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United States Summit

The CIO Chapter North America

Chateau Elan, Braselton, GA

2 Days
-
Chataeu Elan

A bit about our summit

What we're known for

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Industry Analysis

Glean the knowledge of your peers to shape your organisation's future

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Peer-Led

Workshops, Fireside Chats & Keynote Addresses

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1 on 1 Meetings

Strategic BANT-qualified meetings based on project alignment

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Custom Agenda

Be in control of your own agenda. Maximise your experience.

The Technology Chapter

Audience

We BANT qualify all executives pre-event to identify their current projects, challenges and investment priorities. This results in hyper qualified and project led 1 on 1 meetings with executives and solution partners onsite, which in turn leads to tangible partnership opportunities.

Audience illustration
  • 70+
    Senior Executives
  • 12
    Solution Partners
  • 6:1
    Executive to Solution Partner Ratio
  • 54%
    C-Suite Executives
  • 46%
    SVP, VP, Director & Heads of

Agenda

Day 1

18:30 - 19:00
Welcome Drinks Reception

Kickstart your summit experience and meet new peers with drinks and canapés

19:00 - 21:30
Gala Dinner & Signature Keynote with Q&A

Enjoy a 3 course silver service dinner in the ballroom. Hear from some special guest speakers and our signature sponsor.

21:30
Drinks & Networking

Continue conversations and building relationships at the bar

Day 2

07:00 - 08:20
Breakfast

Fuel up for a full day of networking, experiences and content

08:30 - 09:15
Welcome Address

Welcome Address by our Master of Ceremonies

Platinum Keynote with Q&A

Hear from our platinum sponsor

09:20 - 10:00
AI and ML in Action: Driving Innovation and Intelligent Decision-Making

This workshop empowers CIOs and IT leaders to unlock the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within their organizations. Participants will explore real-world applications of generative AI, predictive analytics, and AI-augmented IT operations (AIOps) to drive automation, optimize decision-making, and uncover new revenue streams. Through case studies, expert insights, and hands-on exercises, attendees will gain a clear understanding of how to effectively integrate AI and ML into their strategies, harnessing these technologies for competitive advantage and long-term growth.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how generative AI and predictive analytics can improve decision-making and business outcomes.
  • Leverage AIOps to enhance IT operations and drive operational efficiencies.
Sudipto Ghose
Name
Sudipto Ghose
Position
VP Enterprise Data, Analytics & AI
Company
Equifax
09:20 - 10:00
Shadow IT 2.0: Managing Unauthorised AI & LLM Use

As generative AI tools become embedded in day-to-day workflows, CIOs face a new wave of shadow IT—one that’s decentralised, fast-moving, and often invisible. This session explores how to detect and manage the unsanctioned use of AI and large language models across the enterprise. From data leakage risks to compliance blind spots, we’ll examine practical strategies for visibility, governance, and balancing innovation with control.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how to identify and mitigate the risks of unsanctioned AI tool usage across departments—before it leads to data breaches or compliance violations.

  • Discover governance strategies that allow innovation to flourish while maintaining visibility and control over AI and LLM deployments.

09:20 - 10:00
Strategic, predetermined and agreed meetings based on project alignment with executives and solution partners. 
10:00 - 10:20
Networking Break
10:25 - 11:05
Data-Driven Decisions: Mastering Analytics and Governance for Success

This workshop empowers CIOs and IT leaders to maximize the value of their data while maintaining quality, compliance, and ethical standards. Participants will learn how to implement real-time analytics to drive timely, informed decision-making, enable data democratization to foster a data-savvy workforce, and ensure adherence to regulations like GDPR. Through expert-led discussions and practical demonstrations, attendees will gain actionable strategies to build robust data governance frameworks that balance innovation with responsibility, paving the way for sustainable, data-driven growth.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Harness real-time analytics and data democratization to empower smarter, faster decision-making.
  • Build robust governance frameworks to ensure compliance and ethical data use.
Chirag Agrawal
Name
Chirag Agrawal
Position
Global Head of Data Science
Company
Novelis
10:25 - 11:05
Advanced Cyber Response by Leveraging a Clean Room Architecture

Attendees will learn why clean room architecture is necessary to perform proper forensic investigation during a cyberattack. The workshop will cover preparing and initiating a clean room, how to use it to understand a cyber attacker’s tactics and techniques, and why it helps when developing a mitigation plan for an incident. Specific clean room design strategies, use cases, and actionable next steps will be shared throughout this workshop. The importance of vaulted backup copies to feed a clean room will also be highlighted.

