9 Best Payroll Conferences To Help You Innovate In 2026
Attending conferences is a fantastic way for payroll professionals and industry leaders to stay on top of industry trends, network with peers, and learn from experts.
In 2026, there are several conferences worth attending. Here's my summary of each conference and an explanation of why it's great, with key details so you can plan to attend.
Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, explore new technologies in the payroll industry, develop partnerships with exhibitors, or understand the latest market dynamics, these events are a great place to start.
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Attending HR conferences is a great way to stay current—check out my list.
Best Payroll Conferences in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best payroll conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- 2026 IPPA Spring Summit - Las Vegas, NV (March 3-5, 2026)
- Maryland Statewide Payroll Conference - Linthicum Heights, MD (April 9, 2026)
- TPG 2026 Annual Conference - Scottsdale, AZ (May 3-6, 2026)
- 44th Payroll Congress Convention & Expo - Nashville, TN (May 12-15, 2026)
- Payroll University - Montreal, Canada (June 2-5, 2026)
- Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference - Schaumburg, IL (August 27 & 28, 2026)
- The Texas Payroll Conference - Woodlands, TX (September 16-19, 2026)
- The Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference - Falls Church, VA (October 1-2, 2026)
- The CIPP's Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) - Wales, UK (October 7-8, 2026)
Best Payroll Conferences in 2026
Below are my summaries of the best payroll conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. 2026 IPPA Spring Summit - Las Vegas, NV (March 3-5, 2026)
- Dates: March 3-5, 2026
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
- Pricing: $900
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The 2026 Independent Payroll Providers Association (IPPA) Spring Summit is widely regarded as one of the largest vendor-agnostic gatherings in the payroll industry. It brings together a diverse mix of businesses and solution providers, focusing on practical education, business growth, and peer-driven learning.
A former event attendee shared:
“The friends and relationships we have built through IPPA over the years are priceless. Through IPPA’s events and conferences, we have met and helped hundreds of payroll & HR providers increase their revenue, stay competitive in the HCM space, and provide their clients peace of mind with our turn-key, white-labeled labor law poster solutions. We would absolutely recommend joining IPPA if you are looking to grow your business.”
Why attend? The IPPA Spring Summit delivers focused learning and meaningful networking for payroll and HCM professionals. You’ll connect with industry peers and experts while gaining practical insights into today’s payroll challenges and growth strategies. Its vendor-agnostic, real-world approach makes it especially valuable for independent providers looking to stay competitive and scale effectively.
2. Maryland Statewide Payroll Conference - Linthicum Heights, MD (April 9, 2026)
- Dates: April 9, 2026
- Location: BWI Airport Marriott
- Pricing: $179 (members) - $199 (non-members)
The 2026 Maryland Statewide Payroll Conference is an all-day professional event for payroll practitioners from the Baltimore metropolitan area and beyond, focused on education, compliance updates, and peer-to-peer learning. Its educational sessions help professionals stay on top of progressing payroll regulations and emphasize practical applications in payroll management.
Why attend? The 2026 Maryland Statewide Payroll Conference offers unique opportunities for professional growth through its focused educational sessions and networking opportunities. You’ll connect with experienced payroll professionals and industry experts, gaining valuable insights into current compliance issues, best practices, and regulatory updates that affect payroll operations.
3. TPG 2026 Annual Conference - Scottsdale, AZ (May 3-6, 2026)
- Dates: May 3-6. 2026
- Location: The Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Pricing: From $750
The TPG 2026 Annual Conference is a multi-day professional event that combines educational sessions, networking opportunities, and social events designed to support growth, collaboration, and industry insight. It is organized by The Payroll Group (TPG), a leading alliance of independent payroll service bureaus dedicated to education, compliance, and shared best practices.
Sponsors, including EarnIn, UKG, Inc, TAB Bank, PrismHR, and Payroll Integrations, Inc, from across the payroll ecosystem support the event by contributing to sessions, social activities, and receptions, creating an environment rich in collaboration and professional development.
Why attend? The TPG Annual Conference provides unique opportunities for professional growth through its educational sessions and networking events. You'll connect with experts and peers, gaining insights into the latest payroll challenges and solutions. This conference sets itself apart by focusing on practical, real-world applications in payroll management.
4. 44th Payroll Congress Convention & Expo - Nashville, TN (May 12-15, 2026)
- Dates: May 12-15, 2026
- Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
The Payroll Congress 2026, presented by PayrollOrg (PAYO), is a world-class annual conference for payroll professionals from around the world. The event helps payroll professionals unlock the secrets of payroll by providing a comprehensive program of educational seminars, general sessions, and networking opportunities that tackle actual payroll challenges and trends.
Payroll Congress also features the world’s largest payroll expo, showcasing products and services from leading vendors and solution providers, along with multiple chances to connect with peers and industry experts throughout the event.
Speakers for the 2026 event include Linda Pappillion, CPP, Assistant Director of Payroll Production at the University of California, and Jamie Phillips, CPP, Senior Account Manager of Workforce Management at Infor.
