2026 CEO Forum & Reps Meeting
Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
Exponential Resilience
A new kind of organization is reshaping the future — the Exponential Organization (ExO) — harnessing emerging technologies, data, and community to drive impact at a pace and scale that leaves traditional models behind.
In 2026, AFIT invites you to explore how these next-gen organizations achieve outsized results — not by doing more with more, but by doing more with less. Through our Exponential Resilience learning theme, you and your team will discover the ExO Formula — the shared DNA behind the world’s most agile, adaptive, and forward-thinking organizations.
This year’s design also brings you to the frontier of one of the most transformative exponential technologies of our time: quantum computing. Through immersive experiences with Central New Mexico Community College’s Quantum Learning Lab and a behind-the-scenes visit to Quantinuum’s photonics lab, you’ll see firsthand how quantum breakthroughs — once theoretical — are now reshaping fields from materials science to cybersecurity to next-gen AI. More importantly, you'll explore what these shifts mean for talent development, regional economic growth, and the future of higher education.
Our 2026 learning design will equip you with:
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A comprehensive framework for transforming your institution using the ExO Formula.
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Tools, case studies, and real-world applications that demystify how to leverage data, emerging technologies (including quantum), and decentralized leadership to expand impact.
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Strategies for building adaptive, resilient, future-ready cultures rooted in experimentation, agility, and continuous learning.
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A firsthand understanding of the quantum landscape — and how institutions can prepare their communities for the workforce and innovation opportunities it unlocks
Whether you’re navigating disruption or building toward bold moonshots, Exponential Resilience will help you architect an institution capable of thriving in a world defined by rapid technological evolution — and ready to lead through whatever comes next.
CFRM Learning Objectives
By participating in AFIT’s 2026 CEO Forum & Reps Meeting (CFRM), you will:
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Explore the Exponential Era: Examine the rapidly converging technological, societal, and geopolitical forces reshaping our world — and what they mean for the future of higher education.
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Discover the ExO Formula: Gain early exposure to the principles behind Exponential Organizations — agile, tech-powered institutions that outperform peers by design.
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Shape the 2026 Summer Institute: Meet our learning partners, preview the Summer Institute experience, and help co-design the journey by providing feedback and beginning to build your team.
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See the Exponential Future of Quantum Computing: Experience the future up close through an Innovation Field Trip to the forefront of quantum innovation. Participants will have a chance to choose from one of three track options: Quantum Computing, Quantum Networking, and Quantum Research. (See "Quantum Field Trip" tab for details.)
Who's Invited:
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AFIT Member CEOs
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AFIT Reps
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1-2 colleagues from your organization or key stakeholders in your community whose roles align with the learning theme.
Attire:
We recommend "smart casual," which is somewhere between casual and business casual. Nice jeans and sneakers are fine.
Meeting Venues:
Wednesday, 2/25:
Central New Mexico Community College – Main Campus:
- Networking Sessions: Kathie Winograd Student Success Center (KW)
716 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 - Tour: Ted Chavez Trades and Technology Center (TTC)
900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 - Tour: Robert P. Matteucci Hall (RPM)
723 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Thursday, 2/26:
- Conference: The RailYards - Flue Shop
777 1st Street SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 - CEO Dinner: Season's Rotisserie & Grill
2031 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Friday, 2/27:
- Breakfast Debrief Meetings: The Clyde Hotel
330 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | Enchantment Ballroom (2nd floor) - Innovation Field Trip: CNM Quantum Learning Lab & FUSE Makerspace
101 Broadway Blvd NE Suite 3100, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - Innovation Field Trip: Quantinuum
5501 Wilshire Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Getting Around:
AFIT will provide ground transportation throughout the event. This does not include your transfer from the airport to the hotel on your arrival day. Please see agenda for transportation details.
Hotel:
The Clyde
330 Tijeras Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 302-6930 | 1-800-619-5632
Group Code: 2026AFITCEO
Group Name: 2026 AFIT CEO Forum & Reps Meeting
Reserve your room by February 2, 2026 to secure AFIT's discounted rate. Available through 2/2/26 or until sold out. Use the booking link above to secure your reservation.
Explore Albuquerque:
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Cancellation Policy: If you cancel on or before January 15, 2026 you will be charged a $50/person cancellation fee. If you cancel between January 16-February 12, 2026, you will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be awarded after February 12, 2026.
Substitutions are not subject to a cancellation fee. If you need to cancel or substitute a team member, please contact Paul Klute at paul.klute@afithighered.com or 785-691-9965.
