12 Employee Experience Conferences For Retention in 2026
Employee experience is at the core of HR's focus in 2026, so I've put together a summary of all of the best employee experience conferences for HR professionals and industry experts to attend this year.
I’ve included a mix of conferences focused on employee management, workplace culture, and employee engagement which can help you connect with industry peers and learn new technologies and trends in the industry.
For top-notch networking, these HR conferences are essential.
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Best Employee Experience Conference in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best employee experience conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- Employee Xperience Expo 2026 - London, UK (February 24, 2026)
- The 2026 Employee Experience Conference - Orlando, FL (March 4-6, 2026)
- Transform 2026 - Las Vegas, NV (March 23-25, 2026)
- Employee Communications & Culture Conference - Boston, MA (April 21-23, 2026)
- The Workplace Event - Birmingham, UK (April 28-30, 2026)
- ATD26 International Conference & EXPO - Los Angeles, CA (May 17-20, 2026)
- Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit - Atlanta, GA (May 19-20, 2026)
- Engage Employee Summit - London, UK (May 20-21, 2026)
- CIPD Festival of Work - London, UK (June 10-11, 2026)
- 9th Annual Employee Experience Summit - Toronto, Canada (June 16-17, 2026)
- SHRM26 Annual Conference & Expo - Orlando, FL (June 16-19, 2026)
- CultureCon 2026 - Madison, WI and Online (August 4-6, 2026)
12 Best Employee Experience Conferences of 2026
Below are my summaries of the best employee experience conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. Employee Xperience Expo 2026 - London, UK (February 24, 2026)
- Dates: February 24, 2026
- Location: Excel London
- Pricing: Free
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Employee Xperience Expo (EX Expo) is a one-day, in-person event focused on employee experience, inclusion, engagement, health, and diversity & inclusion for HR and people professionals. It’s designed to help organisations navigate the changing world of work by sharing insights, practical solutions, tools, and best practices for improving the employee experience in the workplace.
Why attend? Attending the Employee Xperience Expo provides you and your team with the opportunity to gain insights into the latest trends in employee engagement and inclusion. The event offers interactive workshops and keynote sessions from expert speakers, providing actionable strategies to enhance workplace culture, retention and employee wellbeing. You'll have the chance to network with fellow professionals and explore innovative solutions to common HR challenges.
2. The 2026 Employee Experience Conference - Orlando, FL (March 4-6, 2026)
- Dates: March 4-6, 2026
- Location: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
- Pricing: $3,399
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The 2026 Employee Experience Conference is a multi-day professional event focused on employee experience strategy, engagement, internal communication, workplace culture, and productivity. Put on by the Advanced Learning Institute (ALI), it aims to help HR, people & culture, and communications professionals learn practical, actionable insights they can use to transform their organizations’ employee experiences.
Keynote speakers include Bree Balchunas, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Hilton Grand Vacations; Leyla Macluf. Director of AI Business Solutions at Microsoft; and Daviera Powell, Director of Strategic Internal Communications at Blood Cancer United.
Why attend? You and your team can benefit from workshops and panel discussions on employee engagement and communication. The conference offers a chance to learn from industry experts and network with peers, providing actionable strategies to enhance company culture and productivity.
3. Transform 2026 - Las Vegas, NV (March 23-25, 2026)
- Dates: March 23-25, 2026
- Location: Wynn Las Vegas
- Pricing: $2,795
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Transform is a major in-person conference and community experience focused on the future of work — where people strategy, innovation, technology, leadership, and workplace culture intersect. It’s for people leaders, HR professionals, investors, and talent partners shaping how organizations adapt in the age of AI, modern talent acquisition, and rapid workplace change.
The event is expected to gather more than 4,000 attendees, over 100 investors, more than 500 startups, and over 350 speakers including, Jennifer Christie, CPO of Docusign; Jason Desentz, CHRO of Toshiba; and Melissa Bolandi, SVP of Labor Relations at Wells Fargo.
