16 Best CTO Conferences To Uplevel Your Skills In 2025
As a CTO, the pressure to balance technical leadership with business strategy is relentless. You’re tasked with scaling infrastructure, growing teams, and ensuring your organization stays competitive—all while trying to keep up with the latest tech advancements. The challenge? Finding the time and the right opportunities to uplevel your skills amidst your day-to-day responsibilities.
That’s where I've highlighted the top conferences that can make a difference. Designed to address the real-world challenges CTOs face, from leading digital transformations to aligning tech investments with business outcomes, these conferences are worth your time.
If you’re looking for practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and opportunities to connect with peers who understand the complexities of your role, these events are where you’ll find them.
Best CTO Conferences 2025 Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best CTO conferences I think are worth attending in 2025:
- IRL - Alberta, Canada (Oct 2025)
- TECHSPO Global Technology Expo - Multiple dates and locations
- Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo - Orlando, FL (October 2024)
- State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype - Remote (October 2024)
- DigiMarCon World 2024 - Las Vegas, NV (October 2024)
- DEXT FORCE Festival - Barcelona, Spain (October 2024)
- CIO & CISO Montreal Summit - Québec, Canada (November 2024)
- Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024 - Remote (November 2024)
- Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal (November 2024)
- CTO fwdays'24 Conference - Remote (November 2024)
- The AI Summit - New York, NY (December 2024)
- World Forum 2024 - Multiple dates and locations
- CTO Craft Con: London - London, United Kingdom (March 2025)
- Gartner Digital Workplace Summit - Grapevine, TX (March 2025)
- RSA Conference 2025 - San Francisco, CA (May 2025)
- Digital Transformation Summit - Multiple dates and locations
Find more details about each conference below.
Best CTO Conferences Of 2025
1. IRL - Alberta, Canada (Oct 2025)
- Dates: October 1-4, 2025
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Pricing: From $2,950
- Website: IRL
Overview:
The IRL 25 conference is an exclusive and immersive event for SaaS executives scaling their businesses from millions to billions in revenue. It's for leaders scaling up post-Series B, and the conference will cover challenges including as product-market fit, go-to-market strategies, customer retention, leadership hiring, and scaling infrastructure.
IRL is a conference designed for participation. Participants engage in tailored tracks, collaborative workshops, expert-led discussions and masterminds while enjoying outdoor adventures and gourmet dining experiences together.
Why You Should Attend:
The IRL conference stands out due to its unique approach to outdoor programming and building in-person engagement. It's also by application only to ensure a high quality of attendees. This one-of-a-kind event forgoes the typical conference format—it's participant-driven, with a carefully selected roster of SaaS executives who form an exclusive network that help each other take their business to the next level.
The IRL conference offers a rare chance to build relationships with like-minded leaders in a refreshing environment away from the usual hustle. If you’re part of an exec team at a SaaS company driving growth beyond $10m ARR, IRL is for you.
2. TECHSPO Global Technology Expo - Multiple dates and locations
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see the table below)
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: TECHSPO Global Technology Expo
- Social Media: X | LinkedIn
Overview: This expo focuses on innovations in internet, mobile, ad tech, and SaaS technologies. It's a broad platform that highlights the latest advancements in consumer technology and features interactive showcases from top companies. Attendees can expect to learn about everything from AI-driven marketing tools to the future of cloud computing.
TECHSPO Global Technology Expo - Multiple Dates and Locations
| Locations | Dates |
| Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center Hotel | Denver, Co | October 21-22, 2024 |
| Hyatt Regency Phoenix Hotel | Phoenix, AZ | October 24-25, 2024 |
| Wynn Las Vegas Resort | Las Vegas, NV | October 28-30, 2024 |
| The Westin Charlotte Hotel | Charlotte, NC | June 24-25, 2025 |
Why You Should Attend: If you're looking to stay ahead in tech trends across industries, TECHSPO offers a comprehensive view. With a focus on cutting-edge tools, it's a good opportunity to evaluate new technologies that can streamline your operations or enhance customer experiences.
3. Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo - Orlando, FL (October 2024)
- Dates: October 21-24, 2024
- Location: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, FL
- Pricing:
- Standard: $7,550
- Public sector: $5,650
- Website: Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo
- Social Media: Instagram | X | LinkedIn
Overview: This conference focuses on helping CIOs and IT leaders stay ahead of the curve. Topics range from data security to scaling digital platforms, with notable speakers from Fortune 500 companies and global IT leaders.
Why You Should Attend: This event's strategic insights are particularly useful for CEOs looking to lead through digital transformation. With a broad scope of topics and a focus on practical applications, it’s a key opportunity to sharpen your understanding of the IT landscape.
4. State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype - Virtual(October 2024)
- Dates: October 30, 2024
- Location: Virtual
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype
Overview: This virtual conference zeroes in on AI and its implications for cybersecurity. With discussions about machine learning, predictive analytics, and threat detection, it brings together experts in AI to explore how it’s revolutionizing data protection.
Why You Should Attend: Cybersecurity is an ever-present concern, and AI plays an increasingly important role in defending against sophisticated attacks. This is a must-attend event if you prioritize data security in your organization’s roadmap.