2026 Learning Partner Directory »
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Brian Rashap
Quantum Computing Educator & Technologist
Lead Facilitators
Ann Ralston
ExO (Exponential Organizations) Coach
Gary Ralston
ExO Coach
Case Study Learning Partners
Corina Almagro
ExO Innovation Leader & Coach
Diego Soroa
ExO Innovation Leader & Coach
Digital Collaboration Coach
Curtis Michelson
Digital Collaboration Coach
Agenda
| February 25 | |
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
AFIT Executive Committee Meeting
Central New Mexico Community College Ted Chavez Trades and Technology Center (TTC) 900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 TTC-117 (ground floor) |
| 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Registration
Stop by to pick up your name badge and conference materials. Central New Mexico Community College Kathie Winograd Student Success Center (KW) 716 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 KW - 2nd Floor Lobby |
| 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Roundtrip shuttle: The Clyde Hotel to Central New Mexico Community College Shuttle runs every ~20 min. Pickup at hotel lobby entrance. |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
CEO Networking Session
Participation in this session is limited to AFIT member CEOs only. Central New Mexico Community College Kathie Winograd Student Success Center (KW) 716 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 KW-220 (2nd floor) |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Reps Networking Session
This session is open to all attendees. Central New Mexico Community College Kathie Winograd Student Success Center (KW) 716 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 KW-205 (2nd floor) |
| 4:00 PM - 4:15 PM | Transition to Tours Meet in lobby of KW, walk to TTC. Shuttle available, if needed. |
| 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM | Tour of Ted Chavez Trades & Technology Center (TTC) Tour CNM's brand-new “living lab," designed to train the next generation of trades workers in real-world conditions. |
| 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
Walk to Beverage Academy
Shuttle available, if needed. Robert P. Matteucci Hall (RPM) 723 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | “Taste & Learn” Welcome Reception Reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy an evening of hands-on fun as you learn to craft world-class tacos and margaritas. Savor light local bites, sample student-crafted spirits, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of CNM’s Beverage Academy. |
| 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Enjoy your evening! Return to the hotel via shuttle. Enjoy dinner on your own. |
| February 26 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Shuttle to the Rail Yards
Shuttle runs every ~15 minutes. Option to walk to The Rail Yards: 1 mile, ~15-20 min. The Rail Yards Meeting room: Flue Shop (to the right of The Rail Yards Market) 777 1st Street SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast The Rail Yards – Flue Shop |
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
General Session
The Rail Yards – Flue Shop |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch + Tours of the New Mexico Media Arts Collective (MAC)
The Rail Yards – Flue Shop |
| 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
General Session
The Rail Yards – Flue Shop |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Meeting Adjourns Shuttle or walk to The Clyde Hotel. |
| 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM | Shuttle to CEO Dinner Member CEOs meet in The Clyde Hotel lobby by 5:30 pm for transfer to Season's Rotisserie & Grill. Shuttle departs at 5:30. |
| 6:00 PM - 8:15 PM |
CEO Dinner at Seasons Rotisserie & Grill
This dinner is exclusively for AFIT member CEOs. Seasons Rotisserie & Grill 2031 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 |
| 8:15 PM - 8:45 PM | Return Shuttle from CEO Dinner Shuttle from Seasons to The Clyde. Shuttle departs at 8:15 pm. |
| February 27 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Breakfast Debrief Meetings
Grab your breakfast and join your breakout group for a debrief. The Clyde Hotel - Enchantment Foyer – 2nd floor - CEO Debrief (Enchantment AB – 2nd floor) - Reps/Guests Debrief (Enchantment CDEF – 2nd floor) |
| 9:00 AM - 9:20 AM |
Transition to 'Quantum Future' Innovation Field Trip
Meet in The Clyde Hotel lobby to board your shuttle for two exciting stops on our Innovation Field Trip to the Quantum Future. - If you're going to the airport straight from the field trip, please bring your luggage. - If not, you can check your luggage with the front desk. |
| 9:20 AM - 9:40 AM |
Shuttle to Stop 1
CNM Quantum Learning Lab & FUSE Makerspace 101 Broadway Blvd NE Suite 3100, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM | Stop 1: CNM Quantum Learning Lab & FUSE Makerspace Discover CNM's groundbreaking 10-week Quantum Technician Bootcamp and explore their state-of-the-art training lab—plus see a community-focused fab lab in action. |
| 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM | Transition to shuttle |
| 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM |
Shuttle to Stop 2
Quantinuum 5501 Wilshire Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Stop 2: Quantinuum Step inside the brand-new Quantum R&D Center of Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company driving breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Return shuttle
Pick a shuttle: - Shuttle to airport - Shuttle to The Clyde Hotel |
Experience the Exponential Future of Quantum
As part of your registration, attendees of AFIT’s 2026 CEO Forum & Reps Meeting (CFRM) are invited to take part in an Innovation Field Trip to the forefront of quantum innovation—choosing from one of three immersive tracks:
Track 1: Quantum Computing
Quantum computing uses the physics of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways—allowing certain problems to be solved far faster than today’s most powerful computers. It's poised to reshape industries like healthcare, logistics, energy, finance, and manufacturing. Institutions across the higher ed ecosystem will be on the front lines of preparing technicians, analysts, and transfer students for quantum-enabled jobs—and for supporting regional employers as they adopt these technologies.
