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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 2024 Shortlist

Here's my shortlist of the best CTO conferences I think are worth attending in 2024:

1. TECHSPO Global Technology Expo - Multiple dates and locations

2. Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo - Orlando, FL (October 2024)

3. State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype - Remote (October 2024)

4. DigiMarCon World 2024 - Las Vegas, NV (October 2024)

5. DEXT FORCE Festival - Barcelona, Spain (October 2024)

6. CIO & CISO Montreal Summit - Québec, Canada (November 2024)

7. Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024 - Remote (November 2024)

8. Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal (November 2024)

9. CTO fwdays'24 Conference - Remote (November 2024)

10. The AI Summit - New York, NY (December 2024)

11. World Forum 2024 - Multiple dates and locations

12. CTO Craft Con: London - London, United Kingdom (March 2025)

13. Gartner Digital Workplace Summit - Grapevine, TX (March 2025)

14. RSA Conference 2025 - San Francisco, CA (May 2025)

15. Digital Transformation Summit - Multiple dates and locations

Find more details about each conference below.

Best CTO Conferences Of 2024

1. TECHSPO Global Technology Expo - Multiple dates and locations

Screenshot of the TECHSPO Global Technology Expo conference landing page
The TECHSPO Global Technology Expo Conference
  • 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

LocationsDates
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center Hotel | Denver, CoOctober 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.

2. Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo - Orlando, FL (October 2024)

Screenshot of the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo conference website
The Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Conference

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.

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3. State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype - Virtual(October 2024)

Screenshot of the State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype conference page
The State of AI in Cybersecurity: Beyond the Hype Conference

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.

4. DigiMarCon World 2024 - Las Vegas, NV (October 2024)

Screenshot of the DigiMarCon World 2024 conference landing page
The DigiMarCon World 2024 Conference

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.

5. DEXT FORCE Festival - Barcelona, Spain (October 2024)

Screenshot of the DEXT FORCE Festival conference landing page
The DEXT FORCE Festival Conference

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.

6. CIO & CISO Montreal Summit - Québec, Canada (November 2024)

The CIO & CISO Montreal Summit conference landing page
The CIO & CISO Montreal Summit Conference

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.

7. Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024 - Virtual (November 2024)

The Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024 conference screenshot
The Technology Leaders Conference Europe 2024

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.

8. Web Summit - Lisbon, Portugal (November 2024)

Screenshot of the Web Summit conferencewebsite
The Web Summit Conference

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.

9. CTO fwdays'24 Conference - Kyiv, Ukraine (November 2024)

The CTO fwdays'24 Conference

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.

10. The AI Summit - New York, NY (December 2024)

Screenshot of the AI Summit conference website
The AI Summit Conference

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.

11. World Forum 2024 - Multiple dates and locations

Screenshot of the World Forum 2024 conference page
The World Forum 2024 Conference

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

LocationsDates
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre​ | Melbourne, AUOctober 17, 2024
Javits Center | New York, USNovember 7, 2024
Metro Toronto Convention Centre MTCC |Toronto, CAToronto, 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.

12. CTO Craft Con: London - London, United Kingdom (March 2025)

The CTO Craft Con: London conference screenshot
The CTO Craft Con: London Conference

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.

13. Gartner Digital Workplace Summit - Grapevine, TX (March 2025)

Screenshot of the Gartner Digital Workplace Summit conference page
The Gartner Digital Workplace Summit Conference

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.

14. RSA Conference 2025 - San Francisco, CA (May 2025)

Screenshot of the RSA Conference 2025 landing page
The RSA Conference 2025

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.

15. Digital Transformation Summit - Multiple dates and locations

The Digital Transformation Summit conference screenshot
The Digital Transformation Summit Conference

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

LocationsDates
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia February 20, 2025
Sydney, AustraliaMarch 12, 2025
Johannes Berg, South AfricaMarch 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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Katie Sanders

As a data-driven content strategist, editor, writer, and community steward, Katie helps technical leaders win at work. Her 14 years of experience in the tech space makes her well-rounded to provide technical audiences with expert insights and practical advice through Q&As, Thought Leadership, Ebooks, etc.