Executive Summit

Sensitive data movement can be risky but restricting it outright can create operational and security challenges. In an era of agentic AI, generative AI, and emerging quantum computing, organizations need security frameworks that protect data while ensuring agility. This session explores how modern security platforms enable secure data flow, adapt to diverse use cases and prepare for the post-quantum encryption (PQE) shift.

Join this keynote to learn:

• How to choose the right secure access method for each use case
• Why security must be adaptive to risk, user behavior and AI-driven interactions
• How to prepare for post-quantum encryption and its enterprise security impact

Gartner research predicts that 30% of generative AI projects through 2026 will be abandoned after proof of concept, due in part, to poor data quality. CIOs play a critical role in ensuring data is AI-ready and the business is poised for innovation.

Join this session to discuss:

• Emphasizing data quality and maturity as a keystone of AI innovation
• Aligning data strategy with business objectives to maximize AI impact
• Collaborating with data management leaders and cross-functional stakeholders

Enterprise leaders are moving beyond traditional automation into the era of autonomous agents—AI systems that act independently, orchestrate complex workflows, and adapt in real time. Agentic AI is transforming how teams operate, redefining AI’s role from passive tools to proactive business enablers. Discover how practical frameworks and proven use cases are driving execution and strategic advantage.

Join Rakesh Gohel, Co‑author of Agentic AI: Reinventing Business & Work with AI Agents, as he explores:

• Actionable frameworks for deploying agentic AI in enterprise environments, from initial pilots to full-scale implementation.
• Real-world use cases where autonomous agents are delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Strategies for responsible implementation that balance innovation with effective risk management and organizational readiness.

In the evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions, IT leadership is no longer an afterthought but a crucial voice in the M&A process. With technology tightly integrated into business processes, IT leaders have the potential to drive positive transformation and permanent business growth.

Join this session to discuss:

• Evolving M&A playbooks and executing successful roadmaps
• Growing pains and gains through organizational pivots
• Excelling in change management leadership for sustainable transformation

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

 CIOs are constantly adapting to new challenges, from resource constraints to shifting business demands and emerging risks. Tapping into the collective experience of your peers can spark practical solutions and accelerate progress—whether it’s optimizing IT operations, strengthening security, or driving innovation.

Join your peers as they:

• Introduce practical tools and techniques that can be quickly implemented to improve IT performance and resilience, and discuss their effectiveness across different organizational environments
• Identify common challenges faced by CIOs, such as balancing resources, evolving threats, and business priorities, and collaborate on strategies to overcome these obstacles
• Share experiences and successes, promoting knowledge exchange and continuous improvement in IT leadership and operational practices

AI is reshaping cost transformation by enabling organizations to move beyond traditional cost-cutting and reimagine how work is structured and delivered. Forward-thinking leaders are using AI to redesign entire functions, unlocking efficiencies that were previously out of reach. Yet, many organizations struggle to measure and capture the true value of these AI-driven changes.

Join Brian Demski, Senior Executive Partner, Gartner to explore:

• How AI is driving fundamental shifts in the way organizations design and deliver work, creating efficiencies beyond automation.
• Methods for translating AI-driven efficiencies into measurable business value, not just operational savings.
• Strategies to ensure AI initiatives deliver real, sustainable impact and avoid common pitfalls in value realization.

As technology advances and global uncertainty grows, cyber risk has become inseparable from business risk. CIOs must lead the charge in building resilient organizations—leveraging AI, preparing for geopolitical disruptions, and ensuring that security is woven into every business decision.

Join this session to discuss:

• Real-world approaches for building cyber resilience and ensuring rapid recovery in the face of sophisticated threats and geopolitical disruptions.
• Strategies for integrating cyber risk management into digital transformation initiatives and adapting to new regulatory and operational realities.
• Best practices for engaging business leaders, communicating risk, and fostering enterprise-wide collaboration before, during, and after incidents.

Houston CIOs are navigating an environment where speed of innovation is the true differentiator. With key stakeholders demanding clear results from emerging technologies, technology leaders must move beyond hype to deliver real business impact. This keynote provides proven strategies and examples to help drive technology innovation—even in resource-constrained or risk-averse environments.

Join Gartner's VP & Distinguished Analyst, Jorge Lopez to explore:

• Actionable ways to showcase the real business value of AI, robotics, and beyond through compelling success stories.
• How rapid experimentation and data-driven decision making can transform organizational agility and unlock new opportunities.
• Insights on building strong partnerships across leadership roles to enable seamless innovation and boost efficiency.