Previewing 2026: A Breakthrough Year for the Enterprise Technology Association
The only thing moving faster than technology is the need to understand it. That’s why ETA is expanding its national programming, strengthening its member offerings, and doubling down on education, enablement, and ecosystem building in 2026.
Next year marks the most ambitious slate of events, programs, and partnerships we’ve ever offered. From the national expansion of AI Week to the launch of AI-empowered certificates, curated matchmaking experiences, and the official debut of the Intelligent Regions Initiative in Washington, D.C.—2026 is the year ETA levels up the country’s business and technology leadership community.
Here’s a preview of what’s ahead.
AI Week Expands Across the Country
AI Week is now the fastest-growing AI event series in America, and in 2026 it expands into even more markets—energizing local ecosystems and connecting regional strengths to national opportunities.
Every AI Week event will continue blending real-world case studies, leadership discussions, technical workshops, networking experiences, and curated convenings. The goal is simple: accelerate responsible adoption, workforce readiness, and practical value creation for organizations of all sizes.
New in 2026:
AI Empowered Professional Certificate and AI Empowered Leader Certificate — available to attendees who participate in designated workshops across AI Week events.
Leadership roundtables, curated meetings, and 1:1 matchmaking to connect leaders, advisors, innovators, and solution partners.
Expanded industry tracks tailored for manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, government, education, retail, cybersecurity, and startup innovation.
AI Week remains a national movement powered by local communities, and 2026 will raise the bar again.
Future Tech Forum Goes Deep
The Future Tech Forum returns as ETA’s flagship multi-domain technology summit exploring what’s now—and what’s next—in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, quantum, robotics, and emerging deep technologies.
In 2026, these events introduce:
Immersive workshop tracks aligned to the new certificate pathways.
CISO, CIO, and CTO roundtables to bring strategic and technical leaders together around deployment, risks, and readiness.
Enhanced enterprise and government matchmaking, powered by ETA Advisors and the Enterprise Technology Accelerator.
Sector-specific deep dives, including quantum readiness, AI security, automation in manufacturing, and the future of intelligent public infrastructure.
Future Tech Forum is where transformative ideas become actionable strategies.
The Intelligent Regions Initiative Officially Launches in Washington, D.C.
After two years of development and coalition building, the Intelligent Regions Initiative will formally launch at the US AI Congress in March 2026 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
This marks a major milestone for ETA and for national competitiveness.
The initiative is designed to help states, cities, and regional coalitions prepare for—and lead through—the next era of technological transformation. The effort brings together:
Public sector leaders and policymakers
Business and enterprise executives
Researchers and educational institutions
Investors, innovators, and ecosystem builders
The US AI Congress will serve as the national convening point for this work, featuring keynote speakers, research insights, roundtables, and the release of new regional readiness frameworks.
Enterprise Technology Accelerator Returns
Back by popular demand, the Enterprise Technology Accelerator returns in 2026 as a rolling project accelerator for organizations fast-tracking digital change.
The Accelerator helps enterprises:
Scope high-impact AI, automation, and technology modernization initiatives
Connect with vetted advisors and solution partners
Advance projects from concept to deployment
Reduce risk and complexity by leveraging ETA’s collective expertise
Accelerate timelines for digital transformation and innovation
This program gives businesses the clarity, support, and execution partners needed to compete and scale in a rapidly shifting technology landscape.
New Certificates for Professionals and Leaders
To meet growing demand for practical, workforce-ready training, ETA is launching two national certificate pathways:
AI Empowered Professional
Designed for every role in the modern workplace.
Participants focus on foundational knowledge, practical tools, and opportunities to use AI to improve productivity, outcomes, and impact.
AI Empowered Leader
Designed for executives, people managers, and organizational decision-makers.
This pathway equips leaders with frameworks for governance, risk management, workforce strategies, and responsible deployment.
Both certificates can be earned by attending designated workshops at AI Week and Future Tech Forum events throughout the year.
New in 2026: Roundtables, Curated Meetings, and Matchmaking
To increase the ROI of attending ETA programs, we are rolling out new engagement experiences for members and event participants:
Leadership Roundtables for executives and domain experts
Curated Meetings with vetted partners and advisors
1:1 Matchmaking to connect organizations with solutions, collaborators, and opportunities
This structured, high-value networking accelerates real outcomes—and ensures every attendee leaves with tangible next steps.
New Membership Offerings and Community Portal Coming Q1 2026
ETA membership is evolving.
Early next year, we will introduce:
Refreshed membership tiers
Access to the new ETA Community Hub
Member-only roundtables and briefings
Advisor office hours and solution matchmaking
Priority access to certificates and events
Co-branded opportunities for leaders and organizations
ETA members will have more ways than ever to level up their network, skills, and impact.
2026 Is the Year to Lean In
The pace of change is accelerating. The gap between early adopters and everyone else is growing. And organizations everywhere need trusted partners to navigate complexity and make confident, informed decisions.
That’s our work.
ETA exists to help leaders stay ahead—through education, enablement, community, and collaboration.
We’re excited for what’s coming, and we hope you’ll join us throughout 2026.
Level up your network. Level up your skills. Level up your impact.
Join the Enterprise Technology Association at joineta.org.
