11 human resources conferences to attend in 2026

The human resources landscape is currently dealing with multiple fast-moving forces.

In 2025, HR leaders dealt with technological disruption, workforce transformation, the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, changing rules for factors such as H-1B visas, and persistent economic uncertainty, and many of these factors will likely continue into 2026.

2026 HR conferences will address these topics and many others. Gatherings range from U.S.-based events such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conference to international gatherings such as the CIPD Festival of Work and the HRcoreLAB Summit.

Below are 11 of the leading conferences that HR CHROs and professionals should consider attending in 2026.

1. SHRM26 Annual Conference & Expo

When: June 16-19, 2026

Where: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.

Registration cost: Registration cost varies from $2,395 for SHRM members for early-bird pricing to $2,695 onsite. Non-member rates range from $2,795 for early-bird pricing to $3,095 onsite.

Focus areas/tracks: The world's largest HR professional gathering offers more than 375 sessions and more than 400 speakers, with topics for 2026 including compliance and employee experience.

CHROs and other HR leaders who must stay ahead of workforce redesign, AI and global change will likely find this conference a good fit.

2. Workhuman Live 2026

When: April 27-30, 2026

Where: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.

Registration cost: Tier one and tier two of general admission and teams admission are sold out. General admission for tiers three and four range from $1,895 to $2,295, while teams tickets for tiers three and four range from $1,327 to $1,527.

Focus areas/tracks: Sessions will include discussions about AI in the workplace, workplace culture and employee recognition.

This conference would be a good fit for HR and company leaders who want to address employee burnout, learn more about multiple generations working together, and improve the employee experience.

3. i4cp Next Practices Now Conference

When: March 30-April 2, 2026

Where: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, Ariz. and virtual

Registration cost: In-person registration costs $4,095 for members and $4,595 for non-members. Virtual prices are $1,295 for members and $1,795 for non-members.

Focus areas/tracks: The conference will cover the future of work, organizational culture and the integration of AI in HR.

The conference is tailored for senior HR and CHRO-level attendees.

4. UNLEASH America

When: March 17-19, 2026

Where: Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, Nev.

Registration cost: The early-bird general attendee rate is $2,695 and group packages are also available.

Focus areas/tracks: The conference will cover learning and development, recruitment and compensation, among other topics.

The conference is aimed at HR and company leaders.

5. HR Technology Conference & Exposition (HR Tech)

When: Oct. 20-22, 2026

Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nev.

Registration cost: 2026 registration costs are not public yet. In 2025, costs ranged from $1,295-$2,390 for the conference and $250-$1,095 for the expo.

Focus areas/tracks: While sessions have yet to be announced for 2026, the event has covered topics in the past such as AI, employee benefits and candidate relationship management.

The conference's target audience ranges from HR professionals to leaders who work with HR technology to employees who use HR technology, among others.

6. CIPD Festival of Work (UK)

When: June 10-11, 2026

Where: Excel London, London, U.K.

Registration cost: A basic access conference and exhibition pass is free. A festival on demand pass, which includes full site access and session recordings, is £125 with value-added tax (VAT).

Focus areas/tracks: Topics will include AI, employee wellbeing and performance management.

The 2026 event would likely be a good fit for HR professionals and company leaders, including managers.

7. HRcoreLAB Summit 2026

When: March 11-12, 2026

Where: Porta Fira Hotel, Barcelona, Spain

Registration cost: Early-bird tickets, which are available until Feb. 27, are €1,485 plus VAT, while in-person tickets are €1,650 plus VAT. Vendor/consultant/freelance tickets are €2950 plus VAT.

Focus areas/tracks: HRcoreLab bills itself as a combination of three conferences covering HumanAI, recruitment and HR agility. Session topics include AI, talent acquisition and employee engagement.

This summit is aimed at HR executives.

8. OneHR 2026

When: May 7, 2026

Where: Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg, Pa.

Registration cost: Tickets for those working in the private sector are $175, while tickets for those working in the public and nonprofit sectors are $99. Tickets for government workers and educators are $35.

Focus areas/tracks: OneHR is providing a virtual presentation track for the first time in 2026. Track topics include improving collaboration and meeting employee needs.

OneHR is aimed at HR employees at all levels.

9. Future of Work USA

When: Sept. 15-16, 2026

Where: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas

Registration cost: Early-bird options include the bronze, silver, and gold passes, each costing $560, $920, and $1,600, respectively. Also, discounts are available for groups, nonprofits and previous attendees.

Focus areas/tracks: The three event tracks are change and transformation, people and experience and learning and leadership.

The conference is aimed at HR leaders.

10. Out & Equal Workplace Summit

When: Oct. 12-15, 2026

Where: Seattle, Wash.

Registration cost: 2026 information is not yet available.

Focus areas/tracks: 2026 tracks have not yet been announced, but past topics included workplace culture and DEI initiatives.

The summit is the world's largest gathering of LGBTQ+ workers and their allies and aims to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.

11. Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo

When: Oct. 26-28, 2026

Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, Orlando, Fla.

Registration cost: Early-bird tickets are $4,875, and tickets for public sector employees are $4,550. Standard tickets are $5,475, and group discounts are available.

Focus areas/tracks: Planned topics include AI, talent acquisition and performance management.

The symposium is aimed at CHROs and other HR leaders at the C-suite level.

Pam Baker is a freelance journalist and the author of books including ChatGPT for Dummies and Generative AI for Dummies. Baker is also an instructor on AI topics for LinkedIn Learning and a member of the National Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Internet Press Guild.