2016 is shaping up to be the year that digital transformation will move from buzzword realm to reality for CIOs. We've identified nine events taking place this spring that have something to offer all IT leaders as they put their digital strategies into action. Mark your calendars, and prepare to find the answers and insights you need to succeed in the digital future.
Forbes CIO Summit
When: March 6-7
Where: Half Moon Bay, CA
Why you should be there: The Forbes CIO Summit agenda is designed for “ambitious, open-minded, creative and strategic” CIOs. Those who don't back down from the many challenges facing their role today – from emerging threats to digital disruption. Leading CIOs and business leaders from companies like Google, Target, P&G and others will take the stage to discuss how to get closer to the customer, how to be a better board-level CIO, and how to be a transformational CIO.
AGENDA16
When: March 21-23
Where: Amelia Island, FL
Why you should be there: Adam Dennison, senior vice president and publisher for IDG Enterprise, recently shared a sneak peek of the upcoming AGENDA16 conference. He commented that this year's event will go beyond the hype of digital transformation to focus on what businesses have actually done to move the ball forward on digital so that attendees can learn from their peers. The speaker list features some familiar faces, including Enterprisers David Bray, FCC CIO, and Tom Soderstrom, IT Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Boston CIO
When: March 30
Where: Boston, MA
Why you should be there: We recently profiled the winners of the Georgia CIO of the Year awards, a highly-competitive program designed to showcase CIOs who are demonstrating excellence in leading their technology organizations. The winners of the Boston CIO of the Year awards will be announced later this year, but this March event will bring all the nominees together to network and learn about “mastering the challenge of leading change.” James Dallas, former SVP & CIO of Georgia-Pacific, will lead a keynote session to help attendees craft a strategy for change based on proven methods.
Landmark CIO Summit
When: April 19
Where: New York, NY
Why you should be there: This conference brings together CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, CISOs, and other IT leaders on a variety of topics, including big data, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, machine learning, natural language processing, cloud and mobility, modern application development and architectures, software defined datacenter and more. Attendees can expect to leave feeling more prepared for a data-driven future.
Collision
When: April 26-28
Where: New Orleans, LA
Why you should be there: Collision is fast-growing tech conference that draws a diverse and global crowd and leaders from both startups and major corporations alike. Its enterprise track will cover topics such as threat intelligence versus risk, cloud, open source, and the future of enterprise software. CIOs who attend may also want to follow tracks on the Internet of Things, data, and security to stay informed on the latest trends shaping the future of tech.
Elite 100 Conference
When: May 2-3
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Why you should be there: This conference is open only to C-level and senior IT executives and will focus on how tech leaders are “building a world-class IT enterprise.” At the event, winners of the Elite 100 awards will each share insights into the successes that contributed to their award win. Attendees can expect to learn real strategies for business technology transformation from the industry's best of the best.
Interop Cloud Connect
When: May 2-3
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Why you should be there: Co-located with the Elite 100, Cloud Connect is laser-focused on helping enterprises move beyond legacy roadblocks to fully realize the potential of the cloud. Attend this event to learn which cloud architectures and services are best suited for your businesses, and how cloud can be integrated into both legacy systems and new initiatives.
Internet of Things World
When: May 10-12
Where: Santa Clara, CA
Why you should be there: As Internet of Things moves increasingly to the forefront of conversations related to the future of technology, IoT World aims to be a one-stop-shop for learning, collaborating, and showcasing new, disruptive technologies. CIOs should attend to get a glimpse into how the Internet of Things will impact healthcare, security, city planning, energy, agriculture, and consumer trends.
MIT Sloan CIO Symposium
When: May 18
Where: Cambridge, MA
Why you should be there: MIT Sloan research finds that “companies that thrive in the digital economy are 26 percent more profitable than their industry peers.” This conference will provide a roadmap for CIOs to help their organizations succeed and create new business opportunities in this digital-first future. Topics covered will include “Big Data 2.0,” “Redesigning the Digital Workplace,” and “Managing a Digital Innovation Portfolio.”
What's on your calendar? Are there any events that we missed? Let us know in the comments.
