While we build the 2022 agenda, explore last year’s tracks built upon our latest research that addressed the challenges most critical to CIOs. These key topics kickstarted conversations around the priorities and initiatives of CIOs so attendees could tackle what was most important to them.
2021 track highlights
Track A: Leveraging Digital Ecosystems
This track provides the expertise to help you leverage technologies and partnerships and adapt business and operating models to develop future sustainable revenue.
Track B: Delivering the Future of Work
CIOs can lead by working with all CxOs to adopt new forms of team structures and leverage advanced technology to radically change how work is done.
Track C: Leading the Customer Experience Strategy
CIOs can partner with key CxOs to develop customer experience (CX) strategies leveraging advanced technology to establish persistent and rich relationships with customers and partners.
Track D: Evolving the Role of the IT Organization
Accelerated and expanded digitalization requires CIOs to evolve the role of the IT organization to support expanding technology abilities of the non-IT workforce and further integrate business-IT team workflows to deliver business value.
Track E: Architecting Composable Business
The need to achieve greater business resilience and agility is driving CxOs to architect their enterprise as a composable business. CIOs must lead in this effort and establish digital business platforms to enable composability and achieve digital business ambitions.
Track F: Funding Digitalization
CIOs need to work with CFOs and all CxOs to safeguard the right accountability and develop new ways of making financial decisions.
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A look back at 2021's agenda
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Gartner Opening Keynote: How to Digitally Accelerate When You’re So Freaking Tired
Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As 2020 drew to a close, there was wistful thinking that by January 2021, all would be well. But for the first half of 2021, things are set to look a lot like 2020. Meanwhile, CIOs are being asked to accelerate digital efforts. How can you do that when your team is feeling fatigue? This session covers how to increase resilience and overcome fatigue to digital accelerate in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM EST
How to Accelerate in Uncertain Times
Dave Aron, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Digital acceleration in uncertain times requires the ability to adapt at speed and scale. ‘Agile’ methodologies and becoming ‘resilient’ do not quite cut it. Antifragility pervades the whole enterprise, and focuses on not just surviving, but becoming more successful in volatile times. In this session, we will discuss mechanisms to be more antifragile.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM EST
Ask the Expert: How to Accelerate in Uncertain Times
Dave Aron, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Bring your questions to interact with Gartner experts and dive deeper into how to accelerate in uncertain times.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM EST
CEO Concerns 2021: Implications and Actions for CIOs
Mark Raskino, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Our brand new global CEO and senior business executive survey reveals key focal points for 2021. We will help CIOs look forward through the eyes of CEOs in the aftermath of a tumultuous crisis year. This session will help CIOs think how best to tune and adapt the technology-related capabilities of their organizations for the hoped-for recovery ahead.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
CIO Stories Panel - CIO as CxO: Leading Digital Business Acceleration
Mark Walther, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Casey Weiser, Executive Partner, Gartner
Roland Rivera, Deputy Commissioner for Technology and CIO, Virginia Department of Social Services
Jeanine Charlton, SVP, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Merchants Fleet
Ketan Pandit, CIO, QBE North America
Gain insights from your CIO peers by attending the CIO Stories Panel, an accelerated learning session. This session will bring together CIOs serving on a LIVE 45-minute moderated panel with interactive Q&A. Our CIO panelists will focus on their role as CXO to share challenges, opportunities, solutions, and insights to specific, real-world problems. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all CIOs, whether panelists or attendees, can expand the common body of knowledge for all.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Roundtable: The Multifaceted Role of CIO in Digital Business Acceleration
Carolyn Damon, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Jon Leverence, Executive Partner, Gartner
Walter Harmon, Executive Partner, Gartner
As a result of CIO responsiveness to business challenges triggered by COVID-19, Gartner predicts that by 2024, 25% of traditional large enterprise CIOs will be held accountable for digital business operational results, effectively becoming "COO by proxy." Join this roundtable to share your role in delivering digital business acceleration. Are you also your organization’s chief digital evangelist, catalyst, orchestrator or operating officer?
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM EST
Driving Business Innovation Ecosystems: The Best Kept Competitive Differentiation Secret
Michelle Bazargan, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Creating continuous long-term customer value through business innovation will ensure your organization not only survives but thrives in an unknown global market. Innovation is not siloed or a pure technology play, it must be aligned with customer and market dynamics and patterns, and include ways to reinvent your business by tapping into a global diverse source for talents across the world.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Workshop: Accelerating Your Digital Journey
Jim Finwick, Executive Partner, Gartner
Christopher Mixter, VP, Advisory, Gartner
This workshop helps CIOs better craft and communicate their digital business strategies. We'll start by ensuring that you have the right digital ambition/scope and metrics. We'll review the components that are often part of a comprehensive digital journey. You'll have a chance to learn from and work with Gartner experts during the session.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Roundtable: The Multifaceted Role of CIO in Digital Business Acceleration
Carolyn Damon, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Jon Leverence, Executive Partner, Gartner
Walter Harmon, Executive Partner, Gartner
As a result of CIO responsiveness to business challenges triggered by COVID-19, Gartner predicts that by 2024, 25% of traditional large enterprise CIOs will be held accountable for digital business operational results, effectively becoming "COO by proxy." Join this roundtable to share your role in delivering digital business acceleration. Are you also your organization’s chief digital evangelist, catalyst, orchestrator or operating officer? (Repeat)
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Guest Keynote: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
As the world speeds up, it’s become way too easy to get left behind. What keeps us fresh and relevant are our ideas. But why is it that some ideas inspire and move people to action, while others tend to fizzle out? Join guest keynote speaker, Suneel Gupta, to learn the surprising truth about Innovation and why some innovators get ahead while others get ignored. Suneel will share memorable stories, science-based insights, and immediately usable techniques to turn your idea into an inspiring vision that captivates attention and inspires action.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Fireside Chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
Ed Gabrys, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join us for a fireside chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta to further explore insights from his presentation: Backable: The Surprise Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM EST
Gartner Closing Keynote: Leadership Acceleration — Opportunities for 2021
Tina Nunno, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Many leaders learned to lead differently as a result of the global pandemic and the challenges that came with it. But as is often the case, great lessons can often quickly become unlearned when the crisis abates, or when there is a perceived light at the end of the tunnel. Leaders and enterprises risk returning to the comfort of old habits, rather than institutionalizing leadership innovations. This session will focus on the top CIO leadership lessons to keep from 2020, to advance and accelerate their leadership in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Gartner Opening Keynote: How to Digitally Accelerate When You’re So Freaking Tired
Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As 2020 drew to a close, there was wistful thinking that by January 2021, all would be well. But for the first half of 2021, things are set to look a lot like 2020. Meanwhile, CIOs are being asked to accelerate digital efforts. How can you do that when your team is feeling fatigue? This session covers how to increase resilience and overcome fatigue to digital accelerate in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM EST
Reconfigure and Build Resilience and Antifragility in Your Workforce Model of the Future
Rob O'Donohue, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation. As businesses stabilize, recover and renew for growth, CIOs should seize the opportunity to reshape the future of work and reconfigure their workforce model to overcome brittleness, improve resilience, add antifragility, and achieve optimal performance.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM EST
Ask the Expert: How to Reconfigure, Build Resilience and Antifragility in Your Workforce Model of the Future
Rob O'Donohue, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join Gartner Experts to address your top questions on how to reconfigure your workforce model to improve resilience and achieve optimal performance. This Ask The Expert session will answer questions such as:
● What are the challenges CIOs face when considering composing a more blended workforce?
● How Talent Sharing works and the challenges with it?
● What are the challenges CIOs face when creating fusion teams?
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
CIO Stories Panel - CIO as CxO: Leading Digital Business Acceleration
Mark Walther, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Casey Weiser, Executive Partner, Gartner
Roland Rivera, Deputy Commissioner for Technology and CIO, Virginia Department of Social Services
Jeanine Charlton, SVP, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Merchants Fleet
Ketan Pandit, CIO, QBE North America
Gain insights from your CIO peers by attending the CIO Stories Panel, an accelerated learning session. This session will bring together CIOs serving on a LIVE 45-minute moderated panel with interactive Q&A. Our CIO panelists will focus on their role as CXO to share challenges, opportunities, solutions, and insights to specific, real-world problems. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all CIOs, whether panelists or attendees, can expand the common body of knowledge for all.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Roundtable: Digital Acceleration Requires a Compelling Employee Value Proposition
Debra Christmas, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Kristin Root, Executive Partner, Gartner
Sue Smith, Executive Partner, Gartner
By 2023, Gartner predicts 75% of companies will have an EVP tailored for attracting and retaining IT talent. While work-life balance and compensation are tied as the most reported EVP attributes for attracting IT employees, 6 in 10 current employees agree their employee experience is as important to them as compensation and benefits. Join this roundtable to learn how to recruit and retain the IT talent you need to drive enterprise digital acceleration.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Roundtable: IT Talent and the Future of Work at Midsize Enterprises
Joe Mariano, Director Analyst, Gartner
Vivek Swaminathan, VP, Team Manager, Gartner
Mike Cisek, VP Analyst, Gartner
2020 brought new challenges to midsize enterprises staffing IT teams, including remote work, digital acceleration and increased demand. Join this roundtable discussion to hear what your peers are doing to attract and retain IT talent.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 01:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Research Discussion: Reducing Digital Friction in the New Workplace (Exclusive to Midsize Enterprises)
Kristin Mettraux, VP, Advisory, Gartner
Alicia Mullery, Sr Director, Advisory, Gartner
Employees at midsize enterprises lose 5 hours of productivity per week. That inefficiency comes from digital friction, or the unnecessary effort employees have to exert just to use data or technology for work. The same digital workplace technologies designed to improve productivity, instead made work more complicated. Continue the discussion on the Future of Work and see how to reduce friction in the new workplace.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM EST
The Future of Leadership for CIOs in the Hybrid Digital Workplace
Matt Hancocks, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Contemporary leadership research is pointing towards the relational dimension of leadership as being core to successfully navigating modern organizations. For CIOs operating in environments where technology and digital transformation program responsibilities are distributed, the focus on relationships and relationship building is key. This presentation outlines what leaders can do to address their leadership capabilities in the relational space.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM EST
The Unbounded Workforce: Decode the Future of Business
Scott Engler, VP, Advisory, Gartner
COVID has simultaneously upended business models and changed the talent playing field putting unprecedented pressure on technology leaders. CIOs need to understand how to plan for dynamic business model change, sense and seize evolving talent realities for competitive advantage, and plan for a more agile, skill-focused world post-COVID.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Roundtable: Digital Acceleration Requires a Compelling Employee Value Proposition
Debra Christmas, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Kristin Root, Executive Partner, Gartner
Sue Smith, Executive Partner, Gartner
By 2023, Gartner predicts 75% of companies will have an EVP tailored for attracting and retaining IT talent. While work-life balance and compensation are tied as the most reported EVP attributes for attracting IT employees, 6 in 10 current employees agree their employee experience is as important to them as compensation and benefits. Join this roundtable to learn how to recruit and retain the IT talent you need to drive enterprise digital acceleration. (Repeat)
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Workshop: Building a Transformation-Ready Workforce
Kirsten Barnum Sandoval, Sr Director, Advisory, Gartner
Marc Andonian, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Digital business has accelerated, and CIOs must prepare their IT workforce to meet new sources of demand, changing channel preferences and shifts in consumer behavior. This workshop will highlight the competencies most important to driving digital transformation, and help you identify diverse learning experiences to attract, develop and retain digitally dexterous talent, enabling you to build and communicate a strategy to drive digital dexterity through experiential learning.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Women CIO Roundtable: Making Creativity Part of Business as Usual
Jackie Fenn, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Erin Griffin, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Geetha Sendhil, Executive Partner, Gartner
Izella Dornell, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
"We want to innovate but everyone is too busy with their day job." If this sounds familiar to you, join this session to learn the practical approaches your peers are using to encourage innovation and experimentation within their teams and organizations. Discussion will focus in particular on the day-to-day behaviors that make creativity and innovation a habit rather than an exception. All attendees are welcome to engage in this open dialogue.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST
LATAM Peer Conversation: The Art of Building High-performing Teams (Facilitated in Spanish)
High-performing teams stand out because they consistently outperform other teams. Although building high-performing teams can often feel more like art than science, there are a set of practical steps that CIOs can leverage to build those abilities in their teams. Please come ready to share best practices and lessons learned.
● Do you know what it feels like to belong to a High-Performing Team?
● What challenges do you face in building a High-Performance Team at your companies?
● What specific actions are you taking to build High-Performing teams?
● What are the Foundational Characteristics of a High-Performing teams?
● How do you measure progress?
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST
Peer Conversation: Best Practices for Communicating in a Remote Working Environment (Facilitated in Portuguese)
As employees continue to work remotely, they are looking to their organizations for ongoing support in maintaining their productivity and connectivity. Please come ready to share best practices and lessons learned.
● How have you evolved your communication strategy to ensure remote workers remain engaged and productive?
▪ How are you encouraging peer-to-peer check-ins to discussions for both work related issues and non-work related issues?
▪ How have you changed your meeting strategy since the shift to a remote workforce?
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Guest Keynote: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
As the world speeds up, it’s become way too easy to get left behind. What keeps us fresh and relevant are our ideas. But why is it that some ideas inspire and move people to action, while others tend to fizzle out? Join guest keynote speaker, Suneel Gupta, to learn the surprising truth about Innovation and why some innovators get ahead while others get ignored. Suneel will share memorable stories, science-based insights, and immediately usable techniques to turn your idea into an inspiring vision that captivates attention and inspires action.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Fireside Chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
Ed Gabrys, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join us for a fireside chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta to further explore insights from his presentation: Backable: The Surprise Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM EST
Gartner Closing Keynote: Leadership Acceleration — Opportunities for 2021
Tina Nunno, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Many leaders learned to lead differently as a result of the global pandemic and the challenges that came with it. But as is often the case, great lessons can often quickly become unlearned when the crisis abates, or when there is a perceived light at the end of the tunnel. Leaders and enterprises risk returning to the comfort of old habits, rather than institutionalizing leadership innovations. This session will focus on the top CIO leadership lessons to keep from 2020, to advance and accelerate their leadership in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Gartner Opening Keynote: How to Digitally Accelerate When You’re So Freaking Tired
Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As 2020 drew to a close, there was wistful thinking that by January 2021, all would be well. But for the first half of 2021, things are set to look a lot like 2020. Meanwhile, CIOs are being asked to accelerate digital efforts. How can you do that when your team is feeling fatigue? This session covers how to increase resilience and overcome fatigue to digital accelerate in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM EST
How CIOs Can Drive a Culture of Customer Centricity
Michael Chiu, VP Analyst, Gartner
Customer experience (CX) is among the top-5 priorities for executives including the CIO. But how can you as a CIO contribute to CX by driving a customer-centric culture? This session describes how to do that by using culture "hacks" which can be completed in less than 48 hours. Such hacks are small adjustments to your culture which garner big results.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM EST
Ask the Expert: How CIOs Can Drive a Culture of Customer Centricity
Michael Chiu, VP Analyst, Gartner
Bring your questions to interact with Gartner experts and dive deeper on how CIOs can contribute to the customer experience (CX) and drive a customer-centric culture in their organization. For instance, who typically has responsibility for these culture “hacks” and shifting the culture to becoming more customer-centric? Is there a suitable "starter" culture hack that is good for organizations to begin with? How do I know if my organization’s culture is customer-centric or not?
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
CIO Stories Panel - CIO as CxO: Leading Digital Business Acceleration
Mark Walther, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Casey Weiser, Executive Partner, Gartner
Roland Rivera, Deputy Commissioner for Technology and CIO, Virginia Department of Social Services
Jeanine Charlton, SVP, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Merchants Fleet
Ketan Pandit, CIO, QBE North America
Gain insights from your CIO peers by attending the CIO Stories Panel, an accelerated learning session. This session will bring together CIOs serving on a LIVE 45-minute moderated panel with interactive Q&A. Our CIO panelists will focus on their role as CXO to share challenges, opportunities, solutions, and insights to specific, real-world problems. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all CIOs, whether panelists or attendees, can expand the common body of knowledge for all.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Roundtable: Building a Customer-Centric Mindset
Kathleen Ameche, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Carl Deal, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Joe Gale, Sr Client Success Manager, Gartner
Would you be your own customer? Creating a culture focused on the customer experience begins with the right mindset. During this roundtable we’ll discuss best practices on creating the CX mindset and how to influence the organizational culture.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM EST
Cultural Zeitgeist 2021: What CIOs Need to Know About Post-COVID Consumer Trends
Kate Muhl, VP Analyst, Gartner
As CxOs, CIOs need to understand the consumer perspectives and how those impact their enterprise. Culture is the context that drives consumer behaviors, and has shifted mightily since the pandemic struck. In this session CIOs will learn the shifts in consumer attitudes, behaviors and brand expectations most relevant and urgent for digital business executives to act on during the next 18 months.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Workshop: Designing Better Customer Experiences
Bruce Robertson, Distinguished VP, Advisory, Gartner
Amos Auringer, VP Program Director, Gartner
A customer experience can be disaggregated into several dimensions, each one representing a spectrum. Examples include an experience being predictable vs. surprising, effortless vs. challenging, and others. This workshop will teach you how to use these dimensions to evaluate your existing and ideal CX, and how to close the gap between the two.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Roundtable: Building a Customer-Centric Mindset
Kathleen Ameche, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Carl Deal, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Joe Gale, Sr Client Success Manager, Gartner
