ILTACON 2026: What eDiscovery Teams Need to Know

Most ILTACON previews read like a hotel brochure with a price list attached. This isn't that.

For eDiscovery, litigation support, and review operations teams, ILTACON 2026 offers an opportunity to explore more than legal technology products. It brings together the technology, security, knowledge management, innovation, and operations professionals who influence how legal teams manage data, evaluate technology, and approach emerging challenges such as AI governance and defensibility.

This guide covers what the event is genuinely useful for, where it may fall short for eDiscovery-focused teams, and how to make the most of four days in Nashville without returning home with nothing but branded merchandise.

ILTACON 2026: Key Details 

The Confirmed Facts About ILTACON 2026

ILTACON 2026 runs from Sunday, August 23 through Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Registration is open, and housing is available only through the official ILTA Housing Portal provided through the registration confirmation.

One detail worth noting: several third-party ILTACON roundups still circulating online list last spring's keynote speakers and early-bird pricing that has since expired. The details in this guide are based on the latest information available from the official ILTACON website.

As with any event details that may change, attendees should confirm time-sensitive information against the official agenda and registration materials before making travel or budget decisions. Conference programs are marked "subject to change" for a reason.

Keynote Speakers Confirmed for 2026

Two keynote speakers have been confirmed for ILTACON 2026:

• Monday — Jim Abbott : Jim Abbott is a former MLB pitcher who was born without a right hand and famously threw a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium. His keynote will focus on creativity, accountability, and adapting to challenges and constraints. 

For legal technology and eDiscovery teams, those themes have particular relevance as organizations continue to look for ways to manage growing data volumes, increasing regulatory expectations, and more sophisticated technology requirements without necessarily increasing headcount or resources.

• Wednesday — Dr. Kevin Fong OBE : Dr. Kevin Fong is an emergency physician, former NASA physician, and broadcaster known for the podcast 13 Minutes to the Moon. His presentation is expected to explore high-stakes decision-making and human factors.

These keynote details are worth highlighting because at least one widely circulated 2026 ILTACON guide still lists different speakers. Organizations using keynote information to support internal travel or conference-budget decisions should rely on the latest details published by ILTA.

ILTACON 2026 Pricing

Pricing listed on iltacon.org and updated as of June 17, 2026, is as follows. Attendees should verify current pricing at registration, as rates and availability may change.

The Super Pass can be particularly useful for firms sending larger teams. Organizations can purchase six full-week member registrations and receive a seventh registration free. An eighth registration is also free if that attendee is a first-time participant.

Full-week passes include four days of sessions, lunches and breaks, exhibit-hall access, and recordings of every session. Registrations are non-refundable.

Watch Out for Housing Scams

ILTA warns attendees each year about "housing poachers", third parties that contact conference attendees with fraudulent hotel offers.

ILTA does not cold-call attendees about hotel rooms. To avoid potential scams, attendees should book accommodations only through the official portal link provided in their registration confirmation.

What is ILTACON? And Where eDiscovery Fits

ILTACON is the annual conference of the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA). One of its defining characteristics is its peer-driven approach. Sessions are proposed and selected by a volunteer planning committee made up of practitioners rather than being programmed entirely around a vendor's editorial calendar.

The 2026 program features more than 80 educational sessions curated by that committee. As a result, the content tends to emphasize practical implementation, governance, technology strategy, and change management rather than focusing exclusively on product launches.

Here's the important distinction for eDiscovery professionals: ILTACON is not primarily an eDiscovery conference.

The event's center of gravity is broader, covering law-firm IT, knowledge management, cybersecurity, information governance, innovation, and technology leadership.

For organizations looking specifically to compare every major EDRM-stage review platform side by side or conduct concentrated vendor evaluations, conferences such as Legalweek or Relativity Fest may provide a denser eDiscovery-focused environment.

That doesn't make ILTACON less relevant to eDiscovery teams. In many ways, it makes the event valuable for a different reason.

ILTACON brings together the professionals who influence the infrastructure and governance decisions surrounding eDiscovery. CIOs, security architects, information-governance leaders, innovation teams, and legal technology decision-makers all play a role in determining:

• Which technologies organizations approve
• How enterprise data is retained and governed
• Where sensitive data is stored
• How security requirements affect technology adoption
• How AI is evaluated and governed
• What defensibility standards legal teams must meet
• How eDiscovery fits into the broader legal technology stack

For eDiscovery and litigation-support teams, these issues increasingly overlap with day-to-day operations.

As organizations manage growing data volumes, cloud environments, new communication channels, and rapidly evolving AI capabilities, eDiscovery can no longer be viewed as an isolated process that begins only when litigation starts.

Data governance, defensibility, security, privacy, and AI policy increasingly shape how discovery is conducted long before a matter reaches review.

That broader perspective is where ILTACON can be particularly valuable.

The ILTACON 2026 Program Will Be AI-Heavy 

At the time of writing, the complete session catalog had not yet been published. The following should therefore be viewed as an informed perspective rather than a confirmed agenda.

