Discussion: Online applications that teenagers use today – such as Facebook, YouTube, and del.icio.us – will be in the enterprise tomorrow. As it is, enterprises are already reaping benefits from the use of social networking applications in engaging employees, assessing customer preferences, and building market share. Once the challenges of integration, security, and privacy are addressed, someone stands to profit by taking Web 2.0 applications to the next level within the enterprise.

Discussion: Offshoring, outsourcing, smartsourcing, rightsourcing — we’ve heard it all. But does it really work? When does it work and when doesn’t it? Are all offshore providers the same? Are there differences among the companies and the countries? Where is this leading us? Are there better ways to construct a deal then pure outsourcing? Join us if you have the stomach for this interactive, no hold-backs discussion.

Discussion: Many IT Organizations have taken the initiative around Disaster Recovery planning for IT assets and services. DR planning is considered an important element of a much larger Business Continuity planning effort undertaken to protect the enterprise at large. But is it really being driven as a top-down approach from executive levels or are CIO’s and other IT decision makers actually raising corporate awareness and fostering more prudent corporate governance through the DR planning process? This presentation will offer DR/BC planning frameworks and approaches, present case studies from IT practitioners on the planning and executing of their DR strategies, and encourage a discussion on the effect or role of IT DR planning on overall corporate BC planning.

Discussion: The emergence of IT leadership and innovation at the "C" level has dramatically changed the role that Chief Information Officers play in corporate America. This presentation will take a look at a historic perspective on the changing role of the CIO, the top 10 critical success factors for CIOs in today's market, an operating model for 21st Century CIOs, the “next level” of CIO impact, and lastly, trends affecting the CIO position today and going forward.

Discussion: More than ever, the demands on IT leaders require a unique competency set. In a flat world, with a resource constrained market, you need every competitive angle to excel. This compelling session of successful leaders will discuss business, technical and organizational skills you must master to bring your game to the next level.

Discussion: Today’s enterprise-level IT departments are challenged to support the highest levels of corporate performance within a strict budget. The risks of information security, data retention and compliance loom large. Enterprise data management strategies enable you to accelerate performance while controlling costs and mitigating risks. In this session, we will discuss some of the strategies that leading organizations have implemented to align their management of application data with their business objectives to optimize performance, mitigate risks and control costs.

Discussion: Many North American companies are facing a common dilemma: their web sites and retail outlets are providing near real-time information concerning customer demand while their supply chains are being physically extended to Asia, introducing longer lead times for product resupply. IT systems play a critical role in synchronizing real-time point-of-sale demand signals with manufacturing activities being conducted 6,000 miles and 12 time zones away. This presentation describes the key applications employed at Corporate Express to achieve a balance between supply and demand in an Internet-based B2B business with annual revenues in excess of $8B.

Discussion: This lightening rod session will truly leave you wanting more. Colonel Carver will present a compelling case on how to build a leadership organization. This motivating presentation will explain how real, wartime experiences (Iraq), are brought back to the war college and built into the latest theory and thinking around team, organization and how to build your future leaders. In our technology driven world, you will learn what it takes to build a world-class culture of leaders, who are flexible and can change direction fast. His inspiring presentation will give you insight in how you can elevate your game and build the organization for the future.

Discussion: Leading companies use real technologies and process innovation to deliver breakthrough business results. What makes early adopters successful is the vision to see how hot technologies can “change the game” by transforming their business. After a brief review of the hot technologies of 2007 by Peter Schay, panel members will discuss how they have put leading-edge IT to use in truly innovative ways. Learn what worked, what didn’t, and what to look out for. Be inspired to look for ways you can innovate in your business.

Discussion: As anyone in the world of IT knows, Ethernet is hardly a new technology. It’s been around for more than 30 years. Originally designed to connect computers within a local area network, Ethernet is today taking the traditional telecom world by storm, and driving true data, voice and video network convergence on a global basis. Join us for this lively discussion, which will focus on the ways carrier-grade Ethernet is transforming 21st century enterprises, making businesses far more efficient, effective and competitive.

Discussion: The idea that some things are immeasurable is based on misconceptions about statistics and measurement or, in many cases, a lack of a clear definition of what to measure. Doug Hubbard will describe his Applied Information Economics (AIE) method, and discuss how to formulate intangibles as measurable. His panel members will share their challenges in the “real world”, and discuss how they do it now, what works and what doesn’t.

Discussion: More than ever, experience in the M&A area can elevate a CIO’s potential. In a global economy, with ubiquitous communications companies are expanding their reach and opportunities. Learn best practices from leading CIOs who have done and are currently building their companies without boundaries.

Discussion: Two sequential presentations by CIOs considered thought-leaders in the marketing of IT will present their latest thinking on what you need to know. Upon completion of the two presentations, a dynamic dialog with participants will take place. Battle tested and real world examples on the “how and whys” to marketing the value of IT, specific tips and to-do’s you can act on, and the results you can expect of these efforts.

Discussion: An informal and interactive discussion with today’s search industry leaders. Find out: what they hear from prospective clients, what skills are needed to be successful, why CIOs lose their jobs, what are prospective employers looking for, how do you get on their radar screens, which resumes get their attention, what is the future state of the CIO. This is your chance to hear it from the experts.