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Reading Time: 7 minutesStaying connected, informed and inspired is essential in the ever-evolving fields of career development and workforce planning. Conferences offer a valuable opportunity to explore emerging trends, build professional networks and gain practical tools to better serve clients and communities. This roundup highlights key conferences happening across Canada (and beyond) in fall 2026 that are tailored to career professionals, employment counsellors, HR practitioners, educators and others working at the intersection of careers and the labour market.

On demand

2026 NCDA Global Career Development Conference

Virtual conference on demand until Oct. 31

Hosted by the National Career Development Association (NCDA), the virtual conference offers career-focused recordings on AI’s impact in the workplace, career development trends, disability-inclusive practices, coaching strategies and more.

September

2026 EDAC Annual Conference

Sept. 14-17 | Moncton, NB

Hosted by the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), this event is ideal for economic development practitioners, municipal workforce planners and community development officers. Built around the theme “Tide of Change,” it features networking sessions and speaker panels where participants share innovative ideas and solutions for national and local challenges.

Future Talent Forum

Sept. 16-17 | Valletta, Malta

Under the theme “Future Ready, People First,” this event brings together leaders to examine what it takes to future-proof people at scale, and to design work and learning systems that turn insight into sustained, real-world resilience.

National Networking Day for Career Professionals

Sept. 19, 2026 | Communities across Canada & Virtual

The Canadian Job Development Network (CJDN) brings job developers, employment counsellors and employer engagement professionals together in their own communities to share challenges, learn what other organizations do and build a picture of best practices. Local sessions are hosted by sponsor organizations, with an online option for those who can’t find space nearby.

Talent Connect 2026

Sept. 28-30 | New York, NY & Virtual

LinkedIn’s summit brings together talent acquisition and HR professionals to discuss four themes: AI evaluation, workforce readiness and change management, building trust in AI, and putting AI to work. Attendees will engage in interactive workshops, breakout and networking sessions to address challenges and opportunities in talent leadership and workforce transformation. The in-person Talent Connect Summit is invitation-only for senior talent leaders and the companion Talent Connect Show broadcasts globally and is open to anyone who registers.

14th International Conference on Education & Workforce Development

Sept. 30 | Montreal, QC

Hosted by GlobalTech Zone at McGill University’s New Residence Hall, this one-day event gathers educators, policy-makers, HR and workforce development professionals, and industry leaders under the theme “Bridging Education and Industry: Empowering a Skilled Workforce for the Future.” Panel discussions, workshops and case studies cover emerging skills in an AI-driven economy, vocational training and industry-academic partnerships that support workforce readiness.

October

National Apprenticeship Conference 2026

Oct. 4-6 | Whistler, BC

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) convenes employers, policy-makers, training providers, unions and industry leaders for three days in Whistler. Sessions take an evidence-informed look at apprenticeship completion, retention and workforce resilience, under the theme “Future Built: Apprenticeship for a Changing Canada.”

32nd Annual Cando National Conference & AGM

Oct. 5-8 | Victoria, BC

Cando’s national gathering is built for Indigenous economic development officers, with four days of sessions, networking and the association’s annual general meeting at the Victoria Conference Centre. This year’s theme is “Flowing with Abundance: Indigenous Prosperity Through Knowledge, Partnership & Renewal.”

Congrès RH 2026

Oct. 6-7 | Quebec City, QC

Hosted by the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (CRHA) at the Centre des congrès de Québec, this two-day French-language event serves HR professionals across Quebec and beyond. The format mixes large keynote sessions with concurrent workshops and dedicated networking blocks, and keynote topics this year range from navigating uncertainty to emotional intelligence and affective AI.

DEAM – Idea Conference 2026

Oct. 6-8 | Edmonton, AB

Now in its fifth year, this Alberta Employment First Network event marks Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) and is structured for both sides of the hiring equation. Held at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), it will cover topics such as mentorship for retention, talent pipeline development, tapping opportunity populations for labour shortages and changes to disability supports.

