The 2017 Advocate Insider Summit took place November 1-3, 2017 in Charleston, SC.  This exclusive, invitation-only event was held at The Dewberry Hotel where more than 30 IT leaders from companies like Arby’s, Belk, Gartner, Lincoln Financial Group, NCR, Newell Brands, and many more participated in engaging panels about some of the most thought-provoking issues including in the changing role of the CIO, digital transformation, Technology Business Management, Cloud strategy, and many others that herald what the future may hold.

From innovative subjects such as “CIO Survival in the Thriving Tech Industry” and “Digital Transformation – If you’re not first, your last!” to “Transforming the CIO Role from Technology Provider and Cost Center to Business Partner and Value Driver” and “Infrastructure Performance:  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, attendees of the Insider Summit discussed and shared their concerns, successes, and challenges of managing IT departments throughout the event.

In fact, CIO Chris Lindner at Manhattan Associates says, “The Summit is invaluable from a networking and peer collaboration perspective.  The ability to interact, share ideas, answers questions and collaborate with my peers from across the country is the one big investment I make in myself every year.”  To add, Tim Porzio VP of I&O for Sodexo shared, “I found the time spent very worthwhile.  I met several new professionals, learned from the panelists and I enjoyed the boat ride and dinner.  The best part of the panel discussions was when the CIO’s engaged to share information.”

The Insider Summit was not without great food, wine and entertainment.  After all, how often do this many C-level decision-makers get together for a day out on the water or a night out on the town?  Fun was had by all as they dined at Vincent Chicco’s and 5Church, drank cocktails at the Carolina Ale House while watching the final games of the 2017 World Series and relaxed aboard a harbor tour of Charleston on a catamaran called the Palmetto Breeze.

Advocate thanks the attendees and sponsors, Equinix and NTT Communications, who made this informative event possible. Stay tuned for news about the 2018 Insider Summit.