Looking to plan your calendar of Learning and Development events in 2026?
This year is packed with conferences, summits, and exhibitions designed to help L&D professionals stay ahead of the curve.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the latest learning technologies, connecting with peers at leadership forums, or discovering new strategies to boost workplace performance, there’s no shortage of opportunities.
To help you decide where to invest your time, we’ve rounded up the most important L&D events in 2026 that will inspire fresh ideas, spark innovation, and give you practical tools to transform learning in your organisation.👇
World of Learning Summit 2026
🗓️ February 3-4, 2026
📍 Olympia, London
Kick off the year with the World of Learning Summit in London – a two-day event that blends a high-impact conference with a free-to-attend exhibition.
It’s designed for anyone who wants to explore both the big-picture trends shaping the future of learning and the practical tools that can make an immediate difference inside their organisation.
Across the summit, you’ll find thought-provoking keynote talks, interactive panel discussions, and hands-on workshops covering everything from employee engagement and skills development to leadership and wellbeing.
The exhibition floor is packed with live demos, innovative learning technologies, and zones dedicated to mental health, coaching, and personal growth.
HR Summit 2026
🗓️ February 11, 2026
📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport
The HR Summit offers an exclusive, invitation-only experience with just 55 attendees, ensuring personalised networking and tailored solutions.
With pre-arranged meetings, inspiring seminars, and time-efficient sessions, this event makes it easy to benchmark HR products, services, and solutions while building meaningful connections.
IDTX Online 2026
🗓️ February / May / October 2026
📍 Birmingham, UK & Virtual
Start the year with IDTX Online – a practitioner-led learning experience from the Instructional Design Tips Exchange that brings together L&D professionals and instructional designers from across the globe.
Designed for anyone who wants practical, evidence-informed approaches without the sales pitches, IDTX Online focuses on what actually works in real learning environments.
Across the sessions, you’ll hear from experienced practitioners sharing grounded insights on instructional design, learning strategy, and improving performance at work.
Whether you join virtually or in person across the year, IDTX Online offers thoughtful conversations, useful frameworks, and ideas you can put into practice straight away.
Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC Ignite)
🗓️ February 18-20, 2026
📍 Sacramento, CA, USA
DLAC Ignite is all about pushing the boundaries of digital and hybrid learning.
This three-day event brings together educators, policymakers, L&D leaders, and innovators who want to rethink learning beyond the traditional classroom.
The conference features fast-paced talks, immersive workshops, and networking with leaders from around the world.
People Development Summit 2026
🗓️ March 11-13, 2026
📍 Dolce CampoReal, Lisbon
The People Development Summit offers an intimate, retreat-like environment for senior L&D decision-makers.
Set in Lisbon, this summit creates the perfect backdrop for three days of focused strategy, peer-to-peer exchange, and curated supplier meetings. With its exclusive format and small attendee group, it’s ideal for leaders who want meaningful, strategic conversations..
HR Vision 2026
🗓️ March 25-26, 2026
📍 Couthouse Hotel, London
At HR Vision, the focus is on the future of work, leadership, and digital transformation.
Expect cutting-edge HR tech showcases, dynamic keynotes, and debates on leadership, workplace culture, and how people and technology can fuel organisational growth.
Richmond L&D Forum
🗓️ April 22, 2026
📍 Savoy Place, London
For a focused experience, the Richmond L&D Forum brings together senior L&D leaders in a relaxed, engaging environment.
With CPD-accredited workshops, think tanks, and personal development sessions, it’s perfect for professionals seeking tailored growth and high-level networking.
Learning Technologies 2026
🗓️ April 29-30, 2026
📍 ExCeL, London
Learning Technologies is Europe’s flagship event for workplace learning and one of the largest in the world.
Bringing together over 11,000 professionals, 200+ exhibitors, and a packed conference programme, it’s where learning meets innovation.
The 2026 edition will spotlight AI in learning, skills development, content design, wellbeing, and the human side of digital transformation.
ATD International Conference & Expo 2026
🗓️ May 17-20, 2026
📍 Los Angeles, USA
ATD EXPO is one of the largest global events in talent development, drawing professionals from over 80 countries.
With world-class speakers, in-depth sessions, and an expansive expo, it’s the place to explore new tools, industry trends, and best practices in lifelong learning and professional growth.
LEARNTEC 2026
🗓️ May 5-7, 2026
📍 Messe Karlsruhe, Germany
LEARNTEC is Europe’s biggest trade fair and congress for digital education, covering everything from workplace learning to schools and universities.
With a strong focus on AI, immersive tech, and future learning models, this event draws thousands of attendees from across the globe.
Offbeat Fest
🗓️ May 18-19, 2026
📍 London, UK
Offbeat Fest is a breath of fresh air in the L&D calendar.
Designed to be human-first, the festival focuses less on big keynote stages and more on meaningful, small-group conversations.
Expect curated roundtables, practical talks, and community-driven sessions that let you dive into real challenges with peers.
CIPD Festival of Work
🗓️ June 10-11, 2026
📍 ExCeL, London
The CIPD Festival of Work is a celebration of ideas and innovation in L&D.
With content from industry thought leaders, interactive exhibitions, and sessions covering business strategy, employee experience, and future skills, it’s a must-attend for anyone focused on workplace transformation.
