Host City: Chicago, IL
July 22-23, 2026
At GQF26 you’ll join 700+ attendees from around the globe exploring quantum’s role in addressing society’s grand challenges across pharma, finance, energy, climate, and food ecosystems. Use this page to register, access event details, and plan your experience.
2026 Agenda-at-a-Glance (times are in CT)
TUES, JULY 21ST
- Registration 2:00-5:30
- Opening Reception 4:00-6:30
WED, JULY 22ND
- Registration 8:00-5:00
- Breakfast 8:00-9:00
- Opening Remarks 9:00-10:30
- Sessions + Workshops 10:30-12:30
- Lunch (w/ concurrent live podcast recording) 12:30-1:45
- Sessions + Workshops 1:45-5:00
- VIP Cocktail Reception 6:00-7:30
THURS, JULY 23RD
- Registration 8:00-11:00
- Breakfast 8:00-9:00
- Sessions 9:00-11:00
- Lunch (w/ concurrent live podcast recording) 12:30-1:45
- Sessions + Workshops 1:45-5:00
- Closing Remarks 11:00-12:00
*this agenda is subject to change
2025 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Lead Sponsors
Reception Sponsor
Major Sponsors
2025 Speakers & Special Guests
Linda Ray
AbbVie
SVP, Business Technology Solutions
Ravi Ravipati
Allstate
Vice President
Michael Brett
Amazon Web Services
Worldwide Go-To-Market Strategy Lead, Quantum Technologies
Greg Case
AON
CEO
Omkaram Nalamasu
Applied Materials
CTO & SVP
Nick Warner
Australian Office of National Intelligence
former Director General
Nathan Bomey
Axios
Business Reporter
Kaushik Banerjee
Bank of America
Managing Director, Technology Investment Banking
Tony Kim
BlackRock
Head of Global Technology Team, Fundamental Equities
Isis Almeida
Bloomberg
Chicago Bureau Chief
Matt Langione
Boston Consulting Group
Managing Director and Partner
David Pogue
CBS News
TV Presenter & Correspondent
Dina Smeltz
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
VP, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Jean-Luc Cambier
Chicago Quantum Exchange
Regional Innovation Officer
Max Leichtman
ComEd
Director, Economic Workforce Development
Gil Quiniones
ComeEd
CEO
Shannon Liburd
Constellation
Technology Strategy and Partnerships Manager
Kathleen Barrón
Constellation Energy
EVP & Chief Strategy and Growth Officer
John Pletz
Crain's Chicago
Reporter
Shana Kelley
CZ Biohub Chicago
PhD, President
Dr. Joseph Altepeter
DARPA
Program Manager
Kathleen Hicks
Department of Defense
Former Deputy Secretary of Defense
Andrew Dzurakv
Diraq
CEO
Dr. Michael Baxter
Entrust
CTPO, Corporate Board Director
Calvin Butler
Exelon
CEO
Adam Bluestein
Fast Company
Journalist, Communicator, Moderator
Jaykumar Patel
FBI Counterintelligence
Assistant Special Agent in Charge
Kate Weber
Google Quantum AI
Head of Governance
Rashid Bashir
Grainger College of Engineering
Dean
Ivo Daalder
Harvard's Belfer center
Senior Fellow
Dr. Toshiharu Miwa
Hitachi
Managing Director
Darío Gil
IBM
SVP & Director of IBM Research
Arvind Krishna
IBM
Chairman & CEO
Hanhee Paik
IBM
Director of Quantum Algorithm Centers and Quantum-Centric Super computing Partnerships
JB Pritzker
Illinois
Govenor
Preeti Chalsani
Illinois EDC
SVP, Chief Quantum Officer
Matthew Kinsella
Infleqtion
CEO
Harley Johnson
IQMP
Director & CEO
Bobby Mehta
JLL
Chairman of the Board
Kristen Vosmaer
JLL
Managing Director, Data Centers
Andrew Homan
Maverick Silicon
Managing Partner
Sebastion Wray
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Quantum Tech Specialist
Laurie Segall
Mostly Human Media
CEO
Kaitlin Smith
Northwestern University
Assistant Professor
Sam Stanwyck
NVIDIA
Group Product Manager Quantum Computing
Scott Galloway
NYU Stern School of Business
Professor
Alex Itkin
Optiver
CTO
Michelle Lampa
Pasqual
Head of Sales and Operations, North America
Todd Duffield
Peoples Gas
Market Strategist Natural Gas
Pat Gelsinger
Playground
General Partner
2025 Partners
FAQs
Where is GQF26?
Global Quantum Forum 2026 will be held at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, located at 221 N Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. The venue is conveniently situated in downtown Chicago on the lakefront, within walking distance of Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, and major attractions.
Conference dates are July 22-23, 2026, with an Opening Reception on July 21, 2026.
I am local to Chicago, what is the easiest way to get to the venue?
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is easily accessible by public transportation:
· CTA Train: The nearest L stations are State/Lake (Orange, Green, Pink, Purple, Brown Lines) and Washington/Wabash (Orange, Green, Pink, Purple, Brown Lines), both approximately 0.5 miles from the venue
· CTA Bus: Routes 3, 4, 6, 134, 135, 136, 146, and 147 stop within walking distance
· Metra: Millennium Station is approximately 0.3 miles from the venue
· Rideshare: Drop-off is available at the main entrance on Columbus Drive
Is there parking available on site?
The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel has a large, covered garage with self-parking offered at $59/night. The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel also offers valet parking (in and out privileges) for $75/night. Please note that rates are subject to change.
Is lodging available?
We have secured a discounted room block at the conference venue through the conference dates:
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Discounted rate: $275/night
To book, call the Radisson Blu reservations team at 877-424-6423. In order to qualify for the Group Room Rate, you must make your reservations by Tuesday, June 30, 2026, and must ask for the Quantum Forum when booking by phone.
Rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much does it cost to attend GQF26?
Registration fees vary by attendee type:
· General Admission: $599
· Academic: $399
· Government/Nonprofit: $399
Press passes are complimentary but require verification of media credentials.
All fees include access to plenary sessions, breakout sessions, networking events, meals, and conference materials.
Can I forward my invitation to a colleague?
Invitations are non-transferable. If you have a colleague who would benefit from attending, please have them contact us directly at registration@globalquantumforum.com. We’re happy to consider additional participants from invited organizations if additional spots open up.
I already registered but can no longer attend. Am I able to have someone attend in my place?
Registrations are non-transferable. If you have an executive-level colleague who would benefit from attending in your place, please have them contact us directly at registration@globalquantumforum.com.
I have additional registration questions, who can I ask?
For registration assistance, please contact our registration team: Email: registration@globalquantumforum.com Response time: We typically respond within 1-2 business days.