Key Takeaways:

  • The purpose of a clean room during the investigation phase of cyber incident response.
  • Why building and testing a clean room is a key component of a cyber resilience strategy and a hallmark of the most cyber-mature organizations.
  • What a digital jump bag is and how it is used to deploy the minimum viable response capability inside a clean room.
  • Best practices for clean room architecture, including network isolation, environmental prerequisites, and recommended forensic capabilities.
  • The role that data protection software and vaulted backups play in feeding data to a clean room.
  • How clean room speeds cyber response, reduces RTO, and lessens the risk of re-infection during the mitigation phase of an incident.
Sr. Principal Field Technical Director
Name
Travis McCulloch
Position
Sr. Principal Field Technical Director
Company
Cohesity
Cohesity
10:25 - 11:05
Strategic, predetermined and agreed meetings based on project alignment with executives and solution partners. 
11:10 - 11:50
Cloud-Native Contact Center Operations: From Infrastructure to Intelligence

The modern contact center is undergoing a rapid transformation, moving beyond legacy, on-premise systems to embrace the agility and scalability of cloud-native architectures. This session will provide a comprehensive roadmap for contact center, detailing the journey from foundational cloud infrastructure to leveraging advanced AI-driven intelligence. Gain practical insights into deploying, optimizing, and operating a truly cloud-native contact center that enhances customer experience (CX), improves agent efficiency, and drives business value.

11:10 - 11:50
Partner Demo

Discover innovative solutions in action. Our partners will showcase their latest tools, technologies, and strategies designed to address real-world challenges and unlock new opportunities. This is your chance to see the possibilities first-hand, ask questions, and explore how these solutions could drive results for your organisation.

11:10 - 11:50
Strategic, predetermined and agreed meetings based on project alignment with executives and solution partners. 
11:55 - 12:35
Empowering Hybrid Work: Optimising Employee Experience and Collaboration

This workshop focuses on creating seamless digital workspaces that boost employee experience and enhance productivity in hybrid work environments. CIOs and IT leaders will explore the latest virtual collaboration platforms, AI-powered productivity tools, and secure remote access technologies designed to empower employees to collaborate effectively from anywhere. The session will provide actionable strategies for building a cohesive, secure, and efficient digital workplace that supports both in-office and remote teams, fostering greater engagement and collaboration.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Leverage virtual collaboration platforms and AI tools to enhance hybrid workforce productivity.
  • Implement secure remote access technologies to ensure safety and seamless connectivity.
Michael Rainwater
Name
Michael Rainwater
Position
Senior Director of IT Delivery
Company
Compassion International
11:55 - 12:35
Modernizing App Delivery: How Desktop-as-a-Service and Secure Enterprise Browsers Transform IT

Simplifying and securing the delivery of Windows and web applications has become a strategic priority in an era where hybrid work, security, and user experience define IT success. This workshop explores how Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) and Secure Enterprise Browser (SEB) solutions can enable you to securely deliver any application to any device, anywhere. Learn how leading organizations are leveraging these cloud-based strategies to accelerate digital transformation, reduce complexity, and strengthen compliance and security—all while delivering a seamless experience that empowers both IT teams and end users.

Key Takeaways

  • How modern cloud-based DaaS and SEB solutions simplify app and desktop delivery

  • Strategies to improve security and user experience while reducing IT complexity 

  • Real-world lessons from organizations using DaaS and SEB to transform IT

Carsten Puls
Name
Carsten Puls
Position
COO
Company
Dizzion
Dizzion
11:55 - 12:35
Strategic, predetermined and agreed meetings based on project alignment with executives and solution partners. 
12:35 - 13:30
Lunch
13:35 - 14:15
Unleashing Agentic AI: Self-Directed Systems and the Future of Enterprise IT

Agentic AI marks a shift from task-based automation to intelligent systems that can act autonomously, make decisions, and collaborate across enterprise functions. This session explores how CIOs can harness self-directed AI agents to reshape operations, accelerate innovation, and redefine the IT operating model. We’ll cut through the hype to examine real use cases, strategic implications, and the governance frameworks required to stay in control.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand how agentic AI differs from traditional automation—and what it means for your tech stack and team structure.

