
What Is Cisco Live 2026?
Cisco Live is Cisco's flagship annual customer and partner conference, and one of the most consequential events on the IT infrastructure calendar. The AMER (Americas) edition for 2026 runs from May 31 through June 4 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The conference is Cisco's primary vehicle for technical education, product announcements, and partner engagement. It brings together network engineers, IT architects, security professionals, and business leaders from enterprises, service providers, government agencies, and Cisco's global partner ecosystem — for five days of deep technical training, hands-on labs, keynotes, and vendor demonstrations.
Cisco Live 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for the networking industry. AI is reshaping the demands placed on IT infrastructure — from higher bandwidth requirements driven by GPU clusters and inference workloads, to new security challenges introduced by AI-enabled threats. Cisco has been repositioning its entire portfolio around AI-ready networking, AI-driven security operations, and the convergence of networking and security through its SASE and zero trust platforms. The 2026 conference is expected to reflect these priorities heavily across every track and keynote.
Beyond product updates, Cisco Live is valued by IT professionals for the quality and depth of its technical education. The session catalog spans hundreds of breakout sessions, hands-on labs, instructor-led training, and certification preparation workshops — making it one of the most substantive technical education events in the IT industry.
Why You Should Attend Cisco Live 2026
Cisco Live is not a typical trade show. It is an education-first event where the depth of technical programming is the primary draw. For IT professionals working with Cisco infrastructure, it offers learning and access opportunities that are genuinely difficult to replicate anywhere else in the calendar year.
The strongest reasons to attend:
- Unmatched technical depth — Hundreds of breakout sessions, hands-on labs, and instructor-led courses spanning every major Cisco technology domain. Sessions range from CCNA-level fundamentals to CCIE-level architecture deep dives
- Direct access to Cisco engineers — The Meet the Engineer program gives registered attendees one-on-one or small-group time with Cisco technical experts. These slots are limited and fill fast — book early through the Attendee Dashboard
- Stay ahead of the platform roadmap — Cisco uses Live as its primary stage for product announcements and roadmap previews. Attending gives your team early visibility into where Cisco's portfolio is heading before it reaches general availability
- On-site certification exams — Full Conference pass holders can sit Cisco certification exams on-site through Pearson VUE. Exam prep sessions and study labs are available throughout the week to help you prepare
- The World of Solutions — The conference exhibition floor hosts hundreds of Cisco partners and technology vendors. It is one of the most efficient ways to evaluate integrated solutions, compare vendors, and build relationships with the broader Cisco ecosystem
- Peer networking at scale — With more than 28,000 attendees, Cisco Live is one of the few events where you can connect with peers facing the same infrastructure challenges across industries, company sizes, and geographies
- The Cisco Live Celebration — The conference's annual evening event, included with Full Conference passes, brings the attendee community together for live entertainment, food, and networking in a setting that is genuinely memorable
Who Should Attend Cisco Live 2026
Cisco Live is built for practitioners — the people who design, deploy, secure, and manage Cisco infrastructure day to day. But the event has expanded significantly in scope and now serves a broad cross-section of IT and business leadership.
Cisco Live is the right event for you if you fall into any of the following:
- Network Engineers and Architects who work with Cisco routing, switching, SD-WAN, or campus networking infrastructure and want deep technical sessions, hands-on labs, and direct access to Cisco engineers
- Security Professionals responsible for zero trust implementation, SASE deployment, threat detection, or identity management using Cisco's security portfolio
- Cloud and Infrastructure Engineers managing hybrid or multicloud environments with Cisco connectivity, including integrations with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
- IT Operations and NOC Teams looking to improve automation, observability, and AI-driven network management practices
- Collaboration and Unified Communications Specialists managing Cisco Webex deployments, contact center environments, or hybrid workplace device fleets
- Cisco Partners and Channel Professionals who want to deepen product knowledge, engage with Cisco leadership, and connect with enterprise customers on the show floor
- CIOs, IT Directors, and Technology Executives attending through the IT Leadership track, which offers strategic sessions, executive briefings, and peer networking separate from the core technical program
- Professionals Pursuing Cisco Certifications — CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE candidates benefit from dedicated exam prep sessions, study labs, and on-site Pearson VUE testing
If your organization runs Cisco infrastructure at any meaningful scale, Cisco Live is one of the highest-return investments of the year — both for individual skill development and for staying ahead of where the platform is heading.
