Safeguard 2026
The industry’s highest-rated event.
Safeguard 2026 brought together a higher concentration of cross-industry fraud, compliance, identity & trust senior decision-makers than any other event.
- 650+
- Leaders
- 300+
- Companies
- 6,700+
- 1:1 meetings
- 81
- NPS
The verdict
World-class is 70+. Year one cleared it in a format nobody in this category had run before.
- Average “would you recommend?” score
- 9.37/10
- Said they will definitely or probably return
- 92%
- Average “objectives met?” score
- 8.88/10
- Survey responses (280 practitioners, 101 sponsors)
- 382
What made Safeguard different?
The new standard for peer-to-peer formats
The largest meetings program in the industry. Double opt-in 1:1s set the standard in year one, and Breakthru Roundtables and Experiences took peer sharing further still.
- 6,700+
- 1:1 meetings
Cross-functional. Cross-industry. Finally.
In the age of AI, no function or industry operates in isolation. Practitioners spanning fraud, risk, compliance and identity came from fintechs, banks, payments, marketplaces, ecommerce and crypto to share across silos.
- 300+
- Companies
- 650+
- Leaders
Dive deeper on AI than anywhere else
The most valuable AI insights are not on stages. They are inside the heads of your peers. Safeguard is built to unlock them through curated peer-to-peer formats that go past surface-level content.
- 125
- Roundtables
- 64
- Experiences
The Safeguard community.
Everyone in fraud, identity and compliance, in one room. Heads of function, VPs and C-suite from fintechs, banks, payments platforms, marketplaces and crypto. Connect, benchmark your program, and build alongside the people setting the standard.
- 70%+
- Directors, VPs & C-suite
- 2 in 3
- Primary decision-maker or budget holder
Job function
- Fraud71%
- Risk53%
- Compliance38%
- Identity28%
- Operations24%
- Product14%
- Data / Analytics13%
Practitioners picked up to three functions, so this sums past 100%.
What they came for
- Learn and share best practices265
- Network with other practitioners247
- Discover new solution providers225
- Meet with current providers163
- Build personal brand and visibility108
- Recruit or explore careers33
Votes, not percentages. Practitioners picked more than one, so the six sum past the number of people.
Experience Safeguard 2026.
Join the industry’s largest meetings program.
Breakthru Meetings connects you with the right people at the right time for the right reasons. Whether you’re benchmarking your program, investing in new technology, or exploring partnerships, this is where meaningful connections happen.
- Complimentary
- Full event pass. Every roundtable, experience and dinner.
- $1,500
- Travel reimbursed
- By application
- Apply to join hundreds of your peers shaping the future of AI together.


Escape the noise to dive deep on AI.
The Broadmoor, at the foot of the Rockies and a long way from an expo floor. One campus, no competing side events, the same faces throughout. That is the setting that lets a conversation get past the surface.
- Breakthru meetings

- Breakthru roundtables

- Breakthru workshops

- Breakthru experiences

What attendees are saying.
Safeguard felt like a family gathering for risk and compliance leaders, not a badge-scan marathon. The peer-to-peer format and curated 1:1s drove real conversations, not surface networking. I had 50+ side conversations over two days with leaders wrestling with the same questions we are.
I swear I made more genuine connections there in three days than I have at my last three conferences combined!

Attendees are well-selected and of very high quality. This event doesn't feel like a conference; it feels more like a retreat with many like-minded people.
I hate to admit this, but I was skeptical given this was an inaugural — you exceeded all expectations. The energy was something I very rarely experience at a conference. Whatever your curation process is, it worked brilliantly.

Talking to people who actually matter. Conversations that went beyond the cold-call stage — truly the right people to connect with.

Safeguard is exactly the kind of event the fraud and identity space needs right now... having a dedicated forum to share knowledge, challenge assumptions, and learn from practitioners at the sharp end is invaluable. I'll absolutely be back next year and would encourage anyone working in this space to attend.
I don't think there was any moment where I walked away thinking that it was a waste of time. I was able to connect with so many other people in the industry in such an authentic and genuine way that I don't think I would've been able to at any other conferences I've attended in the past.

The energy at this event was incredible and a direct reflection of the community you brought together... genuinely one of the most unique events I've attended.

Amazing attendee list, great buyer penetration, and 1:1 meetings that were extremely productive and well-matched. It didn't feel overrun with salespeople, and the conversations felt relaxed and organic.
I can't believe you pulled off such a great conference in such a short amount of time. It was my favorite conference over the last 10 years.

Real, in-depth dialogue. Less selling, more problem solving. Rare at scale. Speed networking stood out — high-signal conversations with leaders and practitioners, no fluff.
It didn't feel like most conferences where it is constant selling. It allowed me to connect with fellow senior leaders, benchmark my program against industry peers, and have an enjoyable time learning about new things.

