Craving a break from the daily grind and a chance to mingle with the brightest minds in learning? That’s the magic of great L&D events. These gatherings are a hotbed for groundbreaking ideas and the perfect place to shape the future of learning in real-time.
From the rainy streets of London to the bright lights of Las Vegas, we’ve scoured the globe to bring you the 16 best learning and development events, conferences, summits, and meet-ups of the year. There’s something here for every budget, vibe, and learning obsession.
Consider this list your golden ticket to invaluable insights, skill-building sprees, and networking nirvana. Ready to rediscover the joy of learning (and maybe even snag some free swag)? Then keep reading, and let’s get some dates in your diary!
L&D Events: What You Need to Know
Learning and development (L&D) isn’t just a department. It’s the engine of organisational success. But, to really move the dial, learning professionals must actively build their connections and expand their network. After all, this is the best way to keep up with emerging trends and embrace new perspectives.
Thankfully, there are a variety of communities and networks that help you to do this. Many of these communities offer annual events, ranging from large-scale conferences and exhibitions to focused seminars and summits.
Our list seeks to establish the key dates that every learning professional should have marked on their calendar. We’ve also included location details and estimated attendee numbers, so you can get a sense of their scale.
Where possible, we’ve added ticket prices in the local currency. All prices are based on the regular rate. Please check with the organiser for further options, including ‘early bird’ or ‘all access’ passes. And if you’re working with a budget, don’t be put off. Seven of the events on our list have free options.
Quick reminder: things change! Event dates, locations, and prices can move around. We’re doing our best to keep this article current, but for the absolute latest information, always check the event websites that we’ve linked below.
The Top 16 L&D Events
And now, to our curated list of the top L&D events. These events are ordered according to their estimated attendee numbers and not based on their perceived value or quality. After all, sometimes small can be mighty. Enjoy!
Learning Technologies (LT)
Attendees: 11,000+
Location: London, United Kingdom
Price: £1,395
Learning Technologies stands proud as Europe’s (and arguably the world’s) premier event for workplace learning and its enabling tech. Boasting 200+ exhibitors spanning two halls and a packed conference schedule, there’s plenty for you to sink your teeth into.
Co-located with HR Technologies, the sheer scale of this show is impressive. The conference alone features 80+ speakers across 30 sessions, all aiming to provide an enriching experience for learning professionals.
If you can attend one show this year, make it this one. And if you’re hungry for more, you can also attend their follow-up event, the Autumn Forum, or Learning Technologies France, which attracts over 10,000 attendees.
ATD International Conference & Expo
Attendees: 10,000+
Location: Washington, D.C., United States
Price: $2,895
The ATD International Conference & Expo, held annually in the US capital, is the nation’s flagship event for talent development professionals. This global forum draws attendees from over 80 countries, providing access to 450+ sessions and 400+ exhibitors. In other words, it’s a big deal.
Given the event’s scope, it’s certain you’ll walk away with industry-leading insights, innovative solutions, and valuable connections. You can also opt to attend virtually to access live session streams, on-demand recordings, and interactive networking features.
CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition
Attendees: 6,500+
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Price: Free and paid options
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s annual conference unites global people professionals in addressing critical workplace challenges. Attendees should expect a bounty of thought-provoking speakers and interactive experiences.
This two day event has a lot to offer, whether you’re attending with a free pass or a full ticket. Specifically, the ‘Insights’ stage boasts 28+ hours of free content, and the exhibition hall is open to all. Alternatively, attendees can purchase tickets to unlock 55+ hours of curated conference content.
DevLearn
Attendees: 4,000+
Location: Las Vegas, United States
Price: $1,595
Billed as North America’s ‘largest learning technologies’ event, DevLearn is now a crucial fixture on the L&D calendar. Its distinct technology focus sets it apart from the other major US shows. It also ensures you’ll come away with a treasure trove of tips for getting more from your software stack.
DevLearn is produced by the Learning Guild, who also happen to be the masterminds behind the Learning Leadership Conference. As the name suggests, this Orlando-based event is tailored for L&D professionals who are looking to level up their leadership game.
World of Learning
Attendees: 3,000+
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Price: £995
The World of Learning Conference & Exhibition is a two-day event at the NEC, Birmingham. Standing out as a rare, non-London L&D event in the UK, it offers learning pros nationwide (and beyond) an exceptional platform for learning, discovery, interaction, and connection. World of Learning even rolls out the welcome mat with a dedicated networking session for first timers.
The conference programme, aimed at senior L&D professionals, delivers high-profile case studies, interactive seminars, and lively discussion forums. What’s more, World of Learning has started to expand its reach. You can now sign up for this year’s buzzworthy AI conference in London.
Training Conference & Expo
Attendees: 2,000+
Location: Orlando, United States
Price: $2,095
Produced by Training magazine, this conference focuses on skill-building, behavioral analytics, leadership development, digital learning, and other trending topics. As they put it, ‘this is more than a conference — it’s a community of training professionals, supporting, caring, and learning together’.
The event features thought-provoking keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, hands-on clinics, certification programmes, and more. Those seeking a deeper dive into tech may prefer to explore Training magazine’s annual TechLearn conference.
Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE)
Attendees: 600+
Location: North Carolina, United States
Price: $1,725
Training Industry is a major force in the learning and development space and their conference is no different. Aimed at current and aspiring learning leaders, TICE focuses on idea development and innovative workplace learning solutions.
