Why CIO events stopped working, and what comes next

India has around 125 forums, media houses and agencies that bring CIOs together. OEMs run their own signature events on top. For a technology leader, two events a month is normal. For a vendor, a single roundtable can cost as much as a small proof of concept.

Yet the outcome is often the same: a presentation, a cocktail dinner, and the engagement ends. At a typical large flagship event, only a fraction of the audience holds budget, and dozens of sponsors chase them.

CIO Lounge starts from a different premise. Members pay to belong, so the room is serious. Partners pay to sponsor, never to take a cut of deals. And the conversation is led by a CIO, not a vendor.