A Future Built on Skills 2026

Oct. 13-14 | Toronto, ON & Virtual

A hybrid forum from the Future Skills Centre uniting senior leaders from Canadian employers, labour, policy and workforce development to explore practical solutions for building resilient talent pipelines, enabling supportive policy and turning major capital investments into lasting prosperity.

2026 NACC National Conference – Careers, Coast to Coast to Coast

Oct. 25-27 | Ottawa, ON

The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) convenes career college leaders, educators, policy-makers and industry partners at The Westin Ottawa to examine the future of workforce training. Keynotes include pollster Nik Nanos and CompTIA’s James Stanger, alongside 12 breakout sessions on student success, advocacy, leadership and future readiness.

Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo 2026

Oct. 26-28 | Orlando, FL

The largest global gathering of chief human resources officers (CHROs) and HR executives, tackling issues such as foundations for performance, shifting skills requirements and building an integrated human-AI workforce.

HR Conference 2026 – Forward Thinking: Leading What’s Next

Oct. 27-28 | Winnipeg, MB

CPHR Manitoba’s conference is tailored to business leaders and managers, and centres on HR’s role in shaping how organizations work, connect and grow. Sessions cover making difficult decisions with empathy, navigating multigenerational teams and positioning HR as a strategic partner at the highest levels of decision-making.

41st Annual ONECA Conference

Oct. 27-29 | Sault Ste. Marie, ON

This three-day event attracts counselling delegates from across Ontario. It’s a space to network and engage in educational workshops and presentations. The Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) is an organization comprising First Nation education counsellors.

2026 CPHR Atlantic HR Conference

Oct. 28-29 | Saint John, NB

Hosted by CPHR/CRHA New Brunswick, this conference brings together HR and workforce professionals from across Atlantic Canada to explore key trends in leadership, talent development and organizational strategy. The event features keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.

2026 Futures Workforce Development Conference

Oct. 28-30 | Collingwood, ON

First Work’s workforce development conference will focus on themes such as workforce disruption, talent pipelines, cross-sector collaboration and strategic innovation in employment services.

November

2026 CES Conference

Nov. 2-3 | Vancouver, BC

The Career Education Society (CES) brings together more than 350 career education professionals, workshop facilitators, exhibitors and sponsors from across British Columbia. Highlights include a keynote by Leyton Schnellert, interactive workshops, exhibitor showcases and networking opportunities.

Rethinking Disability Conference 2026

Nov. 2-4 | Richmond Hill, ON

This in-person event from the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) is designed for employment service providers, HR professionals and inclusive business leaders. It features the full Disability Awareness & Confidence Training in a business stream, followed by practical sessions, networking and a business-to-business presentation.

64th Annual CAGS Conference

Nov. 3-5 | Regina, SK

Under the theme “Empowering Excellence: Innovating Graduate Education for a Changing Canada,” the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) explores the evolving role of graduate education in addressing societal challenges. Panels, roundtables, lightning presentations and workshops sit alongside the National 3MT Showcase and the CAGS Awards Banquet. The event is primarily in person, with select sessions live-streamed.

2026 CAEL Conference

Nov. 3-6 | Pittsburgh, PA & Virtual

The 52nd annual conference of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is a hybrid event bringing together educators, workforce development and economic leaders, employers and community stakeholders to explore how adult learning aligns with career pathways. It features pre-conference workshops, keynotes and system-level collaboration.

Let’s Get to Work Conference 2026

Nov. 6 | Winnipeg, MB

Organized by the Manitoba Association for Career Development (MACD), Let’s Get to Work is Manitoba’s largest career development event, designed for practitioners to engage in keynote presentations, interactive workshops and networking opportunities. A pre-conference training session is also scheduled for Nov. 5.

