iTnews Executive Retreats: Navigating Leadership in the Age of Data and AI

Hunter Valley, 28th-29th May.

Following the success of its inaugural security-focused retreat, the iTnews Executive Retreat is returning in 2026 with a new theme centered on data and artificial intelligence, reflecting the growing importance of AI in business strategy and technology leadership.

The first retreat, which focused on security leadership, brought together senior technology and cybersecurity executives for small-group discussions on leadership, resilience, and the challenges of managing security in high-pressure environments. Participants highlighted the value of the event’s small-group format, which allowed for open and honest conversations between peers across technology, security, risk, and privacy roles.

One of the participants, Saleshni Sharma, APAC Chief Information Security Officer at W.R. Berkley, said the retreat provided meaningful discussions and helped build long-term professional relationships. Similarly, Rebecca Meli, CTO at Australian Progressive Group, said the retreat offered a valuable mix of professional discussions and time to relax, with peer experiences being one of the most valuable aspects of the event.

The second retreat, titled iTnews Executive Retreat: Data & AI Leaders Edition, will focus on the growing role of AI and data in modern organizations. As AI adoption increases, technology leaders are facing new challenges. The focus is no longer just on understanding AI technology, but on how to implement it effectively, manage risks, build governance frameworks, and deliver real business value from AI investments.

Organizations are increasingly investing in AI, and expectations from leadership teams are rising. Many companies are moving from AI experimentation to real-world implementation, which brings new challenges such as AI governance, risk management, skills development, and long-term strategy planning. Technology leaders are often required to make important decisions in these areas even though there are few established best practices.

The retreat is designed to provide a space where senior leaders can discuss these challenges, share experiences, and learn from each other in a practical and informal environment away from daily work pressures.

The event will take place on 28–29 May 2026 at Château Élan in the Hunter Valley, Australia. The retreat will bring together a selected group of senior leaders in technology, data, and AI for an overnight event focused on leadership and strategy in a rapidly changing technology environment.

In addition to formal discussions and facilitated sessions, the retreat will include informal networking activities such as wine and cheese tasting, golf, spa sessions, and social gatherings. The retreat format is designed to encourage open conversation and peer-level discussion rather than formal conference presentations.

The iTnews Executive Retreat series reflects a broader trend in the technology industry: as AI and data become central to business strategy, technology leadership is increasingly focused on governance, risk, and business value rather than just technology implementation.