The Studio
USA
Back in the States. Bigger than ever.
October 2026
Award winning C-suite event series
The Studio is where the world’s most influential executives come together to shape the future. With a global network of over 19,000 C-suite leaders—including CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CDOs, and CMOs—this award-winning series is a global platform for bold ideas, transformative partnerships, and industry-defining leadership
Leadership, rhythm & real conversations—US edition
We’re heading back to the US in 2026. Exact city? That’s still under wraps. But one thing’s certain—it’ll be bold, brilliant, and full of the world’s most inspiring leaders.
Following an unforgettable run in Nashville the past two years, we’re planning something even bigger. Think high-impact networking, powerful conversations, and the kind of experiences that spark lasting relationships.
Why attend?
Over three transformative days, The Studio delivers the perfect mix of leadership insight and immersive experiences. From big ideas to breakout moments, every detail is designed to challenge your thinking—and grow your network.
You’ll walk away energised, connected, and ready to lead with fresh perspective.
The event ends on a high with the Global C-suite Awards, honouring the leaders shaping the future of business. Whether you're a CIO, CISO, CDO or CMO, this is where bold thinking meets bold action.
Event details
Venue:
To be announced soon!
Date:
October 2026
Who can attend:
This exclusive event invites senior leaders from the following C-suite communities:
- CIOs, CISOs, CMOs, CDOs and other senior leaders and executives
Studio highlights
The Global C-Suite Awards ceremony
Celebrate leadership at its best
Join us for an unforgettable evening recognising the world’s top 100 technology and business leaders. Big ideas, bold impact—and a few moments worth raising a glass to.
Unforgettable moments, lasting connections
Relaxed, shared moments
The Studio is about more than great conversations—it’s about the people you share them with. Between powerful sessions, you’ll unwind with experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Real talk, bold thinking
Candid conversations with the C-suite
Forget the buzzwords. These are straight-talking, insight-packed sessions with global leaders tackling what really matters—from AI to leadership, and everything in between.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery experience
Take a journey to Lynchburg for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Discover the craft of whiskey-making, enjoy a private tasting, and connect with fellow executives in a truly iconic setting.
Limited availability. Current wait list in place.
A true taste of the south
The Studio launch party at Category 10
Kick off The Studio Nashville in true Music City style at Country legend Luke Combs' rooftop bar - Category 10.
Join us on the rooftop at The Eye for a high-energy night of food, drinks, line dancing, and live music— with the backdrop of Downtown Nashville, The Cumberland river and iconic Nissan Stadium. Meet your fellow peers, connect with Global C-suite Award winners, and hear a few words to officially launch an unforgettable few days ahead.
Registration and networking breakfast
Opening speeches
Opening Keynote
Fahim Siddiqui
Leadership in the spotlight: A C-suite awards showcase
Pavan Pidugu
Refreshments
The growth equation: CMO + CIO = value unlocked
Erik Vaveris
Jason Oliver
Sue Pulendran
Joanna Drake
Robert Sheesley
The collaboration conundrum: Productivity vs. performance
Collaboration is essential—but has it gone too far? This panel examines whether teams are collaborating efficiently or simply getting bogged down by excessive meetings and shared documents. Discover if and how leaders draw the line between high-value collaboration and cognitive overload, and learn strategies to make teamwork truly effective.
In partnership with Shure
Sam Sabett
Datta Junnarkar
Douglas York
Olivia Kew-Fickus
Peter Stojanovic
Themed roundtables
Curated to match your role and expertise, these intimate roundtables connect you with likeminded leaders for frank, cross-industry discussions on the most pressing issues facing the C-suite today.
Themed discussions:
- AI beyond the hype: What’s really driving business value?
- Data is power—so why are most companies still fumbling it?
- What comes after the digital transformation?
- Are boardroom decisions making you more vulnerable?
- CIO priorities: Fixing culture isn’t just HR’s job anymore
- Resilience as the new ROI: Bounce back faster
- The loneliness of leadership: What today’s C-suite isn’t saying out loud
- Customer loyalty is disappearing, so what's the next move?
- Geopolitics: Business' new core department?
- In a market that never slows down, how do you choose what not to do?
Mark Bramwell
Caroline Carruthers
Tipu Swaran
Anna Barsby
Miloš Topić
Wendy Zhang
Robert Sheesley
Lunch
Refuel, reset, and connect with peers over good food and great conversation.
