All 2026 Conference Sessions

Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo 2026 dives deep into key topics for finance leaders around cost optimization, growth, AI and more to help you address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Conference Theme

Autonomous Finance: Building Resilient, AI-Driven and Value-Centric Enterprises

CFOs are under pressure to deliver a more autonomous finance function, but that future won’t arrive on its own. This year’s agenda focuses on what it really takes to build that kind of finance organization where insights lead to faster decisions, automation supports more of the close and forecast, and finance teams engage with the business without becoming a bottleneck.

Autonomous finance is not a destination. It is a discipline. And CFOs must lead the way. Explore our sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind. 

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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 Conference Navigator.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2026

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

CFO Risk Watch: Bridging Awareness and Action on Top Emerging Risks

Janel Everly, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
As emerging risks have increased and intensified, most enterprises today have at best, only moderate operational readiness to respond. This disconnect is largely attributable to fragmented risk management practices, characterized by dispersed ownership and unclear accountability. This session clarifies how CFOs should respond to critical emerging risks requiring action today and the most effective influential actions to close the operational readiness gap. ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM EDT

CFO Circle Roundtable: Managing Successful M&A

Rob Habura, Executive Partner, Bus Services, Gartner
This CFO peer-to-peer discussion will be lightly facilitated by a Gartner executive partner who is a former CFO. Join this session to learn how to effectively navigate mergers and acquisitions. ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

Navigate Economic Uncertainty With Adaptive Scenario Planning

Regina Crowder, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
CFOs should deploy adaptive scenario planning, focusing on key business drivers. Unlike traditional scenario planning that often creates fixed plans for a set of possible future outcomes, this method cuts through data noise, providing early warnings and enabling rapid adjustments to forecasts in volatile markets. ... Show More Show Less

02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EDT

CFO Circle Roundtable: Best Practices With Managing Cybersecurity Risks

Jackie Lyons, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Join this CFO peer-to-peer discussion on how to effectively navigate cybersecurity risks. The session will be lightly facilitated by a Gartner executive partner who is also a former CFO. Show Less

02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EDT

CFO Circle Ask the Expert: Liquidity Under Pressure: Rethinking Working Capital Management for Strategic Advantage

Paul Quinn, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
This interactive Q&A session examines how in today’s volatile environment, CFOs are challenged to unlock liquidity, but the most forward-thinking leaders are moving beyond blanket cash conversion cycle (CCC) reduction. This session explores how selective optimization or even extension of CCC components can drive agility, supplier resilience and customer loyalty, while enhancing return on capital. ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:30 PM EDT

From Ideation to Cash Flow: A Financial Framework for Prioritizing High-Yield AI Projects

Nate Suda, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
In 2026, the mandate is clear: AI initiatives must deliver tangible financial returns. This session presents a rigorous seven-step financial filtering framework to rationalize your organization's pipeline of AI projects. Learn how to systematically evaluate and prioritize initiatives, focusing capital and resources on the vital few that will generate measurable revenue growth or cost reduction within the next four to six quarters. ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:30 PM EDT

Unlocking Efficient Growth: CFO Secrets From the Frontlines of Financial Leadership

Randeep Rathindran, Distinguished VP, Research, Gartner
Although CEOs, boards, and investors expect simultaneous top-line growth, bottom-line expansion, and capital efficiency (i.e., efficient growth), no more than 5% of companies are able to achieve it. This session teaches replicable lessons from efficient growth company CFOs on how to manage costs, capital, cash, and AI investments for delivering long-term value. ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:45 PM EDT

CFO Circle Ask the Expert: Smarter Strategies for Funding AI Investments

Michelle Carlsen, Director Analyst, Gartner
AI is reshaping enterprise strategy but funding it effectively remains a challenge. From experimental pilots to enterprise-scale deployments, CFOs must navigate high uncertainty, unclear ROI timelines and rapidly evolving technologies. This interactive Q&A session explores how finance leaders can build smarter funding models for AI initiatives that balance risk, agility and strategic value. ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:30 PM EDT

How CFOs Can Drive Strategic Transformation With AI and Digital Innovation

Sean Kumar, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Despite rapid advances in technology and AI, many enterprises lag behind in integrating these tools into core strategic processes, leaving significant value untapped. This session explores how CFOs can champion collaboration between CIOs and strategy leaders to close the technology gap, accelerate innovation and enhance enterprise agility. Attendees will gain actionable insights on leveraging new technologies for adaptive strategic planning, risk management and growth. ... Show More Show Less

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“This conference is a great opportunity to gain insights into the industry trends that will be key to your finance organization’s health and success in the near and long term.”

Matt Mozdziez
Senior Finance Director, Chemours

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