2026 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!
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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

Heads of EA Must Rewire EA for AI
Fred Ganter, VP Analyst, Gartner
Heads of enterprise architecture (EA) who don’t proactively use AI to optimize EA activities will become a roadblock to increasing demand from business and IT stakeholders. This session provides a roadmap for heads of EA to reimagine their operating model and serve as exemplars in harnessing AI. ... Show More Show Less

12:30 PM - 02:00 PM PDT

Enterprise Architecture Roundtable: Starting & Restarting an EA Practice
Jeff Fitzgerald, Executive Partner, Domains, Gartner
Gartner survey data consistently shows that roughly two-thirds of EA leaders have recently rechartered, are in the process of recharting, or plan to recharter their EA function. In this Roundtable, you’ll hear from peers about best practices and lessons learned when undergoing an EA makeover. ... Show More Show Less

02:30 PM - 02:50 PM PDT

Insights from the Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Architecture Tools
Fred Ganter, VP Analyst, Gartner
Over the past year, the enterprise architecture tools market has undergone significant transformation, characterized by a series of strategic mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and the entry of new vendors. This dynamic shift has attracted heightened attention from EA practitioners, private equity firms and IT software vendors, all keen to capitalize on the evolving landscape. Join this session to know more. ... Show More Show Less

02:30 PM - 04:00 PM PDT

Workshop: Reference Architecture
Andrew Gianni, Director Analyst, Gartner
A reference architecture is a key component of the enterprise architecture practice. It is the primary means to influence implementation decisions to align them with the future-state architecture. This workshop will provide you with a framework and templates to get started in defining a reference architecture for your organization that is consumable by your delivery organization. ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:30 PM PDT

Emerging Technologies Adoption Radar, 2026 for Heads of EA
Rimma Gurevich, Sr Principal Analyst, Gartner
Emerging technology radars are visualization tools that support the enterprise technology portfolio and guide IT leaders in planning for disruptive technologies in 2026. The four themes include the AI-powered enterprise, security by design, efficiency first, and foundational and frontier technologies. This session will cover what themes and emerging technology Heads of EA should be aware of. ... 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

01:45 PM - 02:15 PM PDT

Heads of Enterprise Architecture Must Drive AI Direction
Fred Ganter, VP Analyst, Gartner
Now is the time for Enterprise Architecture to lead. The era of fragmented AI pilots is over. Regulatory pressure, escalating costs, poor return on investment and board-level scrutiny demand a unified enterprise AI direction. Heads of EA are uniquely positioned to lead by holistically connecting strategy, planning and execution, ensuring AI can deliver measurable business outcomes while managing risk and cost. By using these practical techniques, heads of EA can ensure AI becomes a repeatable, trusted capability rather than a fragmented liability. ... Show More Show Less

03:30 PM - 04:15 PM PDT

Enterprise Architecture Roundtable: Applying AI in EA (Multigroup)
Bart Kaplan, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
As AI moves from isolated use cases to a core feature of enterprise business and operating models, it will drive demand for more scalable, automated support from EA. Join this roundtable to understand how your peers are leveraging AI to more effectively deliver EA services. ... Show More Show Less

04:15 PM - 04:45 PM PDT

Maximize EA Value by Managing a Portfolio of EA Skills, Not Roles
Rimma Gurevich, Sr Principal Analyst, Gartner
Don’t let rigid roles limit your enterprise architecture team’s impact. Manage a portfolio of EA skills — not roles — to flexibly deploy talent, close critical gaps and maximize value in a fast-changing business landscape. This approach enables targeted upskilling and agile resourcing, ensuring your architects deliver the right expertise to the right initiatives at the right time. ... 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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