The first keynote-level session we ever ran on AI at Enterprise Connect took place in my first year leading the event, back in 2016. Here was my brilliant idea: We’ve got this great venue in sunny Florida each March, there’s a beautiful outdoor space for events – let’s have a session outside! To go with the fresh thinking about the location, we decided the session should be about the potential of AI – and of course back then the conversation was very much about potential, in areas like customer journey.
What I didn’t consider was that, although Orlando is usually quite pleasant in mid-March, some years are hotter than others. I also failed to take into account the almost total lack of shade on the event lawn at the Gaylord Palms venue. So when the temperature hit about 85 that day, my panelists and I took the stage in our shirtsleeves, and even that wasn’t enough to keep us from getting drenched in sweat. Worse, the audience largely gave it up before we were halfway through the session. The remaining few opted to ride out the session by huddling together in the few slivers of shade available on the lawn.
I guess that session taught me more about AI than I bargained for – namely, a great idea that sounds really cool will fail without the proper execution. And in fact, your situation may not even allow for “proper execution.”
Such is the situation with AI implementation in the enterprise today. It’s a great idea, it could turn out spectacularly well – but you’ve got to understand what you’re getting into, envision what could go wrong, and prepare for it. That’s what our third conference track at Enterprise Connect 2026 is all about. We’re calling it, “Tech Disruption Zone: Implementing Without Imploding,” and describing its focus as “Navigat[ing] the cutting edge without bleeding—strategic adoption of game-changing technologies like AI.”
Enterprises are starting to see success with some of their AI deployments, but as Loren Absher, Americas AI advisory lead at analyst firm ISG said in a recent CIO Dive article, “Organizations remain stuck in the AI hype cycle — excited by potential, but unable to realize it. “
“Instead of chasing the next breakthrough, leaders must reap the value already within reach — and lay a foundation for the next evolution: agentic AI,” Absher writes.
So our focus for this EC2026 track is going to be on areas where your enterprise can capture those wins with AI: Self-service, voice AI and IVAs (interactive voice assistants); matching AI features with business outcomes; the real value of AI-based personal assistants; a reality check on agentic AI; and more. We’ll also look at how enterprises solve challenges like shadow AI and security/compliance in an AI deployment.
We’ll tackle other emerging technologies in this track besides AI (though I certainly expect AI to be the heavy focus). We’re looking to include sessions on journey mapping, voice of the customer, and other technologies that may incorporate AI to some degree (or not), but have a wider focus.
Conference program planning is starting to get intense. I’m genuinely excited about our new process in which EC’s advisory board of enterprise leaders is taking a much more active role in building out the sessions. It’s super fun to have a group of really smart, savvy folks to collaborate with, and I’m looking forward to what we’ll produce.
It’s also exciting to know that we’re now less than a month out from the planned launch of registration for EC2026. The whole EC team has been hard at work over the summer, re-imagining the show for its new home in Las Vegas. I can’t wait for you all to see the new Enterprise Connect.
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For over 35 years, Enterprise Connect has been the premier event where IT leaders, solution providers, and industry analysts come together to define the future of enterprise communications. As the most trusted conference in the industry, we deliver cutting-edge insights, world-class networking opportunities, and hands-on solutions that drive real business success.
Enterprise Connect is more than an event—it’s an experience that empowers enterprise communications leaders to reimagine the future of work. With elevated content, curated networking, and an engaging atmosphere, it remains the must-attend conference for professionals shaping the industry’s evolution.
Our mission is to equip you with the tools, strategies, and actionable insights needed to address your organization’s unique challenges. With industry transformation in mind, this year’s program introduces fresh new conference tracks, including:
- Legacy Unleashed: Optimizing Your Communications Backbone
- Workplace Reimagined: Engineering Tomorrow's Collaboration
- Tech Disruption Zone: Implementing Without Imploding
- Achieving Transformation: Architecting Your 3-5 Year Roadmap
- Future Shock: Communications Tech Beyond the Horizon
Featuring the most comprehensive program of objective content and an expansive vendor-neutral expo hall, Enterprise Connect is your ultimate resource for advancing collaboration, CX, and AV strategies. Join us to stay ahead, connect with industry trailblazers, and lead the transformation of enterprise communications.