Who Is Attending Cisco Live 2026
Cisco Live AMER 2026 is expected to draw more than 28,000 registered attendees across five days in Las Vegas. The audience spans frontline technical practitioners, IT leadership, and Cisco's global partner ecosystem — making it one of the most concentrated gatherings of Cisco-focused IT professionals anywhere in the world.
Typical attendee profiles include:
- Network engineers and infrastructure architects from enterprise and service provider organizations
- Security architects and analysts working across zero trust, XDR, and SASE environments
- Cloud engineers managing hybrid and multicloud deployments on Cisco platforms
- IT executives and CIOs attending through the dedicated IT Leadership track
- Cisco Certified professionals and certification candidates at all levels
- Cisco Gold, Premier, and Certified partners from across North America and Latin America
- Government and public sector IT teams from federal, state, and local agencies
- Representatives from financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and education sectors
The event draws attendees from North America, Latin America, and beyond — representing virtually every industry vertical where Cisco infrastructure plays a critical role.
For vendors, solution providers, and exhibitors, this audience profile makes Cisco Live one of the most targeted lead generation and relationship-building opportunities on the annual events calendar.
Lensmor tracks attendee and exhibitor data for Cisco Live and 1,000+ other trade shows — including company profiles, job titles, and industry segments. Explore who's attending Cisco Live on Lensmor →
Sponsors & Exhibitors at Cisco Live 2026
The World of Solutions is Cisco Live's central exhibition space — a sprawling show floor that hosts Cisco's own technology demonstrations alongside partner and sponsor exhibits. The floor features hundreds of vendors from the Cisco partner ecosystem, covering hardware, software, managed services, and professional services.
Confirmed sponsors for Cisco Live 2026 include a range of Cisco's top-tier technology and channel partners. Broader vendor categories represented on the World of Solutions floor include:
- Network infrastructure hardware and components
- Cybersecurity platforms and managed security services
- Cloud networking and hybrid infrastructure solutions
- Collaboration and unified communications tools
- Network automation and AI-driven operations platforms
- Professional services and systems integration firms
- Managed service providers and Cisco reseller partners
The Cisco Showcase highlights Cisco's own product portfolio with live, hands-on demonstrations staffed by Cisco engineers — giving attendees direct access to the latest releases across networking, security, and collaboration. The Sails Pavilion offers an extended partner presence with dedicated demo stations for deeper solution exploration.
Lensmor provides real-time exhibitor intelligence for Cisco Live, including company profiles, product categories, and booth locations. Access the full exhibitor list →
Speaker Lineup & Keynotes at Cisco Live 2026
Cisco Live 2026 will feature keynote presentations from Cisco executives and industry thought leaders. Past keynotes have featured Cisco's CEO Chuck Robbins, alongside senior leaders including EVP and Chief Strategy Officer Liz Centoni and EVP of Networking Jonathan Davidson. The 2026 keynote program is expected to center heavily on Cisco's AI strategy, security portfolio evolution, and the future of enterprise networking.
Key technology tracks for Cisco Live AMER 2026 include:
AI and NetworkingHow AI is transforming network operations — AI-driven network management, AI-ready infrastructure for GPU clusters and HPC workloads, and the use of AI for network automation and anomaly detection. Cisco's AI-native networking vision is expected to be a central theme across multiple sessions and keynote segments.
Security — Zero Trust and XDRCisco's expanded security portfolio, including Cisco XDR, Cisco Secure Access, Hypershield (Cisco's AI-native security architecture), and Duo identity security. Sessions cover practical zero trust implementation, SASE deployment, and threat detection and response workflows.
