TL;DR: A quick snapshot of the best 2026 tech conferences for sysadmins and IT pros, organized by specialty so you can plan your year in minutes.
Looking for the best 2026 tech conferences for IT professionals? We’ve rounded up top tech events for sysadmins, MacAdmins, and IT pros — from cybersecurity to Microsoft management.
Tech conferences offer hands-on demos, expert keynotes, insightful case studies, and focused workshops to help IT pros grow their skills and stay current on tools and trends.
So which conferences should you attend? Good question! To help, we've compiled a list of some of the best tech conferences in the United States and Canada. Keep in mind that some conferences haven't finalized their plans yet for 2026. So be sure to check back here as we'll update this blog as more details become available!
Get in, sysadmins — we're going conferencing.
General IT conferences
If you're a network engineer looking for an information technology conference focused on all things networking, consider attending NANOG. From backbone internet strategies to enterprise networking technologies and operational practices, NANOG (North American Network Operators’ Group) has something for everyone at all skill levels.
NANOG conferences are typically hybrid events hosting both in-person and virtual attendees. If budget is a concern, consider attending virtually. Tickets are cheaper, and slippers are optional.
Pink is an industry-leading IT service management conference in its 29th year. Covering leadership, governance, Lean, Agile, DevOps, change management, and more, Pink26 touches on almost all facets of IT service management.
Team discounts are available.
Dates: Late August
Cost: TBA (previously $695–$2,195)
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Event type: In person
Target audience: System administrators, network engineers, and developers, specifically those heavily involved in virtualization and multicloud infrastructures
It's getting awfully cloudy outside, and we're not talking about the white fluffy kind. As cloud services take over, many organizations struggle to manage multicloud infrastructures. VMware, the industry-leading virtualization platform, is tackling this issue head on.
Formerly known as VMworld, VMware Explore is backed by some of the biggest names in tech, such as AWS, Dell Technologies, and NVIDIA. In addition, VMware Explore typically engages some of the most prominent voices in the industry, such as Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, and Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud.
If this sounds like all work and no play, worry not. VMware Explore is famous for hosting some of the biggest bands, such as Imagine Dragons, Bon Jovi, and Blink-182 (just to name a few), to help attendees unwind after a long week of virtualization.
Dates: October 19–22
Cost: $5,925–$8,200
Location: Orlando, Florida
Event type: In person
Target audience: CIOs, CSOs/CISOs, chief data officers, chief analytics officers, senior data and analytics leaders, senior application leaders, and VPs of IT infrastructure and operations
The Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo is designed for IT executives. It explores emerging technologies, strategies, practices, and approaches to equip tech leaders to drive outcomes, optimize business value, and enhance innovation and resilience. The event typically covers applications, platforms, software engineering, AI innovation, data analytics, cloud infrastructure, operations, and so much more.
Group rates are available.
SpiceWorld is one of the largest and fastest-growing conventions dedicated to IT professionals. This tech event provides the perfect environment for thousands of IT professionals and vendors to network, collaborate, and surround themselves with like-minded individuals. With less emphasis on business suits and more emphasis on fun and learning, SpiceWorld's unique conference approach is something that all IT professionals should experience.
Cybersecurity conferences
One of the most critical topics in tech today is cybersecurity, and one of the fastest ways to get information about emerging trends and technologies in cybersecurity is to attend a tech conference dedicated to it.
Initially, the RSA Conference primarily focused on cryptography. (RSA references the public-key encryption technology, as well as the last names of the company’s three cofounders.) Over the years, it transitioned into a broader IT security conference. Now, the RSA Conference is one of the largest cybersecurity conferences in the world.
Prices are lower if you book early, and group rates are also available.
Black Hat is another event that highlights the importance of cybersecurity and advancing cybersecurity technologies. This conference provides the InfoSec community with the latest research, developments, and trends in cybersecurity.
The popular DEF CON hacker conference immediately follows Black Hat. While Black Hat is more formal and business focused, DEF CON is much more informal and antics filled. If you are considering attending DEF CON, you'll probably want to disable your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your devices. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Hosted by the Utah Security Advisory and Incident Network Team (UtahSAINT), SAINTCON focuses squarely on cybersecurity topics. With a delightful combination of presentations, games, and contests, there's something fun for every IT professional.
Microsoft-specific conferences
The Midwest Management Summit (MMS) is a 4-to-5-day event with an attendance cap to ensure attendees have the opportunity to network with presenters. Session topics usually range from getting the most out of Microsoft tools to security best practices.
Discounts are available.
TechMentor covers the Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Azure, Active Directory, PowerShell, AI, cybersecurity, and more. Speakers are experts in their fields and provide insight into managing Microsoft products. This event takes place at Microsoft's headquarters.
