Gartner Chicago CIO Community Executive Summit Winter 2026

It takes place at Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois.

The stated audience includes CIOs and C-level peers.

It suits sitting CIOs and senior technology executives in the Chicago area who want frank exchange with peers, since the speakers hold top IT roles at Kraft Heinz, Grainger, ITW, CNA and Ascension, and the format is a one-day local program of interactive discussion among C-level peers. Mid-level IT managers and anyone hoping for a broad vendor expo will get less from it, as the agenda is shaped by CIO co-chairs and the sponsors listed, such as Netskope, Cyera and Rimini Street, are a handful of vendors rather than a large exhibit floor.

Executive IT summits of this kind usually see business casual to business professional dress, such as blazers and slacks, and a Chicago venue in December calls for a warm coat.