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Kalman Tiboldi - CTO & Founder at GemOne-TVH - Simplify or Die: Why Complexity Is the Real IT Challenge
Germany Oct 20, 2025 Country Members Virtual german
Die Realisierung des Potenzials von KI und datengesteuerten Strategien stellt nicht länger nur einen Wettbewerbsvorteil dar, sondern ist Heute auch entscheidend für den langfristigen Erfolg eines jeden Unternehmens. Unsere Wissensaustausch-Briefings "AI & Data Knowledge Transfer" zielen darauf ab, CIDOs und Senior Digital Leaders praktische Anwendungen aufzuzeigen und umsetzbaren Erkenntnissen von Fachexperten zu vermitteln, die den Weg für die transformative digitale Reise ebnen und beschleunigen.
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Belgium Oct 21, 2025 Invitation Only Physical english
In today's competitive landscape, customer expectations have never been higher. They demand a personalised, seamless experience at every touchpoint, from initial marketing contact to post-sale service. Unified data is at the heart of creating engaging customer experiences and is meant to fuel the 360 profile. However, for many organizations, a complete picture of the customer is fragmented, with critical data scattered in disconnected systems and departments. This exclusive roundtable will bring together Digital Leaders active in multiple industries to discuss a critical challenge: breaking down data silos to build a true 360° view of the customer. We will explore how to solve the complex integration challenges that prevent a unified view, and how to transform disparate data into a single source of truth. Join us to: Discover how to overcome the technical hurdles of integrating critical business systems, such as ERP and CRM platforms, to unify customer data. Explore real-world case studies on how organisations have successfully created unified customer insights to enhance personalisation and boost commercial and operational efficiency. Discuss best practices for turning fragmented data into actionable insights that can anticipate customer needs, drive revenue growth, and foster long-term loyalty. This is a unique opportunity for Digital Leaders who are ready to transform their customer engagement strategy and unlock the full potential of their data.
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Spain Oct 22, 2025 Country Members Physical spanish
Descubre cómo las organizaciones están utilizando la tecnología para impactar en el negocio a través de casos reales de uso y aprendizajes clave en áreas como ciberseguridad, automatización o data, contados por los protagonistas. Un espacio diseñado para inspirarte, conectar con expertos y potenciar la innovación en tu organización.
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Belgium Oct 22, 2025 Invitation Only Physical english
Enterprises are questioning whether private networks and stacked firewalls are still worthwhile investments. A newer approach operates on the open internet with Zero Trust, eliminates perimeter complexity, and reframes cybersecurity as a business performance metric for boards and audit committees. This is a closed-door, peer discussion, not a lecture. We’ll examine the promise and its pitfalls: Are the promised savings significant, or are they too good to be true? What risks do you introduce? How does this collide with your installed base, legacy OT, entrenched processes and team competencies, and how do you overcome that without breaking operations or credibility with the board? Two senior leaders from global companies will spark the dialogue with lived experience: Kurt De Ruwe, CIO AkzoNobel Frank Bolata, CIO Syensqo
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Poland Oct 23, 2025 Invitation Only Physical Polish
Cloud UP! ’25 to miejsce spotkań managerów, którzy chcą świadomie i skutecznie rozwijać swoje organizacje, wykorzystując najnowsze technologie. Nieformalnym hasłem tegorocznej edycji jest “Chmura gotowa na AI” - będziemy rozmawiać o tym, co sztuczna inteligencja naprawdę potrafi oraz pokazywać, jak wdrażać ją w praktyce. Wspólnie z ekspertami przeanalizujemy, jakie warunki muszą zostać spełnione, aby wdrożenia AI były zarówno skuteczne, jak i bezpieczne. Zerkniemy za kulisy najnowszych rodzimych produktów AI-owych, by zobaczyć ich możliwości, a także poznamy najciekawsze wdrożenia z wykorzystaniem Agentspace. Po raz kolejny spotkamy się w formule Share.Explore.Execute. Stawiamy na wymianę wiedzy i doświadczeń zdobytych podczas realizacji projektów. To one stanowią punkt wyjścia do odkrywania, testowania i skutecznej implementacji najlepszych rozwiązań w organizacjach. Cloud UP! ’25 to cztery ścieżki tematyczne, na które złożą się prezentacje, rozmowy, sesje live-demo oraz pogłębione dyskusje w formule roundtables: AI: Beyond the Hype Data Mastery Resilience & Regulatory Advanced Practitioners Dołącz do liderów chmurowych innowacji w Polsce i spotkaj się z nami już 23 października w Event Hall w Fabryce Norblina.