OSCA/ACOSO Annual Conference 2026

Nov. 8-9 | Mississauga, ON

Guidance counsellors and career educators from across Ontario will gather at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale for two days of workshops, exhibitor showcases and networking, hosted by the Ontario School Counsellors’ Association (OSCA). This year’s keynote speaker is three-time Olympic champion and high-performance specialist Marnie McBean.

QT Qonference 2026

Nov. 18-19 | Toronto, ON

QueerTech’s QT Qonference, Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQI+ tech conference, returns to Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto for two days of in-person programming built around a single question: Who Gets to Trust AI? Under the theme “Power, Participation & Accountability,” more than 700 leaders, professionals, founders, investors and community members will examine the systems behind AI and the choices shaping its future.

NSCDA Annual Conference 2026

Nov. 18-19 | Truro, NS

The Nova Scotia Career Development Association (NSCDA) brings career development professionals together for a conference where participants will connect with colleagues, explore innovative practices, share ideas and celebrate the profession.

ASPECT Conference 26 – Building Community, Creating Opportunities

Nov. 19-20 | Victoria, BC

The Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training (ASPECT) hosts this two-day event for community-based employment and career training professionals across British Columbia. It features keynote sessions, interactive workshops, exhibitor showcases and extensive networking.

CBIE 2026 Annual Conference

Nov. 22-25 | Ottawa, ON

The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) convenes practitioners, policy-makers and researchers from the international education sector in Canada and abroad for discussions on bringing the sector together, informing policy and practice, and positioning international education as a strategic instrument of Canada’s global engagement.

P2P National Conference

Nov. 23-25 | Montreal, QC & Virtual

Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) is a national alliance dedicated to providing an evidence base for newcomer settlement and integration and the promotion of welcoming communities in Canada. The conference will bring together researchers, policy-makers and settlement sector practitioners working on newcomer settlement and integration.

NBCDA 2026 Conference – Making Connections

Nov. 24-26 | Fredericton, NB

The New Brunswick Career Development Association (NBCDA) convenes practitioners, employment counsellors and educators from across the province at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Fredericton under the theme “Making Connections.” The association serves New Brunswick’s career development community in both official languages, and last year’s conference in Moncton drew 330 delegates and featured keynotes in English and French. The Career Development Practitioner Achievement Award is presented during the event, and the call for proposals is currently open for practitioners interested in presenting

I4PL 2026 Conference

Nov. 25-26 | Toronto, ON

The Institute for Performance & Learning (I4PL) hosts this two-day, in-person event at the Westin Harbour Castle for learning and development, talent development and performance professionals across Canada. The program includes keynotes, expert-led breakout sessions, interactive workshops and an exhibitor showcase, highlighting topics such as AI in performance evaluation, leadership, organizational learning and accessibility in training.

Indigenomics on Bay Street 2026

Nov. 25-26 | Toronto, ON

This event focuses on advancing Indigenous economic leadership and reconciliation, bringing together Indigenous leaders, businesses, industry partners, investors, policy-makers and allies. The theme for this year is “Deconstructing Indian Act Economics.”

IAEVG International Conference 2026

Nov. 25-27 | Auckland, New Zealand

Hosted by the Careers and Transition Education Association of New Zealand, this International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) gathering draws researchers, policy-makers, practitioners and educators. Sessions span innovative practice, research and policy in educational, vocational and career guidance.

Higher Education Summit

Nov. 28-30 | Toronto, ON

Colleges Ontario’s summit returns to the Sheraton Centre Toronto for post-secondary leaders, with senior-level addresses and networking examining the top issues facing the sector. This year’s program runs under the theme “Powering Growth.”

December

CESBA Conference 2026

Dec. 2-3 | Toronto, ON

This conference from the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA) splits across two days. Day 1 is Sector Day, with dedicated workshops and discussions for principals and vice-principals, newcomer support and personal support worker programs. Day 2 is Workshop Day, opening with plenary programming before delegates choose from several workshops.

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