Why attend? Transform 2026 offers a unique blend of innovation and practical insights into the future of workplaces. You'll engage with leaders and experts, explore new technologies, and enjoy networking opportunities. The event promises an enriching experience with workshops, showcases, and entertainment, making it a must-attend for those shaping the future of work.
4. Employee Communications & Culture Conference - Boston, MA (April 21-23, 2026)
- Dates: April 21-23, 2026
- Location: The Westin Boston Seaport District
- Pricing: From $3,295 (early bird pricing)
The Employee Communications & Culture Conference is a multi-day professional event designed for internal communications, employee engagement, and culture leaders. It focuses on contemporary strategies, tools, and best practices to elevate internal communications and strengthen workplace culture — especially in shifting and hybrid workplace.
The event’s sponsors and partners include Workvivo, Staffbase, Axios HQ, Contact Monkey, and Fresh.
Why attend? You can gain valuable insights into improving communication and culture within your organization. The conference offers interactive sessions and expert panels, providing practical tools and strategies. It's a great opportunity to network with peers and learn from leading professionals in the field.
5. The Workplace Event - Birmingham, UK (April 28-30, 2026)
- Dates: April 28-30, 2026
- Location: NEC Birmingham
- Pricing: Free (£199 for VIP pass)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The Workplace Event is the UK’s largest gathering focused on workplace and facilities innovation, bringing together professionals involved in shaping work environments, employee experience, and organisational performance.
It’s a multi-day in-person conference + exhibition combining seminars, workshops, networking, and product showcases for workplace, facilities management (FM), design, technology, and related fields.
Why attend? Attending The Workplace Event offers a unique opportunity to explore the latest innovations in workplace management. You'll gain insights from industry experts and discover new products and services that can transform your organization's environment. With interactive workshops and networking opportunities, it's an essential event for those looking to enhance their workplace strategy.
6. ATD26 International Conference & EXPO - Los Angeles, CA (May 17-20, 2026)
- Dates: May 17-20, 2026
- Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
- Pricing: From $2,295 (members) - $2,695 (non-members)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The Association for Talent Development (ATD)'s International Conference & EXPO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive event for talent development, learning, and workplace performance professionals. ATD is a global nonprofit serving professionals who develop talent in organizations worldwide.
ATD26 features 450+ sessions covering a broad range of topics, including career development, leadership and management development, and future readiness and emerging trends. The event will also bring together more than 400 exhibitors showcasing tools, platforms, and services that support talent development.
Why attend? You can explore the latest advancements in talent development and gain practical knowledge from industry experts. The conference features a variety of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. It's an excellent platform for learning new strategies and connecting with peers who share your passion for developing talent.
7. Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit - Atlanta, GA (May 19-20, 2026)
- Dates: May 19-20, 2026
- Location: The St. Regis Atlanta
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit 2026 is a high-level event focused on the future of work, workplace innovation, and strategic talent leadership. It brings together senior executives, HR leaders, innovators, and thought leaders to explore how workplaces are evolving — especially in response to technology, culture shifts, and organizational strategy.
Why attend? This summit offers a chance to explore cutting-edge ideas in workplace innovation. It will explore major trends and challenges shaping the industry, such as workplace strategy and how organizations are redefining work, emerging HR tech for digital workplace and infrastructure, and the impact of AI on talent management. With dynamic sessions and networking opportunities, it's a must-attend for those aiming to drive change in their organizations.
8. Engage Employee Summit - London, UK (May 20-21, 2026)
- Dates: May 20-21, 2026
- Location: Evolution London
- Pricing: Free
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Engage Employee Summit is a major in-person conference and expo focused on the future of employee engagement, experience, internal communication, wellbeing, culture, and people-centric workplace strategies. It brings together HR professionals, internal comms leaders, people experience specialists, and organisational decision-makers to share insights, case studies, tools, and best practices from top global brands.