Would you be your own customer? Creating a culture focused on the customer experience begins with the right mindset. During this roundtable we’ll discuss best practices on creating the CX mindset and how to influence the organizational culture. (Repeat)
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Guest Keynote: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
As the world speeds up, it’s become way too easy to get left behind. What keeps us fresh and relevant are our ideas. But why is it that some ideas inspire and move people to action, while others tend to fizzle out? Join guest keynote speaker, Suneel Gupta, to learn the surprising truth about Innovation and why some innovators get ahead while others get ignored. Suneel will share memorable stories, science-based insights, and immediately usable techniques to turn your idea into an inspiring vision that captivates attention and inspires action.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Fireside Chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
Ed Gabrys, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join us for a fireside chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta to further explore insights from his presentation: Backable: The Surprise Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM EST
Gartner Closing Keynote: Leadership Acceleration — Opportunities for 2021
Tina Nunno, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Many leaders learned to lead differently as a result of the global pandemic and the challenges that came with it. But as is often the case, great lessons can often quickly become unlearned when the crisis abates, or when there is a perceived light at the end of the tunnel. Leaders and enterprises risk returning to the comfort of old habits, rather than institutionalizing leadership innovations. This session will focus on the top CIO leadership lessons to keep from 2020, to advance and accelerate their leadership in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Gartner Opening Keynote: How to Digitally Accelerate When You’re So Freaking Tired
Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As 2020 drew to a close, there was wistful thinking that by January 2021, all would be well. But for the first half of 2021, things are set to look a lot like 2020. Meanwhile, CIOs are being asked to accelerate digital efforts. How can you do that when your team is feeling fatigue? This session covers how to increase resilience and overcome fatigue to digital accelerate in 2021.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST
Women CIO Peer Conversation: Authentic Leadership – Cultivating Influence and Adaptability
Izella Dornell, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Alicia Blain, VP, Team Manager, Gartner
The fast pace of change in the world itself requires flexibility and adaptability of leadership styles and approaches in an ever-changing landscape. Join this group of peers to unmask the strategies on how to “show up” when connecting with your team, peers and Csuite. All attendees are welcome to engage in this open dialogue.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Guest Keynote: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
As the world speeds up, it’s become way too easy to get left behind. What keeps us fresh and relevant are our ideas. But why is it that some ideas inspire and move people to action, while others tend to fizzle out? Join guest keynote speaker, Suneel Gupta, to learn the surprising truth about Innovation and why some innovators get ahead while others get ignored. Suneel will share memorable stories, science-based insights, and immediately usable techniques to turn your idea into an inspiring vision that captivates attention and inspires action.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Fireside Chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
Ed Gabrys, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join us for a fireside chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta to further explore insights from his presentation: Backable: The Surprise Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST
Embrace the Potential of Business-Led IT — The Secret Weapon of the CIO
Darren Topham, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
There is a huge rise in the technical capability and I&T talent outside of formal IT departments. Untamed and untapped, this can lead to a surge in uncontrolled technical sprawl. But the CIOs who are able to provide leadership, direction and structure for this growing talent pool can use it to enhance organizational engagement, reduce risk and increase enterprise value from this underutilized secret weapon.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Ask the Expert: Embrace the Potential of Business-Led IT – The Secret Weapon of the CIO
Darren Topham, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Bring your questions to interact with Gartner experts and dive deeper on how CIOs can embrace business-let IT.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM EST
How Should CIOs Act When Their Teams Can’t Take It Anymore – Strategies to Understand Team Fatigue and Combat It
Andy Karr, Director, Team Manager, Gartner
After a massively stressful 2020, 2021 is likely to be equally stressful with major challenges to accelerate digital business while increasing agility and resiliency. How can we continue to advance given our teams are exhausted in so many ways? CIOs can join this session to learn best practices to understand how change results in fatigue, determine how to steward change so teams can absorb more change and apply this knowledge to design successful change management.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Ask the Expert: Navigating Product Management at Midsize Enterprises
Hakan Gunaydin, Sr Principal, Research, Gartner
Exploring product management as you establish digital foundations in your organization? Join peers and Gartner experts as they answer questions and discuss innovative ways other midsize enterprises make product management work at scale.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM EST
Roundtable: Versatilists — Why Leading Organizations Are Embracing Them and Should Yours Do the Same?
