11 Best CHRO Conferences To Attend in 2026
As a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Chief People Officer, HR executive, or HR professional, staying up to date on the latest trends, technologies, and strategies in HR is an important part of the job.
Attending HR conferences is an excellent way to achieve this. Here's my pick of the top CHRO conferences, each offering a unique blend of learning and networking opportunities.
Planning your year? Check out these top HR conferences to attend.
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Best CHRO Conferences in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best CHRO conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- 58th Annual CHRO Summit - Orlando, FL (March 4-6, 2026)
- UNLEASH CHRO Summit - Las Vegas, NV (March 17-19, 2026)
- CUPA-HR Spring Conference - Louisville, KY (March 29-31, 2026)
- i4cp Next Practices Now Conference - Scottsdale, AZ and Online (March 30-April 2, 2026)
- Transformational CHRO Assembly - Denver, CO (April 9-10, 2026)
- The Health Management Academy’s Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) Forum - Scottsdale, AZ (April 15-17, 2026)
- Evanta CHRO Executive Summit - Multiple locations and dates
- HR World Summit - Porto, Portugal (May 26-27, 2026)
- CHRO Summit by The Conference Board - Chicago, IL (June 3, 2026)
- Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo™ - Multiple locations and dates (October 6)
- HR Technology Conference & Exposition - Las Vegas, NV (October 20-22, 2026)
Best CHRO Conferences of 2026
Below are my summaries of the best CHRO conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. 58th Annual CHRO Summit - Orlando, FL (March 4-6, 2026)
- Dates: March 4-6, 2026
- Location: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The 58th Annual CHRO Summit, organized by the CHRO Association, gathers Chief Human Resource Officers to discuss workforce strategies, business transformation, and public policy. It is one of the most senior and strategic gatherings for CHROs, where they can benchmark priorities, engage with emerging trends, and influence the profession's direction.
Speakers for the event include Hoda Kotb, Founder & CEO of Joy 101; Ryan Craig, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Elevance Health; and Jennifer Christie, Chief People Officer of DocuSign, to share insights on AI, global shifts, and labor policies.
Why attend? You'll engage with top HR minds and explore cutting-edge topics like AI and workforce transformation. This summit offers a unique platform for networking, gaining insights into the latest HR trends and challenges, and benefiting from discussions on strategic HR management.
2. UNLEASH CHRO Summit - Las Vegas, NV (March 17, 2026)
- Dates: March 17, 2026
- Location: Caesars Forum Convention Center
- Pricing: $2,995
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The UNLEASH CHRO Summit is a part of the broader UNLEASH America 2026 international HR conference and expo, which brings together thousands of HR and business leaders focused on the future of work and workplace transformation. It includes keynotes, panel discussions, and networking sessions to help HR leaders address challenges such as AI integration and workforce planning.
Speakers include Katarina Berg, Chief Human Resources Officer of On; Jason R. Desentz, Chief Human Resources Officer of Toshiba; and Lisa Chang, EVP and Global Chief People Officer at The Coca-Cola Company.
Why attend? Immerse yourself in discussions on elevating HR's role in business transformation and employee engagement. This summit offers a platform to engage with peers, explore AI integration, and manage workforce challenges. The event's mix of keynotes, panels, and networking provides a rich learning and collaboration environment.
3. CUPA-HR Spring Conference - Louisville, KY (March 29-31, 2026)
- Dates: March 29-31, 2026
- Location: Omni Louisville Hotel
- Pricing: From $405 (One-day member)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The CUPA-HR Spring Conference is a key event for higher education HR professionals, offering insights into pressing HR topics and fostering connections. Through educational sessions, attendees learn and develop skills on current HR topics relevant to colleges and universities. The event also tackles best practices and real-world strategies for solving HR challenges across institutions.
Why attend? Attend to engage with fellow HR professionals and explore topics shaping the future of higher education HR. The conference offers a mix of keynotes, sessions, and networking opportunities, giving you and your team a chance to gain insights and build meaningful connections.
4. i4cp Next Practices Now Conference - Scottsdale, AZ and Online (March 30-April 2, 2026)
- Dates: March 30-April 2, 2026
- Location: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- Pricing: From $1,295 (for members attending virtually)
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The CHRO Experience within the i4cp Next Practices Now Conference is a highly regarded conference for senior HR leaders and CHROs focused on next practices and strategic human capital leadership. It offers interactive peer discussions and i4cp research insights on AI, culture, and skills readiness.