Networking InfrastructureDeep technical sessions on Catalyst, Nexus, and IOS-XE/XR platforms. Covers campus networking, data center switching, SD-WAN, and segment routing. Networking fundamentals sessions are available for those pursuing CCNA and CCNP certifications.
Cloud and Hybrid InfrastructureConnecting on-premises infrastructure to public clouds, Cisco's Multicloud Defense, and cloud-native networking. Sessions address connectivity architecture for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud environments.
Collaboration and WebexCisco Webex platform updates, AI-assisted meeting features, contact center modernization, and device management for hybrid workplaces.
Cisco MerakiCloud-managed networking updates, simplified branch infrastructure, and AI-driven insights for campus and distributed enterprise environments.
Special programs include the IT Leadership track for CIOs and IT executives, Labs and Seminars for deep hands-on practice, and the World of Solutions expo where partners demonstrate integrated solutions built on the Cisco platform.
Full Agenda & Featured Events at Cisco Live 2026
Cisco Live runs across five full days, with programming structured to serve both deep technical learners and strategic decision-makers. The schedule is dense — planning ahead using the Session Catalog and Week-at-a-Glance tools in the Attendee Dashboard is strongly recommended before you arrive in Las Vegas.
Conference Schedule Overview
- Sunday, June 1 — Registration opens, pre-conference workshops begin, and the World of Solutions expo opens for early access. Instructor-Led Training sessions and early certification labs are available for registered participants
- Monday, June 2 — Opening keynote from Cisco leadership, full breakout session tracks begin, and the World of Solutions expo opens to all attendees. Walk-in Meet the Engineer slots become available on this day
- Tuesday, June 3 — Full day of technical sessions, hands-on labs, and partner demos on the show floor. The Cisco Live Celebration evening event takes place on this date — included with Full Conference passes
- Wednesday, June 4 — Continued breakout sessions, certification exams, and closing World of Solutions hours. Final keynote or featured session programming wraps the main conference program
- Thursday, June 5 — Wrap-up sessions, final certification testing, and closing labs. Conference officially closes
Featured Program Areas
- Breakout Sessions — Hundreds of technical sessions organized by technology track, covering AI and networking, security, cloud, collaboration, Meraki, and data center infrastructure. Sessions range from introductory to CCIE-level depth
- Hands-On Labs — Self-paced lab environments where attendees work directly with Cisco platforms. Available on a first-come, first-served basis and among the most in-demand activities at the conference
- Instructor-Led Training — Multi-hour structured courses taught by Cisco Learning Partners. These require separate registration and carry an additional fee, but offer the most intensive learning format available at the event
- Meet the Engineer — One-on-one and small-group sessions with Cisco technical experts. Slots are limited and fill quickly — book through the Attendee Dashboard as early as possible after registering
- DevNet Zone — Dedicated space for network programmability, automation, and developer-focused content. Covers Cisco APIs, Terraform, Ansible, Python-based automation, and the Cisco DevNet certification track
- World of Solutions — The main exhibition floor, open across multiple days with dedicated expo hours. Features Cisco product demos, partner booths, and the Cisco Showcase with live demonstrations by Cisco engineers
- IT Leadership Track — A curated program of strategic sessions, executive roundtables, and peer networking events designed specifically for CIOs, IT directors, and senior technology leaders
- Certification Testing — On-site Pearson VUE testing for Cisco certifications is available throughout the week. Capacity is limited — schedule your exam in advance through the standard Pearson VUE booking system
- Cisco Live Celebration — The conference's signature evening event, held on June 3. Features live entertainment, food, and networking activities. Included with Full Conference passes
The full session catalog is published and searchable through the Cisco Live Attendee Dashboard. Attendees can build a personalized schedule, add sessions to their agenda, and receive reminders ahead of each session.