Why attend? This convention is a must for those aiming to deepen their payroll expertise and network with peers. It provides a platform to learn about the latest trends and technologies impacting the payroll industry. Attendees can expect engaging sessions, hands-on workshops, and the chance to connect with industry leaders. Additionally, you will have access to a virtual event, with sessions and expo elements.
5. Payroll University - Montreal, Canada (June 2-5, 2026)
- Dates: June 2-5, 2026
- Location: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
- Pricing: $1,945 (members) - $2,145 (non-members)
The Payroll University 2026 is Canada’s premier professional conference for payroll practitioners and brings together payroll professionals from across Canada for an immersive learning and development experience.
The event features more than 50 educational sessions, keynote presentations, and extensive networking opportunities to help attendees expand their expertise and stay current on payroll best practices and trends. Additionally, it offers Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours toward maintaining professional designations.
Why attend? Payroll University is your chance to expand your payroll knowledge with sessions tailored to all experience levels. You'll connect with peers and industry leaders, gaining insights into the latest payroll trends. The event also features engaging keynotes and a vibrant Fun Night for networking in a relaxed setting.
6. Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference - Schaumburg, IL (August 27 & 28, 2026)
- Dates: August 24-28, 2026
- Location: Chicago Marriott Schaumburg
- Pricing: TBA
The 32nd Annual Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference is an in-person event for payroll professionals, offering educational sessions and interactive learning to help attendees stay current on payroll practices, earn recertification credit hours (RCHs), and deepen their professional expertise.
The conference includes a Vendor Fair where participants can connect with a range of exhibitors, government agencies, and sponsors, providing valuable networking opportunities and an evening happy hour to enhance attendee engagement.
Why attend? The Illinois Statewide Payroll Conference offers practical education and valuable networking for payroll professionals. You’ll earn recertification credits, connect with peers and vendors, and stay current on compliance and best practices. Its focused sessions and strong statewide community make it a worthwhile event for sharpening skills and building connections.
7. The Texas Payroll Conference - Woodlands, TX (September 16-19, 2026)
- Dates: September 16-19, 2026
- Location: The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel
- Pricing: Register for pricing info
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The 37th Annual Texas Payroll Conference (TPC) is a major multi-day professional event for payroll practitioners, accountants, human resources professionals, and related industry experts. This long-standing conference provides comprehensive education, practical solutions, and networking tailored specifically to payroll professionals who want to stay involved in payroll practices, compliance, requirements, and best-in-class operational strategies.
Why attend? Attending the Texas Payroll Conference allows you to engage with industry experts and stay up-to-date on payroll trends and innovations. The event includes interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and sessions tailored to different levels of expertise. It's a great chance for you and your team to learn and grow in the field of payroll.
8. The Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference - Falls Church, VA (October 1-2, 2026)
- Dates: October 1-2, 2026
- Location: Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park
- Pricing: From $600
The Virginia Statewide Payroll Conference (VSPC) is an annual professional development event for payroll practitioners and related industry professionals in Virginia and the surrounding region. Its mission is to educate payroll professionals on current payroll legislation, industry trends, technology, and professional growth opportunities through expert-led sessions and workshops.
Alongside the core conference, VSPC also includes the Payroll Professional of the Year award, recognizing outstanding service in the payroll profession, and the Memorial Educational Grant, which supports professional development by providing conference registration and other benefits to grant recipients.
Why attend? This conference is ideal for those looking to deepen their understanding of payroll regulations and best practices. You and your team can benefit from sessions designed to address both current challenges and future developments in payroll. It's a great opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders.
9. The CIPP's Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) - Wales, UK (October 7-8, 2026)
- Dates: October 7-8, 2026
- Location: The Celtic Manor Resort
- Pricing: From £999 (members) - £1,099 (non-members)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The CIPP Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) is the largest payroll conference and exhibition in the United Kingdom, designed for payroll and HR professionals seeking comprehensive payroll education and networking opportunities. The event brings together a large community of practitioners and service vendors for workshops, keynote sessions, and interactive learning on payroll, pensions, and reward management.
The 2025 event had over 600 delegates and more than 40 exhibitors, making it one of the biggest programs the CIPP has hosted so far.
Why attend? Attending the CIPP's ACE provides you with the opportunity to gain insights into the latest payroll and pension trends and global mobility, including how to manage payroll, tax and compliance challenges for international mobile employees. You'll benefit from expert-led sessions, networking with industry peers, and the chance to celebrate the achievements within the payroll profession.
Have Fun Learning And Connecting
Conferences are great for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge, network, and contribute significantly to their organization's success in payroll, accounting, finance, or HR roles.
Each offers unique insights and opportunities tailored to the needs of professionals in these fields. You'll make connections who can help you refine your payroll processes and find the best trainings on payroll software, ensuring you make the most your payroll toolkit.
Beyond payroll, we have some shortlists for other HR conferences including HR tech conferences, recruiting conferences, and CHRO conferences.
If time and resources are a factor, then perhaps one of these virtual HR conferences will interest you.
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