The 10 best HR conferences and events to bookmark for 2026

The HR world is evolving fast as new tools, new expectations, and new workforce challenges shape how teams support their people. For HR leaders, staying connected to fresh ideas and real conversations has never mattered more. That’s what makes HR conferences in 2026 such a valuable opportunity. They bring together the thinkers, builders, and peers who are navigating many of the same questions you are.

From live, in-person experiences to flexible virtual options, this guide highlights the HR events that should be on your list for 2026. Below is a curated roundup of the conferences worth considering as you plan the year ahead.

Why HR conferences are worth the investment

Attending HR conferences is one of the most valuable development opportunities for people teams. These HR events are not just educational sessions. They help HR leaders stay ahead of change, make better decisions, and build stronger programs that support employees at every level, including:

• Staying ahead of emerging trends: With rapid advancements in AI, analytics, employee experience platforms, and workplace regulations, staying current is essential. HR conferences deliver early insight into the trends shaping the future of work.
• Building stronger vendor and peer networks: In-person events offer direct access to CHROs, HR innovators, and leading HR technology companies. These connections often lead to better partnerships and more informed buying decisions.
• Discovering solutions that save time and money: Expos and demo halls allow HR teams to compare platforms, benefits solutions, and workflow tools in a single place. This can shorten evaluation cycles and surface new solutions that improve efficiency or reduce costs.
• Learning from leaders driving the future of people strategy: Keynotes and panels feature executives and researchers who bring new ideas and practical insights into culture, engagement, leadership, and organizational change.
• Professional development and certifications: Many HR conferences offer workshops, credit hours, and hands-on training. These learning opportunities support growth for both senior leaders and newer practitioners.
• Bringing new ideas and energy back to the organization: Teams often return from these conferences with actionable insights that lead to improved processes, refreshed strategies, and new programs.

Top in-person & virtual HR conferences and events in 2026

Whether you’re packing a suitcase or joining from your desk, these are the HR conferences and events that rise to the top for 2026.

SHRM Annual Conference and Expo 2026

Type: In-person & virtual

Location: Orlando, FL

Date: June 16-19

Why attend: SHRM holds one of the largest HR events worldwide and attracts thousands of professionals each year. Expect deep learning on compliance, leadership, culture, and workplace trends. This is the go-to event for HR conferences in 2026 if you want scale and breadth.

HR Transform 2026

Type: In-person

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Date: March 23-25

Why attend: HR Transform 2026 will focus on the future of work and how people teams can lead organizational change. Attendees include CHROs, founders, innovators, and researchers. It’s a great fit for HR leaders who want to explore high-level trends and strategic thinking. Plus, the event wraps with an energizing after-party featuring a special musical guest to cap off the experience.

Modern People Leader Live events

Type: In-person & regional

Location: Various U.S. cities (watch for one near you)

Why attend: MPL Live brings its podcast experience directly to regional hubs, making it  accessible for HR professionals who prefer in-person engagement without long-haul travel. With a mix of interactive networking opportunities, and the opportunity to hear from experts on people strategy, culture, and leadership, it’s a smart choice for HR teams looking to learn from the best voices in the industry. Keep an eye on their site for dates and city announcements.

#FixHealthcare Live by Nava Benefits

Type: In-person & virtual

Location: San Francisco, CA

Date: TBD

Why Attend: This fast-growing conference brings benefits leaders, HR teams, and healthcare innovators together to explore the future of employer-sponsored healthcare. With healthcare costs rising and benefits complexity increasing, this event helps HR teams navigate one of the most challenging areas of people strategy.

HR Technology Conference 2026

Type: In-person & virtual

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Date: October 20-22

Why attend: HR Tech is the leading HR technology conference for evaluating new HR platforms, AI solutions, people analytics tools, and workflow automation. It’s ideal for teams exploring new systems or looking to modernize their tech stack.

HRWest 2026

Type: In-person

Location: California (specific location TBD)

Date: Spring 2026 (dates TBD)

Why attend: HRWest is a long-standing regional conference that delivers high value at a reasonable cost. With multiple tracks covering HR technology, strategy, talent, DEIB, legal/compliance, and benefits, it’s designed to give HR professionals actionable insights and tools for the year ahead.

Workhuman Live 2026

Type: In-person

Location: Orlando, FL

Date: April 27-30

Why attend: This conference gathers HR and business leaders around breakthrough strategies for building people-first workplaces. It’s a standout for blending inspiration, connection, and practical tools with a high energy live experience.

Lattiverse 2026

Type: In-person & on-demand

Location: Often San Francisco or London

Date: Date TBD

Why Attend: Hosted by Lattice, this event centers on performance management, employee engagement, culture development, and people strategy. Sessions are highly practical and well-suited for HR and people operations teams at scaling companies.

BambooHR Virtual Summit 2026

Type: Virtual

Date: TBD

Why attend: The BambooHR Virtual Summit is known for attracting incredible keynote speakers. In past years, they’ve brought in world-class voices like Serena Williams and Simon Sinek, which sets the bar high for 2026. The content spans a wide range of HR topics, from DEI and culture building to practical sessions on using AI to streamline workflows. It’s a free and highly accessible event, making it a great choice for teams that want broad, actionable insights without attending in person.

Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo

Type: In-person & virtual

Location: Orlando, FL

Date: October 26-28

Why attend: This event stands out as one of the most research-driven HR conferences available. Hosted by Gartner, the symposium brings together senior HR leaders and analysts to tackle key challenges like workforce planning, talent analytics, DEI, and HR technology strategy. Attendees gain access to actionable insights underpinned by data, peer benchmarking, and strategic frameworks tailored for senior people leaders. Whether joining in person or virtually, this event is ideal for HR teams focused on aligning people strategy with business outcomes, connecting with global practitioners, and staying ahead of emerging trends.

How to choose the right HR conferences in 2026

Selecting the right HR events comes down to understanding what your team needs most in the year ahead. As you build your 2026 development and learning plan, consider factors like:

• Your strategic priorities: Think about where your team needs the most support this year, whether it’s talent strategy, culture, leadership, analytics, benefits, or compliance.
• Budget for travel and professional development: Larger in-person conferences often come with higher travel costs, while virtual events can help stretch budget dollars further.
• Tech evaluation needs: If you’re considering new HR platforms or exploring AI tools, choose events with strong expo halls or deep-dive tech tracks.
• Preferred learning format: Some teams thrive in hands-on, in-person settings, while others prefer shorter virtual sessions that fit into daily workflows.
• Level of content depth: Look for conferences that match your team’s stage, whether you want high-level strategy, practical workshops, or research-backed insights.
• Your biggest people challenges: Focus on events that align with the issues most front-and-center for your organization, from engagement and DEI to workforce planning or healthcare strategy.

Choosing a mix of in-person and virtual HR conferences can give your team a healthy balance of deep learning, new ideas, and flexible access throughout the year.

Key takeaways

• HR conferences and events in 2026 help teams stay ahead of fast-changing trends in people strategy and HR technology.
• In-person HR events provide unmatched networking and hands-on exploration of new tools and vendors.
• Virtual HR conferences offer flexible and cost-effective access to high-quality content.
• The right conference choices depend on your team’s challenges, goals, and development priorities.
• Attending HR events can spark new ideas, improve programs, and strengthen internal capabilities across the people team.

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