2026 Applications Conference Sessions

The 2026 agenda dives deep into key topics for enterprise application and software engineering leaders around AI, leadership, modernization, cost optimization and more to help address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Applications Conference Theme

Deliver the Future: Innovate, Lead, Act.

Applications and software engineering leaders are at a turning point where foresight must meet execution and business disruption is forcing dramatic changes. The 2026 conference empowers you to go beyond admiring the AI-enabled promising future — it's about actively building and delivering it. Learn how modern technology, visionary leadership and decisive action can transform your organization’s aspirations into reality. 

Explore our conference sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind. Join us to grow the skills and insights needed to deliver an adaptive and autonomous transformation journey.

Hear why senior leaders invest their time at #GartnerAPPS — plus why networking at this conference is a game changer!
Find Applications Conference Sessions

There are hundreds of sessions happening each day. Filter to see sessions that align with your role and interests. After registering for the conference, craft your agenda and book priority sessions — all through Gartner Conference Navigator.

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Tuesday, June 02, 2026

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT

Strategic Roadmap to Boost Software Engineering Productivity and Optimize Costs
Brian Minning, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
With economic uncertainty and rising expectations for AI, software engineering leaders are under pressure to "do more with less". Boosting developer productivity and optimizing costs are top priorities for software engineering leaders in 2026, but they must ensure these efforts do not undermine teams' ability to deliver long-term value. This session will teach the necessary techniques, tools and metrics to enhance the impact of software engineering teams and investments. ... Show More Show Less

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM PDT

Kong: AI Economics in the Agentic Era: Balancing Context and Token Economies
Dan Temkin, Senior Technical Product Marketing Manag, KongHQ
AI agents are driving real value but also rising costs. As agentic workflows scale, token usage compounds, and most organizations lack visibility or governance to manage it. This session explores how enterprises are building sustainable AI economics through monetization models and governance frameworks - turning AI infrastructure into a competitive, revenue-generating advantage. ... Show More Show Less

12:30 PM - 01:30 PM PDT

Contract Negotiation Clinic: 4 Steps to Combat Price Hikes on Software and SaaS Deals
Christopher Dixon, Director Analyst, Gartner
This session will provide enterprise application leaders with a four-step approach for complex vendor renewals and new technology deals that appear excessive and cause budget overruns. Attendees will learn how to use vendor and internal stakeholder checklists, economic indexes and a vendor-based negotiation playbook to develop easy-to-use cost models for bargaining power during negotiations. ... Show More Show Less

02:30 PM - 03:00 PM PDT

Top Technology Trends in 2026 for Enterprise Applications
Tristan Iles, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
In a heavily hyped market, Heads of Enterprise Applications must ensure that their strategic investments in AI embedded within business applications turn promise into profits by delivering measurable business value. Leaders must also evaluate which platforms are truly equipped to support future business needs so they can make informed decisions about where to invest for long-term success.
In this session, hear Gartner's insight into the future of the market, and learn how to ensure that current modernization efforts are compatible with future AI Agent investments, avoiding the waste of scarce resources on systems that will quickly become outdated. ... Show More Show Less
Wednesday, June 03, 2026

09:00 AM - 09:30 AM PDT

EA Venture Capitalism: Mastering Cost Wins and Strategic Tech Bets
Saul Brand, VP Analyst, Gartner
Heads of EA must identify and evaluate high-potential, opportunistic technology investments as part of their efforts to design an IT investment portfolio that balances cost, value and risk. This presentation guides Heads of EA to proactively steer IT investments for growth, cost optimization, productivity and risk while identifying technology investment opportunities that boost long-term enterprise value with a venture capitalist mindset in 2026 and beyond. ... Show More Show Less

09:00 AM - 09:30 AM PDT

Elevating IT Portfolio Success: Building Financial Acumen and Due Diligence for Application Leaders
James Boyle, VP Analyst, Gartner
Application leaders need strong financial acumen and due diligence to make confident, outcome-focused portfolio decisions. This session shows how financial literacy, transparent risk management, and a shared financial language with business and finance partners can improve IT portfolio health. Gain strategies to strengthen oversight, reduce uncertainty and boost portfolio impact. ... Show More Show Less

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM PDT

How to Kickstart Savings With an Innovative Sprint Framework
Christopher Dixon, Director Analyst, Gartner
Applications and software engineering leaders must think creatively about cost optimization and savings programs. This session will show how to energize savings initiatives by framing them around a fun, sprint-based approach. Learn how an organization launched and implemented a "Celebrate Savings" 5-week sprint that inspired the IT workforce to participate and discover innovative and unconventional ways to achieve both short- and long-term savings. ... Show More Show Less

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM PDT

Contract Negotiation Clinic: 4 Steps to Combat Price Hikes on Software and SaaS Deals (Repeat)
Christopher Dixon, Director Analyst, Gartner
This session will provide enterprise application leaders with a four-step approach for complex vendor renewals and new technology deals that appear excessive and cause budget overruns. Attendees will learn how to use vendor and internal stakeholder checklists, economic indexes and a vendor-based negotiation playbook to develop easy-to-use cost models for bargaining power during negotiations. ... Show More Show Less

03:30 PM - 04:00 PM PDT

How Application Leaders Can Balance Benefits and Costs in Application Modernization
Greg Leiter, VP Analyst, Gartner
Application modernization and digital transformation requires investment, most notably in the latest cloud, AI enabled enterprise applications. The business case for modernization can be elusive. This session will provide application leaders with a practical strategy for balancing the costs and the benefits of application modernization. ... Show More Show Less

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“Very informative and insightful sessions with the current trends and where the industry is headed. The team was professional, attentive and truly cared about delivering the best possible experience for me. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for attending industry trends conferences.”

Aneez Zakaria
Product Manager, Blue Shield of California

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