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8 human resources conferences to attend in 2025
HR conferences help human resources departments and leaders learn about the latest trends and technology to improve employee experience, recruiting and retention.
Human resources and employment continue to change just as rapidly as supporting technology. HR conferences help companies stay up to date on trends, strategies and industry knowledge.
In 2022, the Great Resignation followed the COVID-19 pandemic. Many employees quit jobs to take on new responsibilities. Some who stayed began working from home more regularly, which required new business strategies for virtual meetings and connections. New HR buzzwords, such as quiet quitting and coffee badging, trended as employees demanded a better work-life balance.
More recently, employers rebelled against the work-from-home movement, ordering employees to report to the office or lose their jobs for quitting as no-shows. These companies include Amazon, Apple, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan.
Keeping up with all the latest strategies to build and maintain a diverse workforce remains challenging, especially considering generative AI and its altering effect on how people work.
Check out this list of conferences to stay updated on all the new technology, data and strategies to improve employee experience, recruiting and engagement.
1. WorkHuman Live
When: May 12-15
Where: Denver
Cost: $1,327-$1,895 until April 13, then $1,537-$2,195
Content tracks at WorkHuman Live include the following:
- AI.
- Data and technology.
- Diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Feedback.
- Hybrid work.
- Leadership.
- Middle management.
- Multicultural workforce.
- Multi-generational workforce.
- Neurodiversity.
- Psychological safety.
- Recognition.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Upskilling.
- Well-being.
- Workplace communication.
- Workplace psychology.
Speakers include:
- Adam Grant -- best-selling author.
- Erin Meyer -- author and professor.
- Trevor Noah -- comedian and television personality.
- Cy Wakeman -- founder and CEO, Reality-Based Leadership.
Register for WorkHuman Live here.
2. Future of Work USA 2025
When: June 11-12
Where: New York City
Cost: $300-$1,900
This conference focuses on exploring the future workplace, including HR, talent management, learning and development, employee engagement, people and culture, internal communications, organizational development and the digital workplace.
Speakers include:
- Amanda Edelman – chief operating officer, Edelman’s Gen Z Lab, Edelman.
- Barrett Evans -- chief learning officer, Ford Motor Company.
- Stephanie Kramer -- chief human resources officer, L’Oréal USA.
- Carmen Spencer -- vice president, People Experience, Sony Music Entertainment.
Register for Future of Work USA here.
3. SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2025
When: June 29-July 2
Where: San Diego
Cost: $2,495-$2,895 for in-person
Educational sessions at this conference address the changing work landscape for all levels of HR professionals. Topic tracks include:
- AI, data and tech.
- Compensation and benefits.
- Employee regulations and engagement.
- Global workforce trends.
- Health and wellness.
- Inclusion and diversity.
- Leadership and development.
- Strategic HR and organizational design.
- Talent management and acquisition.
- Workplace culture and change management.
Entertainment at the event features singer and songwriter Josh Groban.
Register for the SHRM Annual Conference and Expo here.
4. HR Technology Conference & Exposition
When: Sept. 16-18
Where: Las Vegas
Cost: $1,295-$2,390 for the conference and $250-$1,095 for the expo
This conference showcases the latest HR technology and emerging trends in the digital workspace. Nickle LaMoreaux. senior vice president and chief human resources officer at IBM, delivers the opening keynote. The agenda and speakers list are here.
Register for the HR Technology Conference and Exposition here.
5. Out & Equal Workplace Summit
When: Oct. 13-16
Where: Seattle
Cost: TBA
The world's largest conference on LGBTQ+ workplace issues brings together more than 5,000 LGBTQ+ employees, HR professionals, business leaders and organizational representatives for training and networking, promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace.
Learn more about Out & Equal here.
6. SHRM Inclusion 2025
When: Oct. 26-29
Where: Louisville, Ky.
Cost: Early-bird pricing for members is $1,695, while non-members pay $2,095
Conference attendees learn tools, best practices and actionable solutions to build an innovative workplace culture, boost employee satisfaction, positively affect any organization's bottom line and empower people.
Register for SHRM Inclusion here.
7. Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo
When: Oct. 27-29
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Cost: $4,425 through Aug. 29, then $4,975. Pricing for public sector employees, which requires verification, is $4,125.
This gathering of HR executives tackles issues associated with combined human-tech workplaces, including changing skill requirements. Guest speakers include Matthew Luhn, former lead animator at Pixar Studios, and Diana Nyad, long-distance swimmer and author.
Register for the Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo here.
8. UKG Aspire 2025
When: Nov. 3-6
Where: Las Vegas
Cost: TBA
UKG's annual customer conference brings together technology experts, thought leaders and industry peers. Attendees maximize their knowledge of UKG products and speak directly with product experts. Pricing, agenda and speakers have not yet been announced.
Pre-register for UKG Aspire here.
Andy Patrizio is a technology journalist with almost 30 years' experience covering Silicon Valley who has worked for a variety of publications on staff or as a freelancer, including Network World, InfoWorld, Business Insider, Ars Technica and InformationWeek.
Sarah Amsler is a senior managing editor for the Learning Content team at TechTarget.
