Top Digital Transformation Events You Must Attend in 2021

by Team Userlane

3 years ago ・ 15 min.

Okay, so we know that COVID-19 is an ongoing battle, and it definitely put an (abrupt) stop to in-person events last year. But thanks to a variety of really good online tools and event platforms (like HopIn and Bizzabo), doing things virtually became the norm in 2020. We, at Userlane, even hosted our very own online event, How to Make Your Next Software Rollout a Success. So as the adage goes, where there’s a will (and where there’s technology), there’s a way!

For this year, we’ve decided to put together a list of the top digital transformation events (conferences, summits, etc.) for 2021. While some of them are planned to be in-person events, you will, of course, need to follow what the event organizers say regarding any COVID-19 regulations (or if they’ll be postponing the event or hosting it online instead). We want you and need you to stay safe ????! However, most of the events listed here will be virtual ones. 

We have arranged this list chronologically, and we give the most important details of each event and what you can expect from it. The events cover a variety of industries and job roles, so you’re guaranteed to find something here that interests you! 

Be sure to bookmark this page as we’ll update it as we discover more events! We’ve tried to make this list as complete as possible, but if there’s something we’ve left out, feel free to contact us and we’ll add it to the list. 

20+ Top Digital Transformation Events for 2021

Upstream Digital Transformation Conference Europe

Date: 8–12 February

Location: Online

Price: You’ll need to fill in a form for the registration info.

What you can expect:

• The objective of the conference is for you to learn how to optimize your change management strategies, particularly if you are in the oil and gas sector.
• 5 key themes: Cultural change, structural change, data, partnerships, and digital skills. 
• 5 flag ship panels, 5 presentations with real-life case studies, 25 expert speakers (from Neptune Energy, Shell, BP, Petrofac), Q&As, and virtual meeting rooms. 

Digital Transformation HR Exchange

Date: 10 February

Location: Online

Price: Invite-only (you can request an invitation)

What you can expect: 

• An event exlusively designed for digital transformation executives in HR.
• The opportunity to explore expert insight on how to empower your organization through a changing landscape and how to transform the employee experience with technology.
• Hand-picked delegates, creative business solutions, and an itinerary you can control.
• Speakers from the likes of Google, Cisco, and Siemens Healthineer.

The 2nd Chief Transformation Officer Summit 

Date: 17 February

Location: Online

Price: AU$ 1,499 (discounts available for teams)

What you can expect: 

• An event dedicated to “[d]riving continuous cross-functional transformation to support business continuity and recovery post-crisis in an era of digital innovation.” It’s all about response and recovery at this event!
• Leading case studies and success stories, polling, and live Q&A.
• Tangible guidance from industry leaders.
• Hear from speakers on some of the following topics:
  • Dos and Don’ts to Guide the CTO in Implementing a Strong and Lasting Transformation Programme
  • Reinvigorating a Paused Transformation Roadmap Post-Crisis to Ensure Sustainable Change Which Will Survive Future Crises
  • The Lifecycle Curve Post-Crisis: Strategies for Supporting Immediate Recovery and a Roadmap for Growth Simultaneously
  • Mobilize, Inspire and Reassure: How to Drive Successful Cultural Transformation in Crisis and Beyond
  • Changing the Game Mini-Masterclass: Boosting Business Transformation Post-COVID-19 & Beyond

Digital Transformation Workplace Live

Date: 23–25 February

Location: Online

Price: Free

Link to Social Media: @BTOESInsights

What you can expect: 

• Talks from industry leaders centered on key solutions to current and future challenges. Some of the topics you can look forward to include: 
  • BASF’s Global Strategy, which looks at the journey of a global leader and the impact of digitalization across the enterprise.
  • Process-led digital transformation where you can learn how to set strategy-based priorities, rapidly improve your initiatives with the right digital technologies, and realize and sustain value.
• Free access to all sessions and the opportunity to engage with content and thought leaders. 
• Sessions include case-studies, moderated panels, and round-table discussions.

