2025 HR conference calendar of events: In-person, virtual, and hybrid

Whether you prefer in-person, remote, or hybrid events, 2025 is packed with HR conferences with learning and networking opportunities that fit any budget.

Are you ready to up your HR game in 2025? There are tons of great conferences and trade shows to attend this year. The past few years have shown us just how successful and engaging virtual events can be, but many HR professionals are itching for some face-to-face interaction to come in the new year.

If you're looking to evolve your HR strategy in 2025, you won't want to miss out on these conferences and trade shows. Check out our list of must-attend events for HR professionals below.

In-person conferences

2025 looks promising for in-person conferences, so we’ve set out to compile a list of top in-person HR conferences and trade shows to attend in the new year –including detailed descriptions, pricing, and dates for each event.

2025 AHRD International Research Conference

February 19-22, 2025 | Arlington, VA

The 32nd Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) International Research Conference in the Americas is set to take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia in 2025. This conference brings together prominent scholars and practitioners of human resources development, who will share their latest findings in both theory and practice.

More details on sessions and the schedule are coming soon, but sessions will be designed to foster generative learning and facilitate both formal and informal discussions on subjects of shared interest in human resources.

Who Should Attend

HR and business professionals and students who want to learn and discuss the latest developments in human resources.

Cost

• AHRD members: $479 early bird through January 15, 2025, $529 regular rate after January 15.
• AHRD student members: $389 early bird through January 15, 2025, $439 regular rate after January 15.
• Non-members: $759 early bird through January 15, 2025, $809 regular rate after January 15.
• Day passes are also available.

HR West 2025

March 11-12, 2025 | Oakland, CA

Organized by HR.com, the largest social networking site for human resources professionals, HR West is a three-day event packed with learning and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Sample conference tracks include Human Experience, Learning and Development, Leadership, Employment Law, Culture and Communication, Talent Management, Acquisition, Onboarding, and so much more. With more than 1000 HR professionals expected to attend, you’ll be able to build solid relationships, generate trust, and try out HR products in a traditional exhibition environment.

Attending gives you the opportunity to interact live with speakers, reconnect with HR peers, and attend evening receptions after networking.

Who Should Attend

HR participants ranging from generalists to directors who would like to reconnect, re-engage, and continue developing HR skills to stay on top of the latest processes and products.

Cost

• $399 through December 15, 2024
• $799 from December 19, 2024 - March 10, 2025
• $999 from March 11-12, 2025

HR Transform 2025

March 17-19, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV

Hosted at Wynn Las Vegas, HR Transform brings together the world’s most prominent HR executives, innovators, and professionals to explore technology’s role in people operations. HR participants can expect to engage with peers from forward-thinking companies, see the leading edge across all aspects of HR, and connect with thought leaders that are revolutionizing the workplace.

Session topics include skills-based hiring, Gen Z in the workplace, compensation, and remote and hybrid work arrangements— many of which are top of mind for people leaders in 2025. Additionally, HR Transform brings together a diverse group of speakers and executive-level people leaders to share their experiences with today’s challenges and priorities.

Who Should Attend

Business and people leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors can all stand to benefit from attending this conference by building relationships with executive-level leaders, innovators, and investors, and demonstrating thought leadership and position as one creating the future of the workplace.

Cost

• $1,695 for an all-access pass

SPARK HR 2025

April 30-May 2, 2025 | Lake Buena Vista, FL

Human Capital Institute’s 2025 SPARK HR Conference is focused on employee engagement and retention, emphasizing what employees truly are looking for in their organizations and how technology and manager training can be leveraged to increase engagement and retention.

Who Should Attend

HR pros looking to enhance the employee experience and retention at their organizations and want insights on the latest strategies and tools to do so.

Cost

• $1,595 for a full event pass

BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2025

May 6, 2025 | Boston, MA

Geared more specifically towards benefits brokers, BenefitsPRO is still a great opportunity for HR professionals who are involved with advising on benefits-related topics. BenefitsPRO Broker Expo helps attendees discover how political changes can be incorporated into business plans, explores how data analytics should be integrated into businesses, and grow their businesses with top insights.

Who Should Attend

Employee benefits advisors, brokers, agents, or HR professionals involved with selling or advising on group or voluntary products.

Cost

Prices for 2025 passes have not yet been announced as of this writing, but last year’s rates were as follows:

Full Conference Passes

• $545-$695 for sellers, including brokers, planners, consultants, agents, and producers. (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $895-$1,045 for non-sellers, including professionals not involved with selling or not part of a brokerage firm (prices increase as the event approaches)

Day Passes for Sellers

Includes access to all sessions and technology workshops, exhibit hall access, and networking events on a single day.

• $350

HR Florida Conference & Expo 2025

August 24-27, 2025 | Kissimmee, FL

HR Florida Conference & Expo (HRFL) is the largest HR conference in the Southeast. Designed for HR professionals to network, grow, and learn more about various topics in the human resources industry, the popular event attracts over 1,500 professionals and vendors across the globe.

2025’s keynote speakers will include Gloria Mayfield-Banks, Brett Culp, and Halim Flowers. Attendees learn from more than 130 different sessions and are able to receive recertification credits.

