What Is the Gartner CSO & Sales Leader Conference?
The Gartner CSO & Sales Leader Conference is the research firm's flagship event for sales executives. Held annually in Las Vegas, it brings together 1,000+ sales leaders for research presentations, roundtables, and analyst one-on-ones. Every session is backed by Gartner's proprietary research data.
The 2026 event is expected to focus heavily on AI-driven sales forecasting, rep productivity in hybrid environments, and the evolving role of the Chief Sales Officer.
Key Tracks and Themes for Revenue Teams
Gartner structures the event around their latest research priorities:
- Sales forecasting accuracy and why most organizations still miss their number by 10%+ - AI in sales with specific focus on forecast models, deal scoring, and next-best-action systems - Sales productivity benchmarks and how top-quartile teams outperform - Buyer engagement in complex B2B sales cycles - Sales technology evaluation frameworks and Magic Quadrant insights
The analyst-led format means every session includes data. Gartner does not accept vendor-sponsored content on the main stage.
Who Should Attend
Chief Sales Officers and VPs of Sales are the primary audience. Gartner designs the content for executives making strategic decisions about sales org design, technology investment, and go-to-market strategy.
CROs find this event valuable for the research-backed benchmarks. Gartner's data on forecast accuracy, pipeline coverage, and win rates provides a credible reference point for board-level conversations.
RevOps leaders benefit from the technology evaluation sessions. Gartner's framework for assessing revenue technology investments is widely respected and helps RevOps teams make better vendor decisions.
CFOs attending with their CRO get aligned on what "good" looks like for sales productivity and forecast reliability. The research data gives both sides a common language.
ORM's Take on the Gartner Conference
Gartner's research consistently shows that most B2B sales organizations forecast with 50-70% accuracy. Their data confirms what revenue teams experience every quarter: the gap between what the CRM says and what actually closes is too wide.
The best sessions at this event dig into why. Pipeline coverage ratios that look healthy on paper mask underlying quality problems. Stage progression metrics miss deal velocity signals. Rep-level forecast submissions are biased by optimism or sandbagging.
Gartner's framework for improving forecast accuracy aligns with what prescriptive revenue models deliver: objective, data-driven predictions that remove human bias from the equation.
Key Sessions and Topics to Watch
Prioritize:
- Analyst presentations on forecast accuracy benchmarks - Research on AI-powered sales forecasting adoption - Pipeline management frameworks for complex B2B cycles - Sales technology evaluation (Magic Quadrant and Market Guide sessions) - Executive roundtables on sales org design
The one-on-one analyst meetings are the most valuable part of the event. Book them early. Bring specific questions about your forecasting process.
Practical Details
- Date: May 19-21, 2026 - Location: Las Vegas, NV - Expected attendance: 1,000-1,500 - Pricing: Gartner conference passes typically run $3,500-$4,500. Gartner clients may receive discounts. - Website: gartner.com/en/conferences/na/sales-us
This is a premium event with premium pricing. The ROI comes from the research access and analyst interactions that are difficult to get elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gartner CSO & Sales Leader Conference?
Gartner's CSO & Sales Leader Conference is a research-driven event for heads of sales and revenue leaders, featuring Gartner analyst presentations on sales strategy, forecasting, and team productivity.
Who should attend the Gartner CSO conference?
Chief Sales Officers, VPs of Sales, CROs, and senior sales operations leaders. The content is strategic and research-backed, aimed at executives making decisions about sales org design and technology.
Build your forecast before the event
ORM builds custom revenue forecast models that give your team accurate, prescriptive insights. See how it works before you head to Gartner CSO & Sales Leader Conference 2026.
Schedule a Demo