10 Best Labor Relations Conferences of 2026
The right labor relations conferences can sharpen your legal knowledge, expand your network, and keep you ahead of fast-moving policy changes. Whether you're navigating collective bargaining, wage compliance, or employment law updates, these events connect you with peers and experts who understand the stakes.
Here's what to put on your calendar.
Best Labor Relations Conferences in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best labor relations conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
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- 43rd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference - Buena Park, CA (July 17, 2026)
- 16th Annual Advanced Wage and Hour Conference and the 42nd Labor and Employment Law Annual Conference - Pasadena, CA (July 23–24, 2026)
- Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2026 - Philadelphia, PA (July 31–August 4, 2026)
- 29th SASLAW Annual National Conference - Johannesburg, South Africa (September 16-17, 2026)
- Industrial Law Society Annual Conference 2026 - Cambridge, UK (September 18-19, 2026)
- Arbitration and Labor Relations Training - Great Falls, MT (September 22–24, 2026)
- HR and Labor Relations Conference - Whitefish, Montana (September 29–October 1, 2026)
- NECA Labor Relations Conference 2026 - Phoenix, AZ (November 2–4, 2026)
- CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2026 - Manchester, UK (November 4-5, 2026)
- NELI Employment Law Conference 2026 - New Orleans, LA (December 3–4, 2026)
Best Labor Relations Conferences of 2026
Below are my summaries of the best labor relations conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. 43rd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference - Buena Park, CA (July 17, 2026)
- Dates: July 17, 2026
- Location: UFCW Local 324
- Pricing: $100
- Social Media: Facebook
The 43rd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference is a one-day event hosted by SoCal LERA, running since at least its 43rd iteration, for labor and employment professionals across private and public sectors.
Why attend? This conference covers contract interpretation, NLRB and PERB updates, and grievance resolution, with speakers from law firms, unions, and academia—including a keynote on the Supreme Court. It's one of Southern California's go-to events for attorneys, HR pros, and union reps alike.
2. 16th Annual Advanced Wage and Hour Conference and the 42nd Labor and Employment Law Annual Conference - Pasadena, CA (July 23–24, 2026)
- Dates: July 23–24, 2026
- Location: Hilton Pasadena
- Pricing: From $245 - $695
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The California Lawyers Association hosts this two-in-one event for labor and employment attorneys. Entering its 16th and 42nd respective iterations, it brings together legal professionals from across California for panel discussions and networking.
Why attend? The event packs two full conference days into one registration—wage and hour law on July 23 and broader labor and employment law on July 24. You'll get targeted, expert-led panels on California-specific compliance issues alongside statewide networking.
3. Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2026 - Philadelphia, PA (July 31–August 4, 2026)
The Academy of Management has hosted its Annual Meeting since 1941. Now in its 86th year, AOM 2026 is organized by the Academy of Management and draws over 13,000 management and organization scholars from around the world.
Why attend? AOM 2026 spans five days across multiple Philadelphia venues, covering research across dozens of management divisions and interest groups. It's the largest gathering of its kind globally, with sessions on organizational behavior, HR, strategy, and more—plus a career fair and extensive networking.
4. 29th SASLAW Annual National Conference - Johannesburg, South Africa (September 16-17, 2026)
- Dates: September 16–17, 2026
- Location: The Forum The Campus
- Pricing: R 4,800 (members) - R 6,000 (non-members)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW) organizes this annual conference for legal practitioners, scholars, and policymakers. Now in its 29th year, it's South Africa's leading forum for labour law dialogue and development.
Why attend? This is South Africa's flagship labour law event, covering the latest case law, jurisprudence, and legislative reforms across two full days. It includes expert-led sessions, a cocktail networking event, and a call for papers—making it ideal for practitioners who want to both learn and contribute to the field.
5. Industrial Law Society Annual Conference 2026 - Cambridge, UK (September 18-19, 2026)
- Dates: September 18–19, 2026
- Location: Jesus College, University of Cambridge
- Pricing: TBA
The Industrial Law Society, founded in 1964, hosts this annual weekend conference for employment lawyers, HR practitioners, academics, trade unionists, and judges. It's a long-running UK institution for labour law dialogue and CPD-accredited learning.
