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Organizational development conferences are a great place to network as well as a melting pot of insights and industry trends.

For any HR professional looking to stay ahead of the curve, or pick up a new tactic they can use to fine tune their teams, growing your understanding of organizational development will pay dividends.

If you're looking to network, this list of HR conferences is a must-see.

Best Organizational Development Conferences in 2025 Shortlist

Here's a shortlist of the best organizational development conferences I think are worth attending in 2025:

  1. IRL - Alberta, Canada (October 1-4, 2025)
  2. OD Annual Conference 2025 - Johannesburg, South Africa (February 27-28, 2025)
  3. WFED/Organizational Development Conference - University Park, PA & Virtual (March 20–21, 2025)
  4. CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council Conference 2025 - New Orleans, LA (April 27-30, 2025)
  5. Organization Design Forum 2025 Conference - Denver, CO (April 29 – May 1, 2025)
  6. ODNE Conference 2025 - Brussels, Belgium (May 21–23, 2025)
  7. The Change Leadership Conference - Ontario, Canada (May 28, 2025)
  8. OECD Local Development Forum 2025 Annual Meeting - Barranquilla, Colombia (July 9–10, 2025)
  9. IODA OD Summit 2025 - Accra, Ghana (September 3–5, 2025)
  10. ATD Organization Development Conference 2025 - Houston, TX (October 20–22, 2025)

Best Organizational Development Conferences of 2025

Below are my summaries of the best organizational development conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offerings.

1. IRL - Alberta, Canada (October 1-4, 2025)

Banner for the IRL conference
The innovative IRL event is designed to help SaaS executives break free from the grind and build lasting connections with other leaders.
  • Dates: October 1-4, 2025
  • Location: Alberta, Canada
  • Pricing: From $2,950
  • Website: IRL

Overview:

IRL 25 is an exclusive, invite-only conference for SaaS executives scaling their businesses beyond $10 million ARR, providing a collaborative space to address challenges in product-market fit, go-to-market strategies, and operational scaling. Since its launch in 2023, it has gathered top industry leaders, including executives from globally recognized SaaS companies, to share insights and actionable strategies for sustainable growth. 

Notable past speakers have included experienced founders, investors, and thought leaders who have successfully navigated complex growth stages and provided valuable perspectives on overcoming scaling challenges.

Why You Should Attend:

You'll engage in hands-on sessions and expert-led discussions designed to tackle the unique challenges of scaling a SaaS business beyond Series B. The conference fosters real collaboration through interactive workshops and curated networking with experienced peers who share your goals. Set in a refreshing environment, it’s the perfect opportunity to step back, gain new insights, and develop actionable strategies. 

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Get weekly insights and how-tos on leadership and HR’s biggest and most pressing topics—right to your inbox.

2. OD Annual Conference 2025 - Johannesburg, South Africa (February 27-28, 2025)

OD Annual Conference 2025 landing page overview
The OD Annual Conference 2025

Overview:
The Organisational Development Annual Conference 2025 is designed for professionals in organisational development, HR, and related fields, focusing on agility, inclusion, and innovation in today's work environment.

Notable speakers this year include Juba Mashaba, Chief People Officer at Cell C; Nerisha Charlton, People and Organisation Director at Royal Canin; and the CEO of the Top Employers Institute. 

Why you should attend:
You'll gain practical strategies to build more agile, inclusive, and innovative organizations. You'll hear from top employers and experts on topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion, cultural transformation, and data-driven decision-making.

3. WFED/Organizational Development Conference - University Park, PA and Virtual (March 20–21, 2025)

Banner for the WFED/Organizational Development Conference
The WFED/Organizational Development Conference

Overview:
The WFED/Organizational Development Conference is a top event for thought leaders, educators, and professionals—including those from startups—to explore workforce development, emerging technologies, and social change. It covers AI's role in workforce development, leadership strategies, and the importance of mentoring and mindfulness.

Attendees can join both in-person sessions and virtual webinars, with details on registration fees available online.

Notable speakers include Dr. Mark L. Johnson, Training Consultant; Dr. Anton Shufutinsky, Founding Director at Sacred Heart University; and Dr. Dave Jamieson, President at Jamieson Consulting Group, Inc.

Why you should attend:
The conference provides a unique blend of in-person and virtual experiences, allowing you to connect with leaders in organizational development and artificial intelligence and gain practical strategies to address the evolving needs of the modern workforce.

4. CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council Conference 2025 - New Orleans, LA (April 27-30, 2025)

CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council Conference page screenshot
The CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council Conference 2025

Overview:
The CUNA HR & Organizational Development Council Conference 2025 is designed for credit union HR professionals, including vice presidents, generalists, benefits managers, and recruiting managers. The conference offers sessions on current topics the conference committee curates, providing attendees with fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for the industry.

Past speakers have included industry leaders such as Amy Downs, CEO of Allegiance Credit Union, and Eric Bailey, President of Bailey Strategic Innovation Group. 

Why you should attend:
You'll have the chance to connect with HR professionals from credit unions nationwide, sharing experiences and strategies to tackle industry-specific challenges. The conference offers tailored sessions on key HR and organizational development topics, providing actionable insights to enhance your credit union’s people strategy.

5. Organization Design Forum 2025 Conference - Denver, CO (April 29 – May 1, 2025)

Banner for the Organization Design Forum 2025 Conference
The Organization Design Forum 2025 Conference

Overview:
The Organization Design Forum 2025 Conference is tailored for professionals focusing on integrating technology and human-centered approaches. The conference provides a platform to explore strategies for building resilient and high-performing organizations in an ever-changing environment. 