The North American Digital Transformation Conference Online

Date: 25 February

Location: Online

Price: Free (but limited to 1,000 attendees, so be quick!)

Link to Social Media: @Roar_Digital

What you can expect: 

• Over 14 digital business leaders and practitioners (B2B and enterprise) from the United States sharing their expertise and experience on their digital business innovation and strategy. Talks will cover digital leadership, remote tools, digital innovation, new strategies for 2021, and how leaders are future-proofing their businesses.
• Presentations, interviews, panels, fireside chats, real business case studies, and live Q&A sessions.
• OnDemand bonus access to more digital transformation presentations as well as an event summary.

Note that this event is part of the Digital Transformation Conference series operated by Roar Media, which has been active for the last five years across three continents. This particular conference is the headline event for the North American series.

Note: Roar Media has ongoing digital transformation events. Follow them on Twitter (@Roar_Digital) to stay up-to-date and choose which event you’d like to attend!

You can watch a previous presentation by Dr. Henna Karna, former CDO and member of the World Digital 50, to get an idea of what you can expect at this year’s event!

Gartner CIO Leadership Forum

Date: 9 & 10 March

Location: Online

Price: Early-bird price is $1,350. The standard price is $1,675. You need to be a qualifying CIO to attend the event, so please check the entry requirements carefully. 

Link to Social Media: @Gartner_inc

What to expect: 

• An exclusive conference for CIOs with unrivaled peer interaction and networking.
• Actionable tools, personalized insights, and detailed plans to speed up digital business models, enable the future of work, and drive growth. 
• Hands-on learning with Gartner experts and peer-to-peer problem-solving.
• Six tracks, namely: Leveraging Digital Ecosystems, Delivering the Future of Work, Leading the Customer Experience Strategy, Evolving the Role of the IT Organization, Architecting Composable Business, and Funding Digitalization.

Digital Transformation for Manufacturing

Date: 24 & 25 March

Location: Online

Price: An event pass for vendors starts at $1,499 (look out for discounts). 

What you can expect: 

• Panels with industry thought leaders and roundtables that will focus on how you can prepare for the next industrial revolution.
• Learn more about digital manufacturing and the steps needed to navigate it successfully.
• A personalized schedule where you can choose from several interactive group discussions and tracks. 
• One-on-one meetings for enhanced networking.

World Class Digital Transformation and Innovation 2021

Date: 30 & 31 March

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

Price: The starting price is €999 (look out for discounts, tickets are also limited to 300 attendees).

Link to Social Media: @wcbleaders 

What you can expect:

• 25 speakers (from companies like Oracle, Vodafone Business, TUI, IKEA, SAP, and Deutsche Bahn), case-study presentations, roundtable discussions, Q&A sessions, and hands-on workshops in a multi-stream format (Digital Strategies, Change & Engage, and Customer Experience).
• Access to an online think tank.
• Match-making powered event experience to enhance your networking experience.
• Some of the topics include:
  • The New Tomorrow – Sustainability in Customer Experience
  • Master the Experience Economy with Data as a Strategic Advantage
  • Connecting Products into the Internet of Things
  • How to Fail Right in the Digital Age
  • The Journey From Paper to Digital Solutions

Digital Transformation Week 

Date: 20–22 April 2021

Location: Online

Price: Free (But note: This is for senior tech professionals and enterprise-level decision-makers and your application to attend will be vetted!)

Link to Social Media: @DigitalTWeek

What you can expect: 

• Learn more on how to make your digital efforts a success through leveraging critical technologies, improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer engagement and retention, and strengthening your organization’s digital culture.
• Over 1,500 attendees (hello networking!), 4 virtual conference tracks, over 40 speakers (from companies like Tetra Pak, AstraZeneca, and Volvo), and live and on-demand sessions.
• An AI-powered Matchmaking Tool to heighten your networking experience.
• Day 1 specifically looks at digital transformation leadership, Day 2 is all about digital transformation for UX and CX, Day 3 is dedicated to digital transformation enablers, and Day 4 centers on blockchain for enabling digital transformation.
• These are some of the presentations/panel discussions you can look forward to:
  • Understanding Risk and Security – Why Cybersecurity Needs to Be a Priority in Your Digital Transformation Journey
  • Customer Loyalty – How to Improve Retention With Personalization & Digital Experiences
  • IT Infrastructure & Operations (I&O) as the Backbone of Digital Transformation
  • Success Stories of Deploying Blockchain and Lessons Learned

