Executive Summit

Businesses stand to benefit from AI in unprecedented ways, but only if IT leaders overcome transformation challenges. This includes implementing a modern zero trust architecture to protect data and users, embracing AI while managing its risks, and handling the technical and financial implications of ever-expanding environments. A risk-based approach to security ensures CIOs deliver a secure, phased transformation.

Join this session to:

• Understand how zero trust and AI together, unlike firewalls, provide the strongest cyber defense by stopping threat actors from lateral movement within networks
• Learn strategies for protecting AI applications developed in data centers and the cloud, while preventing data leaks from public AI applications
• Discover how eliminating costly legacy hardware simplifies environments while cutting network and security costs

Now more than ever, operational excellence remains a critical driver of sustainable growth and competitive advantage. CIOs must foster an environment for innovation while balancing institutional resistance and cost restrictions. 

Join this session to explore:

• Balancing new investments with stabilization and technical debt
• Positioning the enterprise for long-term resilience and innovation
• Generating demand for transformation, even in environments where change is resisted

AI can accelerate innovation, but unchecked experimentation risks critical data exposure. CIOs must champion secure, responsible AI adoption while also driving business growth through ingenuity. 

Join this session to discuss:

• Defining non-negotiable data security controls for AI pilots 
• Empowering teams to build cyber judgment and AI literacy 
• Adapting policies based on lessons learned from AI experiments

Leveraging good quality data enables strategic decision making, but obtaining and defining “good data” isn’t a simple task. Organizations can fail to clarify data value and ownership, factors that often contribute to quality issues.

Join this session to discuss how to:

• Identify and articulate the value of good data to internal stakeholders
• Engage business partners and data owners to take accountability for data quality
• Encourage data literacy to enable self-sustaining, data-driven decision making

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Quantum computing, a paradigm shift in computational power and problem solving, is rapidly emerging as a transformative force. Yet, many organizations remain unprepared for the implications and opportunities it presents. CIOs must keep informed about the potential and strategic considerations of this emerging technology. 

Join this future-focused panel discussion to:

• Gain high-level insight into quantum computing principles
• Explore quantum’s impact on cybersecurity, optimization and business resilience
• Assess risks and opportunities to guide organizational strategy

Application consolidation can be an effective instrument in optimizing IT costs and improving efficiency, but it is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. How can CIOs identify where application consolidation provides a strategic benefit, and where it does not?

Join this session to discuss:

• Aligning application consolidation strategy with business objectives
• Navigating cross-functional expectations and goals for standardization
• Weighing the cost of consolidation against actual benefit

During times of economic uncertainty, organizations often cut costs without fully realizing the potential risks and consequences. As IT and technology departments face increasing budgetary pressures, leaders will need to balance short-term efficiency with long-term growth strategy.

Join this session to discuss:

• Evaluating cost-saving initiatives while fully utilizing existing resources
• Mastering strategic vendor relationship management to mitigate aggressive cost increases 
• Meeting cost targets without compromising progress toward broader business objectives

As AI adoption accelerates, CIOs must lead with clarity on risk and compliance. Many organizations struggle to define where to begin, but foundational governance decisions are critical for long-term success.

Join this session to discuss:

• Establishing clear roles and responsibilities for AI oversight
• Mapping existing policies to regulatory and business risks
• Operationalizing compliance across the enterprise to ensure future-ready governance

As digital threats evolve, CIOs are uniquely positioned to champion cybersecurity as both a business enabler and strategic imperative. Join Paul Proctor, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, as he shares how CIOs can align security with IT operations, drive board-level engagement and make smart investments that support growth. Gain new perspectives on balancing risk, leadership and innovation in today’s complex threat landscape.

Join this keynote to learn about:

• The key elements for CIOs and CISOs to coordinate on
• Using benchmarked protection-levels to transform cyber board reporting
• Treating cybersecurity as a business decision

Finish the day sharing lessons learned with your peers over light fare and drinks at this closing reception hosted by your governing body members.