11 Best Learning & Development Conferences for 2026
Attending learning and development conferences is a fantastic way for HR professionals, L&D specialists, 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 learning and development, develop partnerships with exhibitors, or understand the latest market dynamics, these conferences are a great place to start.
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Best Learning and Development Conferences of 2026 Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best learning and development conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- The Learning Ideas Conference - New York, NY (June 10-12, 2026)
- Training & Development Summit - London, UK (June 15-16, 2026)
- L&D Symposium - Hunter Valley, Australia (June 16-17, 2026)
- Training Industry Conference & Expo - Raleigh, NC (June 16-18, 2026)
- ILTACON 2026 - Nashville, TN (August 23-27, 2026)
- World of Learning - Multiple Dates and Locations (October 6-7, 2026)
- HR Tech - Las Vegas, NV (October 20-22, 2026)
- Learning Leadership - Las Vegas, NV (November 2 & 3, 2026)
- DevLearn - Las Vegas, NV (November 4-6, 2026)
- HRFest Australia - The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne (November 18, 2026)
- Online Educa Berlin (OEB) 2026 - Berlin, Germany (December 2-4, 2026)
Best Learning and Development Conferences Overview
Below are my summaries of the best learning and development conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. The Learning Ideas Conference - New York, NY (June 10-12, 2026)
- Dates: June 10-12, 2026
- Location: New York, NY (& virtual)
- Pricing: From $695
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
The Learning Ideas Conference is a dynamic gathering for researchers, educators, instructional technologists, and user experience designers exploring innovations in learning. Established to foster dialogue on the integration of technology in education, it brings together a diverse group of professionals. The event features sessions with thought leaders and pioneers in the field.
Why attend? At TLIC, you'll engage with cutting-edge educational technologies and methodologies. It offers a platform to share ideas and collaborate with global experts. Perfect for those passionate about transforming learning through technology, this conference provides a unique blend of academic and practical insights.
2. Training & Development Summit - London, UK (June 15-16, 2026)
- Dates: June 15-16, 2026
- Location: Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow
- Pricing: Free (for qualified professionals)
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
The Training & Development Summit is a focused event for senior learning and development professionals and suppliers of innovative solutions. It offers a platform for one-on-one meetings, seminars, and networking.
The event provides insights into industry trends and best practices, making it crucial for professional growth.
Why attend? Attending the summit connects you with peers and industry suppliers in a personalized setting. The event's format, featuring one-on-one meetings and panels, ensures you gain targeted insights and solutions. It's perfect for those seeking to enhance their organization's learning and development strategies.
3. L&D Symposium - Hunter Valley, Australia (June 16-17, 2026)
- Dates: June 16-17, 2026
- Location: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
- Pricing: Free (for invited professionals)
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The L&D Symposium is an exclusive event for senior Learning and Development professionals, offering a platform for peer-to-peer learning and networking. This event features influential speakers like Donald H. Taylor and Kathleen Mattie. It focuses on critical themes such as AI in L&D, skills-based organizations, and future-proofing careers.
Why attend? At the L&D Symposium, you'll engage in insightful discussions and interactive sessions tailored to your professional needs. The event's unique format encourages open dialogue and collaboration, providing a safe space to explore new ideas and strategies. It's an ideal opportunity to connect with peers and stay ahead in the L&D field.
4. Training Industry Conference & Expo - Raleigh, NC (June 16-18, 2026)
- Dates: June 16-18, 2026
- Location: Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) is a key event for training professionals, offering insights into the latest trends and best practices. It brings together experts and practitioners to share knowledge and strategies.
Why attend? TICE offers a unique blend of learning sessions and networking opportunities, tailored to help you enhance your organization's training programs. You'll connect with industry leaders and gain practical insights to drive your team's success. It's the perfect place to explore innovative solutions and make meaningful connections.
5. ILTACON 2026 - Nashville, TN (August 23-27, 2026)
- Dates: August 23–27, 2026
- Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
- Pricing: From $2,250
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
ILTACON is ILTA's flagship annual conference for legal technology professionals—law firm leaders, IT teams, legal ops, and corporate legal departments. Organized by the International Legal Technology Association since 1980, the 2026 event runs August 23–27 in Nashville, TN.
Why attend? With 80+ peer-curated sessions, ILTACON covers AI, cybersecurity, and legal operations in formats that actually fit different learning styles—pathways, hands-on training, and open attendee-driven sessions. It draws 1,600+ technology decision-makers, making it one of the densest rooms in legal tech for real peer exchange and vendor discovery.