Microsoft Ignite, formerly known as TechEd, has been around almost as long as Windows itself. Launched in 1993, Microsoft Ignite focuses on the future of computer science and what Microsoft is doing to provide the tools users need to succeed in an evolving workplace. Microsoft Ignite is a great opportunity to learn directly from Microsoft's own experts and MVPs as well as other industry leaders.
Microsoft Ignite was held virtually for a couple of years because of the pandemic, but it embraced a hybrid approach starting in 2022.
Apple-specific conferences
Dates: TBA (previously June)
Cost: Free
Location: Cupertino, California
Event type: Online
Target audience: MacAdmins
As you probably know, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) features all things Apple. If you manage Apple devices, you’ll want to tune in for updates on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and more.
While a few lucky developers (and students) can attend the all-day event at Apple Park, most of us will be watching online to catch Apple’s latest updates.
If you’re a MacAdmin in North America who wants to add DevOps to your skillset, this international conference is for you. At MacDevOpsYVR, you’ll network with DevOps engineers and MacAdmins from all over the world and have a great time (we speak from experience). Speakers typically hail from companies large (think Disney and Airbnb) and small.
The MacDevOpsYVR event expects to bring in more than 20 educational sessions and 10 hours of networking opportunities for MacAdmins and DevOps professionals. This conference includes workshops, educational sessions, and networking events.
If you manage and deploy Mac and iOS devices, then you need to keep the MacAdmins Conference on your radar. Many of the presenters that participate in the MacAdmins Conference created the tools a lot of Mac sysadmins use daily, giving attendees a chance to learn directly from the source. (Don't worry, we took notes.)
Covering topics such as security, best practices, and professional development, the MacAdmins Conference gives attendees a chance to collaborate and network with fellow Mac and iOS administrators.
Specialized industry conferences
Future of Education Technology Conference is geared toward those who work in a K–12 setting. Tailored tracks address topics relevant to administrators, information technology professionals, library specialists, inclusion leaders, esports leaders, and more. IT sessions cover cybersecurity, Google administration, and other relevant topics.
FETC is an in-person conference with tiered pricing based on how early you register and what you want access to. Team discounts are also available.
BrainStorm offers conferences across the East and Midwest for IT professionals working in education. You can network with other sysadmins in education, attend your pick of dozens of sessions, and demo products at the Vendor Fair.
The three-day conference is held in person.
If you work in government, TAGITM might be the conference for you. Along with plenty of networking opportunities, the conference includes technical sessions covering topics like information security, AI, cloud environments, team leadership, and more.
GMIS International is an association for government IT leaders, so it should come as no surprise that GMIS MEETS focuses squarely on technology for the public sector. The event provides opportunities to learn more about the latest relevant topics from industry leaders and network with peers.
The TCEA System Administrator and Technical Support Conference is tailored for IT professionals in the education sector. This demographic of IT professionals faces many unique challenges. From managing student-operated devices to maintaining systems to mitigating security risks with limited resources, IT professionals in this field are often tasked with doing more with less.
Best 2026 tech and IT conferences FAQ
Are IT conferences worth attending?
Yes. IT conferences in 2026 offer valuable opportunities to connect with peers, learn from industry experts, and explore the latest tools and technologies. Attendees also get hands-on feedback from vendors and access to expert support. And don't forget: Many conferences heavily invest in having fun. (But maybe don't focus on that part when you pitch it to your boss.)
Are there good networking opportunities for IT professionals at 2026 conferences?
Yes. Many conferences include dedicated networking opportunities, such as workshops, meetups, and exhibition series. Whether you're a sysadmin, product manager, or DevOps engineer, connecting with innovators and peers can lead to lasting professional relationships.
Will Microsoft Copilot be featured at any 2026 events?
Microsoft Copilot is expected to be a hot topic at multiple 2026 conferences focused on AI, cloud services, and the Power Platform. Events like Microsoft Ignite and TechMentor often include featured speakers from Microsoft demonstrating Copilot's capabilities in real-world IT scenarios.
Which conferences are best for staying updated on artificial intelligence and emerging tech?
Conferences like Black Hat, RSA Conference, and Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo spotlight artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies. They attract thought leaders and startups showcasing groundbreaking innovations across the tech spectrum.
Which upcoming events will PDQ be attending?
If, for some reason, you can't get enough of PDQ, you can meet up with us face-to-face at an IT conference. We hit up all kinds of IT conferences (SpiceWorld is a fun one), and we’re always adding new stops to the list. You never know where we’ll turn up. We can’t wait to meet you in person!
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