The Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo™ 2026 is one of the year’s most anticipated events for senior finance leaders, CFOs, and financial executives seeking to navigate the ever-changing dynamics of global business finance. Scheduled for March 23 – 24, 2026 in Sydney, Australia, this conference brings together a diverse and influential cohort of finance leaders from around the world to discuss strategy, risk, innovation, and future growth in an increasingly complex economic landscape.
Designed by Gartner, Inc., one of the world’s foremost research and advisory firms, the Finance Symposium/Xpo™ combines visionary keynote presentations, deep-dive analyst sessions, peer networking, and curated executive roundtables into a high-impact two-day experience. It’s widely recognised as the premier gathering where CFOs and senior finance teams validate strategy, benchmark performance, and gain actionable insights grounded in the latest global research.
The program content spans multiple dimensions of modern finance leadership. Attendees can expect sessions on shaping finance strategy in a rapidly shifting economic environment; leveraging data and analytics to drive decision-making; strengthening risk management and compliance frameworks; and adopting emerging technologies such as AI, automation, predictive analytics and digital platforms to transform finance operations. Gartner analysts – whose insights are shaped by tens of thousands of client interactions annually – lead many of these sessions, providing evidence-based guidance that CFOs and finance executives trust when confronting strategic decisions.
Peer networking and executive exchange
A defining characteristic of the Symposium/Xpo™ is its emphasis on peer networking and exchange. With senior finance leaders from global corporations, regional enterprises, and high-growth organisations, the event creates unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and shared learning. Lightning-round discussions, facilitated roundtables, and executive networking receptions allow delegates to draw lessons from real world finance – exploring how others have tackled challenges in areas such as cost optimisation, capital allocation, global expansion finance, and talent strategy.
In addition to analyst presentations and peer sessions, the Xpo™ expo hall offers a showcase of leading finance and technology vendors – from enterprise performance management (EPM) platforms to risk and compliance solutions, AI-enabled analytics tools, and cloud ERP systems that support modern finance architectures. Delegates can compare solutions, attend live demos, and explore partner ecosystems that align with emerging finance and operational priorities.
For organisations undergoing digital transformation, the event’s focus on innovation delivers high value. Sessions typically include perspectives on how finance functions can drive enterprise value by breaking down silos between finance and IT, deploying predictive insights to plan for future scenarios, and integrating ESG (environmental, social, governance) metrics into financial reporting and performance measurement. The research-driven nature of Gartner’s content ensures delegates receive both strategic frameworks and practical guidance they can implement post-event.
Beyond session content, Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo™ 2026 is a platform for professional growth and leadership development. Whether a finance executive is focused on shaping enterprise strategy, modernising the finance tech stack, or elevating finance’s influence within a broader organisation, the conference content is tailored to executives at all stages of their leadership journey.
Sydney’s positioning as host city offers delegates not only a world-class venue but also the chance to engage with Asia-Pacific finance leaders in a dynamic regional setting. For international attendees, the Symposium/Xpo™ provides a valuable mix of global perspectives and locally relevant insights – all within a context that recognises the unique economic, regulatory, and market dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region.
Who should attend the symposium
In summary, Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo™ 2026 is a must-attend event for CFOs, finance directors, and senior financial executives seeking to build resilient strategies, unlock technology-driven growth, and deepen their leadership impact. With high-calibre research content, thought leadership, and networking opportunities, this conference empowers finance professionals to navigate uncertainty with confidence and articulate the future direction of their finance organisations.
Related content in finance and accounting