Erin Griffin, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Mark Bartram, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Terry Criscione, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Gartner predicts that through 2023, inadequate talent management will cause 60% of digital transformation failures. Join this roundtable to share your thoughts about versatilists, their role and value to your organization, and best practices in formal career pathing to reward individuals who choose to become versatilists.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM EST
CIO Stories Panel - CIO as the Leader of New Digital Foundations
David Goldberg, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Shiraz Mahyera, Executive Partner, Gartner
Renee Zaugg, Vice President & CIO, Otis Elevator Company
Guy-Laurent Arpino, CIO, Louis Dreyfus
Brian McGrath, U.S. Census Bureau’s Associate Director for IT and CIO, U.S. Census Bureau
Gain insights from your CIO peers by attending the CIO Stories Panel which is an accelerated learning session. This session will bring together CIOs serving on a LIVE 45-minute moderated panel with interactive Q&A. Our CIO panelists will focus on their role as the leader of new digital foundations to share opportunities, solutions, and insights to a specific real-world problems. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all CIOs, whether panelists or attendees, can expand the common body of knowledge for all.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 01:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Research Discussion: Balancing Autonomy With Control: The New Information and Technology Charter for the Enterprise
Jaime Capella, Distinguished VP, Advisory, Gartner
Christopher Mixter, VP, Advisory, Gartner
As organizations accelerate and expand digital business initiatives, CxOs must take accountability for technology leadership of their domains and share responsibility for information and technology strategy and management across the enterprise. Yet, many CIOs are concerned about the risks of poor data and technology decisions. Learn how leading CIOs have adapted their governance approaches to balance autonomy with control.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST
Accelerate Upskilling to Accelerate Digital Business
Graham Waller, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
CIOs know that they need to significantly increase the volume and velocity of upskilling to deliver needed changes (i.e., digital acceleration, agile ways of working and IT modernization) but are unsure how. This session, based on Gartner’s agile learning manifesto, guides the leaders on how to increase the effectiveness of learning programs to futureproof employees and deliver business outcomes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Workshop: Plan Your Product Management Role Migration
Jay Hemmady, Executive Partner, Gartner
Kristin Mettraux, VP, Advisory, Gartner
As CIOs look to scale a product management approach, it’s important to determine what new roles are needed and how you will staff them. This includes leadership roles like product managers as well as more technical roles you may need for some product teams. Join this workshop to build your roles map and plan how legacy and existing roles may migrate to new roles needed for product management.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Roundtable: Versatilists — Why Leading Organizations Are Embracing Them and Should Yours Do the Same? (Repeat)
Erin Griffin, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Mark Bartram, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Terry Criscione, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Gartner predicts that through 2023, inadequate talent management will cause 60% of digital transformation failures. Join this roundtable to share your thoughts about versatilists, their role and value to your organization, and best practices in formal career pathing to reward individuals who choose to become versatilists.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM EST
Gartner Closing Keynote: Leadership Acceleration — Opportunities for 2021
Tina Nunno, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Many leaders learned to lead differently as a result of the global pandemic and the challenges that came with it. But as is often the case, great lessons can often quickly become unlearned when the crisis abates, or when there is a perceived light at the end of the tunnel. Leaders and enterprises risk returning to the comfort of old habits, rather than institutionalizing leadership innovations. This session will focus on the top CIO leadership lessons to keep from 2020, to advance and accelerate their leadership in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Gartner Opening Keynote: How to Digitally Accelerate When You’re So Freaking Tired
Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As 2020 drew to a close, there was wistful thinking that by January 2021, all would be well. But for the first half of 2021, things are set to look a lot like 2020. Meanwhile, CIOs are being asked to accelerate digital efforts. How can you do that when your team is feeling fatigue? This session covers how to increase resilience and overcome fatigue to digital accelerate in 2021.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM EST
Public Sector Session: Drive Digital Transformation Using a Composable Government Enterprise Roadmap
Rick Howard, VP Analyst, Gartner
John Baker, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Financial and social pressures in the post-pandemic period will force governments to replace a legacy business architecture that is inflexible, siloed and wasteful. By adopting composable government enterprise principles and practices, CIOs can improve organizational resilience with an application strategy that is easily adapted and ready for change. This public sector session introduces a practical approach to using a composable business and technical architecture to accelerate digital transformation in government.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Guest Keynote: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
As the world speeds up, it’s become way too easy to get left behind. What keeps us fresh and relevant are our ideas. But why is it that some ideas inspire and move people to action, while others tend to fizzle out? Join guest keynote speaker, Suneel Gupta, to learn the surprising truth about Innovation and why some innovators get ahead while others get ignored. Suneel will share memorable stories, science-based insights, and immediately usable techniques to turn your idea into an inspiring vision that captivates attention and inspires action.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Fireside Chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
Ed Gabrys, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join us for a fireside chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta to further explore insights from his presentation: Backable: The Surprise Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST
Strategic Architecture Roadmap for Composable Enterprise
Yefim Natis, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
In this session, we will look at the fundamentals of the composable enterprise: what are the technology precursors, architecture that can put you on the road to the composable future, and what you as CIO should know to ensure you can successfully lead teams to that composable future.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Ask the Expert: Strategic Architecture Roadmap to Composable Enterprise
Yefim Natis, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
The architecture of composable enterprise modifies the way that applications are designed, adopted and used. Organizations can start small and increase their composable practices as they learn to balance the benefits and the costs of transition. Bring your questions This session will answer questions such as: What are the best practices to initiate the transition to composable enterprise? What are the challenges CIOs should anticipate in the early stages of composable enterprise? What are the benefits CIOs should expect in the of adoption of the composable enterprise?