Based on the direction of ILTA's recent programming and the broader legal technology landscape, AI is expected to be a major theme at ILTACON 2026, particularly around practical implementation, governance, and measuring return on investment.

For eDiscovery professionals, that translates into three conversations worth preparing for.

1. Generative AI, Document Review, and Defensibility

The conversation around AI-assisted document review has moved beyond a simple question: Does it work? The more important question is now: Can its use be defended?

Legal teams evaluating AI-assisted review should be prepared to discuss:

• Validation protocols
• Sampling methodologies
• Quality control
• Accuracy and precision
• Documentation requirements
• Explainability
• Auditability
• How AI-assisted decisions could be defended if challenged

The most valuable sessions will likely be those that move beyond theoretical AI capabilities and explore how organizations are actually implementing these technologies, what worked, and what did not.

For eDiscovery teams, the focus should be on understanding how AI can improve review efficiency without compromising defensibility.

2. Data Governance and Information Governance

Modern discovery does not necessarily begin at collection. In many cases, it begins much earlier with how information is created, retained, classified, governed, and eventually disposed of.

The knowledge-management and information-governance tracks at ILTACON can provide valuable insight into how organizations are structuring their data environments before litigation or regulatory inquiries arise.

This is increasingly important as organizations manage:

• Cloud-based data
• Collaboration platforms
• Mobile communications
• Structured and unstructured data
• Increasing retention requirements
• Data privacy obligations
• AI-generated and AI-processed information

The better an organization's information environment is governed before a matter begins, the more effectively its legal and eDiscovery teams can respond when discovery obligations arise.

3. Security, Privacy, and Cross-Border Data

Cybersecurity and privacy discussions increasingly overlap with eDiscovery.

Data-breach response, privilege considerations in breach investigations, data privacy requirements, and cross-border data-transfer restrictions can all eventually affect litigation-support and legal teams.

For organizations operating across jurisdictions, understanding where data lives, who can access it, how it is transferred, and how it can be preserved and reviewed is becoming an essential part of defensible discovery workflows.

Attendees can typically earn self-reporting CE hours and PMP PDUs. Organizations and individuals for whom professional credit is important should confirm current eligibility and requirements directly through the official ILTACON site.

How to Work the Exhibit Hall and Private Demo Rooms

The exhibit hall is where many eDiscovery and legal technology vendors concentrate, with the full exhibit hall opening on Tuesday.

Two tactical approaches can help teams make the most of the experience.

• Don't Wander. Evaluate with a Plan.

Instead of walking through the exhibit hall without a clear objective, eDiscovery teams should pre-select approximately five to ten vendors and define the questions that matter before arriving.

For organizations evaluating review platforms or broader eDiscovery technology, questions should go beyond a standard product demonstration.

Consider asking about:

• Validation methodologies for AI-assisted review
• Explainability and defensibility of AI workflows
• Redaction accuracy, including structured data
• Audit trails and documentation
• Data security and access controls
• Deployment options
• Integration with existing systems
• Data migration processes
• Actual pricing models
• Per-GB or per-matter costs at the organization's expected data volumes

The goal should be to understand how a platform performs in real-world scenarios rather than simply evaluating a polished demonstration using a controlled dataset.

• Explore the ILTA Startup Hub

The ILTA Startup Hub provides an opportunity to discover early-stage legal technology companies exhibiting at reduced rates.

For teams interested in understanding where legal technology is heading, the Startup Hub can be one of the most efficient ways to see emerging technologies before they become mainstream.

A practical approach is to visit the Startup Hub on Tuesday, allowing teams to compare newer entrants with established technology providers during the same conference.

• Don't Overlook Private Demo Rooms

One of the less obvious aspects of ILTACON is the number of private, invite-only demo rooms and off-site sessions hosted by sponsors throughout the week.

These can include:

• In-depth product demonstrations
• Technical discussions
• Workflow walkthroughs
• Executive briefings
• Networking events
• Dinners and private meetings

Some of the most useful conversations can happen outside the busy exhibit hall, where teams have more time to discuss specific requirements without constant interruptions.

If an organization is seriously evaluating a particular platform, it is worth contacting the vendor before the conference to ask whether private sessions or focused meetings are available.

A focused 45-minute conversation in a quiet setting can often provide more value than fifteen interrupted minutes at a crowded booth.

A Pre-Conference Checklist for Teams Attending ILTACON 2026

1. 4–6 Weeks Before ILTACON

• Register and book housing through the official ILTA portal. : Avoid third-party housing providers and confirm accommodations through the official registration process.

• Define the three to five problems that need to be solved.

For example:

• How can GenAI-assisted review be made defensible?
• How can redaction accuracy be improved at scale?
• How can review costs be reduced?
• How can data be processed and reviewed faster?
• How can existing eDiscovery workflows be consolidated?
• How can security and deployment requirements be addressed?

Having specific problems defined in advance makes it easier to separate meaningful conversations from generic product pitches.

• Contact vendors in advance.

If particular vendors are under consideration, reach out before the conference and ask about private meetings, focused demonstrations, or off-site sessions.

2. 1–2 Weeks Before ILTACON

• Review the session agenda. : Once ILTA publishes the agenda, prioritize attendee-driven, interactive, and hands-on sessions. These formats often provide insights and peer perspectives that may be harder to replicate through recordings.

• Download the ILTACON mobile app. : The mobile app should be treated as an important source of truth for schedule updates, session changes, and pop-up events.

• Prepare for Nashville's August weather. : Late August in Nashville is typically hot and humid, with highs often reaching the upper 80s to low 90s °F. Conditions should be verified closer to the event date.

At the same time, convention centers often maintain aggressive air conditioning, so attendees should plan to dress in layers.

3. During the Conference

• Prioritize live and interactive sessions. : Lecture-style sessions can often be viewed later through recordings. Interactive sessions and peer discussions are more valuable to experience in person.

• Keep a running list of decisions and contacts. : The week can move quickly. Recording key takeaways, vendor conversations, and follow-up actions each evening makes post-conference evaluation much easier.

• Make time for hallway conversations. : At a peer-driven conference like ILTACON, some of the most useful insights may come from conversations between sessions rather than from the formal agenda.

Make room for at least a few informal conversations with other attendees. These discussions can reveal practical experiences and lessons that are rarely included in a product presentation.

ILTACON vs. Other Legal Technology Conferences

For organizations evaluating conference budgets or deciding which events are most relevant to their teams, the following provides a useful shorthand.

• ILTACON

Best for: Teams whose work intersects with firm infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI governance, information governance, and broader legal technology strategy.

Focus: Peer-driven, implementation-focused, and broader than pure eDiscovery.

• Legalweek

Best for: Organizations looking for broad vendor exposure and concentrated eDiscovery technology evaluation.

Focus: One of the denser environments for comparing legal technology providers and monitoring market trends.

• Relativity Fest

Best for: Teams whose eDiscovery workflows are heavily centered around the Relativity ecosystem.

Focus: Relativity-focused education, product developments, community, and ecosystem discussions.

• ABA TECHSHOW

Best for: Solo practitioners and smaller firms looking for practical legal technology guidance and tools.

Focus: Practical technology adoption and skills, often with a stronger emphasis on smaller organizations.

• CLOC

Best for: Corporate legal operations professionals.

Focus: Legal operations, process optimization, technology strategy, and the evolving role of legal operations teams.

Planning to Evaluate Your eDiscovery Platform at ILTACON 2026?

ILTACON 2026 can be a valuable opportunity to explore how eDiscovery technology is evolving alongside AI, information governance, security, and legal technology infrastructure.

Teams evaluating review or eDiscovery platforms should arrive prepared with specific questions about:

• AI-assisted review and defensibility
• Explainable AI and validation
• Redaction accuracy
• Data security
• Deployment flexibility
• Data governance
• Integration
• Real-world costs at scale

The most productive vendor conversations are rarely the ones that happen by chance. Identify the platforms worth evaluating, define the questions that matter to your organization, and schedule focused conversations before arriving in Nashville.

If your team would prefer to explore eDiscovery technology away from the noise of the exhibit hall, consider scheduling a private conversation with the Venio team during ILTACON 2026.

Connect with Zef Deda (Chief Revenue Officer) to schedule a conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions About ILTACON 2026

What is ILTACON?

ILTACON is the annual educational and networking conference of the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA). The event is designed for professionals involved in legal technology, security, knowledge management, innovation, operations, and technology leadership across law firms and corporate legal departments.

What does ILTACON stand for?

ILTACON refers to the ILTA Conference, with "ILTA" standing for the International Legal Technology Association and "CON" referring to the conference.

When and where is ILTACON 2026?

ILTACON 2026 is scheduled for August 23–27, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Who attends ILTACON?

Attendees include:

• Law-firm CIOs and IT directors
• Knowledge-management professionals
• Innovation leaders
• Legal operations professionals
• Security and privacy teams
• Corporate legal departments
• Legal technology professionals
• Legal technology vendors

Published attendance estimates vary by source, ranging from approximately 1,600 to more than 3,000 attendees. Because ILTA had not published an official 2026 headcount at the time of writing, individual attendance estimates should be treated as approximate.

Is ILTACON worth attending for eDiscovery professionals?

Yes, with the right expectations.

ILTACON is less of a pure eDiscovery marketplace than Legalweek or Relativity Fest. However, it can be a valuable event for understanding the broader governance, security, infrastructure, and AI-policy conversations that increasingly influence how eDiscovery is conducted.

For eDiscovery and litigation-support professionals, the event can be particularly useful when the goal extends beyond evaluating individual products and includes understanding how eDiscovery fits into a broader legal technology strategy.