There is something profoundly human about the desire to connect. Beyond the fast pace of digital transformation, beyond the strategy decks and dashboards, it is connection - with people, with ideas, with purpose - that drives real change.
At CIONET, we see this every day. We see it in the exchange between peers that sparks a new initiative. In the offhand remark that leads to a breakthrough. In the courage that comes from knowing you are not facing a challenge alone. This is the power of connection. Not just networking, but “belonging”, belonging to a community of digital leaders who are curious, generous, and bold.
As a CIO, you sit at the intersection of business, technology, and people. It is a role that demands both vision and resilience. And increasingly, it is a role that can not thrive in isolation. The challenges we face - cybersecurity, AI ethics, talent retention, technical debt - require collective intelligence. They require us to lean on each other. To share the lessons, the scars, and the successes.
That is why communities like CIONET matter. For 20 years now, we have cultivated a space where CIOs can meet, not as competitors, but as allies. Where inspiration is shared freely, and leadership is not a title, but a contribution. As a team, we are proud to play a part in enabling that mechanism, in making these moments of connection possible.
On August 28, we’ll come together at the CIONET Summer Festival, a special edition, not only because of the conversations and celebrations ahead, but also because we will be marking 20 years of CIONET. Twenty years of building bridges across sectors, countries, and challenges. Twenty years of creating a home for digital leaders to grow, to be seen, and to inspire.
As we look ahead, let’s remember: technology may be the enabler, but people are the force. Community is not a luxury; it’s a catalyst. And in this ever-evolving digital landscape, connection is not just powerful. It’s essential.
We look forward to seeing you on August 28. To celebrate, and to connect.