8th - 10th April 2026 | The Ritz Charlton, Chicago, USA

Wind River Executive Connect 2026

A Wind River Live Event brought to you by GDS.

Across industries such as manufacturing, energy, telecom, and automotive, leaders are navigating the growing complexity of edge computing, AI adoption, and IT/OT convergence. Legacy operational environments, fragmented infrastructure, and increasing demands for real-time intelligence make modernization difficult to execute at scale. At the same time, executives must determine where to place their next technology bets, balancing innovation with operational risk while shaping investments that will define the next 12 to 18 months.

Wind River Executive Connect 2026 is an intimate, high-impact forum designed to help senior leaders pressure-test these decisions. Through focused discussions with peers, industry experts, and Wind River leadership, participants will explore emerging operational patterns across critical industries, lessons learned from real customer modernization efforts, and practical strategies for connecting edge systems, AI capabilities, and enterprise platforms. Executive-level working sessions and peer dialogue provide the opportunity to evaluate proven approaches and shape strategic initiatives in real time.

Attendees will leave with three key takeaways: deeper insight into how leading organizations are operationalizing edge, AI, and IT/OT convergence; practical lessons drawn from customer experiences and industry expertise; and a short list of validated initiatives and clear next steps that can be taken back to their teams to accelerate modernization and deliver measurable operational impact.

Focus Priorities

Roundtable Track 1:

IT/OT Convergence & Industrial Digital Transformation

Executives are leading initiatives that integrate enterprise IT systems with operational technology environments such as manufacturing equipment, energy infrastructure, or telecom networks. The goal is to enable seamless data exchange between business systems and physical operations to improve efficiency and decision-making.

Roundtable Track 2:

Scaling Edge Computing and Edge AI

Leaders are deploying edge infrastructure and AI capabilities closer to where data is generated (factories, vehicles, telecom networks, utilities) to enable real-time analytics, automation, and faster operational decisions without relying solely on centralized cloud systems.

Roundtable Track 3:

Modernizing Legacy Operational Technology

Many organizations are working to modernize legacy OT environments—including industrial control systems and field equipment—to support connectivity, data integration, and digital platforms while maintaining reliability and uptime in mission-critical environments.

Roundtable Track 4:

Securing Connected Industrial and Edge Environments

As OT systems become connected to enterprise networks and the internet, executives are prioritizing cybersecurity for industrial systems, edge infrastructure, and IoT devices to protect operational systems from cyber threats and operational disruptions.

Roundtable Track 5:

Operationalizing Data and AI Across Distributed Operations

Leaders are building architectures that allow data from sensors, devices, and operations to be integrated with enterprise platforms, enabling predictive maintenance, automation, and AI-driven decision-making across sites and facilities.

Speakers

Mike Massimino

Professor & Former NASA Astronaut

Gaining the Competitive Edge: Leading Through New Technology Adoption in mission-critical environments-how leaders de-risk bold technology bets.

Steve McDowell

Founder & Chief Analyst, NAND Research


Providing a clear view of the enterprise infrastructure and edge trends influencing investment decisions today

Agenda

Wednesday, April 8

Attract, Prove, Open Conversations

  • Jay Bellissimo

  • Edge → AI → Enterprise Outcomes – Host: Paul Miller

  • Where Edge & IT/OT Bets Are Paying Off – Steve McDowell & Paul Miller

  • Targeted 1:1s & Small-Group Sessions

  • Welcome remarks & Meet the Executives

Design Initiatives and Shape Opportunities

Thursday, April 9

Morning – From Insight to Initiatives

  • From Insight to Action – Jay Bellissimo

  • Leading Through New Technology Adoption – Mike Massimino

  • Choose Your Biggest Bet

  • Design Your 12–18 Month Move

  • Operationalizing Intelligence at Scale – Paul Miller

  • Edge-to-Enterprise in Action

  • Executive Panel

  • Second-Wave 1:1s

  • Darrell

Afternoon – Deepen Engagement and Commit

Friday, April 10

  • Closed Door Sessions

  • Darrell

Join us for this exciting
Wind River live event!

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