As organizations continue navigating rapid technological shifts, workforce pressures, and increasing business complexity, the need for a trusted, vendor‑neutral community has never been greater.

It is my honor to serve as this year’s Chair and I’m very excited about the impactful programming and events Quest will execute on your behalf this year. I’m happy to share how Quest is preparing members for 2026 as we focus on focusing on clarity, efficiency, capability, and resilience across the Oracle ecosystem.

As both a long‑time customer and board member myself, HarbisonWalker International has leveraged a wide range of Oracle Cloud applications and Quest has been instrumental in helping my organization transition from on‑premise solutions to Oracle Cloud, providing connection, knowledge-sharing, and lessons learned from peers. This is core to Quest’s mission: giving members a clear path forward amid evolving business and technology landscapes.

Why Quest Matters More Than Ever

Quest understands its members are facing challenges in 2026. Quest board members, who are Oracle customers themselves, have a front‑row view of the pressures facing many organizations.

• Living in a VUCA World – From shifting Oracle roadmaps to global disruptions, leaders are making critical decisions with imperfect information.
• Pressure to Adopt Emerging Technology – AI, automation, and digital transformation promise opportunity, but often come with hype and “fear-of-missing-out” adoption pressures. Members need unbiased clarity on what truly drives value.
• Doing More With Less – Tight budgets, talent shortages, and increased expectations mean efficiency is no longer optional, it’s a necessity.
• Leadership Turnover & Workforce Gaps – Retiring experts and onboarding new leaders create knowledge gaps that complicate ERP strategy, operations, and long‑term planning.
• Organizational Reshaping – Mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and reorganizations are placing intense pressure on ERP systems, processes, and teams.

To meet these challenges head‑on, Quest is investing in programs that will help members build:

• Trusted community connections that filter noise and provide real‑world insight.
• Unbiased forums and case studies that separate hype from reality, helping leaders make informed decisions.
• Playbooks, automation strategies, low/no‑code tools, and peer‑tested approaches for doing more with less.
• Leadership pathways, mentoring, and workforce development programs, such as Emerging Leaders and analyst development tracks.
• Peer‑driven practices that support ERP change, including harmonizing data, integrating systems, and managing large-scale transformations.

In essence, Quest is the trusted, vendor‑neutral community that helps members cut through the noise and focus on meaningful business outcomes.

Helping Members Navigate Key ERP Transitions

Beyond product expertise, Quest is expanding its support for members undergoing the major transitions that shape an ERP program’s lifecycle:

• Leadership transitions
• Business transformation
• Workforce evolution
• Technology modernization
• Cloud migration and hybrid strategies

Quest plans to make these transition-support resources more visible and accessible across communities, ensuring that all Oracle customers have the guidance they need, no matter where they are on their journey.

Community-Specific Focus Areas

Quest continues to tailor community specific programming to the unique needs of each major Oracle product community with the following:

JD Edwards

• Modernization & digital transformation
• AI enablement
• Move to Cloud support
• JDE Connections podcast
• Business analyst programming
• JD Edwards Week digital tracks

PeopleSoft

• Modernization strategies & automation
• AI enablement
• New Campus Solutions focus track
• PeopleSoft podcast (customer‑hosted)
• PUM Image release webinars
• Industry days for healthcare, higher ed, and public sector
• New groups: AI, Cloud SCM, PSFT Move to Cloud

Oracle Cloud Applications

• AI Agents, Redwood UX, Agentic AI, Visual Builder Studio
• Cloud Summit & Cloud Symposium Day
• HCM, ERP, EPM, and SCM hot topics
• Rapidly growing HCM/ERP community meet-ups and advisory boards

Across all communities, AI and modernization remain top priorities.

BLUEPRINT 4D: A Community‑Wide Experience

Quest’s flagship event returns May 4–7, 2026, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Programming includes:

• Oracle executive keynotes
• JDE, PeopleSoft, and Cloud roadmaps
• Tools & Technology updates
• Finance and HCM tracks
• New: Applied AI program
• New: Expanded Campus Solutions offerings
• Cloud Symposium Day
• Business Analyst programming
• Executive Forum & Executive Learning Paths
• Hands‑on labs and workshops
• Robust networking experiences

Registration for BLUEPRINT 4D is now open.

Quest’s 2026 Events Calendar

Additional key events this year include:

• JD Edwards GameChangers Week – February 23-26, 2026
• PeopleSoft Industry Days – March 17–19 (with new Campus Solutions track)
• INFOCUS – September 21–23 (Denver, in‑person)
• RECONNECT Dive Deep – October 19–23 (virtual)
• Oracle Cloud Summit Virtual! – December 7-10, 2026 (virtual)

Alongside these anchor events, Quest will continue offering year‑round webinars, meet‑ups, group meetings, advisory boards, podcasts, and on‑demand learning.

Strengthening Workforce Capability Through the Emerging Leaders Program

As many organizations confront the challenges mentioned above, the Emerging Leaders Program offers a proven pathway forward demonstrating how Quest is actively investing in the leaders who will shape the future.

Quest’s leadership development program, Emerging Leaders, takes participants on a transformative 9-month journey of growth and development. This program receives outstanding feedback from participants and their managers, with powerful testimonials highlighting leadership capabilities and business impact.

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 cohort! With limited spots available, now is the time to apply for the Emerging Leaders Program.

Want to learn more? Join us for one of the brief info sessions to learn how the program works and who it’s designed for. Calls are scheduled during the months of January, March, April, and June. View Quest Events for specific dates and times and to secure your spot.

Looking Ahead

Quest enters 2026 with renewed purpose: to help Oracle customers navigate challenges, build capability, modernize technology, and make confident decisions in an increasingly complex world. Whether you’re moving to Cloud, adopting AI, developing your workforce, or driving modernization, Quest remains your trusted partner—rooted in community, real‑world knowledge, and customer‑led insight.

Thank you for your engagement with Quest.

I look forward to seeing you at BLUEPRINT 4D in May.

Regards,

Josh Stauffer
Chair of the Board of Directors, Quest Oracle Community
Senior Director IT – Americas, HarbisonWalker International