Training & Development Summit
🗓️ June 15-16, 2026
📍 London Heathrow, UK
The Training & Development Summit offers an exclusive opportunity for professionals to engage in one-to-one meetings, workshops, and networking sessions. Invitation-only, it’s designed for qualified buyers and suppliers to connect in an intimate environment with a focus on leadership and employee development.
Learning Live 2026
🗓️ September 16-17, 2026
📍 Convene 113 Houndsditch, London
Learning Live is built by attendees, for attendees.
Each year, the event focuses on the top five challenges facing learning leaders, providing practical solutions and networking opportunities with peers tackling the same issues.
The Learning Leadership Conference
🗓️ November 2-3, 2026
📍 MGM Grand, Las Vegas
The Learning Leadership Conference is a must-attend for those driving transformative change in L&D.
With a strong focus on leadership, culture, and aligning learning strategies with business goals, this event helps you refine your leadership skills and explore ways to create measurable business value through learning.
The Talent Gathering 2026
🗓️ October 1, 2026
📍 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
The Talent Gathering is Scotland’s fastest-growing learning and talent event.
Held annually at Murrayfield Stadium, it attracts HR and L&D professionals from across Scotland, Northern England, and Ireland for a mix of keynotes, networking, and vibrant discussion.
TechLearn Conference
🗓️ October 6-8, 2026
📍 New Orleans, USA
TechLearn is a staple event in the L&D calendar, combining hands-on workshops, deep dives into instructional design, and a showcase of the latest technologies.
The 2026 edition takes place in New Orleans, and this conference consistently delivers forward-looking insights and practical tools.
World of Learning Conference & Exhibition 2026
🗓️ October 6-7, 2026
📍 NEC, Birmingham
The World of Learning Conference & Exhibition is a must-attend for L&D professionals, bringing together leading experts, brands, and peers under one roof.
With thought-provoking presentations, interactive sessions, and panel discussions, it’s a comprehensive event for practical solutions and inspiration.
The Learning Leaders Forum
🗓️ June 1-2, 2026
📍 Crowne Plazza, Gerrards Cross
Organised by CLO 100, the Learning Leaders Forum is designed for senior executives in L&D.
The forum focuses on peer-to-peer learning, strategic insights, and leadership development in an intimate setting.
UNLEASH World
🗓️ October 20-22, 2026
📍 Paris, France
UNLEASH World is one of the most influential HR and L&D conferences globally, drawing over 10,000 attendees from more than 100 countries.
With a strong focus on innovation, technology, and the future of work, it’s an event that sets the agenda for HR and learning excellence worldwide.
L&D Unleashed 2026
🗓️ October 28, 2026
📍 Online / Virtual
L&D Unleashed 2026 is Thirst’s flagship virtual event built for time-poor teams who still want maximum impact.
Expect punchy keynotes, panel discussions, and practical, show-don’t-tell sessions on AI-assisted content, skills, learning campaigns, and analytics. Join live to ask questions, compare notes with peers and leave with ideas you can apply the same week.
Missed it? You can still catch the sessions on demand here 👉 L&D Unleashed 2025 Sessions
CIPD Learning & Development Conference
🗓️ November 4-5, 2026
📍 Manchester, UK
The CIPD L&D Conference is a premier event for HR, L&D, and people professionals.
With immersive sessions, interactive exhibits, and workshops, the conference focuses on practical strategies to advance your career, enhance workplace culture, and stay ahead of evolving trends.
The CPD Expo 2026
🗓️ November 11-12, 2026
📍 ExCeL London
A new addition to the L&D calendar, The CPD Expo brings together training providers, governing bodies, accreditors and professionals who want to level up their expertise and evidence it.
Expect an exhibition-first experience with practical theatres, live demos, and sessions on accreditation routes, compliance standards, and building skills pathways that actually move the needle at work. It’s designed for time-poor teams who want to meet credible providers, compare options side-by-side, and leave with a clear, actionable CPD plan for the year ahead.
DevLearn 2026
🗓️ November 4-6, 2026
📍 Las Vegas, USA
DevLearn is the go-to event for L&D professionals passionate about learning technology.
From hands-on experiences to future-focused strategies, this event is designed for those who want to master the latest tools and connect with innovative learning professionals from around the world.
LN Connect (The Learning Network)
🗓️ November 27, 2026
📍 The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham
Connect 2026 is the Learning Network’s annual flagship event – a day designed to inspire, challenge and connect the L&D community.
Expect energising keynotes, practical case studies, curated debates and plenty of time for genuine conversation with peers and partners.
If you value a community-led experience with tangible takeaways, add this to your 2026 diary.
Future of Work USA
🗓️ September 15-16, 2026
📍 Dallas, Texas
Part of the global Future of Work series, this event brings together executives, HR, and L&D leaders to explore how organisations can thrive in the changing world of work.
Tracks cover future workplaces, talent, and learning, with actionable takeaways on hybrid work, digital workplaces, and workforce development.
Wrapping Up
2026 is shaping up to be another bold and diverse year for learning & development.
With loads of incredible events on the calendar, you can choose from large-scale conferences, boutique summits, and senior leadership forums – each offering unique opportunities to learn, network, and drive impact in your organisation.
For more e-learning insights, resources and information, discover the Thirst blog.
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