All 2026 Finance Conference Sessions

Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo 2026 dives deep into key topics for finance leaders around cost optimization, growth, AI and more to help you address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Conference Theme

Autonomous Finance: Building Resilient, AI-Driven and Value-Centric Enterprises

CFOs are under pressure to deliver a more autonomous finance function, but that future won’t arrive on its own. This year’s agenda focuses on what it really takes to build that kind of finance organization where insights lead to faster decisions, automation supports more of the close and forecast, and finance teams engage with the business without becoming a bottleneck.

Autonomous finance is not a destination. It is a discipline. And CFOs must lead the way. Explore our sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind. 

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There are hundreds of sessions happening each day. Filter to see sessions that align with your role and interests. After registering for the conference, craft your agenda and book priority sessions — all through Conference Navigator.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2026

09:30 AM - 10:15 AM EDT

Gartner Opening Keynote: Finance at the Forefront: Winning When AI Is Changing (and Breaking) Everything
Clement Christensen, VP Analyst, Gartner
Tamara Shipley, VP Analyst, Gartner
As organizations adapt to AI, many early efforts fall short. Yet, some companies unlock extraordinary value from their AI investments. In this keynote at Gartner’s 2026 Finance Symposium, discover the strategies and mindsets that set such leaders apart. Learn how CFOs become architects of AI-driven transformation, driving innovation, efficiency and competitive advantage in an AI-first enterprise. Join us to explore actionable insights and the pivotal role finance will play in shaping the future of business. (CPE Credit: 0.8; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less

05:15 PM - 06:00 PM EDT

Guest Keynote: The Audacity of "What If?"
Sekou Andrews, Award-winning Human Resonance Expert, Speaking Category Creator, Grammy-Nominated Artist, SekouWorld, Inc.
“What if there is a better way?” As the innovator of an audacious new category of public speaking that brought poetry to industry in unprecedented ways, Sekou has mastered the art of audacity. His 20-year career helping global brands humanize messaging, began with two words: “What If?” “What if we could define business our own way?” “What if our way could set the standard for our industry?” This inspiring and interactive speech will help you ignite that same audacity needed for you to defy convention, deny limitations, and define yourselves for yourselves. It focuses on re-defining the word “touch” as a metaphor for how leaders and brands can impact communities in increasingly purposeful ways. Prepare to engage your imagination and learn new strategies to help your business get in TOUCH with its humanity. (CPE Credit: 0.8; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less
Thursday, May 28, 2026

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM EDT

Guest Keynote: Extreme Leadership
Colonel Chris Hadfield, Astronaut, Business Leader, Hi-Tech Entrepreneur, 5-Time Bestselling Author
Commanding a spaceship takes superb leadership. The vehicle is complex, the team is international, the crew is on their own, and the stakes are at their highest — huge financial consequences and perpetual life or death situations. Only one Canadian has ever held that command — Colonel Chris Hadfield. Through his 25 years spent in the Royal Canadian Air Force and 21 years with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, he has developed and honed leadership theories and practices that have taken him to the very top. A uniquely experienced leader, Hadfield will help your team lead more effectively. He combines fundamental leadership theories and original insights with examples from his own experiences as a US Navy top test pilot, NASA’s Director of Operations in Russia, NASA Astronaut Chief of Space Station Operations, and as a Commander of the International Space Station. (CPE Credit: 0.8; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None)

This session is made available for replay for 30 days.
This production will include elevated noise levels and strobe lighting effects. ... Show More Show Less
Friday, May 29, 2026

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM EDT

Guest Keynote: The Uncertainty Principle: How to Lead in the Never Normal
Peter Hinssen, Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker and Author, Nexxworks
We’re at a crossroads. Certainly since the COVID-19 crisis but even before that, we have been evolving into a world with many new types of disruptions. There’s this potent cocktail of global platforms, information, intelligence, and automation that is accelerating the pace of change. But technology is no longer the biggest driver of disruption. What’s coming at us is ecological, biological, societal and geopolitical in nature and this is just the beginning. These many disruptions are going to evolve into seismic shocks that will completely overturn how we live and work. Think about the rising sea levels we might experience in coming decades. Or pandemics like COVID-19. Or the cold (trade) war between the US and China. (CPE Credit: 0.8; Field of Study: Business Management and Organization; Delivery Method: Group Live; Program Knowledge Level: Basic; Prerequisites: None; Advanced Preparation: None) ... Show More Show Less

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      “This conference is a great opportunity to gain insights into the industry trends that will be key to your finance organization’s health and success in the near and long term.”

      Matt Mozdziez
      Senior Finance Director, Chemours

      Discover what it’s like to experience #GartnerFinance