Honestly, top tier conference. I was continually impressed with how well the guest list was curated and especially impressed that this was the first iteration — it felt like a mature conference.

The matches made were perfect, unlike other events with the same model where meetings have been a waste of time.
Incredibly well-balanced program — the right mix of networking, one-on-one, and retreat-style events.

I was able to meet with 16 individuals without conflicting with any other main sessions and still giving myself time to decompress, eat and network more organically. That NEVER happens and none of the conferences I have ever attended have done it this way. It removed all of the stress out of the process for me. I loved it!

Erin West's keynote was the most impactful session I've attended at any conference.
The most valuable conference I've attended to this point, on multiple levels. Looking forward to future events.

The quality of attendees, both on the vendor and practitioner side, was very high, and everyone came with a sense of energy that led to meaningful conversations across the board.

The selectiveness on roles ensured conversations were productive. Almost everyone I met is someone I could see myself working with, and I was never getting pitched.
It felt collaborative and genuinely valuable rather than just another conference.

The 1:1 networking was phenomenal — everything from the approach to the execution. Best part of the conference and really helped to build relationships and break the ice.
Rather than sitting through hours of passive presentations, I was actually engaged in direct, purposeful conversations with peers. Those exchanges made the time away from the office well worth it.

The level of individuals was high and the buyers and influencers were there. I really liked the limited size of the event and the ratio of buyers to sellers.

Whether it was business-related or personal relationship-focused, this was the best experience I've had at a business event.
As an introvert, this helped ease much of the 'networking anxiety' I get with every conference.

Even though there were only 16 breakthrough meetings, it felt like I met more people here than at other conferences.

Beautiful location, and fantastic breakthrough events. Really outdid yourselves.
It was not sales-oriented — I didn't feel like I was being sold something. It felt like I was exchanging ideas and learning all the way through the conference.

Safeguard felt like a getaway with peers in the fraud and identity space, allowing for closer connections and deeper conversations.

Speaking with someone at a table is one thing — sharing an experience together (zip-lining 500 ft off the ground) creates relationships. The networking opportunities were phenomenal.
The high-level peer benchmarking enabled by the structured roundtable sessions and 1:1 meetings... moved beyond general theory into practical application.

It was really nice to have practitioner-level conversations without the noise. The peer-to-peer format and curated 1:1s drove way more signal than typical panel-heavy events.
The pace and caliber of people there were among the best I have experienced.

The people I met with were actually interested in meeting with me. At previous events where I've done speed-dating networking it seemed like a waste of my time.

Safeguard stood out for the calibre of attendees and the quality of conversation it enabled... a setting that was both relaxing and energizing — ideal for meaningful dialogue, learning, and relationship-building.
I attend a ton of conferences and I would rate this a 10 on content, attendees and curated format.

The speakers were absolutely phenomenal, delivering cutting-edge insights on how rapidly AI has evolved regarding deepfakes and scams... The falconry was also amazing — such a unique and thrilling experience I've never had at a conference before.

Super unique, very intimate, a ton of relevant conversations. The hosted meetings, sessions and activities were the perfect mix. Highly recommend for both practitioners and vendors.
A new conference that is genuinely bringing something different to the industry — and it's much needed. Big enough to network, small enough that it feels intimate.

This year's conversations centered on how to manage teams using AI; a year from now, I expect we'll be discussing how AI has already reshaped them. That trajectory makes Safeguard a must-attend for anyone leading a compliance function.

An idea that pushed against my prior thinking... reframed authorized scams as a behavioral-intervention problem, not a transaction-monitoring problem. That is a meaningful shift for how we think about model design, customer experience, and the role of the contact center.
I don't like the conference floor or drive-by pitches you get at other places — the dual opt-in was so key.

The Broadmoor was an incredible place for the event. It somehow felt expansive and intimate at once. Having everyone co-located with no reason to leave made for efficient connection.
It was the right mix of professionals in and around the world of fraud. Congrats for pulling this off — you can be proud of what you achieved for year one.

Definitely one of my favorite conferences thus far!!

This was an incredible experience, and I can't wait to come back next year. This will definitely be on my yearly conference rotation.
The 1:1s were a forcing function to go outside of that comfort zone. At most conferences people tend to go with what and who they know.

Logistical planning was top notch. Vetting of attendees was very well done and ensured time was used efficiently.

Well run, great crowd — a very positive and constructive vibe. Fantastic work on your maiden event.
Calling Safeguard simply a conference is a disservice to how much it contributes beyond the traditional mandate of a conference.

The one-on-one meetings and roundtable discussions made it feel like a genuinely productive use of everyone's time... it eliminated a lot of the awkwardness that comes with the forced networking we're all used to at conferences.
All meetings were intentional and relieved some of the 'chaos' that I've experienced at other conferences in being chased down by vendors.

Our 1:1 sessions and roundtable discussions facilitated a concentrated exchange of technical strategies, letting us move beyond surface-level dialogue into deep, meaningful relationships with key executives.