Why attend? The ILS Annual Conference is an intimate, collegial gathering held at an Oxbridge college—this year at Jesus College, Cambridge. It brings together practitioners from all sides of employment law for a full weekend of discussion, debate, and networking in one of the UK's most distinctive academic settings.
6. Arbitration and Labor Relations Training - Great Falls, MT (September 22–24, 2026)
- Dates: September 22–24, 2026
- Location: Heritage Inn
- Pricing: $350
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry's Employment Relations Division hosts this annual conference for arbitrators, labor relations professionals, and HR practitioners in Montana. It covers arbitration practice and public-sector labor relations.
Why attend? This three-day training event is one of the few labor relations conferences focused specifically on Montana's public-sector workforce. It pairs hands-on arbitration training with a Montana Arbitrators' Association board meeting, making it a practical, community-driven event for practitioners working within the state's labor relations framework.
7. HR and Labor Relations Conference - Whitefish, Montana (September 29–October 1, 2026)
- Dates: September 29–October 1, 2026
- Location: Whitefish, Montana
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Organized by the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA), this annual conference brings together HR and labor relations professionals in the public power sector to share insights on today's most relevant workforce issues.
Why attend? This conference is purpose-built for the public power industry, which sets it apart from general HR events. You'll spend two and a half days with peers who understand your specific regulatory environment and workforce challenges. The agenda is still in development, so check back at the event page for speaker and session details as they're announced.
8. NECA Labor Relations Conference 2026 - Phoenix, AZ (November 2–4, 2026)
Hosted by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), this conference is built for labor relations professionals in the electrical contracting industry. Speakers include Dan McCray of Cornell University and IBEW's Matt Paules.
Why attend? This event is squarely focused on the electrical contracting sector, bringing together NECA chapter leaders, IBEW representatives, and industry practitioners. Sessions span foundational labor relations principles to pressing workforce issues, giving you practical tools grounded in the specific dynamics of union-based electrical contracting.
9. CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2026 - Manchester, UK (November 4-5, 2026)
- Dates: November 4-5, 2026
- Location: Manchester Central Convention Complex
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition (CIPD ACE) is the UK's flagship HR event, organized by CIPD and Wonderly. It draws ~7,000 HR and people professionals to explore the latest workforce trends and challenges.
Why attend? CIPD ACE blends keynotes, panels, workshops, and masterclasses with an exhibition featuring 130+ suppliers. The 2026 agenda includes sessions on AI in HR, UK employment law reform, and leadership. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton and CIPD CEO Peter Cheese.
10. NELI Employment Law Conference 2026 - New Orleans, LA (December 3–4, 2026)
- Dates: December 3–4, 2026
- Location: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
- Pricing: $1,295
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The NELI Employment Law Conference is an advanced, two-day event organized by the National Employment Law Institute (NELI) for HR professionals, employment attorneys, and in-house counsel. Notable recurring speakers include Dennis Duffy and David Fram.
Why attend? Sessions cover ADA, FMLA, wage and hour law, NLRA updates, whistleblower claims, and ethics—giving you 10.5–12.5 CLE/CEU hours. The agenda zeroes in on real regulatory and legislative shifts, so you leave with practical, up-to-date guidance you can apply immediately.
Summary
Attending labor relations conferences in 2026 provides HR professionals and labor union representatives with valuable opportunities to stay informed, network with industry peers, and gain practical insights to navigate the complexities of labor relations.
Whether seeking updates on labor laws, best practices in collective bargaining, or strategies for promoting positive workplace relations, these conferences offer valuable resources and networking opportunities for professionals in the field.
You might also want to consider taking a labor relations certification to take a deeper dive into the field and add something to your CV.
Other conferences that will be of value to professionals concerned with compliance include recruiting conferences, as well as those on payroll, benefits, and workplace safety.
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