Every fall, thousands of CIOs and senior technology leaders pack their bags and head to Florida for one reason. They want fresh ideas, honest research, and a clear view of where IT is heading next. This year, that gathering has a new home base and a bold new theme. Here is everything you need to know before you book your seat.
When and Where It Happens
The event runs from October 19 to October 22, 2026. It takes place at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. This location gives attendees easy access to hotels, dining, and transportation, all within the same resort complex. Because the venue sits inside Walt Disney World, travel between sessions and your room stays simple. You will not need a rental car or rideshare app to get around.
Orlando has hosted this event for many years, and organizers chose to keep it there because of the space, the weather, and the strong airport connections. Flights into Orlando International Airport are frequent from most major U.S. cities, and many international routes connect through Orlando as well. Therefore, travel logistics tend to be smoother compared with other host cities.
What the Event Is About
This gathering brings together chief information officers and other senior IT executives from around the world. More than 7,000 leaders are expected to attend. Over four days, they will hear from over 140 research analysts and connect with roughly 180 solution providers on the expo floor. The schedule includes more than 350 sessions covering topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, customer experience, and executive leadership.
This year’s theme is “Ignite Intelligence.” The idea behind it is simple but timely. Artificial intelligence is no longer something that sets one company apart from another. It has become a basic part of how modern businesses operate. As a result, technology leaders must now focus on blending human judgment with machine intelligence to create real value. Speakers will explore how executives can use this blend to move faster, adapt to change, and guide their organizations through uncertain times.
The opening keynote, titled “Reaching Escape Velocity: Shaping an Effective Enterprise AI Economy,” sets the tone for the rest of the week. It looks at how companies can move beyond small AI experiments and build systems that actually scale.
Who Should Attend
This conference is built for people who make big technology decisions. It is not aimed at software developers or hands-on engineers looking for coding tutorials. Instead, it serves leaders who set strategy, manage budgets, and guide teams through change.
Typical attendees include:
- Chief information officers
- Chief technology officers
- IT directors and vice presidents
- Enterprise architects
- Digital transformation leaders
- Cybersecurity executives
- Data and analytics leaders
If your job involves shaping how technology supports business goals, this event was designed with you in mind. Additionally, many attendees come from government agencies, healthcare systems, financial firms, and manufacturing companies, so the crowd represents nearly every industry.
Ticket Pricing and Registration
Pricing for this event sits in the executive tier, which reflects the depth of research and access attendees receive. Public pricing is not always posted in one simple place, and rates can shift depending on when you register and which pass type you choose. Based on available listings, here is a general breakdown.
| Pass Type | Estimated Price Range | Notes |
| Standard Pass | $6,000 to $8,200 | Full access to sessions, keynotes, and expo |
| Public Sector Pass | Around $6,125 | Discounted rate for government employees |
| Team or Group Rate | Custom pricing | Available on request for multiple attendees |
These figures are estimates gathered from event listings and third-party sources. Prices may change, so it is wise to confirm exact costs on the official registration page before budgeting. Early registration sometimes unlocks lower rates, so booking a few months ahead can save money.
Registration typically includes access to all keynote sessions, breakout tracks, the expo floor, and networking events. Meals and some social functions are often part of the package as well, though this can vary by pass type.
Four Days at a Glance
Understanding how the week flows can help you plan your travel and prepare mentally for a packed schedule. While exact session times are released closer to the event, the general rhythm follows a familiar pattern each year.
| Day | Focus |
| Day 1 (Oct 19) | Arrival, registration, welcome reception |
| Day 2 (Oct 20) | Opening keynote, main research tracks begin |
| Day 3 (Oct 21) | Deep-dive sessions, analyst one-on-ones, expo floor peak hours |
| Day 4 (Oct 22) | Closing sessions, final networking, departure |
Analyst one-on-one meetings are one of the most valued parts of the week. These private sessions let attendees sit down with a Gartner expert and talk through their specific challenges. Because these slots fill quickly, it helps to request them as soon as registration opens.
Session Tracks and Topics
The agenda covers a wide range of subjects, all tied back to helping IT leaders make smarter decisions. Expect tracks built around these major themes:
- Agentic AI and automation
- AI strategy and governance
- AI technology and infrastructure
- Cybersecurity and risk management
- Data and analytics
- Business transformation and value
- Customer experience
- Executive leadership development
- Emerging technologies
- IT operations and infrastructure
Sessions are typically grouped by role, so a chief information security officer can follow a different path than someone focused purely on data strategy. This structure lets attendees skip content that does not apply to them and instead spend their time on sessions built for their exact job.