It was so well organized. From a marketing perspective I had nothing to worry about — it ran smoothly from start to finish. The best feedback for me was seeing my team excited about all their 1:1 meetings.
It allowed me to meet with fellow peers and hear first hand what they are doing. We discussed real-life use cases that people don't usually share in an open forum.

Every 15-minute 1:1 was impactful, memorable, and left with clear expectations. The format has a way of maneuvering you directly into substantive conversation in a way that can't be matched in other arenas.

Everyone was of very high caliber. Almost everyone I talked to was an expert in their craft and I got to learn a lot from others. I loved that you provided a mother's room! That was a huge relief for me.
The meeting program was top tier. The experiences left a strong impression and were well executed. All the networking opportunities were fantastic.

Hosting at the Broadmoor meant everyone stayed in one place instead of wandering off to side events. Everything about this conference is unique in the best way.

While everyone felt they were like speed dating, and I was unsure about the 15-minute duration, it ended up being the perfect amount of time... I actually couldn't believe how much I enjoyed them!
The focus on getting practitioners into safe conversations to network and share best practice and problems is invaluable.

It felt like the right people were in the room. Incredible networking.
There was no real targeted conference for our industry, so this was much needed. The 1:1 meetings program was amazing.

I liked the density of people who cared about a specific topic — fraud — rather than just finance or data. It let people focus on what actually mattered to them.

Once we were at Safeguard, you could see and feel the pre-work in action. The size was perfect — the best mix of just enough new people in the industry but the right amount of familiar.
Honestly well done, team! Everyone was talking about how well run and fun the conference was. Super impressive considering it was the 1st.

It did not feel sales-y at all — felt like regular conversations.

The sessions were thought-provoking, the Breakthru meetings were well run, and the experiences gave everyone time to interact outside of a purely work-related event.
Quality conversations — all strategic and not sales-oriented, but they still helped with lead generation.

Nothing — this was one of the best conferences I have attended.

As an introvert, I never would have spoken to 2/3 of the people I had the pleasure of meeting. This format forced me out of my comfort zone and really helped me lock into what I have been missing at other conferences.
Amazing job — from arrival to departure this was the most organized retreat I've attended.

The format was great. Being able to participate with practitioners instead of sitting in a booth was fantastic.
The size is great for actually having meaningful meetings with operators in the targeted space.

Typically meeting with vendors is awkward and they can seem pushy — that wasn't the case at this conference. Most were there to understand my needs and see if there is a connection.

The format. Definitely the best I've ever seen in events.
The event was extremely well organized, the conversations were high quality, and the format made it easy to have meaningful interactions with people facing similar challenges.

The sense of community and the intimate nature of the event led to genuine conversations without it feeling forced.

The size was perfect — by the end of two days I was running into many people I had already met around the grounds, and that allowed for real relationship building.
Every conversation wasn't someone trying to sell me something. It was a bunch of practitioners with real-world advice and guidance.

The curated participant population ensured that all interactions were high quality. I came away with a set of action steps that will engage my organization and my career.

The class of people there were top notch.
The candor and openness of everyone. Willing to share and talk for real, in meaningful discussions.

Everything being on campus meant I could bump into people again and again and build deep relationships.
It was one of the best-run fraud events I've ever been to!

The format was fantastic — open, collaborative, and informative. I particularly enjoyed the transparency the speakers demonstrated.

I liked how personal it all was. The 15-minute sessions were a fantastic idea.
The ability to connect with people as humans, without the monotony of booth conversations.

Real discussions between practitioners, rather than the professorial environment of most conferences.

Honestly this was the best conference I've been to.
The quality of attendees and openness of discussions stood out. The event created a strong environment for sharing practical perspectives on AI, identity, and risk.

A fantastic opportunity to meet some of the best minds in fraud. The pairing sessions were probably the biggest hit for me — highly efficient and a great way to create meaningful connections and conversations.

The setting really allowed people to relax and share what's going on in their world when it comes to AI.
A deliberate attempt to make meaningful connections.

Top risk leaders who are actually doing the work, not just spinning it.
Well done! This was one of the best organized and operated conferences that I have ever attended.

Really cool event — got a lot of useful information to take back and apply to my role.

The modest size, and the repeated opportunities for interaction throughout the conference.
A great opportunity to connect with prospects and partners in a friendly setting.

It was a great experience, meeting like-minded professionals and learning how AI is used all over the risk industry.

The intimate meetings made it more personal than a typical conference.
Great meeting connections, and a good ratio of practitioners to vendors.

The opportunities for networking, the conversations, and the venue were all wonderful. I left with talking points I'll be using for years.
Year one set the standard.
2027 raises it.
1,000+ leaders, 400+ companies, 10,000+ pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings, and the rule that made year one work: practitioners come first, always.