“Disrupt or be disrupted.”

You’ve heard it before. You understand it well. The hard part is what you’re doing to keep your organization ahead and stay disruptive. As 2018 gets going, there are a multitude of opportunities for you to gain a better understanding of how you can lead your teams through the age of disruption, and beyond.

From security to cloud, to networking and innovation, this list of tech conferences will help prepare and inspire you to tackle the future of technology and arm your teams with the strategies and skills they need.
 

Gartner CIO Leadership Forum | February 25-27 – Phoenix, AZ

Today’s CIOs don’t stop at IT services. They also have to be strategic business partners who have a keen understanding of how IT plays into crucial enterprise functions. At Gartner’s CIO Leadership Forum, you’ll dive into how to be a modern Chief Information Officer, lead your enterprise on a digital journey and prepare for connected ecosystems. The 2018 Forum aims to provide inspiration, strategic ideas and tactical solutions to tech challenges.

 

Interop ITX | April 30-May 4 – Las Vegas, NV

If you’re ready for vendor-neutral event where you can learn about technologies and solutions outside your current ecosystem, Interop ITX is for you. As the only independent event for tech leaders, Interop combines a conference program with a vendor-agnostic business hall, as well as multiple networking events. With more than 130 sessions, this event is in its 32nd year of serving the IT community.  

 

Evolve | May 8-10, 2018 – Las Vegas, NV

Evolve brings together some heavy-hitters in the IT space. This two-day leadership and technology conference is filled with influential game-changers who share insights on how to impact corporate culture and the IT landscape. Demos and virtual experiences abound, while the closing Outlier Aware Gala is a don’t-miss event.

 

VMWorld | August 26-30 – Las Vegas, NV

If your focus is cloud infrastructure and digital workspace, VMworld has your name on it. Hand-on labs and deep-dives on new product breakthroughs mean you’ll get the latest and greatest on all things cloud and business mobility tech. Make new friends at the customer appreciation party, hear from top industry leaders and SMEs and don’t miss the VMvillage.

 

Pluralsight LIVE | August 28-30 – Salt Lake City, UT

Last year at our inaugural LIVE event, attendees rubbed shoulders with some of the most influential tech leaders in the game—this year will be no different. Learn key strategies to help your team tackle what the future holds with insightful speakers and high-energy sessions on everything from security to cloud. The best and brightest in technology will be there. Will you? Pre-sale is happening now.

 

Hosting and Cloud Transformation Summit | September 24-26 – Las Vegas, NV

This is the age of consumption and cloud is no longer a simple technology. For executives in the hosting, cloud, datacenter and managed services sectors, this is a must-attend event. With a collaborative, top-notch agenda created by 450+ research analysts and experts, HCTS is a three-day summit that will leave you with actionable insights, powerful connections and innovation-inspired strategies to take on what’s next in cloud.  

 

Inc. 5000 | October 17-19 – San Antonio, TX

Don’t forget to pack your black-tie attire and golf gear. With a dressy gala, golf tournament and speaker lineup from familiar brands you love, Inc. 5000 brings you some of most successful entrepreneurs in the biz—and a lot of fun. Be prepared for breakthroughs and insights to lead your team with clarity and energy.

 

D.LIVE Laguna | November 12-14 – Laguna Beach, CA

Now this is a list you want to be on—this Wall Street Journal event is an exclusive, invite-only opportunity to mingle with CEOs, founders, investors and innovators from across the globe. Hosted in sunny southern California, D.LIVE Laguna strives to set the global tech agenda through envelope-pushing interviews and energetic discussions. Don’t miss the 2017 Startup Showcase finalists who will present their ideas onstage, or D.LUXE, an afternoon of conversations about how our digital environment continues to reshape tech’s influence on other industries. Request your VIP invite early.

Check your schedule and get out of town!

Getting away from the day-to-day can be difficult, but with this lineup of CIO conferences in 2018, taking time out of the office will benefit you and your business. Pack your bags, pick a conference or two and learn how to make this year even better.