  • Strengthen OT cybersecurity to protect industrial systems from evolving threats.

Michael
Name
Michael Arulfo
Position
Principle Enterprise Architect (AI Accelerator - COE)
Company
Boston Scientific
13:35 - 14:15
The Next Generation of Connectivity: Advancing Networks with 5G, SD-WAN, and Automation

This workshop explores the latest advancements in networking technologies that are driving the digital transformation. CIOs and IT leaders will delve into the benefits of 5G adoption, software-defined networking (SDN), and network automation, focusing on how these technologies enable faster, more secure, and agile connectivity. The session will cover practical strategies for integrating these advanced solutions to enhance network performance, scalability, and reliability, ensuring that organizations can keep pace with the growing demands of digital business operations.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Leverage 5G and SD-WAN technologies for faster, more reliable network connectivity.
  • Implement network automation to optimize performance and reduce operational complexity.
13:45 - 14:15
Strategic, predetermined and agreed meetings based on project alignment with executives and solution partners. 
14:20 - 15:00
Beyond the Perimeter: Rethinking Network Architecture for AI-Driven, Always-On Enterprises

As enterprises race to adopt AI tools and hybrid work models, legacy network architectures are being pushed to their limits. This session will explore how leading IT Ops and Network teams are reimagining their infrastructure to support secure, scalable, and agile operations — from zero trust adoption and edge acceleration to AI-enhanced observability and network automation.

We’ll dive into the practicalities of building networks that are not only resilient and secure, but also intelligent — capable of proactively identifying issues, enabling better decision-making, and supporting new workloads across on-prem, cloud, and edge environments.

Expect frank insights from enterprise leaders who are evolving their network and operations strategy to keep pace with today’s demands — and tomorrow’s innovations.

14:20 - 15:00
Partner Demo

Discover innovative solutions in action. Our partners will showcase their latest tools, technologies, and strategies designed to address real-world challenges and unlock new opportunities. This is your chance to see the possibilities first-hand, ask questions, and explore how these solutions could drive results for your organisation.

14:20 - 15:00
Strategic, predetermined and agreed meetings based on project alignment with executives and solution partners. 
15:05 - 15:55
Keynote: From Disruption to Design: Reimagining Tech Talent in the Age of GenAI

GenAI and intelligent agents are reshaping how we think about talent, teams, and technology. For technology leaders, this shift brings both pressure and possibility: how do we fill critical gaps, stay within budget, and support our people through change?

In this session, we explore the real-world staffing impact of GenAI—from evolving IT roles and org structures to the ethical considerations of displacement and reskilling. Through insights and practical examples, we’ll challenge leaders to rethink their approach to talent—not just to adapt, but to design something better.

Melissa
Name
Dr. Melissa Dabb
Position
CTO
Company
Regions Bank
15:55 - 16:10
Networking Break
16:10 - 16:55
Panel Discussion

Driving Digital Transformation: Strategies for CIOs to Lead in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape

This panel brings together visionary CIOs and industry leaders to discuss how to navigate the complexities of digital transformation in today's fast-paced business environment. As organisations embrace emerging technologies like AI, cloud, and edge computing, CIOs are tasked with driving innovation while ensuring scalability, security, and alignment with business objectives. The discussion will highlight challenges, such as managing hybrid workforces, optimising technology investments, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to deliver measurable business outcomes.

Clark Atlanta University
Name
Brian Benn
Position
CIO
Company
Clark Atlanta University
Katya Hall
Name
Katya Hall
Position
Segment CIO
Company
McKesson
Chris Demery
Name
Chris Demery
Position
CTO
Company
Blaze Pizza
16:55 - 17:30
Drink & Nibbles

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