Registration & Ticket Pricing for Cisco Live 2026
Registration for Cisco Live 2026 AMER is open now. Early bird pricing is available until May 3, 2026 — registering before this date provides the best available rate on Full Conference passes. Registration is managed through the official Cisco Live Attendee Dashboard, which also serves as the hub for session scheduling, hotel booking, Meet the Engineer reservations, and on-site exam registration.
Pass Types
- Full Conference Pass — The primary registration option. Includes access to all breakout sessions, hands-on labs, the World of Solutions expo, keynotes, the IT Leadership track, and the Cisco Live Celebration evening event. One free on-site certification exam is included for Full Conference pass holders, subject to availability and advance scheduling
- IT Leadership Pass — Designed for CIOs, VPs, and senior IT executives. Includes the curated IT Leadership track, executive briefings, and access to keynotes and the World of Solutions expo
- Expo Only Pass — Provides access to the World of Solutions exhibition floor without access to technical sessions or labs. Suitable for vendors, partners, and attendees whose primary goal is the exhibition floor
- Instructor-Led Training — Available as an add-on or standalone registration. Multi-day structured courses require separate booking and carry an additional fee beyond the standard conference pass
What's Included with Full Conference Registration
- All general and breakout technical sessions across every technology track
- Hands-on labs on a self-paced, first-come basis
- Keynote presentations
- World of Solutions expo access
- One free on-site certification exam for eligible Full Conference pass holders
- Cisco Live Celebration evening event on June 3
- Access to session recordings post-conference through the Cisco Live On-Demand library
Group registration discounts are available for organizations sending multiple attendees — contact Cisco Live directly for group pricing details. Register at the official Cisco Live website and use the Attendee Dashboard to complete hotel booking, session scheduling, and exam registration once your pass is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the official dates and location for Cisco Live 2026 AMER?
Cisco Live 2026 AMER runs from May 31 through June 4, 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
2. How many attendees does Cisco Live draw?
Cisco Live AMER typically draws more than 28,000 attendees from across North America, Latin America, and internationally. Attendees range from frontline network engineers to CIOs and IT executives.
3. When does early bird pricing end?
Early bird pricing for Cisco Live 2026 AMER closes on May 3, 2026. Registering before this date gives you the best available rate on Full Conference passes.
4. What is the "Meet the Engineer" program?
Meet the Engineer is a Cisco Live program that allows registered attendees to schedule one-on-one or small-group sessions with Cisco technical experts. These meetings are highly sought after and are best booked through the Attendee Dashboard as early as possible after registration.
5. Can I take Cisco certification exams at Cisco Live?
Yes. Cisco Live offers on-site Pearson VUE testing for Cisco certifications, and Full Conference pass holders receive one free exam. Availability is limited, so schedule your exam in advance through the standard Pearson VUE booking process. Cisco Live also offers exam preparation sessions and study labs throughout the week.
6. What is the World of Solutions expo?
World of Solutions is Cisco Live's partner and sponsor exhibition area. It features Cisco demo stations alongside booths from hundreds of Cisco channel partners, technology vendors, and managed service providers. It is open throughout the conference with dedicated expo-open hours each day. Tools like Lensmor help you research exhibitors before arriving — you can filter by industry, company size, and product category to build a target list before you set foot on the floor.
7. What is the Cisco Live Celebration?
The Cisco Live Celebration is the conference's annual networking and entertainment event, held on the evening of June 3. It features live music, food, and activities at a Las Vegas venue. The Celebration is included with Full Conference passes and is one of the most attended networking events of the week.
8. What should I know about travel and logistics?
Las Vegas is served by Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), with direct flights from most major North American cities. Mandalay Bay offers on-site hotel accommodation, and Cisco negotiates discounted attendee rates at Mandalay Bay and several nearby Strip properties — book through the Attendee Dashboard once registered. Weather in late May and early June is hot, with daytime temperatures of 95–105°F (35–40°C). Dress lightly outdoors, but bring a layer for heavily air-conditioned session rooms and convention spaces.