You can expect impactful keynote sessions, breakout events, product demonstrations, and roundtable discussions that offer an opportunity to interact with other learning leaders. You’ll also have access to an exhibition hall packed with cutting-edge tech applications.
Learning Live
Attendees: 600+
Location: London, United Kingdom
Price: Free
Learning Live is the Learning Performance Institute’s annual event for L&D leaders and decision makers. In fact, this conference is completely free for those who meet this criteria. Better still, its agenda is constructed from the challenges noted by attendees on their registration forms.
With a robust conference programme and a full exhibition hall, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. An additional complimentary networking event on the first evening also helps to foster connections between learning leaders, facilitating valuable insight sharing.
Chief Learning Officer Symposium
Attendees: 300+
Location: Virtual
Price: Free
Crafted by the editors of Chief Learning Officer magazine, the Chief Learning Officer Symposium is an annual gathering of learning professionals from across the globe. In particular, it caters to the needs of those leading organisational learning within their respective businesses.
Now in its third decade (just like us!), this well-established event features keynote sessions, panel discussions, spotlight workshops, and case study presentations. Additionally, its virtual and interactive design enables worldwide participation from any location.
CLN Learning Conference
Attendees: 200+
Location: Los Angeles, United States
Price: $2,499
Brought to you by the Corporate Learning Network, the CLN Learning Conference serves as a conduit to cutting-edge insights, advanced technologies, and impactful strategies. It also provides a dedicated space for you to connect with other L&D leaders from major organisations.
While a free pass is available for professionals in the higher education industry, the event’s paid pathway offers 30-hours of ‘transformative content’. This includes engaging workshops, interactive keynote sessions, team-building activities, and hands-on tech demos.
The Learning Network Connect
Attendees: 100+
Location: London, United Kingdom
Price: £145
To help bring the L&D community together, The Learning Network puts on ‘Connect’. This event offers a packed schedule full of inspiring speakers, expert presentations, real-life case studies, networking opportunities, and a dedicated exhibition area.
You’ll have ample chances to learn, but networking is the main attraction here. After all, two hot seat sessions and a closing drinks reception guarantees valuable connections with other learning professionals. Your contact list will thank you!
The Learning Ideas Conference
Attendees: 100+
Location: New York or virtual
Price: $695
Seeking inspiration? Then The Learning Ideas Conference could be your ideal destination. This event is designed to encourage collaboration among learning professionals from varied backgrounds. It focuses on trending topics like cognitive science, game design, and immersive learning.
Its keynote talks, panel discussions, and breakout sessions are designed to stimulate your grey matter. Better still, attendees can choose between in-person attendance in New York or virtual participation from their workspace. Here’s to embracing flexibility!
People Development Summit
Attendees: 100+
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Price: Free for L&D Heads
Looking for leading-edge learning technology? Fast track your discovery process at the People Development Summit, set in sunny Portugal. Featuring 30 well-vetted vendors, the event promises a solution to accommodate any organisational need.
But don’t worry, this isn’t a relentless barrage of sales pitches. You’ll receive a personalised schedule, informed by your pre-selected sessions and meeting preferences. These meetings are then enriched by expert presentations, round table discussions, and informal networking experiences.
The Richmond L&D Forum
Attendees: 100+
Location: London, United Kingdom
Price: Free for L&D Heads
Much like the People Development Summit, The Richmond L&D Forum helps you see what’s available in the marketplace through pre-scheduled meetings of your choice. If you’ve got an L&D problem you need to fix, this is where you go from talking about it to actually finding solutions.
Thankfully, sales pitches aren’t the sole focus. You’ll also have access to a conference programme of keynotes, interactive workshops, think tanks, and personal development sessions. Additionally, you’ll have networking opportunities where you can connect with fellow learning leaders and industry luminaries.
Training & Development Summit
Attendees: 60+
Location: London, United Kingdom
Price: Free for L&D Heads
The Training & Development Summit, hosted in London Heathrow, is all about getting L&D buyers and suppliers talking. Whether you’re after new business connections or a fresh collaboration, you’ll get an itinerary that’s been made just for your needs.
You’ll also sit in on seminars where industry experts spill their secrets and share best practice advice. Finally, the event provides a platform for valuable networking, as it brings together your peers, industry experts, and potential vendors.
Learning Futures
Attendees: 40+
Location: Multi-location
Price: Free for L&D Heads
Learning Futures, from event maestros iVentiv, gets Heads of Learning and ‘visionary thinkers’ together in one room to talk about game-changing L&D strategies and tools. This two-day conversation includes interactive workshops, breakout discussions, and dedicated networking time.
This is potentially the smallest scale event on our list, limited to just 40 attendees. But its size is an advantage. After all, you’ll get to really connect with everyone and get into the real-world examples in a way you can’t really achieve at bigger events.
Final Words
There we have it. We’ve explored 16 incredible L&D events that are all worthy of a red ring on your calendar. The learning and development landscape is constantly shifting, but one thing remains constant: the power of connection and continuous learning.
These events provide you with an opportunity to expand your knowledge, network, and perspectives. Whether you’re mixing with thousands of your peers at a huge conference, or swapping ideas with top learning leaders in a focused seminar, you’re guaranteed to gain something awesome.
Next, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Tell us about your all-time favourite L&D events, and let us know about any gems we’ve somehow managed to overlook. You can reach us through our socials. Until then, here’s to a year overflowing with productive learning and meaningful connections.
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And to help you make the most of your L&D journey (and these events), we’ve created ‘The L&D Professional’s Handbook‘. Download it now for 165 practical tips to advance your career.