5. DigiMarCon World 2024 - Las Vegas, NV (October 2024)
- Dates: October 28-30, 2024
- Location: Luxor Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas NV
- Pricing:
- Main Conference: $997 per ticket (2-day event)
- All-Access Pass: $1,497 per ticket (3-day event)
- VIP Pass: $1,697 per ticket (3-day event)
- Website: DigiMarCon World 2024
- Social Media: LinkedIn | X | Instagram
Overview: DigiMarCon World is a premier digital marketing conference that covers the latest strategies, trends, and innovations in the digital marketing industry. Topics include content marketing, social media, SEO, mobile marketing, and programmatic advertising, featuring speakers from leading brands and agencies who share practical insights and experiences.
Why You Should Attend: Attending DigiMarCon World 2024 provides valuable insights into the digital marketing landscape, helping you stay ahead in a tech-driven business world. The conference offers a unique blend of practical knowledge and strategic insights that can inform decision-making and optimize marketing efforts. It's a great opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain actionable takeaways for adapting your digital strategy to emerging trends.
6. DEXT FORCE Festival - Barcelona, Spain (October 2024)
- Dates: October 4-5, 2024
- Location: La Llotja de Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Pricing:
- Dive Into Party: €14.95 VAT included (Party Animal)
- All In Experience Congress and Party: €85.00 +VAT (Full Fest)
- Website: DEXT FORCE Festival
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube | Telegram
Overview: This festival brings together leaders in digital experience transformation (DEX) and features a mix of talks, workshops, and exhibitions. Topics include digital innovation, user experience, and the future of work, featuring speakers from top European tech companies.
Why You Should Attend: The focus on DEX is especially relevant for companies aiming to enhance their digital interfaces and improve customer interaction. If your business is prioritizing digital innovation, this event is a great resource. You’ll meet one of the DEXT FORCE Festival speakers, Sergi Valero, Founder and CEO of Moonlorian.
7. CIO & CISO Montreal Summit - Québec, Canada (November 2024)
- Dates: November 7, 2024
- Location: In-Person in Québec, Canada
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: CIO & CISO Montreal Summit
- Social Media: LinkedIn | X | Instagram
Overview: This summit focuses on the intersection of IT and cybersecurity. Key topics include data governance, enterprise risk management, and building secure infrastructure. It’s a high-level event attended by IT and security leaders from major organizations.
Why You Should Attend: If your organization navigates complex security challenges, this summit provides valuable insights on mitigating risks while scaling your tech operations.
8. Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024 - Virtual (November 2024)
- Dates: November 12, 2024
- Location: Virtual
- Pricing: Register for free
- Website: Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024
- Social Media: LinkedIn | X | Instagram
Overview: This remote conference brings together Europe’s top technology leaders to discuss digital transformation, innovation strategy, and IT leadership. It offers a range of expert panels and case studies from major corporations.
Why You Should Attend: This technology conference, which focuses on leadership in the digital space, is a valuable opportunity to understand the strategic role of technology in modern organizations.
9. Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal (November 2024)
- Dates: November 11-14, 2024
- Location: Meo Arena in Lisbon, Portugal
- Pricing:
- General attendee: €950 (excluding €772 VAT)
- VIP: €1,950 (excluding €1,585 VAT)
- Website: Web Summit
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview: Web Summit is one of the most significant technology events, covering everything from AI to sustainability in tech. The event draws speakers from leading tech companies, startups, and influential venture capitalists.
Why You Should Attend: If you want to immerse yourself in the global tech scene, Web Summit offers unparalleled networking opportunities and exposure to the industry’s latest trends.
10. CTO fwdays'24 Conference - Kyiv, Ukraine (November 2024)
- Dates: November 16, 2024
- Location: Hybrid
- Pricing:
- Online: Starts from €79 per ticket
- Full Ticket: Starts from €79 per ticket (few tickets left)
- Website: CTO fwdays'24 Conference
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Telegram
Overview: This conference focuses on the role of CTOs in driving technical leadership and fostering innovation. Topics include scaling engineering teams, cloud-native technologies, and DevOps strategies. Past speakers include prominent CTOs from leading tech companies.
Why You Should Attend: For CTOs aiming to refine their leadership in a tech-driven business environment, this CTO event offers an in-depth exploration of the skills needed to lead successful technology teams.
11. The AI Summit - New York, NY (December 2024)
- Dates: December 11-12, 2024
- Location: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, USA
- Pricing:
- VIP All Access Pass: $2,399 (few tickets left)
- Delegate Pass: $1,799
- Expo Pass: $49
- Website: The AI Summit
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | YouTube
Overview: This summit focuses on the practical applications of AI for business. Topics include automation, machine learning, and the ethical considerations of AI. Speakers include leaders from AI research and industry.
Why You Should Attend: AI is becoming a cornerstone of modern business strategy. Attending this summit will give you actionable insights on integrating AI into your operations for greater efficiency and competitive advantage. You’ll meet one of the AI Summit speakers, Fred Cohen Freue, the Senior Vice President of AI and Data Mastercard.
