Executive Dinner
Overcoming AI Implementation Barriers: Practical Strategies for Real-World Success
AI adoption is accelerating, yet many organizations still struggle to move projects from proof of concept to production. The main challenges are not just technical, but also organizational, ranging from fragmented data and legacy infrastructure to unclear business alignment and evolving governance requirements.
Addressing these obstacles requires a holistic approach: aligning AI initiatives with core business metrics, modernizing infrastructure for scalability, and fostering a culture of iterative learning where early-stage efforts inform future decisions
As organizations navigate these complexities, the focus shifts to operationalizing AI workloads in a way that delivers measurable value. This involves starting small with tightly scoped projects, leveraging standardized deployment pipelines, and embedding responsible AI practices from the outset.
Success will depend on cross-functional collaboration, transparent governance, and the ability to adapt quickly as both technology and business needs evolve. By sharing real-world experiences and practical strategies, this dinner aims to equip leaders with the insights needed to overcome implementation barriers and accelerate the journey from experimentation to impact.
A peer-to-peer dinner roundtable
Discussion topics include:
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Scaling from POC to Production: Best practices for moving successful prototypes into operational environments.
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Breaking Down Data Silos: Integrating and governing data to enable AI workloads across the organization.
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Infrastructure Readiness: Modernizing legacy environments to support scalable, production-grade AI deployments.
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Business Alignment: Ensuring AI projects are tightly linked to strategic objectives and deliver clear business value.
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Learning and Experimentation: Building a culture where early-stage projects inform rapid improvement and future success.
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Responsible AI: Implementing governance frameworks that address ethics, transparency, and regulatory requirements.
What To Expect
An executive dinner led by a skilled moderator
An intimate gathering of senior IT leaders from diverse industries, grappling with similar issues
A secure, private conversation open only to a carefully vetted group (no recording, no playback)
Agenda
AI & Data Summit Calgary & Dell Dinner 2026
One Day Event
Networking Reception
A private reception bringing together senior executives and industry analysts to connect, exchange perspectives, and set context for the evening’s discussion.
Dinner & Discussion
A moderated, off‑the‑record discussion over dinner focused on real‑world execution challenges, emerging industry priorities, and their implications for enterprise leaders.
Event Concludes
The evening concludes with brief closing remarks and informal follow‑up conversations, reinforcing key takeaways and ongoing peer engagement.
Speakers
Shari Lava
Group Vice-President, AI, Data, and Automation
IDC
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Shari Lava
Shari Lava is Group Vice-President, AI, Data, and Automation. Ms. Lava’s core research coverage includes the fast-evolving AI software market, as well as the Automation and Data foundations essential for deploying AI at enterprise scale. This includes deep analysis of market dynamics, adoption trends, and how these technologies converge to deliver superior business outcomes. She is based remotely in Toronto, Canada.
Previously at IDC, Shari led the integration and AI enablement research program within the AI, Data and Automation group, alongside the Small and Medium Business (SMB) program, enabling technology suppliers to better navigate the SMB ecosystem. Prior to IDC, she was Vice President, Marketing Intelligence at Greystone Managed Investments, an asset management firm, where she leveraged data analytics to drive success across the customer journey. Before that, Ms. Lava led the Vendor Advisory Services practice at Info-Tech Research Group, delivering actionable market insights to technology vendors. Earlier, she was a management consultant with Deloitte’s CRM and Information Management practices, specializing in implementing and integrating applications for clients of all sizes across diverse industries
Ivan Nekrasov
NVIDIA AI Field Product Manager
Dell Technologies
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Ivan Nekrasov
Ivan Nekrasov is an NVIDIA AI Field Product Manager leading customer-facing engagements and sales enablement for joint Dell-NVIDIA programs across North America. With 20+ years at Dell, he drives multi-million dollar AI infrastructure initiatives that accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, science, and enterprise innovation. A father of three, Ivan is passionate about technology’s power to improve lives globally.
Darren Head
PreSales Solutions Consultant
Dell Technologies
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Darren Head
Darren Head is a PreSales Solutions Consultant with Dell Technologies, specializing in Infrastructure Design and Delivery. Prior to working with Dell he spent years building, managing, and migrating Data Center infrastructure to support large organizations around the globe. When he’s not spending time experimenting with AI and Automation he can be found in the garage turning perfectly good lumber into sawdust. He resides near Calgary, Alberta with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
Partner
Sponsored By
Dell Technologies
At Dell Technologies, our mission is to be our customers’ most trusted partner in unlocking the power of data and AI, delivering secure, sustainable and innovative technology that turns bold ideas into real outcomes and drives human progress in a connected world.