8 Best Data Analytics Conferences in 2026-2027
The best data analytics conferences put you in the room with practitioners tackling the same challenges you face every day. Whether you're deep in AI integration, managing data pipelines, or building out your team's skills, the right event can sharpen your thinking fast. Here's what's worth your time and travel budget.
Best Data Analytics Conferences Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best data analytics conferences I think are worth attending in 2026-2027:
- Data Summit & Analytics Summit - Multiple locations and dates
- CDAO Defense & Security 2026 - Washington, D.C., USA (September 22-23, 2026)
- Big Data LDN - London, UK (September 23-24, 2026)
- DataConnect Conference - Columbus, OH (October 29-30, 2026)
- AI & Big Data Expo Global 2027 - London, UK (February 3-4, 2027)
- CDAO Financial Services - New York City, NY (February 17-18, 2027)
- The Data Science Conference - Chicago, IL (May 27-28, 2027)
- INFORMS Annual Meeting - Maryland, MD (October 24-27, 2027)
Best Data Analytics Conferences of 2026-2027
Below are my summaries of the best data analytics conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
Want more from The CTO Club?
Create a free account to finish this piece and join a community of CTOs and engineering leaders sharing real-world frameworks, tools, and insights for designing, deploying, and scaling AI-driven technology.
Have an account? Log In
1. Data Summit & Analytics Summit - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Varies (see table below)
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
Data & Analytics Summit: Locations, Dates, & Pricing
| Location | Date | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai, India | September 21–22, 2026 | INR 128,100 + GST |
| Orlando, FL | March 8-10, 2027 | $4,925 |
| London, UK | May 10-12, 2027 | €4,425 + VAT |
| São Paulo, Brazil | June 2-3, 2027 | R$ 14,350 |
Hosted by Gartner, this annual summit brings data, analytics, and AI leaders together to cut through noise with analyst-backed insights. It targets CDAOs, CDOs, CAIOs, and data program leads across industries worldwide.
Why attend? Gartner analysts don't just present — they deliver research-backed guidance you can act on immediately. Sessions span AI governance, data mesh, GenAI scaling, and more. Roundtables and planned meetups give you structured access to 3,000+ peers across regions.
2. CDAO Defense & Security 2026 - Washington, D.C., USA (September 22-23, 2026)
- Date: September 22-23, 2026
- Location: Le Méridien Washington, D.C.
- Pricing: $499
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Organized by Corinium Intelligence, CDAO Defense & Security brings together senior data and AI leaders from U.S. defense, intelligence, and national security agencies. Past speakers include Brigadier General Reid Novotny, Chief AI Officer at U.S. Cyber Command.
Why attend? This is one of the few data events built exclusively for defense and national security. Sessions zero in on AI in threat detection, mission readiness, and ethical AI in classified environments. With 200+ attendees and co-located events, you get two days of focused peer access you won't find at a general data conference.
3. Big Data LDN - Olympia, London (September 23-24, 2026)
- Dates: September 23-24, 2026
- Location: Olympia London
- Pricing: Free
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Big Data LDN is the UK's leading free data, analytics, and AI conference and exhibition, organized by RX (Reed Exhibitions). It draws 10,000+ attendees and features speakers from brands like Google, AWS, TikTok, and Spotify.
Why attend? With 400+ seminars across multiple theatres, you get breadth that's hard to match. The 2026 edition also introduces Data Driven LDN, a new co-located conference for senior leaders focused on AI agents, AI governance, and data products — all free to attend at Olympia London.
4. DataConnect Conference - Columbus, OH (October 29-30, 2026)
- Dates: October 29-30, 2026
- Location: The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center & Virtual
- Pricing: From $125 (virtual)-$925 (in-person)
- Social Media: Instagram, LinkedIn
DataConnect Conference, formerly Women in Analytics Conference, is hosted by Women in Analytics and Women in Data. Founded in 2016, it covers data science, analytics, ML, and AI. Past speakers include Cindi Howson (ThoughtSpot) and Adita Karkera (Deloitte).
Why attend? The speaker lineup is exclusively women, making it one of the few data events centered on female thought leadership. You'll get multi-track sessions, expert-led workshops, a Data Viz Competition, a Startup Showcase, one-on-one "Ask an Expert" sessions, and strong networking across skill levels and industries.
5. AI & Big Data Expo Global 2027 - London, UK (February 3-4, 2027)
- Dates: February 3-4, 2027
- Location: Olympia London
- Pricing: Free (expo and free tracks)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
AI & Big Data Expo Global is organized by TechEx Events Ltd and has run for over eight years. It draws 9,000+ attendees and 200+ speakers, including leaders from Visa, GSK, AstraZeneca, Citi, Microsoft, and ING.
Why attend? It's a co-located event spanning seven shows under one ticket — AI, cybersecurity, IoT, edge computing, data centers, and more. You'll get two tracks (free and paid), live demos from 150+ exhibitors, a startup area, a VIP meeting zone, and exclusive networking drinks for Gold Pass holders.
6. CDAO Financial Services - New York City, NY (February 17-18, 2027)
- Dates: February 17-18, 2027
- Location: Convene 237 Park Avenue
- Pricing: Starts at $499
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
CDAO Financial Services, organized by Corinium Intelligence, is in its 12th year. It's built for senior data leaders in financial services — CDOs, CIOs, and analytics executives. Past speakers include leaders from Citi, JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and HSBC.
Why attend? It's one of the few data events purpose-built for financial services, tackling AI in fraud detection, data governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. With 50+ speakers and 250+ attendees, the format is intentionally intimate — designed for real peer exchange and strategic conversations, not just presentations.
7. The Data Science Conference - Chicago (May 27-28, 2027)
- Dates: May 27-28, 2027
- Location: Gleacher Center
- Pricing: Starts at $1,400
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Data Science Conference, founded in 2015 by Dr. Michael Tsiappoutas, is a practitioner-only event for data scientists. No vendors, recruiters, or sales pitches — just real peer exchange. Past speakers include professionals from Google, NASA, and the Mayo Clinic.
Why attend? Every session is practitioner-led, covering applied ML, NLP, and predictive modeling. Sponsor booths and vendor talks are banned entirely. Slides are shared post-event at no extra cost, and your contact info is never sold to sponsors.
8. INFORMS Annual Meeting - Maryland, MD (October 24-27, 2027)
- Dates: October 24-27, 2027
- Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
- Pricing: From $885 (member)-$1,195 (non-member)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The INFORMS Annual Meeting is the flagship event of the largest international association of operations research and analytics professionals. It's a premier conference focused on advancing analytics, operations research, data science, and decision-making.
Why attend? The meeting serves as a global forum for cutting-edge research and applied insights in optimization, machine learning, supply chain, healthcare, finance, and more. A career fair connects thousands of prospective employees with major industry employers.
What's Next?
Boost your SaaS growth and leadership skills.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights from CTOs and aspiring tech leaders.
We'll help you scale smarter and lead stronger with guides, resources, and strategies from top experts!
