Contract value in the Research segment increased by 8% year-over-year, reaching $4.8 billion. This growth was driven by both Global Technology Sales (6%) and Global Business Sales (13%), indicating a strong demand for Gartner's research services.

Conferences revenue increased by 30% year-over-year, reaching $505.2 million, driven by the return to in-person destination conferences. The company held 47 in-person conferences in 2023 compared to 25 in 2022.

Consulting backlog increased by 21% year-over-year, reaching $162.1 million, indicating a growing demand for the company's consulting services.

The company emphasizes client engagement and retention as a key part of its strategy, and has seen a strong client retention rate of 84% in the Research segment.

The company has successfully integrated recent acquisitions such as UpCity and a sales agent in Czech Republic, demonstrating effective management of M&A activities.

The company has transitioned to a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work remotely, and believes its current real estate footprint is sufficient to support future growth.

The company acknowledges the risk of cyber attacks and the need to maintain strong security measures. They have implemented a layered cybersecurity program and are continuously monitoring and updating their defenses.

The company recognizes the potential impact of AI and machine learning on their business and the need to adapt to these technological changes. They also acknowledge the risks associated with the use of AI, including biased data and unintended consequences.

The company is still in litigation with its insurance provider regarding coverage for conferences cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The outcome of this litigation is uncertain and could impact the company's financial results.

The company faces competition from independent providers of information products and services, consulting firms, and free sources of information on the internet. This intense competition could lead to loss of market share, reduced pricing, and increased sales and marketing expenditures.

The company believes its superior research content, independent operating model, and unbiased analysis differentiate it from competitors, providing timely and comprehensive insights.

The company has a global presence with clients in approximately 90 countries and territories, and a substantial portion of its revenue is derived from sales outside of the United States.

Cost of services and product development increased by 12% in 2023, driven by higher compensation costs and increased conference-related expenses, partially offset by decreased research program expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 9% in 2023, primarily due to higher personnel costs, including higher salary expenses due to increased headcount. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in facilities expense.

The company is evaluating its real estate footprint globally and has incurred charges related to the impairment of right-of-use assets and other long-lived assets due to certain office locations it no longer intends to use.

The company acknowledges the rapid evolution of technology and the need to respond to disruptive technologies, including AI and machine learning. They are exploring ways to enhance their products and services using these technologies.

The company also recognizes the risks associated with AI, including flawed algorithms, biased datasets, and potential misuse of their proprietary information by third parties.

The company continues to improve its methods for delivering products and services via the internet and mobile applications, reflecting a focus on digital transformation.

The company repurchased 1.8 million shares of its common stock for approximately $0.6 billion during 2023, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

The company has $2.5 billion of debt outstanding and is actively managing its debt obligations. They have entered into interest rate swap contracts to mitigate interest rate risk.

The company intends to reinvest substantially all of its accumulated undistributed foreign earnings, except in instances where repatriation would result in minimal additional tax.

The company has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative's Net-Zero Standard.

The company facilitates a charity match program and encourages employee volunteering, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility.

The company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion to leaders and managers.

The company's business is impacted by general economic conditions, including inflation, slowing growth, rising interest rates, and recession. A downturn in growth could negatively affect demand for their products and services.

A significant portion of the company's revenues are derived from sales outside of the U.S. and are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

The company acknowledges the potential impact of climate change on its operations, including the need for access to clean water and reliable energy and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.