The event gives opportunities for one-on-one or small-group dialogue with i4cp’s research team to explore emerging trends and strategies at a deep level, as well as employee experience and talent management
"Within two sessions, I quickly had 10 takeaways that I started to email my team. This conference is the one that I always make space for every year.”
- Candace Anderson, CHRO, The E.W. Scripps Company
Why attend? This conference offers a unique platform to explore the latest trends and practices in HR. You'll engage with industry leaders, participate in interactive sessions, and gain actionable insights to drive your organization's success. Core agenda sessions cover cutting-edge HR trends like AI in HR, future-ready organizational design, culture transformation, and DE&I challenges
5. Transformational CHRO Assembly - Denver, CO (April 9-10, 2026)
- Dates: April 9-10, 2026
- Location: Grand Hyatt Denver
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn, X
The Transformational CHRO Assembly is a must-attend event for senior HR leaders looking to drive transformation in their organizations. The assembly centers on "People-First HR for the Digital Age," reflecting how HR must evolve in response to digital transformation and workforce changes.
The event emphasizes peer dialogue and executive exchange on the most pressing issues facing HR at the C-Suite level, with curated content developed by industry experts and research partners.
Why attend? This assembly focuses on strategic HR transformation and leadership, offering unique networking opportunities and expert-led sessions. It's an ideal platform to connect with peers, explore new ideas, and gain insights into the future of HR through a blend of informative sessions and engaging discussions.
6. The Health Management Academy's Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) Forum - Scottsdale, AZ (April 15-17, 2026)
- Dates: April 15-17, 2026
- Location: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Health Management Academy's CHRO Forum is tailored for HR leaders in the healthcare sector, focusing on strategic workforce management and innovation. It is a retreat-style gathering that's part of HMA's broader Executive Convening series, which focuses on peer-to-peer dialogue and strategic leadership topics.
The CHRO Forum is structured to foster intimate, candid discussions around workforce and HR strategy challenges facing large health systems. Because attendance is limited and balanced (strict health system-to-industry ratio), participants can engage in deep dialogue with peers.
Why attend? Engage with fellow healthcare HR leaders in a setting designed for collaboration and learning. The forum offers insights into the unique workforce management challenges of the healthcare industry. With expert-led sessions and networking opportunities, it's an ideal venue for gaining actionable strategies and connecting with peers.
7. Evanta CHRO Executive Summit - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Apply to participate
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Evanta CHRO Executive Summit: Locations & Dates
| Locations | Dates |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | May 5, 2026 |
| Boston, MA | May 13, 2026 |
| Dallas, TX | May 13, 2026 |
| Sydney, Australia | May 13, 2026 |
| Minneapolis, MN | May 19, 2026 |
| San Francisco, CA | June 9, 2026 |
| Atlanta, GA | June 11, 2026 |
| London, UK | June 11, 2026 |
| Chicago, IL | October 20, 2026 |
| Washington, DC | November 18, 2026 |
| Huntington Beach, CA | November 19, 2026 |
| Houston, TX | December 2, 2026 |
| Toronto, Canada | December 3, 2026 |
The CHRO Executive Summit is a peer-driven, executive-level gathering designed specifically for Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) and senior HR leaders. Sessions are shaped by CHROs themselves, ensuring that the agenda focuses on issues that matter most to senior HR executives, such as leadership development, AI and HR tech integration, and culture.
These one-day programs typically include keynotes, interactive breakout discussions, roundtables, and boardroom sessions where attendees engage deeply with peers rather than passively listening.
Why attend? This summit offers a unique opportunity to connect with other CHROs and gain insights into the latest HR trends and challenges. With a focus on peer collaboration and knowledge sharing, it provides a valuable forum for discussing strategic HR initiatives. Held across multiple locations, it offers attendees flexibility to choose a convenient venue.