» Tour stops include:
- A virtual visit to Quantinuum, the world leader in quantum computing
- Central New Mexico Community College's Quantum Learning Lab (QuLL), cultivating the next generation of quantum technicians
Schedule of events:
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 9:15-10:15 AM | Quantinuum presentation | The Clyde | Enchantment CDEF |
| 10:15-10:45 AM | Walk to CNM Quantum Learning Lab & FUSE Makerspace | 101 Broadway Blvd NE Suite 3100, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 10:45-11:15 AM | Tour of CNM QuLL and FUSE Makerspace | |
| 11:15-11:35 AM | Walk back to The Clyde | 330 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 12:05 PM | Airport shuttle pick-up at The Clyde | |
| 12:25 PM | Drop-off at ABQ airport | 2200 Sunport Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
Track 2: Quantum Networking
Quantum networking focuses on securely transmitting information using quantum principles. It enables ultra-secure communications and is foundational to the future “quantum internet.” It's critical to cybersecurity, national defense, and critical infrastructure. Institutions can play a key role in workforce pipelines for secure communications, networking, and IT—fields already facing talent shortages and attracting major public and private investment.
» Tour stops include:
- Qunnect, building hardware to transform telecommunications infrastructure into scalable quantum networks
- Central New Mexico Community College's Quantum Learning Lab (QuLL), cultivating the next generation of quantum technicians
Schedule of events:
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 9:30 AM | Shuttle departs the The Clyde | |
| 9:35 AM | Shuttle arrives at Qunnect | 123 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 9:45-10:45 AM | Tour of Qunnect | |
| 11:00 AM | Shuttle departs Qunnect | |
| 11:05 AM | Shuttle arrives at CNM Quantum Learning Lab & FUSE Makerspace | 101 Broadway Blvd NE Suite 3100, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 11:15-11:45 AM | Tour of CNM QuLL and FUSE Makerspace | |
| 12:00 PM | Shuttle departs CNM | |
| 12:05 PM | Shuttle drop-off at The Clyde | 330 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 12:30 PM | Shuttle drop-off at ABQ airport | 2200 Sunport Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
Track 3: Quantum Research
Quantum research is the scientific and applied R&D behind quantum technologies—exploring new materials, devices, sensors, and methods that make quantum computing and networking possible. Across the quantum research ecosystem, labs and innovation hubs have an increasing need for skilled technicians, lab support, and applied research partnerships. Engagement in quantum research ecosystems strengthens regional relevance, attracts funding, and positions colleges as essential partners in advanced innovation economies.
» Tour stops include:
- Central New Mexico Community College's Quantum Learning Lab (QuLL), cultivating the next generation of quantum technicians
- Sandia National Labs’ Center for Integrated Nanotechnology (CINT), a U.S. Department of Energy user facility where researchers advance next-generation materials and nanoscale technologies that underpin quantum innovation. (Security clearance required.)
Schedule of events:
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 9:30 AM | Shuttle departs the The Clyde | |
| 9:35 AM | Shuttle arrives at CNM Quantum Learning Lab & FUSE Makerspace | 101 Broadway Blvd NE Suite 3100, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
| 9:45-10:15 AM | Tour of CNM QuLL and FUSE Makerspace | |
| 10:30 AM | Shuttle departs CNM | |
| 10:50 AM | Shuttle arrives at IPOCC for badging | 1611 Innovation Pkwy SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 |
| 11:10-11:20 AM | Transfer to CINT | 1515 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 |
| 11:30 AM-12:30 PM | Tour of CINT | |
| 12:45 AM | Shuttle departs CINT | |
| 1:05 PM | Shuttle drop-off at ABQ | 2200 Sunport Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87106 |
| 1:30 PM | Shuttle drop-off at The Clyde | 330 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
Tour sign-up details will be shared with registered attendees closer to the event.
Registration Options
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Registration Options
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Price |
|---|---|
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General Admission
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$850.00 |
For More Information:
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