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM EST
CIO Stories Panel - CIO as the Leader of New Digital Foundations
David Goldberg, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Shiraz Mahyera, Executive Partner, Gartner
Renee Zaugg, Vice President & CIO, Otis Elevator Company
Guy-Laurent Arpino, CIO, Louis Dreyfus
Brian McGrath, U.S. Census Bureau’s Associate Director for IT and CIO, U.S. Census Bureau
Gain insights from your CIO peers by attending the CIO Stories Panel which is an accelerated learning session. This session will bring together CIOs serving on a LIVE 45-minute moderated panel with interactive Q&A. Our CIO panelists will focus on their role as the leader of new digital foundations to share opportunities, solutions, and insights to a specific real-world problems. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all CIOs, whether panelists or attendees, can expand the common body of knowledge for all.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM EST
Roundtable: Composable Business: Hype or Reality?
Nick Reddall, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Blair Baker, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Maridan Harris, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Gartner predicts that by 2023, organizations that would have adopted a composable approach will outpace competition by 80% in the speed of new feature implementation. Join this roundtable to get clear on what composable business is and share your thoughts and experiences with peers.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST
Enable Digital Platforms to Unleash the Potential of Digital Ecosystems
Daniel Sun, VP Analyst, Gartner
Digital ecosystems represent one of the most important (business) innovation initiatives for companies. This session explains: 1) What are CIOs’ primary role and priorities in enabling the organization to execute this extremely important innovation initiatives — digital ecosystems? 2) What key actions should they take in order to make a success?
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Roundtable: Composable Business — Hype or Reality? (Repeat)
Nick Reddall, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Blair Baker, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Maridan Harris, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Gartner predicts that by 2023, organizations that would have adopted a composable approach will outpace competition by 80% in the speed of new feature implementation. Join this roundtable to get clear on what composable business is and share your thoughts and experiences with peers.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Workshop: Evaluating Cutting-Edge Technologies to Support Digital Acceleration
Thomas Hawley, Executive Partner, Gartner
Rob Rizzo, VP, Advisory, Gartner
Organizations must manage scarce resources and conserve executive influence for the projects that matter the most. Leaders can use the steps from this workshop to brainstorm how cutting edge technologies — such as AI — can support their organization, then narrow their choices to those that matter the most.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM EST
Gartner Closing Keynote: Leadership Acceleration — Opportunities for 2021
Tina Nunno, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Many leaders learned to lead differently as a result of the global pandemic and the challenges that came with it. But as is often the case, great lessons can often quickly become unlearned when the crisis abates, or when there is a perceived light at the end of the tunnel. Leaders and enterprises risk returning to the comfort of old habits, rather than institutionalizing leadership innovations. This session will focus on the top CIO leadership lessons to keep from 2020, to advance and accelerate their leadership in 2021.