12. World Forum 2024 - Multiple dates and locations
- Dates: Multiple dates (see the table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see the table below)
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: World Forum 2024
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | YouTube
Overview: The World Forum 2024, hosted by ServiceNow, is a global event series focusing on digital transformation, workflow automation, and how businesses can leverage modern platforms to streamline operations. The forum covers various topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the future of work. Attendees can expect to hear from industry leaders, top executives, and digital transformation experts. Some of the notable speakers in past events include executives from major tech and enterprise companies, as well as thought leaders in the automation and AI space.
World Forum 2024 - Multiple Dates and Locations
| Locations | Dates |
| Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre | Melbourne, AU | October 17, 2024 |
| Javits Center | New York, US | November 7, 2024 |
| Metro Toronto Convention Centre MTCC |Toronto, CA | Toronto, CA - November 13, 2024 |
| WTC Rotterdam | Rotterdam, NL | November 20, 2024 |
Why You Should Attend: The World Forum emphasizes practical applications of digital transformation strategies, focusing on automation and AI to optimize operations and enhance customer experiences. It provides leaders with actionable insights and tools for driving growth and improving workflows. Attendees gain a high-level understanding of the industry’s emerging trends and future directions.
13. CTO Craft Con: London - London, United Kingdom (March 2025)
- Dates: March 10-11, 2025
- Location: QEII Centre in London, United Kingdom
- Pricing:
- Member Standard Main Conference: £569 + VAT
- Member All-Access Main Conference and Conversations: £799 + VAT
- Non-Member Standard Main Conference: £999 + VAT
- Website: CTO Craft Con: London
- Social Media: YouTube | X | LinkedIn
Overview: This event is specifically designed for CTOs, tech leads, and engineering leaders looking to strengthen their leadership skills and navigate the technical challenges of modern organizations. Topics cover everything from scaling tech teams and leadership development to building resilient architectures. You’ll hear from prominent CTOs and tech leaders from top companies, discussing their experiences and sharing actionable advice.
Why You Should Attend: If you're a CEO wanting to understand the technical leadership side of your business, CTO Craft Con provides a deep dive into the challenges of running tech teams at scale. Understanding these topics will help you collaborate better with your technical leadership and make informed decisions aligning with business and engineering goals.
14. Gartner Digital Workplace Summit - Grapevine, TX (March 2025)
- Dates: March 12-13, 2025
- Location: Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center, Grapevine, TX
- Pricing:
- Early-bird: $3,475
- Standard: $3,850
- Public-sector: $3,250
- Website: Gartner Digital Workplace Summit
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | YouTube
Overview: This summit focuses on creating a digital workplace that enhances productivity, employee experience, and collaboration. Topics include remote work strategies, digital employee experience, AI-driven workspaces, and tools for hybrid workforce management. Speakers include leading workplace technology experts and senior leaders from top enterprises, providing strategic advice on leveraging digital tools.
Why You Should Attend: As digital workplaces become more essential, this summit helps you stay informed on how to build and maintain a flexible and efficient work environment. With remote work becoming a mainstay, this conference is ideal for learning how to manage teams effectively through technology.
15. RSA Conference 2025 - San Francisco, CA (May 2025)
- Dates: April 28-May 1, 2025
- Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, California
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: RSA Conference 2025
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Flickr | YouTube
Overview: The RSA Conference is one of the largest cybersecurity events, covering critical topics such as data privacy, threat intelligence, cloud security, and risk management. Industry leaders, security experts, and innovators will share their knowledge on how businesses can protect themselves from growing cyber threats. Past speakers include security professionals from top tech companies, government agencies, and emerging startups.
Why You Should Attend: In today’s increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is non-negotiable. CEOs need to understand the implications of security decisions on their businesses. RSA provides cutting-edge insights on protecting your company’s digital assets while staying ahead of evolving threats.
16. Digital Transformation Summit - Multiple dates and locations
- Dates: Multiple dates (see the table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see the table below)
- Pricing: See the registration page for current pricing
- Website: Digital Transformation Summit
- Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | X | LinkedIn
Overview: This summit brings together senior leaders and experts to discuss the strategies behind successful digital transformations. The focus is how businesses can leverage technology to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and stay competitive. Topics range from cloud computing and AI to big data analytics and digital innovation, with keynotes and panel discussions from leading technology providers and digital transformation pioneers.
Digital Transformation Summit - Multiple Dates and Locations
| Locations | Dates |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | February 20, 2025 |
| Sydney, Australia | March 12, 2025 |
| Johannes Berg, South Africa | March 12, 2025 |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | April 29-30, 2025 |
Why You Should Attend: Digital transformation is now a key driver of business success. Attending this summit will give you insights into executing a successful digital strategy, staying competitive, and unlocking the full potential of your company’s technological capabilities. It’s an essential event if your business is going through or planning to embark on a significant technology overhaul. One of the Digital Transformation Summit speakers is Dr. Sid Ahmed Benraouane, Digital Transformation Advisor of Dubai Government, United Arab Emirates.
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