Future-Ready Innovation and Beyond
From December 2–3 in Orlando, FL, IRI’s Innovating the Future event will look beyond the traditional boundaries of innovation and into a world of AI-augmented R&D and interconnected innovation networks where linear, siloed models are giving way to adaptive systems that leverage breakthrough technologies to translate discovery and development into scalable business value faster and more effectively.
We will focus on what these shifts mean for you and how to position your processes, strategies, and teams to capitalize on the edge of what’s beyond. The event will offer you opportunities to explore best practices, discuss key takeaways, pressure-test ideas, and reflect on what you can do in your own context. You’ll leave with fresh perspectives, stronger peer insights, and practical steps to help move your innovation strategy forward.
- WHY ATTEND
- AGENDA
- SPEAKERS
- HOTEL
- PARTNERS
- KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- CTO Forum – Thursday, December 3
What to Expect at Innovating the Future:
- Build resilient innovation strategies that can adapt to geopolitical uncertainty, policy changes, and shifting market conditions.
- Collaborate with peers to assess future disruptions and develop practical response plans with greater speed and confidence.
- Explore how to build, staff, and upskill teams for an AI-enabled future where human judgment, creativity, and leadership remain essential.
- Refine your sustainability strategy by connecting innovation priorities with evolving expectations and measurable business value.
- Identify new value chain opportunities by exploring partnerships, capabilities, and collaborations beyond traditional industry boundaries.
Innovation leaders are facing constant change, from global uncertainty and regulatory pressure to AI-driven transformation and evolving value chains. Innovating the Future gives you the space to learn from leaders who are already adapting, testing new approaches, and shaping what comes next. This action-oriented event combines expert perspectives with facilitated peer discussion to help you respond to disruption, prepare your workforce for an AI-enabled future, connect sustainability to innovation strategy, and uncover new opportunities across the value chain. You’ll leave with sharper insights, practical takeaways, and a clearer path for moving ideas into action.
What You Will Gain
Build Relationships: Connect with subject matter experts, industry leaders, and fellow innovators during formal and informal networking time.
Collaborate: Find your next partner, big idea, or solution to a challenge during collaborative sessions.
Get Cutting-Edge Insights: Straight from the experts, get a combination of high-level perspective and practical action items you can apply to your organization.
Meet the Experts: Rub elbows with keynotes and other top innovators during facilitated sessions.
Get Practical with AI: Start preparing now for the changes that AI will bring to the way we work.
Gain Action Steps for Sustainability: Hear how leading organizations are preparing for the next level of sustainability needs.
Get Prepared: Develop practical steps to prepare for the future and gain confidence in your ability to prepare for the unexpected.
Future Workforce: Determine the structures that you need now to develop the workforce that you will need in the future.
| Tuesday, December 1 |
|---|
| 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Welcome Reception |
| Wednesday, December 2 |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast |
| 8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Rewiring Innovation: Where AI, Science, and Business Growth Converge When AI becomes an integral part of the R&D workflow, from hypothesis generation and experiment design to decision-making and scale-up, organizations can accelerate innovation cycles, reduce time-to-market, and make more informed, data-driven investments that directly translate to competitive advantage and measurable business outcomes. |
| 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Beyond Discovery and Development: Converting Science into Market-Shaping Advantage In this facilitated session, think through the process of turning each R&D portfolio into a clear advantage thesis and identifying the “translation mechanisms” that make it real. |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Mission Driven Innovation, Going Beyond Agile, Getting People out of Fear Mode To move R&D teams from risk-avoidance to responsible speed, leaders must set clear direction, remove friction, and foster an environment where teams can drive innovation forward with confidence. |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Beyond Linear Pipelines: Building Intelligent, Dynamic Systems that Learn and Adapt in Real Time In this facilitated session, using a systems lens, consider how you can center your innovation workflow around feedback loops, so the system improves with every cycle. |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Networking Lunch |
| 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The R&D Organization of the Future Explore the critical skillsets that innovators identified for success in an era of AI, geopolitical uncertainty, and accelerating disruption. In this session, we will share the latest insights from an IRI project focused on talent, capabilities, and operating models for the future of innovation. |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Beyond Roles: Realizing AI-Enabled, Platform-Driven Innovation Talent Networks In this facilitated session, discuss how you can activate the globally distributed, tech-enabled R&D function of the future, focusing on how to nurture a collaborate culture and cross-functional integration that favors agility, speed, and adaptability. |
| 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Networking Break |
| 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. From Collaboration to Co-Intelligence: Building Smarter Partnerships with AI-Driven Insights and Connectivity Learn how organizations are operationalizing partner strategy using data and AI to create powerful new synergies and drive significant mutual gains. |
| 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Beyond Partnerships: Orchestrating Internal Alignment and Ecosystem-Driven Innovation In this facilitated session, reflect on the ways these transformative developments in R&D influence how your teams work together and engage with external partners, and what they mean for productivity, knowledge sharing, and collaborative performance. |
| 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Recap and Closing Remarks |
| 5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. Closing Reception |
| Thursday, December 3 |
| CTO (or equivalent) Forum 2026: See CTO Forum tab above for details. |
This year’s lineup of speakers will include industry pioneers, thought leaders, and visionaries who will inspire and educate attendees on the latest trends, strategies, and best practices in innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow innovators and learn from the best in the field!
Group Rate Information
Conrad Orlando
Book before Monday, November 9, 2026
Innovating the Future
$399.00/night
To make your reservations online, please click below and continue to book your room or call (407) 387 – 2000 and reference the 2026 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 $399.00 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 9, 2026. However, availability is not guaranteed once the room block is filled, which may occur before this date.
Partnership Opportunities with the IRI Innovating the Future
If you are interested in partnering with us, please fill out the form below or email Anna Chongpinitchai at AChongpinitchai@iriweb.org.
Who You’ll Meet
IRI’s Innovating the Future event is designed for CTOs, Directors, VPs, and leaders of R&D, innovation, new product development, technology, engineering, and growth. Past attendees at IRI events come from industry leaders such as Campbells, Boeing, Mars, PPG, Nestle Purina Petcare, NASA, National Gypsum, Timken, A.O. Smith, USG, and many more!
What to Expect
The IRI connects you with a community of innovators and experts who can help you increase speed to market, save time and costs, and bring out the best in your team. Experience fireside chats, panels, presentations, interactive sessions, and cocktail receptions.
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
December 3, 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Designed exclusively for senior technology leaders, the CTO Forum offers a candid, collaborative space to tackle the toughest challenges of leading innovation in uncertain times. Join fellow CTOs to exchange strategies, test ideas, and explore bold solutions that shape the future of your organization.