Whether you’re a seasoned L&D pro or trying to break into the field, continuous learning is the name of the game in the instructional design world.
That’s why attending instructional design conferences can be an excellent way to network, deepen your industry knowledge, and gain new insights.
As the industry continues to grow, 2026 is full of unmissable instructional design conferences and events! To ensure you don’t miss out, we’ve compiled a list of the top events you absolutely must add to your agenda.
Keep scrolling to discover more about each conference, including location, dates, and agenda.
Table of contents:
- Offbeat Fest
- ATD TechKnowledge 2026
- ATD International Conference & Expo 2026
- Digital Learning Annual Conference
- People Development Summit
- Learning Technologies
- Eleventh Annual Learning Experience Design Conference (LXDCON’26)
- World of Learning Summit
- DevLearn
9 ID conferences to add to your calendar in 2026
Below are the best instructional design conferences to elevate your career this year. For each event, you’ll find an overview of what’s covered and the target audience:
Offbeat Fest 2026
This unique L&D conference emphasizes practical knowledge sharing and genuine connections. Returning for its second year, the event features four rounds of curated discussions with expert facilitators, eight 30-minute keynote presentations focused on real case studies, and extensive networking opportunities. The informal setting includes a backyard venue with picnic tables, creating an atmosphere conducive to authentic conversations and community building. The 2026 edition builds on learnings from the successful 2025 inaugural event.
Location:
Big Penny Social, London, UK
Date:
May 18-19, 2026
Best for:
Internal L&D professionals and independent consultants looking to connect with peers, share practical experiences, and learn through conversation-driven sessions rather than traditional presentations.
ATD TechKnowledge 2026
During this immersive event, attendees can participate in demos, active and hands-on learning sessions, and community conversations. There are also interactive sessions with keynote speakers, diving into the latest learning technologies, industry trends, and L&D innovations with a particular focus on AI integration and emerging technologies.
Location:
Las Vegas, NV (venue to be announced)
Date:
February 2026 (specific dates to be announced)
Best for:
Professionals interested in emerging technologies, the impact of AI, and innovation within the instructional design space.
ATD International Conference & Expo 2026
The L&D event of the year returns with a comprehensive program spanning instructional design, coaching, leadership development, learning analytics, and emerging technologies. With 450+ sessions, 400+ exhibitors, and world-class speakers, ATD 2026 provides unparalleled networking and learning opportunities across 14 distinct learning tracks.
Location:
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date:
May 17-20, 2026 (Pre-Conference Training: May 14-16, 2026; EXPO: May 18-20, 2026)
Best for:
All L&D professionals, from instructional designers and developers to chief learning officers, seeking comprehensive professional development and global networking opportunities.
Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC Ignite)
You can choose a personalized pathway to ensure you get the knowledge you came for. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in immersive learning experiences and network with industry professionals from across the globe. The focus of this event is instructional strategy and professional development, with a unique format featuring shorter, more interactive sessions.
Note: DLAC is transitioning its schedule in 2026. The conference moves from Austin to two locations: Sacramento in February (for school year 2025-2026) and Atlanta in October (for school year 2026-2027). From 2027 onwards, DLAC will permanently take place in October.
Location:
DLAC 2026 (Spring): Sacramento, CA, Safe Credit Union Convention Center
DLAC 2026 Transition (Fall): Atlanta, GA
Date:
Sacramento: February 18-20, 2026 (Wednesday-Friday)
Atlanta: October 19-21, 2026
Best for:
K-12 digital learning practitioners, school and district leaders, researchers, and professionals who are directly involved in training strategy, such as chief learning officers (CLOs), L&D VPs, directors, and training managers in the education sector.
People Development Summit
Celebrating its 26th year, this invitation-only summit creates a space for L&D professionals to connect with solution providers that can help with business needs and development goals. The event brings together 80 senior L&D professionals from leading UK and Irish organizations with 30 top-tier solution providers. There is a varied programme of sessions with different suppliers, featuring business ‘speed dates’, keynotes, and interactive workshops, so you can personalize your experience.
As such, it’s free for senior heads of L&D to attend.
Location:
Dolce CampoReal Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Date:
March 11-13, 2026
Best for:
Professionals who lead L&D, talent development, and HR teams, as well as senior L&D delegates from the UK and Ireland.
Learning Technologies
The conference program focuses on emerging learning technologies, the role of AI, content design, skills development, and wellbeing. Running over two days alongside the renowned Learning Technologies Exhibition, the event attracts 15,000 visitors when co-located with HR Technologies UK. With 80+ expert speakers across 30+ sessions and over 200 exhibitors, it provides comprehensive coverage of workplace learning innovation.
It’s an essential event for L&D professionals to stay ahead of the latest trends, best practices, and learning strategies.
Location:
ExCeL London, UK
Date:
April 29-30, 2026
Best for:
Instructional designers, elearning developers, L&D managers, and all professionals interested in learning technologies.
Eleventh Annual Learning Experience Design Conference (LXDCON’26)
The eleventh annual LXDCON brings together LXD enthusiasts from around the globe for this virtual event. Expect inspiring talks, engaging workshops, and opportunities to connect with the international learning experience design community. The conference typically features multiple days of programming with sessions across different time zones.
Location:
Online (Virtual Conference)
Date:
June 16-18, 2026
Best for:
Professionals interested in the innovative use of learning experience design, creative learning solutions, and those passionate about creating engaging and motivating learning experiences.
World of Learning
Attendees can enjoy talks by key industry figures and a varied agenda that tackles relevant instructional design topics. This includes high-profile case studies, interactive seminars, panel debates, and networking opportunities. The event combines a paid conference featuring expert-led sessions with a free-to-attend exhibition showcasing the latest learning technologies and solutions.
As such, it’s an excellent event for L&D professionals to look ahead to the future of workplace learning and gain insights from leading thinkers in the space.
Note: There are two World of Learning events in 2026 – the London Summit in February and the main Conference & Exhibition in Birmingham in October.
Location:
World of Learning Summit: Olympia London, UK
World of Learning Conference & Exhibition: NEC Birmingham, UK
Date:
London Summit: February 3-4, 2026
Birmingham Conference & Exhibition: October 6-7, 2026
Best for:
Senior L&D professionals, training managers, and anyone interested in workplace learning solutions and trends.
DevLearn
Powered by The Learning Guild, DevLearn is THE industry-leading learning technologies event shaping the future of L&D. Attendees will have an opportunity to attend 150+ sessions covering key topics related to technology-based learning, with a strong focus on AI, immersive learning, and data-driven design. The event features hands-on “bring your own device” (BYOD) sessions, 90-minute Mastery Sessions, and the popular DemoFest experience.
In addition, there’s a selection of pre-conference workshops, certificates, and co-located events that attendees can participate in.
Location:
MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada (expected)
Date:
October/November 2026 (specific dates to be announced)
Best for:
Professionals with a keen interest in emerging learning technologies and innovation, including instructional designers, developers, and CLOs.
Wrapping up
2026 looks set to be another exciting year for the L&D industry, with major events all over the globe. As you put together your schedule for the year, make strategic decisions about the instructional design conferences you attend.
After all, you can’t attend every event. Start by outlining your goals and narrowing your list down to the conferences that align with those objectives. Then, filter your list further by choosing the conferences that are particularly relevant to your niche or industry. Finally, don’t forget to capture the highlights to share with your team. Enjoy!
Note: Some conference dates for 2026 are still to be announced. Please check the official conference websites for the most current information and registration details.
Get more insights into all things learning on our blog.