I’ll search for current information about digital marketing events happening in New York next week.# CDAO Financial Services Summit Returns to New York Next Week for 13th Annual Edition
The Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO) Financial Services Summit returns to New York City next week, bringing together America’s top data and analytics leaders for two days of intensive sessions on AI implementation, risk management, and the future of financial technology.
Scheduled for February 18-19, 2026 at Convene 237 Park Avenue, the summit marks its 13th consecutive year as the premier gathering for senior executives shaping how banks, investment firms, and fintech companies leverage data to drive business decisions.
What Makes CDAO Financial Services Essential for 2026
Financial services organizations face mounting pressure to deploy AI systems that are trusted, governed, and compliant. The summit explores the convergence of technology, governance, and data ethics to shape the future of financial services, addressing the fundamental challenge that too many AI initiatives stall after pilot phases.
This year’s event tackles the reality that banks and insurers are investing heavily in AI, but too many initiatives stall after the pilot phase, with the challenge not being the models but the risk of deploying AI on data that isn’t trusted, governed, or explainable.
Over 300 attendees are expected, primarily senior-level executives including Chief Data Officers, Heads of Data Science, CIOs, and leadership responsible for analytics transformation within financial institutions. The audience represents traditional banks, digital-first financial firms, insurance companies, and investment services organizations.
Key Topics and Sessions
The two-day agenda covers critical areas where data and analytics leaders need actionable strategies:
AI Implementation and Maturity
Sessions explore how to move beyond pilots and deploy AI systems at scale. Speakers from American Century Investments and other leading firms share frameworks for investing in AI talent and developing competitive advantages through machine learning.
Risk Management and Compliance
With regulatory scrutiny intensifying, the summit addresses how to leverage advanced analytics for improved financial forecasting, risk assessment, and real-time fraud prevention while maintaining strict compliance standards.
Data Governance and Trust
Multiple sessions focus on breaking down data silos, creating trusted data foundations, and establishing governance frameworks that enable innovation without increasing risk exposure.
Cross-Functional Alignment
Practical workshops guide leaders on fostering collaboration between business, data, and IT stakeholders, creating shared goals and establishing common language across teams.
Notable Speakers and Sessions
The 2026 speaker lineup includes data leaders from JP Morgan Chase, First Citizens Bank, Cross River, and other major financial institutions. Sessions feature real-world case studies showing how organizations are successfully implementing AI-driven transformation.
Tarun Sood, Chief Data Officer at American Century Investments, headlines discussions on talent strategy and leveraging AI for competitive positioning. Erica Pan, Fusion Data Management Delivery Lead at JP Morgan Chase, joins panel discussions on trusted data delivery for AI applications.
Jennifer L. Mezzio, Global HR Data Officer at First Citizens Bank, leads sessions on organizational alignment and creating data-driven cultures within traditional banking structures.
Co-Located with CDAO Insurance
For the first time in 2026, CDAO Financial Services will be co-located with CDAO Insurance, providing a unique opportunity to gain actionable insights and foster connections necessary to stay ahead in the evolving insurance landscape.
This dual-track format allows attendees to access content across both financial services and insurance sectors, recognizing the convergence of data strategies across these industries. Teams can attend sessions spanning banking, investment, and insurance topics under one roof.
Real-World Focus on Production AI
Unlike theoretical conferences, CDAO Financial Services emphasizes practical implementation. Sessions address specific challenges like deploying GenAI from pilots into production, assembling the right data with proper governance, and operating AI applications with real-time context while maintaining regulatory controls.
Technology partners including K2view, Solidatus, Delphix, Alation, and others demonstrate solutions for data governance, compliance automation, and secure data delivery that financial institutions are actively deploying.
Who Should Attend
The summit targets senior data and analytics leaders with decision-making authority over technology investments, data strategy, and AI implementation. Typical attendee titles include:
- Chief Data Officers and Chief Analytics Officers
- Heads of Data Science and Analytics
- CIOs and CTOs in financial services
- Directors of Risk Management and Compliance
- VPs of Data Governance and Data Quality
- Senior Managers of AI and Machine Learning initiatives
The event particularly benefits organizations currently piloting AI systems and seeking pathways to production deployment, as well as those building data governance frameworks to support regulatory compliance.
Networking and Knowledge Exchange
Beyond formal sessions, the summit creates structured networking opportunities including roundtable discussions, interactive panels, and dedicated connection sessions. These formats enable peer-to-peer learning where data leaders share challenges and solutions specific to financial services.
The relatively intimate size of around 300 attendees facilitates meaningful conversations rather than overwhelming crowds. Participants report that connections made at CDAO events often lead to ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the year.
Ethics and Responsible AI
A significant focus area for 2026 centers on the ethics of AI deployment in financial services. Sessions explore balancing innovation with ethical considerations, ensuring AI systems operate fairly across customer segments, and maintaining transparency in automated decision-making.
This emphasis reflects growing regulatory attention to algorithmic bias, explainability requirements, and the need for financial institutions to demonstrate responsible AI practices to regulators and customers.
Location and Logistics
Convene 237 Park Avenue provides a modern conference facility in the heart of Manhattan’s business district. The venue offers easy access via multiple subway lines and is within walking distance of Grand Central Terminal.
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and networking breaks throughout both days. The exhibition hall features technology providers showcasing solutions for data management, AI platforms, governance tools, and analytics infrastructure.
Registration Information
Standard registration is available through the CDAO Financial Services website, with discounts offered for team registrations. Some technology partners are providing promotional codes offering percentage discounts on registration fees.
For financial services organizations sending multiple team members, group rates enable broader participation while managing conference budgets. This allows cross-functional teams including data, technology, risk, and business leaders to align on strategies together.
Why This Year Matters
The 2026 edition arrives at a pivotal moment for financial services data strategy. Generative AI has moved from experimental to essential, creating urgent needs for trusted data architectures. Regulatory frameworks around AI are evolving rapidly. Customer expectations for personalized, real-time services continue rising.
Organizations that successfully navigate these pressures will gain significant competitive advantages. Those that fail risk falling behind on innovation, compliance, and customer experience. The summit provides concentrated access to the strategies, technologies, and peer networks that data leaders need to succeed.
With only a few days until the event kicks off, registration remains open for qualified senior executives. The concentrated two-day format makes attendance feasible even for busy data leaders juggling multiple strategic initiatives.
For financial services organizations serious about scaling AI responsibly, building trusted data foundations, and staying ahead of regulatory requirements, CDAO Financial Services 2026 offers the most focused gathering of expert practitioners addressing these exact challenges.