Where Innovation Leaders Shape the Future Together
On December 5, immediately following the Innovating the Future conference, IRI’s CTOs will convene in Orlando for our biannual CTO Forum. Join a private, half-day gathering of senior R&D and innovation executives from leading manufacturing companies. The IRI CTO Forum is designed to foster high-value peer exchange, uncover cutting-edge practices, and explore the trends shaping the next era of innovation leadership.
This exclusive event creates space for candid dialogue, actionable insight, and strategic foresight—driven by and for CTOs.
Participation is limited to CTOs or equivalent senior innovation leaders.
- WHY ATTEND
- AGENDA
- HOTEL
- KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
What to Expect at the CTO Forum
- A trusted space for open, off-the-record dialogue
- Real-time peer benchmarking across industries and scale
- Future-facing insights integrated with IRI’s Edge of What’s Next trends
- Exposure to cutting-edge innovation models and strategic foresight tools
- A premium experience designed exclusively for CTO-level executives
Key Topics to Be Explored
- Scaling breakthrough innovations under resource constraints
- Adapting portfolios to shifting markets and regulations
- Building agile, AI-enabled R&D teams
- Emerging business models for sustainability and circularity
- Scenario planning for geopolitical and supply chain volatility
- “Next practices” in organizing, measuring, and leading innovation
| Friday, December 5 |
| 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Introductions |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Peer Exchange: Future of Work: Jack of all Trades, Master of all Trades? Engage in candid, small-group discussions to benchmark strategies and surface collective approaches to staying ahead of changes in the way we work. Focus questions: – How well does your current organizational structure prepare you to adapt to rapid shifts in technology, markets, and workforce expectations? – What role will AI play in reshaping how work is organized, and where do you see the biggest opportunities or risks for your organization? – In an environment of constrained resources, how can organizations ensure they’re deploying talent, time, and capital most efficiently? |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Networking Break |
| 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Trend Provocation David J. Lynch, author of The World’s Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong (And What Would Make It Right), will challenge assumptions about the future of globalization, offering a forward-looking perspective on how shifting geopolitics, protectionism, and new competitive pressures are reshaping our world. Following this provocation, participants will consider how to set clear priorities for global growth while mitigating emerging risks. How do you balance geopolitical risks with growth opportunities? Where should you be investing for profitability across your global portfolio? The discussion will highlight where and how companies can position themselves for profitability in a shifting global landscape.  David J. Lynch joined The Washington Post in November 2017 from the Financial Times, where he covered white-collar crime. He was previously a senior writer with Bloomberg News, focusing on the intersection of politics and economics. Earlier, he followed the global economy for USA Today, where he was the founding bureau chief in both London and Beijing. He covered the wars in Kosovo and Iraq, the latter as an embedded reporter with the U.S. Marines, and was the paper’s first recipient of a Nieman fellowship at Harvard University. He has reported from more than 60 countries. Honors and Awards: Nieman fellowship at Harvard University, 2002; National Press Foundation’s Hinrich Award for Distinguished Reporting on Trade, 2021. |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CTO Curated Dialogue Participate in a dynamic, member-led discussion featuring an exploration of questions submitted by Forum participants. |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. Wrap Up and Action Items |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Networking Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. Adjourn |
Group Rate Information
Conrad Orlando
Book before Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Innovating the Future
$339.00/night
To make your reservations online, please click below and continue to book your room or call (407) 387 – 2000 and reference the 2025 NAM/IRI room block.
To make the most of your experience, take advantage of our exclusive group rate at the Conrad Orlando, where a block of rooms has been reserved for $339.00 per night. To make reservations online, please click on the reservation link above, and the group rate will automatically be applied or call the hotel directly.
The group rate reservation cut-off date is November 12, 2025. However, availability is not guaranteed once the room block is filled, which may occur before this date.
Who You’ll Meet
The IRI CTO Forum brings together an invitation-only group of senior R&D and innovation executives from leading manufacturing companies—spanning Fortune 500 enterprises to high-growth midsize firms. You’ll be in the room with decision-makers who set technology strategy, guide global innovation portfolios, and tackle the most complex challenges in product development, sustainability, and emerging technology adoption. Every participant is a peer at the top of their organization, ensuring meaningful, strategic-level conversations.
What to Expect
Expect a half-day of candid, off-the-record dialogue designed for maximum value and minimal fluff. Through structured peer exchanges, provocative trend insights, and member-led discussions, you’ll gain practical strategies you can take back to your organization immediately. You’ll also benefit from early access to IRI’s Edge of What’s Next trend intelligence, a trusted network of fellow CTOs, and exposure to the tools and “next practices” shaping the future of R&D. All in a premium, distraction-free environment built for senior leaders.
Attire
The dress code for this event is resort style business casual.
The business casual dress code typically includes collared shirts, slacks, dresses, skirts, blouses, and sportscoats. We recommend avoiding jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, or overly casual clothing items while maintaining a professional appearance.
Nearby Airport
Orlando International Airport
- Address: 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
- Phone number: (407) 825-2001
Kissimmee Gateway Airport
- Address: 401 Dyer Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34741
- Phone number: (407) 847-4600
Business Cards
We encourage attendees to bring business cards to network and exchange contact information easily with other attendees, fostering valuable professional connections. They serve as convenient tools for making a lasting impression and staying connected beyond the event.
Hotel Parking
Self-Parking: Not available
Valet Parking: $50
EV charging: Available
Secured: Available
Covered: Not available
In & out privileges: Available