Preview: thousands of people professionals get ready for CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition – with Susie Dent, Michael Wooldridge and Maggie Aderin-Peacock

Thousands of people professionals, people managers and business leaders are getting ready to gather in Manchester - and online - next month for two days of learning, professional development and networking at the CIPD’s illustrious Annual Conference and Exhibition.  

Taking place on 6 and 7 November, the theme for this year’s event is ‘Making work work’, with four key streams covering productivity and skills, artificial intelligence (AI), workplace conflict, leading responsibly and boosting employee experience. All of the content and hands-on experiences have been carefully designed and curated to ensure attendees walk away with new insights and expertise to help them tackle the problems of the modern workplace and ensure work works for people and business. From innovators and top practitioners to authors, influencers and researchers, you’ll find no shortage of expertise across the conference and exhibition floor. 

 
Don’t miss Susie Dent, Michael Wooldridge and Maggie Aderin-Peacock, on the main stage 

With a full conference pass, you’ll get access to 55+ hours of conference content from 140+ thought leaders and inspirational speakers – delivered in a range of immersive formats, and all available to watch in-person or online from the comfort of your own workspace.  

Speakers include: 

• Susie Dent, writer and broadcaster of Countdown fame, on ‘Why words matter’ in the workplace 
• Prof. Michael Wooldridge, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford, on the capabilities of generative AI now and the implications for business, work and society 
• Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Peacock, space scientist, on how she went from a modest background and diagnosed with dyslexia to become the BBC's 'face of space'.  
• Bruce Daisley, former Twitter VP and best-selling author of The Joy of Work, on  how organisations can rediscover the joy of work by rebuilding strong, connected cultures.
• Manchester Corinthians Ladies Football Club, a team of Mancunian schoolgirls and office workers, on the importance of documenting women's sports stories in a landscape where women are underrepresented both on the pitch and on screen.  

Bonus content and exclusive discounts for CIPD members 

Whether you attend for free with an exhibition ticket or purchase a conference pass, CIPD members will get access to an exclusive member-only session at 16:15 on day one – with Peter Cheese, CIPD Chief Executive, and David D’Souza, Director of Profession. This will be a unique chance to hear from and directly question our senior leadership team about the work we’ve done this year on behalf of members and the profession.  

Plus, CIPD members get a special rate on conference passes. 

Network and learn with a free exhibition pass 

A free exhibition ticket gives you access to 28+ hours of knowledge sharing sessions across our popular Insight stages and Evidence lab live, networking opportunities with thousands of people professionals, and the chance to discover 130+ leading suppliers (all also available with an in-person conference pass).   

This year’s Insights stages will focus on HR transformation, learning and skills, and employee engagement, while Evidence lab live will shine a light on the latest academic research, case studies and evidence-based practices.  

Your exhibition or conference pass will also give you access to seven interactive and engaging features, including a careers and skills drop-in, employment law clinic, AI hub, and relaxation area.   

Give your professional development a boost with the CIPD team  

Come and meet the teams dedicated to helping you get the most out of your career in the people profession.  The team will be there to answer any questions you may have.  

 
You’ll find us at the CIPD stand, right in the middle of the exhibition hall, where you can: 

• Explore our new member benefits - including mentoring opportunities and tailored career support 
• Meet our membership assessors and find out how you can upgrade your membership to get the professional recognition you deserve 
• Ask us anything about your membership, courses, qualifications and resources  
• Take the weight off your feet, grab a free coffee, and connect with your peers in the CIPD members’ lounge 
• Get a range of discounts on our products and services – exclusive to event attendees, for a limited time period 
• Learn how you can get involved with the work of the CIPD Trust to give your own career a boost and support others to get in and on in the world of work 
• A series of short talks from CIPD experts on topics including, strategic Workforce planning and what you need to know about the UK Government’s plans to Make Work Pay.