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Unlock the Power of IBM i at POWERUp 2026!

Join us in New Orleans, Louisiana for POWERUp 2026, the premier conference for IBM i professionals. Whether you’re an experienced expert or just starting your IBM i journey, this event offers unparalleled education, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Stay ahead of the curve with insights from industry leaders, explore the latest innovations, and connect with a thriving community that shares your passion for IBM i. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, grow your skills, and power up your career!

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Tuesday, April 28
 

9:00am CDT

Student Job Fair
Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Don't miss the Student Job Fair if you are interested in hiring an intern, or your next colleague.

Over 40 students and educators are attending POWERUp 2026, many of whom are looking for employment opportunities, so don't miss out on your chance to meet with them and connect.

It will be set up in a Reverse Job Fair format, where each student will be assigned a table and potential employers can go from table-to-table and talk to each person.

If you are looking to connect with the next generation of IT talent, this is your chance to maximize your company's benefit of attending POWERUp 2026.
Speakers
avatar for Donna Del Muro

Donna Del Muro

Community Outreach Manager, COMMON
Retired IBM i solution‑based sales professional with over 25 years in the IBM i ecosystem. My career spans sales, sales management, and project management across both hardware and software environments, helping organizations align technology with real business needs. I’m currently... Read More →
Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Mardi Gras Ballroom

10:15am CDT

Coffee Break
Tuesday April 28, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am CDT

Tuesday April 28, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am CDT
Grand Ballroom

11:45am CDT

Expo Open with Lunch
Tuesday April 28, 2026 11:45am - 1:45pm CDT
We’re bringing a full pickleball court right to the Expo floor! The court will be available throughout the conference - even outside of official Expo hours. Whether you’re a seasoned player or picking up a paddle for the first time, come rally with fellow attendees. Watch social media and your inbox for details on joining the tournament bracket and competing head-to-head!

Lunch will be served from 12PM-1PM.
Tuesday April 28, 2026 11:45am - 1:45pm CDT
Grand Ballroom

11:50am CDT

Partner Solution Corner inside Expo
Tuesday April 28, 2026 11:50am - 1:45pm CDT
Get the most up to date tools to maximize your systems.  Vendor Partner experts will be presenting 15 min Solution Sessions during mid-day and evening expo hours.  The Partner Solutions Corner is across from booth 111 and the daily schedule will be in your daily morning email.  Get all of your questions answered by knowledge leaders in POWER.
Tuesday April 28, 2026 11:50am - 1:45pm CDT
Partner Solution Corner in Grand Ballroom

1:45pm CDT

Keynote: From Core to Catalyst: How IBM i Teams Can Lead the Next Wave of AI-Ready Modernization
Tuesday April 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
IBM i has been the backbone of enterprise stability, but shifting expectations now demand more. IT modernization has become a strategic priority, driving efficiency, innovation, and enhanced customer experiences. In the next two years, 25–30% of IT budgets will focus on AI readiness, cybersecurity, automation, and data optimization. For IBM i teams, this is both a challenge and an opportunity to turn barriers like legacy complexity and siloed data into catalysts for growth and innovation.


In this keynote, Rashmi Agrawal, VP of Engineering at Rocket Software, will reframe IBM i not as a legacy constraint but as a strategic advantage. With the right modernization roadmap—spanning applications, data, infrastructure, and security—IBM i teams can accelerate digital transformation, enable AI initiatives, and deliver measurable business outcomes that resonate with the C-suite.


In this session, you’ll discover:
  • How AI enhances human-driven decision-making in workload modernization. With 54% of enterprises expecting AI-assisted migration and optimization, IBM i teams can leverage AI to augment—not replace—human expertise.
  • Why modernization maturity drives business performance. Modernization leaders report significantly higher gains in efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction, proving the direct correlation between IT transformation and business success.
  • What RPG, COBOL, and CL developers need to prepare for. From data quality and integration to AI-augmented coding and secure-by-design practices, developers must evolve their skills to meet new demands. AI-assisted development, testing, and infrastructure readiness will be critical.
  • How technical leaders can overcome modernization blockers. Learn strategies to address data silos, compliance complexity, and talent gaps while preserving the resilience and reliability that make IBM i indispensable.
  • Join us to discover how to transform your IBM i environment into an AI-ready, modernization-driven foundation for the next decade of innovation.

Speakers
avatar for Jeroen van Dun

Jeroen van Dun

IBM Champion & Product Manager, Rocket Software
avatar for Rashmi Agrawal

Rashmi Agrawal

Vice President – Engineering, App Mod Vice President – Engineering, App Mod, Rocket Software
Rashmi is a highly accomplished Global R&D leader with 26 years of experience driving product innovation and execution at enterprise-grade companies like IBM, Dell/EMC, and Rocket Software. Her expertise spans a wide range of products, including datacenter, cloud, AI, storage, developer... Read More →
Tuesday April 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Mardi Gras Ballroom

2:45pm CDT

Coffee Break
Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm CDT

Tuesday April 28, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm CDT
Grand Ballroom

5:30pm CDT

All Attendee Reception in the Expo
Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:30pm - 8:00pm CDT
We’re bringing a full pickleball court right to the Expo floor! The court will be available throughout the conference - even outside of official Expo hours. Whether you’re a seasoned player or picking up a paddle for the first time, come rally with fellow attendees. Watch social media and your inbox for details on joining the tournament bracket and competing head-to-head!
Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:30pm - 8:00pm CDT
Grand Ballroom

5:40pm CDT

Partner Solution Corner inside Expo
Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:40pm - 7:55pm CDT
Get the most up to date tools to maximize your systems.  Vendor Partner experts will be presenting 15 min Solution Sessions during mid-day and evening expo hours.  The Partner Solutions Corner is across from booth 111 and the daily schedule will be in your daily morning email.  Get all of your questions answered by knowledge leaders in POWER.
Tuesday April 28, 2026 5:40pm - 7:55pm CDT
Partner Solution Corner in Grand Ballroom
 

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