6. World of Learning - Multiple Dates and Locations
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Varied (see table below)
- Social Media: LinkedIn
World of Learning brings together learning and development professionals through two annual events: the World of Learning Summit in London and the World of Learning Conference & Exhibition in Birmingham. It attracts decision-makers seeking new learning solutions, strategies, and technologies. The event consistently features keynotes and panels with L&D leaders from global brands.
Why attend? You'll experience a focused mix of seminars, workshops, and live demos, with direct access to solution providers offering tools to evolve your L&D strategy. The Summit in London focuses on practical insights and hands-on interaction, while the Conference & Exhibition in Birmingham expands the scope with exhibition halls and a more comprehensive lineup.
| Location | Dates | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| NEC Birmingham | October 6 & 7 2026 | From £ 634.95 (single day pass) |
| Olympia, London | February 2 & 3 2027 | From £1,606 |
7. HR Tech - Las Vegas, NV (October 20-22, 2026)
- Dates: October 20–22, 2026
- Location: Mandalay Bay
- Pricing: From $1,295 (super saver rate)
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
HR Technology Conference & Exposition 2026 is a major HR technology event taking place October 20–22, 2026, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The event brings together HR leaders, technology buyers, and solution providers to explore HR transformation, AI, automation, people strategy, and the future of work.
Why attend? HR Tech 2026 focuses heavily on how AI is reshaping HR, with keynote speakers including Kelly Jones, Chief People Officer at Cisco; Prerna Ajmera, who leads HR transformation at Microsoft; and Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, an expert in people analytics, leadership, and the human-AI interface. The expo also gives attendees the chance to compare HR technology providers, discover new tools, and evaluate solutions in one place.
8. Learning Leadership - Las Vegas, NV (November 2 & 3, 2026)
- Dates: November 2–3, 2026
- Location: MGM Grand
- Pricing: From $1,595
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
The Learning Leadership Conference 2026, by The Learning Guild, is an annual event for learning and development leaders, training managers, and talent development professionals. The 2026 event takes place November 2–3, 2026, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Why attend? The conference is built for L&D leaders who want to shape organizational learning strategy, prove business value, and lead stronger learning teams. Sessions focus on practical leadership challenges, with formats designed for discussion, peer exchange, and real-world application rather than passive learning.
9. DevLearn - Las Vegas, NV (November 4-6, 2026)
- Dates: November 4-6, 2026
- Location: MGM Grand
- Pricing: $1745- $4000
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
DevLearn is a leading conference for eLearning professionals, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices. Organized by The Learning Guild, it attracts educators, developers, and designers eager to explore the future of learning.
"I have been attending DevLearn for 8 or 9 years now, and each year, I come home reinvigorated and excited to get back to work with all that I learned. Each time I get to expand my network or talk to other attendees, I realize that I am not alone in the work I do, and that keeps me coming back for more."
- Buddy Butler, LMS Platform Manager & Senior eLearning Developer at Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
Why attend? DevLearn provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest eLearning trends and tools. You'll connect with industry pioneers and gain insights to transform your training programs.
Whether you're focused on mobile learning, gamification, or AI, DevLearn has something to offer your team.
10. HRFest Australia - The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne (November 18, 2026)
- Dates: November 18, 2026
- Location: Timber Yard
- Pricing: From $659
HRFest Australia 2026 is a one-day HR event for HR professionals, executives, and future-of-work leaders. Organized by HRD / KM Business Information, the 2026 event takes place November 18, 2026, at The Timber Yard in Melbourne, Australia.
Why attend? HRFest Australia is built around fresh ideas, real-world HR action, and interactive learning experiences. The event brings together 600+ HR professionals, 60+ thought leaders and solution providers, and 30+ exhibitors, with sessions and activities covering HR innovation, leadership, employee experience, AI, learning, workplace law, DEI, and wellbeing.
11. Online Educa Berlin (OEB) 2026 - Berlin, Germany (December 2-4, 2026)
- Dates: December 2–4, 2026
- Location: InterContinental Berlin
- Pricing: From €970 (early bird rate)
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
OEB 2026 is the annual global, cross-sector conference and exhibition on digital learning, taking place December 2–4, 2026, at the InterContinental Berlin in Germany. Organized by OEB Learning Technologies Europe GmbH, it brings together education, workplace learning, government, and learning technology professionals from more than 70 countries.
Why attend? OEB stands out because of its international, cross-sector format. Educators, workplace learning leaders, policymakers, and edtech innovators all share the same agenda. The 2026 theme, “Sovereign Learning: Trust, Agency & the Education Reset,” focuses on how AI and intelligent systems are reshaping learning, human agency, institutional trust, and the future of capability development.
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