The Expo Floor Experience
Alongside the research sessions, the expo floor gives attendees a chance to see real products and talk directly with vendors. With around 180 solution providers expected, the floor covers areas such as cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity tools, data platforms, and AI software. Many companies use this space to launch new products or demonstrate updates for the first time.
Walking the floor is also a good way to gather vendor comparisons without sitting through dozens of individual sales calls back at the office. However, the floor can get crowded during peak hours, so arriving early in the day often means shorter lines and more focused conversations with vendor teams.
Networking Opportunities
Beyond the formal sessions, much of the value at this event comes from informal conversations. Evening receptions, themed meetups, and shared meals give attendees a chance to swap notes with peers facing similar challenges. Many CIOs say these hallway conversations are just as useful as the scheduled content.
If you attend, consider setting a personal goal for how many new contacts you want to make each day. This small habit keeps you from spending all your free time with people you already know. Additionally, joining smaller interest-group meetups, if offered, can lead to more focused discussions than large general receptions.
Travel and Hotel Tips
Because the event takes place at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, booking a room within that same complex is the easiest option. Walking distance to session rooms cuts down on wasted time and avoids the need for shuttle buses or rideshares.
A few practical tips can make the trip smoother:
- Book flights early, since Orlando airport traffic peaks during large conference weeks
- Reserve your hotel room as soon as registration opens, since blocks tend to fill fast
- Pack layers, since meeting rooms are often cooler than the Florida weather outside
- Bring comfortable shoes, since the resort and expo floor involve a lot of walking
- Charge devices overnight, since long days leave little time for mid-day charging breaks
October weather in Orlando tends to be warm during the day and mild at night, with occasional rain showers. Checking the forecast closer to your travel date will help you pack appropriately.
Preparing Before You Arrive
A little preparation goes a long way toward getting real value from the week. Before you travel, take time to review the published agenda and mark sessions tied to your current priorities. If your organization is wrestling with a specific challenge, such as AI governance or cybersecurity budget planning, look for tracks that speak directly to that issue.
It also helps to request analyst one-on-one meetings early, since these slots are limited and popular. Many attendees also reach out to peers ahead of time to plan informal meetups, rather than trying to arrange everything once they arrive.
Finally, set realistic expectations for how much you can absorb in four days. Trying to attend every session often leads to exhaustion rather than insight. Instead, pick a smaller number of high-priority sessions and leave room for spontaneous conversations, which often turn out to be the most valuable part of the trip.
Why This Event Still Matters
Technology leadership keeps getting more complex. Budgets are tighter, expectations are higher, and artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every part of business operations. Gatherings like this one give CIOs a rare chance to step away from daily pressures and think strategically alongside peers and researchers who study these shifts full time.
Rather than relying only on vendor pitches or internal assumptions, attendees leave with research-backed guidance they can bring straight back to their teams. That combination of independent research, peer networking, and hands-on vendor access is difficult to find anywhere else in one place.
Conclusion
This year’s gathering in Orlando runs from October 19 through October 22, 2026, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Built around the theme “Ignite Intelligence,” the event brings together thousands of CIOs and senior IT leaders for four days of research-driven sessions, expert one-on-ones, and a wide-ranging expo floor. Pricing sits in the executive range, though public sector discounts are available. Whether your focus is artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or broader digital transformation, the agenda offers tracks built around real leadership challenges. With early planning, smart hotel booking, and a clear session strategy, attendees can walk away with practical insight and a stronger network of peers facing the same questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the official dates for this year’s Orlando event?
The event takes place from October 19 to October 22, 2026, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Who typically attends this conference?
Attendees include chief information officers, chief technology officers, IT directors, enterprise architects, and other senior technology leaders from a wide range of industries.
How much do tickets usually cost?
Standard passes generally range between $6,000 and $8,200, while public sector rates are often closer to $6,125. Exact pricing should be confirmed on the official registration page.
What is this year’s conference theme?
The theme is “Ignite Intelligence,” which focuses on combining human judgment with artificial intelligence to help organizations adapt and grow.
Is this event suitable for hands-on developers?
Not really. The content is built for strategic decision-makers rather than engineers looking for technical coding sessions.