Management Events: Digital Transformation

There are three events here. All have the same format but cover different themes and have different speakers. At all three of these events, you can expect:

• The opportunity to showcase your solutions and share your insights in pre-matched 1-on-1 meetings.
• Keynotes, panel discussions, and tailored content.
• Discover business opportunities through virtual 1-2-1 matchmade meetings.

Finland

Date: 4 May

Location: Virtual

Price: Invitation only, but you can apply for one! You just need to fill in a few details.

Link to Social Media: @ManagementEv

What you can expect: 

• Discover more on how to create a company culture that drives innovation in a disruptive world.
• Event themes include:
  • Organizational Change in the Core of Digital Transformation
  • How Digitalization Can Enable Sustainable Operations of the Future
  • Better Data, Better Decisions: Improving Decision-Making Throughout the Whole Organization

The Netherlands

Date: 2 June

Location: Virtual

Price: Invitation only, but you can apply for one! You just need to fill in a few details.

Link to Social Media: @ManagementEv

What you can expect: 

• Learn more about the opportunities provided by new technologies (AI and Machine Learning) and technology innovation. 
• Event themes include:
  • A Transformation Without Data Optimization Is Not a Transformation
  • Facing the Challenges of Digital Leadership in the Remote Era Head On
  • Acknowledging Sustainability as a Core Strategy Rather Than an Addition

Germany

Date: 16 June

Location: Virtual

Price: Invitation only, but you can apply for one! You just need to fill in a few details.

Link to Social Media: @ManagementEv

What you can expect: 

• Learn more about 5G, best strategies for implementing AI and robotics, blockchain best practices, and data governance.
• Event themes include:
  • 5G and Wifi6—Faster Processing and Connectivity
  • Blockchain Goes Beyond Cryptocurrency
  • Digital Privacy—Employee Training on Data Protection 

You can also view the complete list of events from Management Events, which include:

• 600Minutes Cybersecurity Belgium on 9 March
• Emerging Technologies on 11 March
• CIO Live – The CIO Trifecta on 15 April
• CIO Live on 23 & 24 September
• DACH Beyond Tech Cloud Ecosystems on 2 December

Digital Transformation in Insurance

Date: 5 & 6 May

Location: Online

Price: Depends on the ticket type (free for C-Suite to £499 for insurers/brokers etc.).

Link to Social Media: @ArenaFinancial

What you can expect: 

• Unique insurance event designed for senior-level executives from top insurance companies to discuss solutions to increase customer engagement and improve operational agility. 
• Industry headline speakers (from companies like Brightside Group, Swiss Re Institute, and Allianz Insurance), keynotes, expert-led roundtable discussions, one-to-one and group video chats, interactive polls, panel discussions, and downloadable resources. 
• Topics include:
  • Pioneering AI and machine learning technologies to personalize policies, pricing, and marketing
  • Impact of the Coronavirus on the Insurance industry and digital innovations to overcome the challenges
  • The competition for talent to maximize returns on investments in digital transformation
  • The connected insurance opportunity: Internet of Things (IoT) implementation for additional revenues and lower costs

The Future of Banking: Embracing Digital Transformation

Date: 18 & 19 May

Location: Online

Price: Free (but seats for some sessions are limited)

Link to Social Media: @MoneyNextTV

What you can expect:

• An event designed specifically for digital transformation in banking and financial services covering the current financial technology landscape and the future of money.
• Over 1,000 attendees, 30 speakers, and 12 hours of content.
• Interactive panels and ‘how-to’ sessions.

