The CIOarena
Annual Events for IT & CyberSec Leaders
The CIOarena is an invitation-only conference, host to local IT/tech leaders and decision makers. It strikes the perfect balance between business and pleasure, giving attendees the opportunity to network with relevant peers in an unguarded and professional environment. The accommodating single-track agenda is designed with the busy professional in mind, delivering high value within a reasonable time frame. Content is contributed by highly-respected industry experts, covering the most important topics and trends. CIOarena selectively partners with only a handful of vendors in order to bring the 'best-of-the-best' to the table, but also ensure total comfort and quality for our audience.
CIOarena has the simple mission of uniting tech executives and professionals, while providing them the insights and technical edge that keep them on the forefront of technology. Our half-day events are designed to provide maximum ROI with minimal downtime.
Benefits
- Compact agenda with CIO/CISO panel discussions and industry experts covering the latest industry trends around AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Digital Transformation, Data & Analytics, and IoT
- Excellent networking opportunities with local peers in a comfortable environment
- 100% complimentary access with parking included
- A certificate of completion good for 5 CPE credits
- Invitation-only ensures there is zero solicitation from non-sponsor participants (no sales, marketing, consulting or similar is permitted)
- Meet and learn about our select group of cutting edge solution providers & sponsors
- Compare and contrast recent successes and pitfalls with peers at round tables
- Enjoy a luxury venue accompanied by a five-star breakfast and lunch feast at no cost
- A prize raffle with high-ticket items (past has included: Apple products, tablets, gift cards, drones, TVs, vacations, exotic car rentals, and more)
- Walk away with fresh insights and new connections to propel you in your current role and benefit your organization
Pre-Requisites
CIOarena is an invitation-only event. Completing this form does not guarantee you a seat at CIOarena until a member of our team has contacted you with a confirmation email within 24 hours.
In order to maintain quality and comfort, all registrations are vetted for relevance and qualifications. We ask that all registrants meet the following basic criteria:
- BE an IT/tech/cybersec professional
- NOT have a title or role in sales, marketing, consulting, BD, etc
- NOT be self-employed
- NOT have intent to sell or promote a product
- DO NOT use abbreviations for your name, title or company
Interested in being a speaker or content contributor at CIOarena?
Upcoming Events
CIOarena DFW/Plano – Feb 24 2026
CIOarena Los Angeles – April 21 2026
CIOarena DC/Tysons – May 19 2026
CIOarena Denver – June 2 2026
CIOarena Chicago – June 11 2026
Registration
Recent Contributors & Panelists
DANA KLINE
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
CORDIA ENERGY
GARY CHAN
CHIEF INFOSEC OFFICER
SSM HEALTH
BINDI DAVE
CISO & AI LEADER
DIGICERT (FORMER)
JEFF ZYGMUNT
HEAD IT SECURITY
ENSTAR GROUP
SHANNON WILSON
VICE PRESIDENT IT
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
RAMESHWAR BALANAGU
CHIEF ENTERPRISE ARCHITECT
UNFI
ANDRE MENDES
CIO & CAIO
TARRANT COUNTY, TX
CINDI CARTER
CISO
CHECK POINT
ED MACOSKY
CHIEF PRODUCT & TECH
BOOMI
NISH RAMA
RVP SOLUTIONS ENGINEERS
DYNATRACE
ROLAND HAEVE
GLOBAL CIO & ENGAGEMENT
ATOS
DAVID ORTEGA
PRINCIPAL CLOUD ARCHITECT
THALES
JAGJIT DHALIWAL
GLOBAL CIO
UIPATH (now at Amazon)
EVE MALER
CTO
FORGEROCK
OLIVER FLEISCHMANN
VP, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
PLANISWARE
FARAZ ALADIN
SENIOR DIRECTOR
INFOBLOX
STEVEN KOLOMBARIS
CHIEF INFOSEC OFFICER
SOTHEBY'S
CHRIS HILLS
CTO
BEYONDTRUST
ANUKOOL REGE
CHIEF DATA OFFICER
FINRA
AASHISH CHANDARANA
CIO
PRODUCTIV
Sample Agenda & Flow of Day
*Agenda may vary event to event
8:30am - Early Access
Trying to beat the morning traffic? Doors open 30minutes early.
09:00am - Registration & Networking
Openly network with fellow peers over light breakfast bites and coffee.
09:30am - CyberSec Panel Discussion
Hear top CISOs & IT Execs share how they tackle today’s toughest cybersecurity challenges, protect their organizations, and drive innovation. Gain actionable insights from their successes, lessons, and strategies for staying ahead in a fast-evolving digital world.
10:15am - Expert Discussions & Insights
Tune in to a series of captivating discussions that promise to unlock your full potential and empower you to become an unstoppable IT leader. Our experts will equip you with the tools & knowledge to stay at the forefront of innovation, security, and technology overall.
11:00am - the CIOarena Lounge
Step into our exclusive networking lounge for an opportunity to connect with industry trailblazers and like-minded peers. This is your chance to exchange ideas and build invaluable relationships that will shape your professional journey. After an invigorating series of discussions, the lounge offers the perfect setting to seek answers to any lingering questions or delve deeper into the topics that matter most to you.
12:00pm - The CIOarena Feast
Prepare your taste buds for the CIOarena Feast! Come together to ignite discussions, engage in friendly debates, and challenge the status quo of the Office of the CIO, all over a delicious five-star lunch.
12:45pm - Expert Discussions & Insights
Tune in to a series of captivating discussions that promise to unlock your full potential and empower you to become an unstoppable IT leader. Our experts will equip you with the tools & knowledge to stay at the forefront of innovation, security, and technology overall.
1:15pm - AI Leaders Panel
Top AI leaders reveal how they’re using artificial intelligence to innovate, disrupt, and transform business. Get fresh insights, cutting-edge strategies, and a glimpse into the tech shaping tomorrow.
02:00pm - Networking & Prize Raffles
In our final block of time, take a moment to solidify the connections you've made, seek answers to lingering questions, and exchange any final insights & ideas. We conclude the day with a live prize drawing that has included many high-end prizes like: paid vacations, exotic car rentals, gift cards, drones, and more.