A Recruitment and Wellness Lead at the NHS who attended the event shared:
“There was some really inspiring talks at the conference and I am amazed that the event was free! To have quantity and quality is incredible.”
Why attend? You’ll gain access to expert-led sessions and workshops that explore the latest in employee engagement. The summit offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers, share knowledge, and discover innovative practices to enhance your workplace culture and deal with burnout. It’s an ideal event for those looking to foster a more engaged and motivated workforce.
9. CIPD Festival of Work - London, UK (June 10-11, 2026)
- Dates: June 10-11, 2026
- Location: Excel London
- Pricing: £149
The CIPD Festival of Work is a major in-person festival-style event focused on the future of work, people strategy, HR innovation, and workplace culture. It’s organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). It brings together HR, L&D, leadership, and workplace professionals to share insights, discover solutions, and explore trends shaping work and working lives.
The 2025 event had over 12,000 attendees in two days, more than 210 exhibitors, 150+ sessions and contents, and more than 140 festival activities.
Why attend? You’ll discover innovative solutions and strategies to enhance your workplace. The festival provides a platform for learning, networking, and exploring the latest trends in HR and professional development. With a variety of sessions such as roundtable discussions, and an expansive exhibition, it’s an essential event for anyone looking to stay ahead in the world of work.
10. 9th Annual Employee Experience Summit - Toronto, Canada (June 16-17, 2026)
- Dates: June 16-17, 2026
- Location: Old Mill Toronto Hotel
- Pricing: From $1,295 (early bird pricing)
The Employee Experience Summit is one of Canada’s leading events focused specifically on employee experience in the HR and people space. It brings together practitioners and leaders to explore tools, frameworks, and best practices aimed at improving employee satisfaction and organizational success.
Some of the 2026 featured speakers include Kalifa Oliver, Executive Advisor & Global Director of EX Analytics Strategy at Ford; Melanie Vienneau, Director of Human Resources at ATS Corporation; and Michael Gizzi, Founder & Managing Director of Synchros HR Advisory Services.
Why attend? You’ll have the chance to delve into the latest trends and best practices in employee experience. The summit offers interactive workshops, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to improve employee engagement and satisfaction. It’s an ideal event for those looking to create a positive workplace culture.
11. SHRM26 Annual Conference & Expo - Orlando, FL (June 16-19, 2026)
- Dates: June 16-19, 2026
- Location: Orange County Convention Center
- Pricing: From $2,595 (members) - $2,995 (non-members)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The SHRM26 Annual Conference & Expo is the largest and most influential HR conference in the world, organised by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) — the largest professional HR association globally. It’s a multi-day professional development, networking, and learning event designed for HR and people leaders at all levels.
The 4-day event will have 9 content tracks, more than 375 sessions, and over 400 speakers covering emerging HR trends, leadership and people strategy, and DEI. These sessions are tailored for varying roles and experience levels, helping attendees both build capabilities and earn professional development credits (PDCs).
Why attend? You’ll have access to a wide range of sessions and workshops covering critical HR topics. The event provides an excellent platform for networking, learning from industry experts, and exploring innovative solutions to HR challenges. It’s a must-attend for those looking to advance their HR knowledge and skills.
12. CultureCon 2026 - Madison, Wisconsin & Virtual (August 4-6, 2026)
- Dates: August 4-6, 2026
- Location: The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club (& virtual)
- Pricing: From $1,799 ($199 live stream access)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
CultureCon® 2026 is an immersive, high-energy conference focused on fostering positive organizational culture, employee experience, and workplace transformation. The event goes beyond traditional sessions by combining inspiring talks, practical workshops, networking, and interactive experiences designed to spark action and provide real-world tools that attendees can apply back at work.
Why attend? You’ll experience a blend of in-person and online sessions that explore the dynamics of workplace culture. CultureCon offers workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities that inspire and equip you to foster a positive work environment and improve employee engagement strategies. It's perfect for anyone eager to drive cultural change within their organization.
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