Mark your IT calendar — Red Hat Summit 2026 is the go-to gathering for those passionate about enterprise open source. It is a key spot for professionals involved in open hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, and automation. The arrangement creates a shared space where developers and sysadmins can link their code to production.
Getting the details sorted out is crucial before you book your flight. For this big event, getting to the right spot on time really matters. The key details are:
When considering who should come, this event targets particular roles in the tech field. The worth you find is closely linked to where you stand:
Selecting your own route is an essential part of the week. It’s entirely up to you how you want to get involved. The formats offered here allow for a lot of flexibility.
| Session Type | Duration | Ideal For | Interaction Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keynote Sessions | 45–90 minutes | Strategic vision, product announcements, industry trends | Low to Medium |
| Breakout Sessions | 45–60 minutes | Technical deep dives, customer case studies, architecture patterns | Medium |
| Hands-On Labs | 60–120 minutes | Practical skills with Red Hat Interactive Labs environment, BYOD encouraged | High |
| Lightning Talks | 15 minutes | Quick insights, specific tool demos, feature introductions | Low |
| Panel Discussions | 45–60 minutes | Expert perspectives, Q&A from floor, diverse viewpoints | Medium |
| Networking Receptions | Evening | Peer connections, sponsor conversations, informal mentoring | High |
When it comes to your digital strategy, the content revolves around five main areas. You can either stick to specific tracks or mix and match the following as you see fit:
The Expo Hall brings the Red Hat partner network to life. Interacting with over 70 sponsors lets you check out fresh options that link directly with your existing enterprise software. Find the right people and products for your business.
| Zone/Activity | Description | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Partner Pavilion | Booths for cloud providers and ISVs | Decision Makers |
| Lightning Theater | Quick demos of exhibitor opportunities | Casual Browsers |
| Community Hub | Area for collaboration on upstream projects | Open Source Contributors |
| Ask the Experts | Direct access to Red Hat engineers | Technical Users |
When you gather in person, you’ll get the chance to meet the folks behind the code at events like Community Day for upstream contributors. Peer networking takes place during the Expo Networking Reception. Fresh connections, immediate and fulfilling. Besides the structured sessions, the “Hallway Track” usually offers a lot of value, too. So, these instances help you establish trust with both vendors and colleagues.
To plan your trip, it’s crucial to have a straightforward overview of the agenda. Understanding what you need to do each day makes it easier to figure out when to show up and when to leave.
| Day & Date | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 11 | Briefing Center | Community Day, Ecosystem Success Day, Briefing Center, Expo hall | Kickoff party |
| Tuesday, May 12 | Breakfast, Keynote, Sessions, Labs, Expo hall, Executive Exchange | Lunch, Sessions, Labs, Expo hall, Executive Exchange, Briefing Center | Expo networking reception, Late-night labs |
| Wednesday, May 13 | Breakfast, Keynote, Sessions, Labs, Expo hall | Lunch, Sessions, Labs, Expo hall, Briefing Center | Georgia Aquarium closing event |
| Thursday, May 14 | Breakfast, Sessions, Labs | Lunch, Sessions, Labs, Briefing Center |
To snag the best price for summit registration, it’s crucial to book before the deadlines. The pricing options are set up to fit your budget and your role for the event. But you need to move fast to snag the best rate: