Next year’s HR conferences promise to tackle some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
Among other things, attendees can expect to hear about recent policy developments, compliance challenges and, of course, artificial intelligence.
Many events offer standard conference sessions, and some also feature case studies, expositions and networking opportunities. There are a wide variety of industry-specific events planned as well for fields like education, manufacturing and construction.
Top HR conferences in 2026
Talent Acquisition Week
Feb. 2-5
San Diego, California
This conference promises to help talent acquisition professionals implement AI tools while also putting the heart and humanity back into talent attraction with strategies for candidate experience and inclusive hiring.
HRWest
Spring
California
This conference covers topics like talent, HR technology, compliance and DEIB.
Unleash America Conference & Expo
March 17-19
Las Vegas, Nevada
Billing itself the “International Festival of HR,” Unleash America will cover AI, skills, well-being and leadership.
NELI Employment Law Briefing
March 22-25
Naples, Florida
This is an advanced-level program for attorneys and human resource professionals that will analyze legal developments and their practical application and implications in the workplace.
Transform
March 23-25
Las Vegas, Nevada
Transform says it sits at the intersection of technology and the diverse community shaping the future of the workplace. The event features three days of progressive programming, curated connections and innovative technology.
CUPA-HR Spring Conference
March 29-31
Louisville, Kentucky
Last year’s edition of this three-day conference for college and university HR professionals featured programming on topics such as artificial intelligence and encouraging empathetic leadership in college- and university-specific settings.
LEAP HR: Life Sciences West
April
San Francisco, California
HR leaders in the life sciences industry will gather to hear others’ stories, engage in Q&A and develop action plans to bring back to their companies.
Labor & Employment Law Advanced Practices Conference
April 8-10
Las Vegas, Nevada
The annual labor law conference is poised to tackle the most important employment law challenges. Organizers say it’s ideal for public-sector, private or government HR employees, and even managers.
DMEC Compliance Conference
April 13-16
St. Louis, Missouri
Attendees will network and advance their knowledge in complying with state and federal laws dealing with leave and accommodation.
Rethink HR Tech
April 16-17
Chicago, Illinois
AI-powered recruiting, automated talent management systems and workforce analytics will all be on the schedule at this technology-focused HR conference.
WorldatWork Total Rewards
April 19-22
San Antonio, Texas
In previous years, this conference has covered culture, pay equity, emerging regulations, transparency and sustainability.
SHRM Talent
April 19-22
Dallas, Texas
SHRM’s conference for talent managers promises to help them “revolutionize” strategy with a focus on skills development, advancing technology and AI.
WorkHuman Live
April 27-30
Orlando, Florida
Workhuman calls its conference “a transformative four-day experience that helps HR champions and business and people leaders take a holistic approach to solving work challenges.”
HR in Hospitality Conference
April 30-May 1
Hollywood, Florida
Produced by Cornell University, this conference features speakers who work in HR at leading hotels as well as employment law attorneys who focus on the hospitality industry.
Leap HR: Healthcare
May
TBD
Among other topics, HR pros in healthcare will focus on AI and digital transformation, difficult labor shortages and skill-building in 2026.
HRO Today Forum North America
May 6-8
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This conference will “bring together HR leaders, practitioners, technology experts, and innovators” to focus on the future of North American and global business.
California HR Conference
May 11-13
Anaheim, California
This state-tailored conference promises to help attendees “navigate California’s notoriously complex regulations.”
Payroll Congress Convention & Expo
May 12-15
Nashville, Tennessee
Attendees can choose from more than 100 workshops, as well as general sessions, networking events and an expo.
ATD International Conference & Expo
May 17-20
Los Angeles, California
L&D professionals will share best practices and discuss industry trends. Attendees also can network with peers and visit the expo floor.
Future of Work USA
June
Dallas, Texas
From workplace design to upskilling, Future of Work aims to tackle every aspect of future work.
The Conference Board CHRO Summit
June 3
Chicago, Illinois
The annual in-person summit is exclusively for CHROs and will address strategy, AI transformation, leadership development and more.
SHRM Annual Conference
June 16-19
Orlando, Florida
This large-scale, annual conference promises to explore the latest HR trends and provide insight that supports HR professionals’ daily tasks.
NCDA Global Career Development Conference
June 30-July 2
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This conference caters to career development practitioners, facilitators, counselor educators, counselors, and specialists; a business constituency group participates as well.
LEAP HR: Life Sciences East
July 28-30
Boston, Massachusetts
Among other things, attendees of this conference will connect with other professionals in biopharma responsible for attracting, retaining and developing talent.
DMEC Annual Conference
Aug. 3-6
Nashville, Tennessee
This conference aims to provide strategies to elevate absence and disability management programs.
HR Technology Conference and Exhibition
Oct. 20-22
Las Vegas, Nevada
HR Tech is known for its expo hall and learning sessions based on developments in HR technology and how it intertwines with talent management and beyond.
LEAP HR: Higher Education
TBD
TBD
This event will feature case studies from public and private higher education institutions with practical solutions to help HR professionals in the industry revitalize retention strategy, foster a culture of well-being and engagement and rebrand the HR function.
LEAP HR: Logistics & Transportation
TBD
Atlanta, Georgia
HR leaders working in logistics and transportation organizations will hear disruptive conversations about how to inspire, attract, develop and retain a mission-critical workforce.
LEAP HR: State & Local Government
TBD
TBD
Last year, the conference highlighted how state and local government leaders are becoming more creative in their strategies to engage and retain their public-sector workforce, enhancing performance and talent management and more.
HRO Today Talent Acquisition Summit
TBD
TBD
The 2025 conference promised a dive deep into cutting-edge strategies for recruiting top-tier talent.
HCI Spark Talent
TBD
TBD
Last year’s conference advertised the opportunity to answer the most critical questions about what it takes to plan, adapt and acquire the workforce of the future.
SHRM Women in Leadership Institute
TBD
TBD
In recent years, the conference has branded itself as a four-day immersive experience, open to all positions, professions and genders.
LEAP HR: Manufacturing
TBD
TBD
The summit focuses on connecting senior HR leaders in manufacturing as they tackle unprecedented disruption.
HRO Today Retention and Recognition Summit
TBD
TBD
The 2025 conference promised a dive deep into cutting-edge strategies for recruiting top-tier talent.
HRSouthwest
TBD
TBD
This conference is a large regional event. It advertises learning opportunities and networking alongside an expo floor.
SHRM Blueprint
TBD
TBD
After a rebrand in 2025 from SHRM Inclusion, SHRM Blueprint aims to help I&D professionals navigate a risk- and regulation-heavy environment.
AfroTech
TBD
TBD
2025 sessions included focus on AI and Black-led innovation across numerous industries, including tech and healthcare.
LEAP HR: Emerging Biopharma
TBD
TBD
The conference bills itself as the “only meeting built for senior HR leaders” in the emerging biopharma space. The three-day event focuses on themes such as navigating funding pressures, regulatory shifts, global competition and layoffs.
ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference
TBD
TBD
An annual showcase for labor and employment law, the event routinely books speakers including high-profile attorneys, academics and federal agency leaders. The 2025 event featured the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Kalpana Kotagal and staff for the National Labor Relations Board, among others.
NELI Employment Law Conference
TBD
TBD
The two-day conference focuses on significant pending legislative and regulatory changes in addition to annual updates. Attendees can expect programming on laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act as well as federal agencies such as EEOC.
LEAP HR: Construction
TBD
TBD
The 2025 conference put the skilled labor shortage in construction front and center, with theming focused on new immigration regulations that have affected the industry.
CUPA-HR Annual Conference & Expo
TBD
TBD
The three-day conference for HR leaders in higher education in 2025 planned to explore the impact of AI on HR, rising workplace incivility and breakout sessions on subjects such as leadership development, employee engagement and financial stability.