The Digital Transformation Conference Europe

Date: 23 September 

Location: Berlin, Germany 

Price: €99 to €149 

Link to Social Media: @Roar_Digital

What you can expect: 

• Overview of the current and futurehttps://blog.userlane.com/proactive-step-future-of-work/ trends in the digital environment. 
• Hear from over 20 speakers about the importance of a human-centric approach to the digital workplace.

Digital Transformation Connect

Date: October (final date TBC)

Location: TBC

Price: Invite-only (you need to fill in a form).

What you can expect:

• Networking with senior-level digital transformation leaders from some of North America’s most innovative manufacturers and distributors. 
• Opportunity to share your challenges, find solutions, and build successful strategies. 
• Facilitated networking and mentorship program.

Digital Transformation Conference Seattle 2021

Date: 22 October 

Location: Seattle, US 

Price: From €99

Link to Social Media: @Roar_Digital

What you can expect: 

This event is part of the Digital Transformation World Series (Roar Media). Take a deep dive into people and culture, digital workplace, customer experience, emerging technology, and digital product innovation and digital delivery. Hear from industry experts in a variety of formats, including keynotes, case studies, fireside chats, panel sessions, and roundtable discussions.

Reuters Events: Momentum 

Date: 2 & 3 November 

Location: Online

Info for this event will be updated over the coming months. There is a tab you can click on that will generate an email, which you can send to find out about what you can expect this year. Last year’s event had over 10,000 attendees, over 60 speakers, and 35 on-demand sessions. Momentum is the platform for tech innovators and pioneers and allows you to showcase your expertise on how technology can positively shape our future. 

Cutter Consortium Summit 2021 Winning with Digital Transformation

Date: 15 & 16 November

Location: Massachusetts, US

Price: $2,495

What you can expect:

• Discover successful digital transformation strategies as well as the ones that have failed.
• Keynote sessions, panel discussions, case studies (including What Really Happened with GE’s Digital Transformation?), workshops, informal roundtables, and deep dives focused on how to measure success, the supporting competencies your organization needs, and the critical leadership skills needed to move forward. 
• Some of the topics include:
  • Architecting the Digital Business Platform
  • Disrupting Agile 
  • Using AI to Break Through the Barrier to Knowledge Management
  • Getting Better at Innovation
  • Organizational Culture vs Digital Transformation
• Expert presenters include business school professors, consultants, and corporate technology professionals. 
• Lightning Talks (if you’re a summit participant, you can submit a topic for consideration and get a chance to brag ????, present a problem, and ask the group for ideas).

Digex: The Digital Transformation Conference

Date: 24 November

Location: Bletchley, England 

Price: Free

What you can expect:

This event is focused on uniting key executives from across the UK who are interested in implementing and improving their digital transformation strategies. By attending, you’ll have the chance to explore the latest innovations, technologies, and best practices. 

IDC Conferences (Western Europe)

The IDC has several events across Western Europe throughout 2021. By clicking on the link in the title, you’ll see the complete list of events, which cater to senior IT and business leaders. What you can expect from these events include:

• In-house analyst engagement, presentations, keynotes, real-life case studies, roundtables, private meetings, and exhibition space.
• Local conferences hosted in the local language.
• Opportunity to present your message and showcase your solution.

Looking Forward to The Future

And there we have it! We hope that you do manage to attend at least one of these events where you can connect with industry leaders, get in some good networking, and gain valuable guidance on how to continue driving successful change within your organization.

And, of course, we’ll be attending a variety of events ourselves throughout this year, and we’ll be sure to provide you with some key takeaways from what we learn and experience. So keep an eye out on our blog and social media channels to see what we’ll be attending! If you’d like to check out a recap of some of the events we attended last year, you can head on over to the following posts:

• Enabling Product-Led Growth With a Human-First Approach. This post takes a look at Felix Eichler’s (our CTO) keynote speech for PLG Disrupt 2020.
• Resistance to Adoption: Get People on Board with Change. This is a summary of Hartmut Hahn’s (our CEO) talk at TNW 2020 and includes the results of a survey we conducted. 
• Digitization: It’s About Putting People First! In this post, we give the key takeaways from a roundtable discussion with top CIOs and IT execs.