CIO Program
2026 SAPinsider Las Vegas
Monday, March 16 | 1:00 - 4:30 PM
The CIO Program convenes a select group of CIOs and end-user Technology Executives to tackle the most pressing technology, transformation, and value realization challenges facing SAP-enabled enterprises. It is designed as a working forum, combining fresh market data, peer insight, and practical frameworks to help CIOs make better decisions, faster.
2026 Las Vegas Agenda
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Opening and Welcome
Jamie Bedard, CEO, Wellesley Information Services
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Technology Leader’s Plans for 2026
Robert Holland, Chief Research Officer, SAPinsider
This session will discuss the latest findings from SAPinsider’s research into the strategic agenda for 2026 and what technology leaders are planning for the year ahead.
Discussion points include:
Top business priorities for 2026 and how they are impacting technology decisions.
The most important SAP-related initiatives for the year ahead and how they are being supported by SAP investments.
How leaders are navigating challenges such as improving business efficiency, supporting new product development, and ensuring that business teams have the necessary technology to innovate.
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Technology Leader’s Plans for 2026
Robert Holland, Chief Research Officer, SAPinsider
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Migration and Transformation with SAP at the Core
Marty Menard, Advisory Board Member, Pacific Coast Companies and Wellesley Information Services
Steve Birgfeld, VP, Information Technology & Services, Blue Diamond Growers and Advisory Board Member, Wellesley Information Services
Many enterprises are still grappling with how to move from legacy SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA and cloud without treating it as a narrow technical upgrade. This executive discussion focuses on how CIOs and technology leaders reframe SAP as a platform for innovation, data‑driven decisions, and AI‑ready operations while staying in control of long‑term cost, risk, and operating models.
Discussion points include:
Framing a compelling, data‑backed business case that links SAP S/4HANA and cloud transformation to growth, resilience, and margin.
Choosing the right deployment model (on‑prem, cloud, SAP RISE) and hyperscaler while balancing speed, control, and total cost of ownership.
Making SAP a strategic platform for analytics, automation, and AI by prioritizing clean core, process standardization, and an enterprise data strategy.
Clarifying post–go‑live optimization and ownership models to realize the full value of major SAP or AI investments.
2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Moderated Discussion on Executive Leadership in the Age of AI
Claudio Muruzabal, Independent Director, Principal Financial Group
This moderated discussion explores how organizations are identifying practical opportunities for AI adoption, demonstrating value to the board, and educating senior stakeholders on what is realistically achievable. Framed around leadership considerations organizations are currently navigating, participants will exchange perspectives on how enterprises are translating AI expectations into measurable business results.
Key Learning Objectives:
Identify practical approaches for adopting AI that
deliver measurable business outcomes
Discuss how leaders are demonstrating the value of AI initiatives to executive stakeholders and boards
Explore strategies for educating senior leadership on the realities and timelines of AI adoption
Examine how organizations are prioritizing AI initiatives that justify investment and attention
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Navigating IT vs Business Trade‑offs When Priorities Shift
Marcus Noronha, Chief Digital Officer, Fit Foods
Anna Kluckova, Director of Finance, Fit Foods
Economic headwinds and shifting priorities are forcing CIOs to make sharper trade‑offs between what they have to do and what they should be doing to drive future growth.
Discussion points include:
How to distinguish non-negotiable “must haves” from negotiable “should haves” when budgets are under pressure.
How Sr Tech Leaders work with their Sr Finance partners to align on priorities.
Techniques to unlock creative thinking when budgets are tight, ensuring organizations still make progress on strategic “should” initiatives rather than defaulting only to near-‑term “haves.
How CIOs build a robust SAP roadmap that survives budget cycles and measures transformation success beyond go-live.
Responding to tough board questions about the business value of IT, projects prioritization, and transformation investments.
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Change Management and Future-Ready Organizations
Travis Knab, Chief Information Officer, EWEB
Julie McGaughey, Chief Customer Officer, EWEB
Technology programs only succeed when organizations are ready to absorb and sustain change. This track explores the people, operating models, and governance dimensions that determine whether SAP and AI investments realize their full value.
Discussion points include:
Post-go-live optimization: how to ensure the organization captures the full value of major SAP or AI investments, and how long the CIO should stay directly involved after rollout.
Board and executive communications: building earlier, more proactive engagement with the board.
Practical change management approaches that CIOs can use immediately with their own leadership teams.
Identifying the skills and talent required for a digital, AI-enabled future and designing upskilling strategies so the right people are in the right roles.
