A landmark partnership reimagining the Summit as a catalyst for purposeful, inclusive, and globally competitive innovation in New Zealand.
Auckland, New Zealand [10th November 2025] — For nearly twenty years, the New Zealand CIO Summit & Awards has been the definitive platform for enterprise technology and transformation leadership in the country. It has consistently stood at the intersection of global and local thought leadership; hosting experts from institutions such as NASA, the Estonian Government, the New York Times, Stanford University, and NATO. At the same time, it has been proudly celebrating the homegrown talent that powers Aotearoa’s digital edge.
In 2026, the legacy evolves. The New Zealand CIO Innovation Summit & Awards enters an exciting new chapter through a strategic partnership between Brightstar and Ecosystm.
This collaboration unites the complete innovation value chain of enterprise technology leaders, digital entrepreneurs, technology providers, investors, and government leaders to create an essential platform that reflects how innovation has become the responsibility of the entire C-suite.
A New Era of Collaboration and Purpose
Brightstar, New Zealand’s leading provider of B2B conferences, exhibitions, and awards events, has been deeply connected to the country’s business landscape for decades. Its events continue to influence, inspire, and elevate local capability. The partnership with Ecosystm brings a new layer of global insight and data-driven expertise to the Summit, ensuring it is rooted in world-class best practices and actionable intelligence for the digital economy.
Commenting on the launch, Amit Gupta, Founder and Group CEO of Ecosystm Group, said “I was fortunate to help shape the foundations of the New Zealand CIO Summit nearly twenty years ago. It’s a privilege to return in partnership with Brightstar to reimagine a platform that celebrates innovation, leadership, and New Zealand’s spirit of progress.
New Zealand’s story has always been one of turning ingenuity into progress. As AI reshapes the world, it gives New Zealand a defining opportunity to turn innovation into its competitive edge. This next-generation Summit unites the nation’s innovation ecosystem to define its leadership in an AI-driven future.”
Paula Cleghorn, Chief Executive Officer, Brightstar, added “it’s the same great people from Brightstar behind the Summit, but we now have a fresh injection of new ideas and new energy. Together with Ecosystm, we’re reimagining what this event can be: a catalyst for innovation, trust, and collaboration across every corner of the enterprise.”
2026 Summit Themes
The 2026 edition of the CIO Innovation Summit & Awards will take place on the 3-5 August 2026 at NZICC, Auckland, and will centre around the theme ‘THE FUTURE C_O’, exploring how enterprise leaders can reimagine the role of the C-suite in driving innovation for people, planet, and purpose.
Key themes include:
INNOVATION FOR PEOPLE, PLANET, & PURPOSE
Driving transformation and innovation that delivers commercial performance and meaningful impact.
SOVEREIGN AI & DIGITAL TRUST
Building secure, ethical, and compliant digital ecosystems that earn trust.
SCALING DEEP TECH & ENTERPRISE LEADERSHIP
Harnessing emerging technologies and leadership capability to drive change.
CREATE INTELLIGENCE: THE HUMAN EDGE OF ENTERPRISE INNOVATION
Blending creativity, design, and culture to fuel competitive differentiation.
GLOBAL-FIRST, RESPONSIBLE-ALWAYS
Building globally competitive, ethically grounded enterprises.
About Brightstar
Brightstar is New Zealand’s leading organiser of B2B conferences, exhibitions, and awards events. With a strong heritage in connecting industries and inspiring business capability, Brightstar continues to shape the conversations that drive transformation and growth across New Zealand’s enterprise ecosystem.
Visit www.brightstar.co.nz for more information.
About Ecosystm
Ecosystm is a leading technology market analyst and advisory firm that enables all stakeholders in the ecosystem to navigate innovation in the digital economy through the power of data, insights, and expertise. We bring together stakeholders across the ecosystem including tech buyers, tech vendors, digital native founders, investors and policy makers to enable the best decision-making in the evolving digital economy. With ongoing research at the core of our offering, and access to the Best-In-Class Analysts and Management Consultants, our mission is to provide strategic support for business planning, go-to-market activities, thought-leadership, and management consulting for digital transformation.
Learn more at www.ecosystm.io
Media Contact:
Chris White
VP Marketing & Communities
Ecosystm