More than hype - The AI human impact
Howard Miller
Rohit Jain
Laura Preitula
Ariane Schiereck
Doug Drinkwater
Themed roundtables
Curated to match your role and expertise, these intimate roundtables connect you with likeminded leaders for frank, cross-industry discussions on the most pressing issues facing the C-suite today.
Themed discussions:
- AI beyond the hype: What’s really driving business value?
- Data is power—so why are most companies still fumbling it?
- What comes after the digital transformation?
- Are boardroom decisions making you more vulnerable?
- CIO priorities: Fixing culture isn’t just HR’s job anymore
- Resilience as the new ROI: Bounce back faster
- The loneliness of leadership: What today’s C-suite isn’t saying out loud
- Customer loyalty is disappearing, so what's the next move?
- Geopolitics: Business' new core department?
- In a market that never slows down, how do you choose what not to do?
In partnership with Shure
AI, IT and security’s existential threat
The rapid adoption of AI is creating new opportunities, and risks, for business, IT and security leaders. For the CISO, facing ever-shorter tenures, heightened personal accountability and reduced autonomy, it represents a sliding doors moment in their career.
During this session, Future CISO and CISO 100 winners explore the vulnerability of security leadership, the criticality of C-suite partnerships and the importance of balancing governance, trust and innovation to drive secure transformation across the enterprise.
In partnership with Thales
Jay Thurston
Jelani Campbell
Donna Ward
Gernette Wright
Frankie Shuai
Peter Stojanovic
Refreshments
How Nashville became home to healthtech - and Big Tech
Mark Blaze
Sam Davidson
Kristen Darby
Laine Hiera
Rod McDaniel
C-Suite Stories: TechGirl
In this exclusive TechGirl panel at The Studio, senior technology leaders from across different industries share the pivotal moments that shaped their careers and the lessons they learned on the way up.
Through a series of raw, personal mini-stories, we’ll spotlight the human side of technology that often goes untold: the setbacks, the near-misses, the unexpected breakthroughs, and the mentors who changed everything.
Together, we’ll reflect on what still needs to change to create a more inclusive future — and close with a challenge: One bold commitment each leader will make to support the next generation of TechGirls.
Adriana Graham
Tanya Hannah
Joyce Myers
Manika Gupta
Caroline Carruthers
Greenfield transformation: AMA with the Nashville Soccer Club CEO
Nashville Soccer Club CEO Ian Ayre discusses building soccer clubs from the ground up, CEO perspectives in a volatile macroeconomic landscape and technology's role in future-proofing business.
Ian Ayre
Doug Drinkwater
The Studio close
Backstage Nashville: The songwriters’ session
Global C-suite Awards dinner
An evening to celebrate excellence. Join us as we honour the 2025 Global C-suite Award winners—recognising bold leadership, big ideas, and standout impact. Expect good food, great company, and a few moments worth raising a glass to.
The Studio at the Bluebird Café: from reflection to ambition: The journey ahead
Step into Nashville music history. This iconic venue—famous for launching legends such as Faith Hill, Ed Sheeran, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift—sets the stage for launching ideas and aspirations for 2026 and beyond.
Be a part of the conversation in this intimate session as we reflect on experiences, share key learnings, and inspire actions that can impact leadership and the future of our businesses.
Register your interest
The Studio USA
FAQS: The Studio USA 2026
What costs are covered by the event?
The Studio event is free to attend and includes all meals and curated experiences during the event.
What expenses are not included?
Attendees are responsible for their own flights, travel, and hotel accommodation, as well as any costs incurred outside of the official Studio event series.
What is the dress code for the event?
The Studio is an informal yet impactful event for C-suite executives. Please dress in attire that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
How do I register my interest in attending?
Simply fill in the registration form to express your interest
Is this event open to everyone?
The Studio USA is an exclusive, invite-only event. Applications will be reviewed, and confirmed participants will receive a personalised onboarding experience.
Who can I contact for additional questions or special requests?
For further information or special requests, please email us at thestudio@hottopics.ht.
Upcoming Studios
Discover more events from The Studio series and apply to join:
Data strategy for an AI-powered enterprise: Learnings and lessons
Virtual event
5 Nov 2025
From content chaos to intelligence: What AI means for enterprises
Virtual event
13 Nov 2025
Quantum, AI and the future of cybersecurity defence
Virtual event
19 Nov 2025
Technology Leaders Advisory Board Meetup - November
Virtual event
25 Nov 2025
Go for growth: Simplifying data, maximising value
Deutsche Bank Park
27 Nov 2025
Nashville Advisory Board Meetup - December
Virtual event
9 Dec 2025