Tuesday, March 09, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Gartner Opening Keynote: How to Digitally Accelerate When You’re So Freaking Tired
Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As 2020 drew to a close, there was wistful thinking that by January 2021, all would be well. But for the first half of 2021, things are set to look a lot like 2020. Meanwhile, CIOs are being asked to accelerate digital efforts. How can you do that when your team is feeling fatigue? This session covers how to increase resilience and overcome fatigue to digital accelerate in 2021.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Guest Keynote: Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
As the world speeds up, it’s become way too easy to get left behind. What keeps us fresh and relevant are our ideas. But why is it that some ideas inspire and move people to action, while others tend to fizzle out? Join guest keynote speaker, Suneel Gupta, to learn the surprising truth about Innovation and why some innovators get ahead while others get ignored. Suneel will share memorable stories, science-based insights, and immediately usable techniques to turn your idea into an inspiring vision that captivates attention and inspires action.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST
Fireside Chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta, Founder of RISE,
Ed Gabrys, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Join us for a fireside chat with Guest Keynote Suneel Gupta to further explore insights from his presentation: Backable: The Surprise Truth Behind Breakthrough Ideas.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM EST
Strategic Cost Optimization — Leading IT From Efficient Operations to Delivering Business Outcomes
Robert Naegle, VP Analyst, Gartner
Strategic cost optimization is about more than cutting costs or optimizing IT delivery. CIO’s must lead their teams from an internal focus on optimizing the cost of IT to a more strategic focus on leveraging technology to reduce the costs of strategic business outcomes. In this session, we will focus on how to take an efficient IT delivery engine/team and focus on the strategic digitalization of key business activities and outcomes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM EST
Ask the Expert: How to Lead IT From Efficient Operations to Delivering Business Outcomes
Robert Naegle, VP Analyst, Gartner
Join Gartner Experts to address your top questions on how to take an efficient IT delivery engine/team and focus on the strategic digitalization of key business activities and outcomes. This Ask The Expert session will answer questions such as: When do should IT shift from technology efficiency to business productivity? Where do we start and what business activities do we prioritize? Why? What are the best practices, pitfalls and challenges?
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM EST
Roundtable: Rethinking the Technology Funding Model
Bob Brese, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Sachin Goel, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Eric Holmes, Executive Partner, Gartner
Every organization has been thrust into identifying new ways to fund digitalization as the pressure to reduce operating costs competes with the pressure to deliver greater ROI on strategic technology initiatives. Learn and share best practices with peer CIO’s in this facilitated discussion on what, and how to effectively address the emerging challenges of the technology funding model for both digital optimization and digital transformation.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 12:45 PM - 01:30 PM EST
CIO Stories Panel - CIO as the Leader of New Digital Foundations
David Goldberg, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Shiraz Mahyera, Executive Partner, Gartner
Renee Zaugg, Vice President & CIO, Otis Elevator Company
Guy-Laurent Arpino, CIO, Louis Dreyfus
Brian McGrath, U.S. Census Bureau’s Associate Director for IT and CIO, U.S. Census Bureau
Gain insights from your CIO peers by attending the CIO Stories Panel which is an accelerated learning session. This session will bring together CIOs serving on a LIVE 45-minute moderated panel with interactive Q&A. Our CIO panelists will focus on their role as the leader of new digital foundations to share opportunities, solutions, and insights to a specific real-world problems. Our goal is to create an atmosphere where all CIOs, whether panelists or attendees, can expand the common body of knowledge for all.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM EST
Sharpen IT Influence in the Board Room With Risk, Value and Cost
Paul Proctor, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Technology investments in a business context create better business outcomes. Balancing risk, value and cost is central to all business decision making and a powerful lens to drive IT priorities and investments. Gartner’s RVC model and outcome-driven metrics help the modern CIO link technology investments back to business outcomes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM EST
Hyperautomation to Drive Cost Optimization
Frances Karamouzis, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
CIO must recognize that hyperautomation is pervasive and a mandate for achieving business outcomes. The pandemic has been both a revealer and an accelerator. It revealed short comings in some of our technology areas and process areas that came to the forefront. The absolute requirement to be virtual and remote whether you were an employee, customer, partner anyone in the value chain, this accelerated the “Default is Digital” scenario.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Workshop: Prioritize IT Cost Management
Cindy Dye, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
George Swale, Director, Advisory, Gartner
Organizations are feeling the economic consequences of COVID-19, pushing many to reduce costs. Strategic cost optimization reaches beyond spending freezes or staff reductions to align with renewal plans. This workshop will help leaders make data-driven decisions supported by proven approaches.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM EST
Roundtable: Rethinking the Technology Funding Model (Repeat)
Bob Brese, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Sachin Goel, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Eric Holmes, Executive Partner, Gartner
Every organization has been thrust into identifying new ways to fund digitalization as the pressure to reduce operating costs competes with the pressure to deliver greater ROI on strategic technology initiatives. Learn and share best practices with peer CIOs in this facilitated discussion on what and how to effectively address the emerging challenges of the technology funding model for both digital optimization and digital transformation.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 / 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM EST
Gartner Closing Keynote: Leadership Acceleration — Opportunities for 2021
Tina Nunno, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Many leaders learned to lead differently as a result of the global pandemic and the challenges that came with it. But as is often the case, great lessons can often quickly become unlearned when the crisis abates, or when there is a perceived light at the end of the tunnel. Leaders and enterprises risk returning to the comfort of old habits, rather than institutionalizing leadership innovations. This session will focus on the top CIO leadership lessons to keep from 2020, to advance and accelerate their leadership in 2021.