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Belgium Oct 23, 2025 Invitation Only Physical english
How to lead responsibly when technology can deceive better than a human? AI’s ability to shape our perceptions and create new realities is becoming increasingly sophisticated. While it opens significant opportunities, it also carries risks. What happens when AI goes beyond data and algorithms to influence - or even deceive - our senses? How does this change not only our understanding of reality but also the foundations of trust, creativity, and truth in business? AI isn’t just transforming business, it is altering how we experience and interpret everything around us. From AI-generated deepfakes to personalised experiences designed to influence behaviour, the line between truth and illusion is increasingly blurred. This event combines a roundtable discussion among peers with a hands-on sensory workshop, where you will experience illusions through sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. Through these experiments, we will confront the ethical dilemmas that arise when AI has the power to fabricate realities and influence decisions.
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Creating sweet, lasting memories.
Barilla’s first-ever D2C brand drives profitability and builds customer loyalty with Adobe Commerce.
When Italians want to show their affection for others, they often do so by cooking, whether for an intimate dinner, family gathering, big celebration, or just an indulgent snack. For generations, cooks throughout Italy have turned to Barilla products to create meals made from the heart.
Best known for its pastas and sauces, the Parma-based manufacturer also produces high-quality breads, cereals, cookies, and cakes that can be found in most Italian pantries.
Communicating directly with consumers
Although Barilla enjoys a strong, loyal following, seasonality, holidays, festivals, and special occasions drive the performance of some of its product lines. The company wanted create demand for these products throughout the year and form a more personal connection with customers.
To achieve this goal, Barilla decided to create a digital startup within the company to allow consumers to express their affection or acknowledge birthdays, anniversaries, or milestone events with personalized products. The startup was christened Dedicato a te (‘Dedicated to You’).
Not only was the concept unprecedented within the company, but its business model was too: Whereas Barilla traditionally sold through supermarkets and retailers, Dedicato a te would be its first direct-to-consumer channel. Moreover, it was a timely response to increasing consumer demand for bespoke experiences.
“Dedicato a te is a strategic testbed for us,” explains Laura Pezzotta, head of Barilla’s Personalization Unit. “It is a way to gain experience in e-commerce, become more relevant to consumers, improve our velocity and agility and increase the emotional relationship among our brands and people.”
“Adobe is a brand I trust. Plus, it’s known for keeping its platforms updated with the latest features and functionalities, which will in turn keep our offering fresh and relevant.” Laura Pezzotta - Head of Personalization Unit, Barilla
To evaluate the technology options, Barilla brought in e-commerce consultant and Adobe Gold Solution Partner Alpenite. The company suggested Adobe Commerce, part of Adobe Experience Cloud.
Laura and her team liked the fact that Commerce provided easy system integration and was customizable. It also offered the flexibility and scalability to meet in the future various market demands.
“I felt comfortable with Adobe immediately,” recalls Laura. “It is a brand I trust, and the depth and breadth of Adobe Commerce matched our requirements. Plus, Adobe is known for keeping its platforms updated with the latest features and functionalities, which will in turn keep our offering fresh and relevant.”
With the e-commerce platform chosen, the Alpenite team got to work building a technology stack to orchestrate the funneling process. This involved integrating Barilla’s CRM, Identity Management, and WMS systems, plus the systems of six suppliers involved in the production chain. The team also used Page Builder to develop storytelling and content pages to target diverse audiences as they moved through the site.
