“Riding the Tides of Tech: Turning pressure into momentum” is the official theme of the #WITswe2026 Conference.
In 2026, we find ourselves on the brink of a transformative era. One that echoes the seismic shifts we saw at the dawn of the internet age around the turn of the millennium, but with even greater speed and impact.
And just like then, we’re learning to read an unfamiliar horizon. In nature and in technology, pressure creates movement. It reveals patterns and builds momentum.
As much as a nod to our history the theme, Riding the Tides of Tech, is a call to find the waves that will carry us into the future. What new technologies are about to build up to create a huge shift?Â
A change of tide isn’t always a welcome change, but one thing remains constant: we must learn how to navigate the waters. Sometimes the tides are simple ebbs and flows, sometimes it feels like a tsunami we can’t ignore, and sometimes, it feels like the continents have shifted and we have an entirely new ocean opened up.
When we look at the forces shaping momentum: the currents of AI, the pressure points inside our organizations, and the patterns hidden in systems and teams, we believe that leadership today means learning to read the waters. Knowing which waves to ride with confidence,which ones to let roll by, and which ones demand a change of direction. We’re here to ensure that as we move forward, we do so as skilled navigators, shaping a future where technology is empowering for all.
Whether you’re a newcomer eager to find your path or a seasoned professional looking for new horizons, we welcome you.Â
And as we embark, we have an ask; let’s not just be observers of change, let’s be the ones who shape it. Turn pressure into momentum, and momentum into leadership. Together, we’ll discover which tides to embrace and how to navigate, and create a tech landscape that’s truly transformative, inclusive, diverse – and fun!Â