Register for the 2026 IT Professionals Conference
Editor’s note: We have updated this article to correct the registration deadlines.
We’re celebrating 10 years of the IT Professionals Conference! Don’t miss out — register today!
This year’s event will take place on May 28 and 29 and will feature 35+ sessions and a keynote by Patrick McDaniel, Tsun-Ming Shih Chair in the College of Letters & Science and Professor in the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence.
Registration details
We’re offering 2 ways to participate in this year’s event
- Virtual only: Both days on Zoom | Free
- Hybrid: In person (Thu, May 28) and Zoom (Fri, May 29) | $50 | food & beverages provided
Registration deadlines
- Hybrid: Thursday, May 14
- Virtual only: Register now through the end of the conference
Please register for ONE ticket type
Hybrid registration includes virtual access for day 2 — no need to register for both. If you’re only attending part of day 1 in person and won’t be joining for meals, please select the virtual ticket to help us get accurate catering counts.
Need help covering the registration fee?
The $50 registration fee covers venue costs. IT Connects will cover the fee for university IT community members who can’t secure departmental funding. Email itproconf@wisc.edu to inquire.
Highlights from this year’s schedule
The 2026 conference will feature the 7th annual IT Recognition Awards presentation and a keynote by Patrick McDaniel, Tsun-Ming Shih Chair in the College of Letters & Science and Professor in the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence.
With over 35 sessions to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a snapshot of session topics:
- Exploring IT Federation
- Leveraging AI to plan events, design trainings, automate workflows and build AI tutors
- Navigating change and leading through uncertainty
- Normalizing failure and fostering psychological safety
- Strengthening cybersecurity posture
- Stories of cross-campus collaboration on projects, big and small
- Showcases of large-scale projects, including preparing for UW Theme 2.0, SMPH’s ITSM consolidation, and refactoring Course Search & Enroll
- And much more!
And be sure to check out our new offerings in this year’s program, including an Unconference event and a crafternoon session. If you have any questions, please email the planning committee.
Patrick McDaniel
Professor in the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence
Keynote: Ideas Run the World. IT Powers the Journey
Patrick McDaniel, UW–Madison Tsun-Ming Shih Chair in the College of Letters & Science, and Professor in the College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s conference.
Patrick joined UW–Madison’s Computer Science department in Fall 2023. He enjoys advising graduate and post-doctoral students and frequently collaborates with faculty to conduct research in various areas of security, systems and policies.