Alpenite used out-of-the-box Adobe tools to design a configurator that enables consumers to visualize and personalize their product selections in 3D. Laura Pezzotta says: “We were building one of the first applications of hyper-personalization in the food industry. But we had to get our approach right – we had to show customers the value of buying a more expensive customized offering rather than a more standard product off-the-shelf.”
Barilla launched a limited edition of its most iconic product, designed a brand-new snack tin to keep products fresh, and converted customer feedback into actionable insights and exclusive packaging.
Launched in tandem with a national marketing campaign and promoted around Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Friendship Day, Christmas, and other annual milestones, Dedicato a te immediately impressed the Italian public with its innovative and immersive 3D buying experience.
Using the configurator, customers browse and select from a range of customizable product options including Mulino Bianco cakes, cookies, and snacks as well as Pan di Stelle cocoa biscuits. Customers can personalize the recyclable tin packaging with names, messages, and even photos to create a gift that is both delicious and a thoughtful, memorable keepsake.
After confirming payment and shipping details, customers typically wait 10 days to receive their order. During that time, they are kept up to date on progress via email. Laura explains: “After the satisfaction of designing their own gift, it was important to maintain a customer’s joy until their order arrives.”
Net Promoter Score surveys validate that approach, with 94% of respondents saying they are likely to re-purchase, while 92% report being satisfied with their products and an equal amount would recommend the site to others.
In 2021, Barilla created specific communication campaigns to lift brand awareness, launched new products, developed new packages, and partnered with brands for merchandising opportunities.
In its first year, customers embraced the opportunity to create personalized gifts through the site, with the majority of orders placed by 25- to 44-year-olds, a lucrative market segment. Recipients sharing the joy of receiving their gifts over social media channels generated tens of thousands of additional leads.
he site’s success has also sparked innovation in the form of products designed from the outset for customization, such as Mulino Bianco Biscolettere lettered breakfast biscuits and a vintage limited edition, the famous minicake Soldino popular during 80s.
Commerce data helps Laura Pezzotta and her team fine-tune the site and optimize operations, too. She says: “Through the data, we can see the direct consequences of our actions, from adding a new site feature to a one-off marketing campaign. The data is also useful for engaging and educating internal stakeholders.”
“Through this project and the use of Adobe Commerce, we amassed valuable knowledge and best practices that will shape the future direction of Barilla D2C streams.” Laura Pezzotta - Head of Personalization Unit, Barilla
Dedicato a te was able to manage limited edition iconic vintage products, collaborations with renowned artists and brands, and new customizable packaging formats and materials.
Reflecting on the success of Dedicato a te, Laura Pezzotta says: “Through this project and the use of Adobe Commerce, we amassed valuable knowledge and best practices that will shape the future direction of Barilla D2C streams.”
Kalman Tiboldi - CTO & Founder at GemOne-TVH - Simplify or Die: Why Complexity Is the Real IT Challenge
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Isabelle Droll - CIO for Airline, Corporate, Hotels & Resorts and Sustainability at TUI - Data, Diversity, and Destinations
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Sharon Prior - CIO in transition - How Great Tech Leadership Begins with Business Thinking
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José Antonio López, Group CIO at TOUS - Jewels, Data & AI: Inside the Digital Transformation of TOUS
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Tom Tanghe - General Manager ITC EMEA at Daikin Europe - Reinventing the CIO Role
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CIOFEST 2025 - From Order Taker to Proactive Disruptor
The role of the CIO has evolved from managing systems to shaping outcomes: growth, resilience, and competitive edge are now won or lost in the technology arena. Today ’ s CIOs must balance stability with innovation, control costs while attracting scarce talent, and modernise legacy infrastructure while adopting emerging technologies.
As AI transitions from a specialised tool to an all-pervasive force, understanding its profound implications for our human lives is no longer merely academic but an urgent imperative for social well-being and strategic preparedness.
Geopolitical tensions have dominated the headlines for over two years now. In this context, the cyber threat landscape is also evolving rapidly. The protection and security of critical infrastructure – both physical and digital – is becoming increasingly important.
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