8. HR World Summit - Porto, Portugal (May 26-27, 2026)
- Dates: May 26-27, 2026
- Location: Alfândega Congress Center
- Pricing: From €1,995
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The HR World Summit is a global strategic HR leadership event that brings together senior human resources professionals from companies worldwide to explore major trends, share insights, and shape the future of HR. It focuses on people strategy, organizational transformation, and future-ready HR practice that help industry professionals drive transformation in their own organizations.
The summit is expected to gather more than 700 senior HR leaders and practitioners, 15 masterclasses, and 82 world-class speakers, including Christine Kirbach, Chief Human Resources Officer at Elektrobit; Alfonso Merino, Global Chief HR Officer at GA; and Jason Bloomfield, Global Head of People Change & TA Transformation at Ericsson.
Why attend? Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Porto while engaging with HR leaders from around the world. The summit offers keynotes, workshops, and networking opportunities, providing a comprehensive view of current HR challenges and solutions. It's an ideal setting for gaining fresh ideas and connecting with industry peers.
9. CHRO Summit by The Conference Board - Chicago, IL (June 3, 2026)
- Dates: June 3, 2026
- Location: The Drake
- Pricing: Apply to participate
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The CHRO Summit by The Conference Board is a prestigious gathering of senior HR executives focused on strategic leadership and workforce transformation. Organized by The Conference Board, it has been a cornerstone event for HR leaders seeking to exchange ideas, share best practices, and gain valuable insights into leadership and organizational change.
Why attend? Join your peers in Chicago to explore cutting-edge HR strategies and leadership practices. The summit offers a platform to engage with thought leaders and gain insights into workforce transformation. It's an opportunity to elevate your HR strategies and connect with industry experts in an intimate setting.
10. Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo™ - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Varies (see table below)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo™: Locations, Dates, & Pricing
| Locations | Dates | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| London, UK | October 6-8, 2026 | From €3,525 + VAT (for public sector attendees) |
| Orlando, FL | October 26-28, 2026 | From $4,550 (for public sector attendees) |
| Sydney, Australia | November 16-17, 2026 | From AU$4,025 + GST (for public sector attendees) |
Gartner HR Conferences are high-level professional events designed to help HR leaders capture big trends, benchmark their strategies, and accelerate HR transformation through data-backed insights, peer discussions, and expert sessions. The event delivers actionable guidance, based on Gartner research and data, to help HR leaders create practical strategies for their organizations.
“This conference has been a great opportunity to hear insights that I didn’t even know I needed. I'm going away thinking differently and equipped to make work better for our colleagues in the moments that matter.”
- Emz Addy, Head of Talent Development at Diligenta
Why attend? Attend to explore how technology and innovation are shaping the future of HR. With a focus on strategic HR management, the symposium offers a platform to learn from experts and network with peers. Held in multiple locations, it provides flexibility and a global perspective on HR challenges and solutions.
11. HR Technology Conference & Exposition - Las Vegas, NV (October 20-22, 2026)
- Dates: October 20-22, 2026
- Location: Mandalay Bay
- Pricing: From $1,995
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The HR Technology Conference & Exposition — commonly known as HR Tech — is one of the largest and longest-running global events dedicated to HR innovation and technology. It's a major industry gathering where HR leaders and solution providers come together to explore how technology is transforming human resources and the future of work.
It's widely regarded as the industry's flagship HR tech conference and expo, often described as a "town hall meeting" for the HR tech community.
Why attend? Discover cutting-edge HR technologies and solutions that can transform your HR operations. This conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with technology providers, attend educational sessions, and network with peers. It's an ideal venue for those looking to stay ahead in the HR tech industry and know more about the world of work, talent acquisition, and well-being tech, AI, and digital employee experience.
Summary
In conclusion, attending HR conferences is a fantastic way to stay up to date on industry trends, network with peers, and gain new insights into managing and leading in the HR field.
I encourage you to explore these options and consider how they might benefit your professional development and your organization. And if you know of any other conferences that are a must-attend for HR professionals, feel free to share your suggestions!
Perhaps time and resource constraints mean you can't attend in person, in which case you might want to check out this list of virtual HR conferences.
More interested in new tech specifically? Check out our shortlist of HR tech conferences.
There are also DEI conferences for HR and DEI professionals to make much-needed connections and drive the discipline forward, as well as recruiting conferences to ensure your talent teams stay up to date with talent sourcing trends.
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