All 2026 Conference Sessions

Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo™ 2026 conference dives deep into key topics for CIOs — including agentic AI, AI governance, IT, cost optimization, emerging technologies and more — to help you address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Conference Theme

Ignite Intelligence

AI is no longer a differentiator — it’s now part of the foundation. CIOs must take the artificial out of intelligence, combining human ingenuity with AI to unlock value, drive agility and navigate disruption. A human-centered approach is key to leading the intelligent enterprise. 

Explore our conference sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind.

Hear from a long-term Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo attendee on why he keeps coming back.
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Sunday, October 18, 2026

06:00 PM - 07:30 PM EDT

Welcome Reception
We invite you to join us at our Welcome Reception Block Party for an evening of networking, food, drinks, and music from our DJ entertainment! Keep an eye out for “Industry Neighborhoods” - informal areas to connect with peers in your industry - while venturing through the entire block.

Please note, you must pick up your conference badge from registration to attend. ... Show More Show Less
Monday, October 19, 2026

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM EDT

Gartner Opening Keynote: Reaching Escape Velocity - Shaping an Effective Enterprise AI Economy
Daryl Plummer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Kristin Moyer, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Hear Gartner’s unique "big picture" insights that will shape your perspective on your most critical priorities. Spark strategic discussions with your peers during the conference as well as with your colleagues throughout the year. ... Show More Show Less

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM EDT

CIO Circle Roundtable: Opening Keynote Follow-On
Join this session to unpack the Gartner IT Symposium opening keynote themes and topics with your CIO circle peers. Show Less

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

CIO Role Evolution From Now to 2030
Daniel Sanchez Reina, VP Analyst, Gartner
The evolution of the CIO through 2030 isn't a slow burn; it’s a total overhaul driven by four relentless forces. There is no middle ground: CIOs who leverage those forces will thrive; those who ignore them will be replaced.
(This is my position). ... Show More Show Less

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Contract Negotiation Clinic: How to Negotiate With Cloud Providers (AWS, Azure, Google, Oracle)
Sara Gravesande, Director Analyst, Gartner
Cloud infrastructure and platform services contract negotiation involve substantial opportunities and risks. While the negotiation fundamentals are similar, each cloud vendor has specific commercials that clients must understand fully. In this session, we will review the critical steps for negotiations, vendor differences and similarities to be aware of when negotiating to achieve the most optimal contract. ... Show More Show Less

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Contract Negotiation Clinic: How to Negotiate With Microsoft
Michael Silver, VP Analyst, Gartner
The complexity of Microsoft’s licensing scheme and the number of contractual options often make it challenging for IT leaders to negotiate contracts and renewals. This interactive clinic presents strategies to help IT leaders successfully negotiate such contracts, with a focus on risk reduction and value maximization. ... Show More Show Less

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

From Proving to Owning Value: How CIOs Transfer Technology Value to the Business P&L
Robert Naegle, VP Analyst, Gartner
Most IT value conversations fall apart because the business never owns the outcomes. This session shows CIOs how to shift from proving value to enforcing ownership — using financial structures, decision rights and renewal‑gate accountability to make leaders sign up for results. With AI and consumption‑based economics breaking traditional ROI, learn how to apply decision‑time guardrails, portfolio‑level value measures, and reinvestment logic to make value realization consistent, scalable and real. ... Show More Show Less

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Get Ready for Data and Analytics 2030
Rita Sallam, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
CIOs leading or partnering with the data and analytics leader play a central role in their organization's AI success. Through 2030 and beyond, they must deliver sustained strategic value, innovation and competitive advantage by providing the data foundations and proactive and trusted intelligence to AI-augmented workers and agent workflows or risk failure. ... Show More Show Less

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM EDT

Hype Cycle for Higher Education, 2026
Marlena Brown, VP Analyst, Gartner
Higher education institutions rely on sustained digital acceleration for a successful engagement experience. Hence, higher education CIOs must maintain the digital momentum. This session will review the 2026 Hype Cycle for higher education and dive deeper into several innovation profiles. Attendees will learn how to determine which technologies will support their institution's modernization goals. ... Show More Show Less

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“It really helps you get away from the operational things you’re doing every day, and think about what’s next.”

JR Williamson
Senior Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Leidos

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