2026 INTERNET2

Technology exchange FAQ

Oct. 26 – 30  Minneapolis, Minn.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is TechEX26?

The 2026 Internet2 Technology Exchange (TechEX26), Oct. 26-30 in Minneapolis, is the premier annual technical event for the global research and education (R&E) community. The event brings together experts to solve real-world challenges through collaboration and shared expertise. It features interactive sessions, hands-on tutorials, community-led workshops, working groups, and unconference experiences.

 

What programming and sessions are offered?

TechEX26 features interactive sessions, hands-on tutorials, community-led workshops, working groups, and unconference experiences.
 

  • Tutorials are instructor-led sessions focused on hands-on learning, designed to build skills and walk through tools.
  • Workshops are peer-driven sessions where subject matter experts come together to share perspectives, tackle challenges, and explore solutions.
  • Working groups are informal, highly interactive gatherings centered around specific technical initiatives, interests, or topics, including special interest groups (SIGs), birds of a feather (BoFs), and working meetings.
  • Unconference events in the Identity & Access Management and Advanced Networking tracks provide opportunities to surface in real time the most pressing topics for subsequent small-group breakout discussions:
     
    • Advance CAMP (ACAMP) is a must-attend unconference experience for anyone exploring the latest IAM advancements and trends. During ACAMP, the IAM community huddles to build the agenda live and on the spot. Participants pitch their own timely topics, run demos of tools, and participate in breakout discussions that resonate most.
    • Peer-to-Peer: The Advanced Networking Unconference, new to the 2026 Technology Exchange, invites network engineers, cloud architects, automation experts, security professionals, and other technical practitioners to share their perspectives beyond the scheduled program. Participants build the agenda in real time, with opportunities for cross-topic exploration at the intersection of advanced networking, networking for cloud, artificial intelligence, automation, and security.

 

Who attends TechEX26?

More than 650 R&E technology experts are expected to convene at TechEX26. Attendees represent diverse perspectives across a global community of technical and strategic R&E leaders. Their expertise spans four key areas: Advanced Networking, Cloud Technology, Identity & Access Management, and Information Security.

Attendees include:
 

  • chief technology officers
  • chief information officers
  • chief information security officers
  • cybersecurity professionals
  • network engineers
  • cloud architects
  • research computing and data professionals
  • IAM experts, other technology experts from higher education, research organizations, government, industry, state and regional R&E networks, and global R&E networks

TechEX26 brings together both R&E and industry professionals to foster cross-sector collaboration. It’s also a welcoming environment for the 20% of attendees who are first-timers, with tailored programming that helps them quickly plug into the community and build connections.

 

What can I expect to take away from attending TechEX26? How will this help my professional growth and benefit my institution?
 

TechEX26 is a high-value professional development opportunity that delivers actionable outcomes, tailored technical programming, and meaningful connections.
 

  • Gain practical takeaways you can apply immediately at your home institution.
  • Discover new approaches, tools, and strategies.
  • Elevate your voice and your institution’s visibility by speaking, hosting a working meeting, facilitating a workshop, or submitting a poster.
  • With multiple contribution options (sessions, tutorials, workshops, posters, working meetings), participate in ways that align with your experience, expertise, and comfort level.
  • Build meaningful professional connections and collaborations that add value long after the event.
  • Expand your perspective through cross-topic exploration beyond your primary domain.
  • Engage in intentional networking and social experiences that deepen relationships and spark new collaborations.

 

How does TechEX26 benefit the research and education (R&E) community?
 

The conference addresses real-world technical challenges in R&E and provides direct access to peers and experts who understand the context. It creates space for knowledge exchange that is both practical and immediately actionable.

In addition, it strengthens community-driven innovation, accelerates the adoption of emerging technologies and best practices, and breaks down silos across disciplines and institutions. No matter your experience level, you have the opportunity to address challenges and learn from others’ experiences, and work on real-time problem-solving with your peers, industry experts, and community leaders.

 

How is the program developed?

 

The TechEX26 program is built by and for the R&E community and emphasizes collaboration, shared learning, and collective problem-solving. Attendees both contribute to and benefit from shared expertise and experience, exchanging transparently what worked and what didn’t. They also work with solutions, strategies, and ideas they can implement right away, and develop connections that extend beyond sessions through social experiences, informal meetups, and community-driven engagement opportunities.

 

How do I register for TechEX26?
 

Register now to join your peers at TechEX26, and use our Make the Case resources to articulate how this opportunity directly aligns with the goals and priorities of your institution’s most important work.

Before you register, we recommend you review the wide range of tutorials, workshops, and co-located meetings — many require separate registration and have limited capacity. Note: The registration portal will only allow you to register for one event per time block (e.g., you can select a morning/afternoon tutorial, but not both, or a full-day and an afternoon tutorial).

 

What does the typical day look like?

 

The TechEX26 program features four tracks: Advanced Networking, Cloud Technology, Identity & Access Management, and Information Security. Download the Internet2 mobile app the week before the event to customize your agenda on the go and stay up to date with the latest event updates.

You can engage through interactive sessions, hands-on tutorials, community-led workshops, working groups, unconference experiences, and social events that foster connection and community.
 

  • Monday: Full- and half-day tutorials and community-led workshops
  • Tuesday-Thursday: Main TechEX26 programming and sessions
  • Thursday: ACAMP(the Identity & Access Management unconference) and Peer-to-Peer (the Advanced Networking unconference and evening reception)
  • Friday: ACAMP, workshops, and NetGurus co-located meeting

Is this your first time attending TechEX? We’ve got you covered. Check out our first-time attendees web page to help you navigate the event – everything from tips on what to pack, information on sessions, and recommended events to help you plug into the community and build connections.

 

Where should I stay in Minneapolis?

 

Use our hotel and travel page to plan your trip to Minneapolis and to make the most of the TechEX26 experience.

The event is held at the Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis. Book your room before the block cut-off date on Sept. 18.