Company

Genuine interaction.
Tangible ROI.

Join an exclusive network of CXOs and IT management. Since 2013, SMS Strategy dba CIOarena has organized over three hundred large-scale events, connecting thousands of IT professionals.

2013founded
300+CXO-level events
80vetted IT leaders per room, max
8sponsors per event, max
100K+IT execs & managers in our network

Our history

Built to fix
the IT events space.

We set out to address the shortcomings of the IT events space by creating a platform that produces genuine interaction and tangible ROI for all in attendance. Over this period, our team has mastered the craft of building environments in which conversation and collaboration are cultivated.

Founder and host Stavros Stergiou, with 15 years of experience in hospitality, executive events and IT consulting, leads the team. Supported by a dedicated group that has been with him from the start, Stavros has built the company on a foundation of honesty and integrity.

Connect with CIOarena on LinkedIn & X

IT leaders networking at a CIOarena event

How we run events

Integrity first.
No fluff.

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Integrity

CIOarena places honesty, integrity and exceptional service above all else. In a landscape littered with false promises and fluff, we bring valuable, no-nonsense educational events to our audience.

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Guided by local IT executives

All our events are guided by senior IT executives in each locale, with a focus on providing quality educational content.

✓

Vetted, invitation-only rooms

Up to 80 area IT executives and management per event, vetted for relevance, by invitation or referral only. No sales, marketing or consulting attendees.

★

A touch of class

Expand your network with regional peers and gain insights from top-tier speakers and experts, with five-star meals in beautiful venues.

☰

Research-driven content

Our research and analytics team, together with the insights, ideas and opinions of our network, helps us build curated events that deliver maximum value.

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Hand-picked sponsors

A maximum of 8 vendors per event, so sponsors are regarded as experts in their space.

Join our community

What members get.

Events

  • Access to invitation-only summits, conferences, virtual events, round-tables and happy hours

Connections

  • Unparalleled networking opportunities with IT executives and management in your locale or region
  • Create and strengthen bonds in your community, a hallmark of successful CXOs
  • Put your career into overdrive by comparing successes and failures with like-minded peers

Insights

  • Become a transformation leader through the exchange of ideas, solutions and strategies
  • Leverage insights from industry experts at the forefront of technology
  • A treasure trove of insights through our monthly newsletter and surveys

From past attendees

Quality over quantity.

★★★★★
“Excellent event. Great organization and logistics. Covered topics very diverse and interesting; liked the fact that not all were focused on 'selling' but rather demonstrating technology and discussing innovation.”
Manou G. GalvanSVP Infrastructure & Security, Citigroup
★★★★★
“Great overview of key trends in the cyber security space and of advancements in technology and automation. Great short-format value for any IT leader.”
Carsten KrauseGlobal Head Enterprise Architecture, Schneider Electric

CIOarena 2027

Take your
seat at the table.

Invitation-only half-day conferences for IT and cybersecurity leaders. Want to speak, or need a CPE certificate? Speaker inquiry · CPE request