -- vice president and group director, Forrester.
Extras: Welcome reception, breakout sessions, Forrester Women's Leadership Program, Forrester Executive Leadership Exchange, and private executive sessions and receptions.
Learn more about Forrester Technology & Innovation Forum Central here.
Gartner Enterprise Risk, Audit and Compliance Conference 2026
When: Sept. 15-16, 2026
Where: Grapevine, Texas.
Cost: $4,350.
Topics include third-party risk management; business risk ownership; emerging risk landscape; employee engagement and compliance.
Speakers include Antonia Donaldson -- director analyst, Gartner; Brian Andersen -- senior director, Gartner; Viktoria Boyle -- vice president, Gartner; Elliott Long -- director, Gartner.
Extras: Gartner expert one-on-one briefings, ask the expert sessions, workshops, and social events.
Register for Gartner Enterprise Risk, Audit and Compliance Conference 2026 here.
Forrester Technology & Innovation Forum Central
When: Sept. 14-15, 2026
Where: Austin, Texas
Cost: TBA
Agenda and conference speakers have not yet been announced.
Get more information about this event here.
Dreamforce
When: Sept. 15-17, 2026
Where: San Francisco
Cost: $2,299, standard.
Topics covered include agentic AI development with Agentforce; AI development for the contact center, customer experience and field service management; Data 360; and Tableau analytics and insights.
Conference speakers include Marc Benioff -- chair, chief executive officer, and founder, Salesforce.
Extras: roundtables, workshops, and hands-on trainings.
Register for Dreamforce here.
InfoSec World
When: Oct. 12-14, 2026
Where: Kissimmee, Fla.
Cost: $3,395, early bird; $4,195, standard.
Topics covered include AI regulation, bad actors, AI and the c-suite, AI security threats, and AI privacy and security.
Conference speakers include Mark Clancy -- chief security officer, T-Mobile; Akhila Nama --director and global head of enterprise security, Box; Candice Biamby -- vice president and project manager, cyber threat intelligence, JP Morgan Chase & Co.; and Jason Mortenson - director, strategic information security, Lenovo.
Register for InfoSec World here.
Gartner IT Symposium/Expo
When: Oct. 19-22, 2026
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Cost: $8,200, standard; $5,925, public sector.
Topics covered include top technology trends for 2026; agentic AI; overcoming resistance and building enthusiasm for AI adoption; and leading CIOs through uncertainty.
Conference speakers include Gartner staff, such as Kristin Moyer -- distinguished vice president analyst; Daryl Plummer -- distinguished vice president analyst; Tori Paulman -- vice president analyst; and Gabriela Vogel -- vice president analyst.
Register for Gartner IT Symposium/Expo here.
Securing New Ground
When: Oct. 20-21, 2026
Where: New York City
Cost: $995, early-bird.
Topics include AI and automation, how the security business is changing, and perspectives from leading CSOs.
Speakers include Heather Warner -- vice president of global data center physical security, Oracle; Alex Castaneda -- corporate vice president, North America video security and access control, Motorola Solutions; Billal Hammoud -- president and CEO of building automation, Honeywell; Ann Fandozzi -- chief executive officer, Convergint; and Heather Torrey -- executive vice president, Dormakaba Americas.
Extras: networking breaks and receptions.
Find out more about Securing New Ground here.
Gartner HR Symposium/Expo
When: Oct. 26-28, 2026
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Cost: $4,875, early bird; $5,475, standard; $4,440, public sector.
Topics covered include HR's new domain in the AI era; navigating the multi-generational workplace; and building a growth-ready workforce in the AI era.
Conference speakers include Gartner staff, such as Jana Alancheril -- senior director, advisory; Brent Casell -- vice president, advisory; Ingrid Laman -- vice president, advisory; and Gaston Gomez Armesto -- senior director, advisory.
Extras: networking receptions.
Register for Gartner HR Symposium/Expo here.
Oracle AI World
When: Oct. 26-29, 2026
Where: Las Vegas
Cost: $1,699 early-bird; $1,399 public-sector.
Topics covered at this event include Oracle vision and strategy, AI development in Oracle applications, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure development.
Conference speakers have not yet been announced.
Extras: networking breaks and receptions.
Find out more about Oracle AI World here.
The Studio
When: Oct. 26-28, 2026
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
Cost: free, but via approved application only.
Topics covered at this event include leadership in the AI age and building the right teams for AI success. Conference speakers include Pavan Pidugu -- chief digital and information officer, U.S. Department of Transportation; Eileen Bridges -- senior vice president, business information security officer, Truist; Tipu Swaran -- director, technology strategy and transformation, Discover; Howard Miller -- chief information officer, UCLA Anderson School of Management; and Crystal Broj -- chief digital transformation officer, Medical University of South Carolina.
Apply to attend The Studio here.
ICMI Contact Center Expo
When: Oct. 26-29, 2026
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Cost: Free for qualified registrants; from $1,799, super early bird.
Conference tracks include people and culture, service experience, strategy and leadership, maximizing productiving and operations, and AI in action.
Keynote speakers include Rachel Druckenmiller -- keynote speaker, facilitator, and leadership trainer; and Todd Honey -- host, The Daily Creative podcast.
Extras: ICMI Global Contact Center Awards and networking sessions.
Find out more about ICMI Contact Center Expo here.
GitHub Universe
When: Oct. 28-29, 2026
Where: San Francisco
Cost: $799, early-bird.
Agenda and conference speakers have not yet been announced.
Sign up to find out when registration opens for GitHub Universe here.
Forrester Technology & Innovation Forum East
When: Nov. 4-5, 2026
Where: New York City
Cost: TBA
Agenda and conference speakers have not yet been announced.
Find out more about this event here.
Microsoft Ignite
When: Nov. 17-20, 2026
Where: San Francisco
Cost: $2,325 for conference pass; free for digital pass.
Topics include AI, cloud, and business transformation.
Conference speakers include Cyril Belikoff -- vice president of cloud and AI, Microsoft; Nitasha Chopra -- vice president and chief operating officer of Copilot Studio, Microsoft; Nicole Herskowitz -- corporate vice president of Microsoft 365 and Copilot, Microsoft; Vasu Jakkal -- corporate vice president of Microsoft Security, Microsoft; and Mark Russinovich -- chief technology officer, deputy chief information security officer and technical fellow, Microsoft Azure.
Register for Microsoft Ignite here.
Forbes CIO Summit 2026
When: Nov. 11, 2026
Where: New York City and virtual
Cost: TBA
Topics covered include agentic AI, mitigating AI and the future of IT.
Agenda and conference speakers have not yet been announced.
Extras: networking sessions.
Find out more about the Forbes CIO Summit here.
AWS Re:Invent
When: Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 2026
Where: Las Vegas
Cost: $1,299, early-bird; $2,499 standard.
Topics covered include AWS cloud innovation strategy and roadmap; AWS cloud architecture; and AWS AI tools and agents.
Conference speakers have not yet been announced.
Subscribe to updates for AWS Re:Invent here.
