Technology & Innovation Summit
North America

Technology & Data Leaders

September 9–12, 2024  |  Austin & Digital

Executive Leadership Exchange

For Qualified Attendees

The Executive Leadership Exchange (ELE) is an invitation-only program for qualified Technology and Data C-level executives. The program will expand on the Forrester thought leadership presented at the conference and create a private C-level executive network supporting leaders’ priorities. Facilitated networking sessions will be offered that target best practices aligned to executive priorities.

This program is offered by invitation only. Invitations will be extended closer to the event date. To be approved to attend, applicants must not report into any higher Technology or Data leader in their organization. Please contact events@forrester.com with any questions.

Exclusive Agenda

Recommended Executive Agenda

For optimal planning tailored to your role as a Technology or Data leader, select the “ELE” filter from the agenda dropdown. This will streamline your conference experience by highlighting sessions specifically curated by Forrester’s Summit Host to align with your expertise and strategic focus.

Private Executive Sessions

Attend private sessions featuring exclusive-panels and presentations from Forrester analysts.

Analyst Access

Priority Analyst 1:1 Booking

Receive priority booking for 1:1 networking and guidance meetings with our best-in-class analysts & experts.

Exclusive Analyst Networking Sessions

Identify challenges and solve problems in small group collaborations with Forrester Experts.

Networking

Private Executive Roundtable

Facilitated by Forrester team members who specialize in leading C-level networking discussions pointed at meaningful outcomes.

Private ELE Networking Lounge

Connect with your peers during the conference at the exclusive sessions and in a private networking lounge on-site.

Detailed Agenda

Monday, September 9

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT | Networking Reception: Meet Your Peers

Join us for a pre-conference reception where you can network with Forrester experts and industry peers who will be part of the ELE program throughout the event.

Tuesday, September 10

11:00 am – 11:30am CDT | Exclusive Keynote Q&A With George Colony & Julie Mohr

Join Forrester CEO George Colony and principal analyst Julie Mohr for an interactive Q&A on their keynote topics.

Speakers:
George Colony, CEO, Forrester
Julie Mohr, Principal Analyst, Forrester

12:55 pm – 1:55 pm CDT | Exclusive Lunch

1:55 pm – 2:40 pm CDT | Fireside Chat: IT Leadership In the New World of GenAI

Guest Speaker and Forrester Chief Research Officer Sharyn Lever will explore how A.I. promises to fundamentally change our expectations of enterprise software. They will discuss what IT leaders must do today to prepare their organizations and data infrastructures for A.I.-powered applications, and we will hear about the early lessons the Guest and its customers have learned about how to develop, deploy, and manage real-world solutions that incorporate (generative) A.I..

Key takeaways:  

  • Gain insights into the dual transformation journey necessary for AI adoption, focusing on the need for both technological advancements and a cultural shift within the enterprise
  • Learn how top companies have to evolve technologically and culturally to harness the power of AI.

Speakers:
Sharyn Leaver, Chief Research Officer, Forrester

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm CDT | Exclusive Dinner

Join us for a relaxing dinner and bond with peers as you share insights from Day 1 and look ahead to the rest of the conference.

Wednesday, September 11

12:55 pm – 1:55 pm CDT | Exclusive Lunch & HPIT Roundtables

Details coming soon.

1:55 pm – 2:40 pm CDT | HPIT Workshop (Certification)

Your business needs a high-performance IT strategy.  What type? And Are you ready to deliver? In this session, Ted Schadler will dig in to the capabilities — technologies, skills, and practices — to continuously improve business outcomes with technology. Learn what type of HPIT style your business needs and how to shape the IT organization you lead to deliver the technology outcomes your firm needs.

Key takeaways:  

  • Learn how to assess your high-performance IT readiness.
  • Learn how to identify a dominant business need and the best IT style to achieve it.
  • Discover how to invest in the capabilities and operating model that will drive the greatest business impacts.

Speakers:
Fiona Mark, Principal Analyst, Forrester
Bobby Cameron, VP, Principal Analyst, Forrester
Ted Schadler, VP, Principal Analyst, Forrester

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT | Exclusive Reception With Teams​

Forrester Women's Leadership Program

Community. Advancement. Change. 

The Forrester Women’s Leadership Program focuses on building community and advancing women in the organization by breaking down barriers and overcoming challenges. Learn advancement strategies and engage in conversations about developing meaningful relationships with women across CX, B2C Marketing, and Digital. All are welcome to join!​

The Forrester Women’s Leadership Program will:​​

  • Build Community​
  • Inspire Change​
  • Drive Advancement ​
  • Foster Allyship and Individual Empowerment​
  • Facilitate Meaningful Connections

Detailed Agenda

Monday, September 9

4:30 pm | Welcome Remarks

Speakers:
Sudha Maheshwari, VP, Research Director, Forrester

4:45 pm | Fireside Chat: Empowering Growth Through Personal Branding

Empowering Growth Through Personal Branding​

Join this conversation to delve into the significance of crafting a unique identity in the digital landscape and harnessing it to propel your tech and data career forward. Participants will:​

  • Discover strategies to establish a compelling personal brand tailored to their expertise and aspirations.​
  • Learn how to leverage platforms and networking opportunities to amplify their visibility and influence.​
  • Explore tips and tricks for building a personal brand for in person and online​
  • Understand that professionals do not always have only one brand

5:15 pm | Activity & Networking

Speakers:
Sudha Maheshwari, VP, Research Director, Forrester
Linda Ivy-Rosser, VP, Research Director, Forrester
Julie Young, Manager, Senior Consultant, Forrester
Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst, Forrester

5:50 pm | Wrap-up & Overview

Speakers:
Sudha Maheshwari, VP, Research Director, Forrester

Tuesday, September 10

8:30 am – 9:30 am CDT | Breakfast Panel Discussion

Join us for interactive panel discussion with technology leaders as we explore strategies for being intentional about personal and organizational brands:

  • Gain insights from a brand framework and from the experiences of senior executives
  • Determine steps – including mentorship – needed to improve personal brand.
  • For more senior executives, determine how they can help others improve their personal brand

Speakers:
Heidi Norman, CIO and Director, Dept of Innovation & Performance, City of Pittsburgh
Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst, Forrester
China Widener, US Consulting Technology Sector Leader, Deloitte

Tuesday, September 11

10:55 am – 11:35 am CDT | Brand Skill Building Roundtables

Setting a Goal for a Personal Brand

Join a roundtable of women to:

  • Gain clarity on the qualities and attributes they value in mentors and mentees.
  • Discuss effective communication strategies for fostering meaningful connections.
  • Explore ways to navigate challenges and maximize the benefits of mentorship in their professional journey.

Speakers:
Julie Young, Senior Consultant, Forrester
Marianne Doran-Collins, VP, Consulting Director, Forrester

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of the fabric of Forrester’s culture. The company was founded more than 35 years ago with the fundamental business principle that challenging, contrasting, and diverse perspectives — comprised of different views, experiences, and backgrounds — fuel quality research and make us stronger and better as an organization.

For that reason, we are excited to offer sessions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.