Keynote speakers this year include Greg Kesler, Managing Partner at Schaffer Consulting; Mackenzie Luong, Managing Director at Accenture; Lorraine Damerau, Partner at Incandescent; and Stu Winby, CEO of Spring Network.

Why you should attend:
You'll gain fresh perspectives on designing adaptable organizations that empower both individual talent and collective intelligence to thrive. The conference brings together a diverse community of organization design professionals, offering hands-on workshops, insightful keynotes, and collaborative discussions that address real-world challenges.  

6. ODNE Conference 2025 - Brussels, Belgium (May 21–23, 2025)

Banner for the ODNE Conference 2025
The ODNE Conference 2025

Overview:
The Organisation Development Network Europe (ODNE) Conference 2025 is designed for internal and external OD practitioners, strategic change leaders, and leadership development professionals. The conference, themed "From Insights to Impact," focuses on translating ideas into meaningful actions within organizations. 

Past speakers have included thought leaders and experts in organizational development, change management, and leadership, offering valuable perspectives and practical strategies.

Why you should attend:
You'll gain practical insights on how to turn ideas into action, helping you bridge the gap between theory and real-world application in organizational development. The conference offers an engaging mix of keynotes, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, giving you the tools to address complex challenges with confidence. 

7. The Change Leadership Conference - Ontario, Canada (May 28, 2025)

Poster for the Change Leadership Conference
The Change Leadership Conference

Overview:
The Change Leadership Conference is designed for professionals, leaders, and change agents aiming to enhance their ability to navigate and lead change effectively. The event focuses on providing insights into creating a culture of change, adapting to disruptions, and implementing strategies that drive organizational growth. 

Notable past speakers include Dr. Wendy Cukier, Professor at the Ted Rogers School of Management, and Jeremy Gutsche, CEO of Trend Hunter.

Why you should attend:
The conference brings together 300+ change leaders, senior managers, and professionals from diverse industries. You'll explore practical techniques to create a culture of change, manage resistance, and increase the ROI of your initiatives. 

8. OECD Local Development Forum 2025 Annual Meeting - Barranquilla, Colombia (July 9–10, 2025)

Banner for the OECD Local Development Forum 2025 Annual Meeting
The OECD Local Development Forum 2025 Annual Meeting

Overview:
The OECD Local Development Forum 2025 Annual Meeting is intended for local development practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders. The Forum, established in 2004, serves as a platform for peer learning and disseminating local innovations. Previous editions have included discussions on job creation, economic resilience, and strategies for inclusive growth.

Why you should attend:
You'll gain valuable insights into how local economies can adapt to environmental, technological, and geopolitical shifts through practical, place-based solutions. With a special focus on Latin America's unique challenges and opportunities, you'll connect with global experts and local changemakers tackling issues like labor market informality and green economy transitions.

9. IODA OD Summit 2025 - Accra, Ghana (September 3–5, 2025)

Banner for the IODA OD Summit 2025
The IODA OD Summit 2025

Overview:
The IODA Organization Development World Summit 2025 is an international conference tailored for OD professionals, HR practitioners, and change managers. Since its inception in 2010, the summit has convened experts to discuss organizational development, sharing innovative methodologies and best practices.

Past speakers have included notable figures such as K.C. Soares, founding member and first President of IODA, a key contributor to the OD Network.

Why you should attend:
You'll explore how emerging trends like AI, automation, and hybrid work models are reshaping organizational development and what that means for your team’s future. This conference offers a unique chance to explore emerging trends shaping the future of organizational development.

Learn new trends that push the boundaries of behavioral science, AI and automation that will future-proof your current skills.

10. ATD Organization Development Conference 2025 - Houston, TX (October 20–22, 2025)

Banner for the ATD Organization Development Conference 2025
The ATD Organization Development Conference 2025

Overview:
The ATD Organization Development Conference 2025 is designed for professionals in organization development, talent management, and human resources, including those in higher education and the non-profit sector. The conference covers topics such as change management, coaching, culture, DEI, employee engagement, leadership development, mental wellness, and onboarding, offering valuable opportunities for professional development.

This year’s speakers include Alexis Gonzales-Black, Partner & Organization Design Lead at August Public; Ruthanne Russell, Chief Human Resources Officer at Knitwell Group; and Maxim Williams, Vice President of Culture, Diversity, and Belonging at Autodesk, all of whom bring extensive experience as industry thought leaders and facilitators of organizational change.

Why you should attend:
You'll gain practical strategies to assess and enhance your organization's development initiatives, ensuring they align with your business goals. With a focus on bridging organizational gaps and building strategic partnerships, you'll connect with industry leaders and peers facing similar challenges, fostering collaboration across sectors such as corporate enterprises, higher education, and non-profits.

Summary

Each of these conferences offers unique perspectives and learning opportunities tailored to the evolving needs of HR professionals and OD practitioners.

Whether your focus is strategic, operational, or technological, there’s something on this list for everyone.

Of course, for more formal training, you might want to consider one of these organizational development courses.

It's also worth considering attending conferences focused on recruiting, workforce planning and learning development as well.

What’s Next?

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David Rice

David Rice is a long time journalist and editor who specializes in covering human resources and leadership topics. His career has seen him focus on a variety of industries for both print and digital publications in the United States and UK.