Executive Dinner
Integration Is Now a Product Feature and a Growth Lever
Software providers are now judged on how well their products connect. According to IDC research, 50.3% of buyers say their provider’s embedded AI will cover less than half of their AI needs, so customers expect native integrations with systems like Salesforce, NetSuite and Workday, plus agent connectivity beyond the product.
The market is responding. IDC forecasts US integration software spending to grow from $6.6 billion in 2024 to $13.6 billion in 2029, while 51.6% of organizations already run AI agents embedded in core workflows. Product and engineering leaders face build versus buy choices under real time-to-market pressure, and customers are watching.
IDC, together with Boomi, is convening a select group of software provider executives for an in-person dinner roundtable in Dallas on December 3. Compare how peers approach native integrations, deployment choice and AI agent governance, and leave with sharper options for turning integration into a revenue and retention driver.
50.3%
of buyers say their provider’s embedded AI will cover less than half of their AI needs, while 49.1% say it will cover more than half.
US integration software revenue is forecast to roughly double from $6.6 billion in 2024 to $13.6 billion in 2029. Public cloud services take most of that growth, rising from 66% to 80% of revenue.
On-premises and other deployments still grow, from $2.3 billion to $2.8 billion, so a meaningful base remains. Software providers whose customers have strict data requirements still need deployment choice, not a cloud-only answer.
Source: IDC Semiannual AI, Data and Automation Software Tracker, 2025Q4 forecast (Library 645, Dataset 1659); USA, Integration Software. 2029 is a forecast
Discussion Themes
Four Conversations Every Product and Engineering Leader Should Be Having About Integration
Build, Buy and the Speed Squeeze
Customers want integrations now, and the roadmap is full. How leaders weigh building against buying, which integrations customers ask for most, and where integration work slows delivery.
Integration as a Product and Revenue Lever
Integrations shape how a product feels to the customer. How teams deliver native, white-label experiences, and how they judge the effect on renewals and sales cycles.
Deploying Where Customers Need You
Some customers need cloud, others need control. How providers handle deployment flexibility for regulated customers without multiplying cost and complexity.
Agent Connectivity With Governance
AI agents now reach into customer data through your product. Which data and AI use cases matter most to customers, and how leaders govern what agents can see and do.
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)
Your hosts
Shari Lava
Group Vice-President, AI, Data, and Automation
IDC
Read bio
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
Agenda
Boomi Executive Dinner at AI & Data Summit Dallas 2026
Thu, Dec 3
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.
Partner
Sponsored By
Boomi
Boomi, the data activation company, brings data to life by integrating and governing it to power everything from AI to BI. The Boomi Enterprise Platform puts data in motion, uniting data readiness, integration and automation, and agent management in one comprehensive solution. Trusted by more than 30,000 customers and supported by a global network of 800+ partners, Boomi is driving agentic transformation — helping organizations of all sizes move faster, operate smarter, and innovate at scale. Discover more at boomi.com.
Venue
One18 Empire
Turtle Creek room at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel
2222 North Stemmons Freeway Dallas,TX 75207