Who Should Attend

HR professionals looking for the latest guidance in the HR industry and unbeatable networking opportunities.

Cost

• $1,149-$1,949 for full conference registration (prices increase closer to event)
• $5,184-$9,020 for a 5-registrant bulk chapter order (prices increase closer to event)
• $9,823-$17,091 for a 10-registrant bulk chapter order (prices increase closer to event)
• $5,457-$9,495 for a 5-registrant bulk corporate order (prices increase closer to event)
• $10,341-$17,991for a 10-registrant bulk corporate order (prices increase closer to event)

HR Technology Conference & Expo 2025

September 16-18, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV

Hosted by industry leader HR Tech, this conference provides in-depth insights on making critical HR system decisions, fueling your business, and supporting your organization’s ever-changing needs. Additionally, HR Tech is known for hosting the world’s largest HR tech marketplace. For HR professionals in the market for HR products, they’ll be able to explore thousands of products to identify what suits their needs.

Attendees can expect to gain practical HR takeaways, direct access to industry thought leaders, access to the Women in HR Technology Summit, earn recertification credits, and receive next-level networking opportunities.

Sessions for 2025 have yet to be announced, but last year’s sessions included AI in HR, Core HR, DEI, Employee Experience, Employee Well-being, Future Ready Workplace, and more.

Who Should Attend

HR professionals looking to continuously optimize usage of current HR systems, leverage HR automation, or explore new HR technology options.

Cost

Registration and pricing TBA

The HRSouthwest Conference 2025

October 12, 2025 | Fort Worth, TX

Powered by DallasHR, the HRSouthwest Conference is one of the largest regional education and networking events for HR professionals, as well as vendors to the HR industry. The Conference helps HR re-certify SHRM and HRCI designations, and discover the latest in HR products, services, and processes.

Who Should Attend

HR professionals looking to keep up with the latest industry trends, evaluate HR technology, and receive recertification credits.

Cost

Registration and pricing TBA

Virtual HR conferences

With a shift to virtual and hybrid conferences following the COVID-19 pandemic, there are countless virtual HR conference offerings in 2025 in case you can’t make it to an in-person event. Here are a few to consider!

The Future of Payroll

February 26, 2025

This virtual conference will focus on new and anticipated strategies and trends in employee payments, including valuable insights gained from the HR Research Institute’s latest study.

This event will cover a wide range of topics from difficult challenges to legal changes to new technologies and offerings.

In addition, predictions and forecasts for the future of payroll will be highlighted, including how to prepare for and adapt to upcoming changes in the payroll landscape.

Cost

Free!

The State of Rewards and Recognition

April 10, 2025

This virtual event will cover the latest critical developments in employee rewards and recognition so you can make your organization’s employees feel more valued and supported.

In addition, it will provide a detailed snapshot of the current state of rewards and recognition, discuss what works, examine new technologies and services, and consider where it’s likely to be in the near future.

Cost

Free!

Small Business HR Alliance

May 6, 2025

This virtual conference is part of the Small Business HR Alliance but open to all. It is a meeting place for HR professionals to connect and gain tips, tricks and strategies for meeting the unique challenges of “doing HR” in small organizations.

Cost

Free!

The State of Employee Mental Health and Stress

May 7, 2025

With society and businesses coming to better understand the impact of mental challenges in the workplace, HR needs to take a proactive, strategic approach to employee mental health and stress.

This free virtual event will use insights from new research and presentations by expert speakers to help you discover key steps you can take to improve the state of mental health and stress in your organization.

Cost

Free!

The State of Employee Retention

October 15, 2025

This event will help you gain a detailed understanding of the reasons for employee turnover, the effects of high turnover, and what organizations can do to retain employees in the near future. It will also examine what differentiates “employee retention leaders” from others and what can be done to address the gap.

Cost

Free!

Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Safety in the Workplace

November 25, 2025

Keep your workforce and business cyber-safe with this virtual event that will give valuable insights into the critical aspects of employee privacy, cybersecurity, and safety in the workplace. This virtual event is a must-attend for HR professionals, safety experts, and anyone concerned with fostering a healthy and technologically secure work environment.

Cost

Free!

Hybrid HR conferences

Following the success of pandemic-era virtual events, many HR conferences are now hybrid, offering attendees the best of both worlds. By combining in-person and online elements, participants can engage with speakers and each other no matter where they are. This makes it possible for more people to benefit from the amazing insights and networking opportunities that conferences provide.

SHRM Talent Conference & Exposition

March 24-26, 2025 | Nashville, TN

Held by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the SHRM Talent Conference & Expo will give HR pros the tools to take their strategies, processes, and policies to the next level.

The event has both in-person and virtual programs, and sessions vary from general to panel to concurrent sessions, and even case studies. Topics will include AI, skills-first talent development, workforce planning and analytics, career arcs, and much more! This conference will also allow attendees to earn Professional Development Credits (PDCs), and endless networking opportunities.

Who Should Attend

HR professionals looking to connect with other bright minds in recruiting and talent management, and to learn how to stay on top of key trends.

Cost

In-Person Passes

• $1,695-$2,095 for members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $2,095-$2,495 for non-members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $1,895-$2,295 for “Join Now” rates (prices increase as the event approaches)

Virtual Passes

• $1,495-$1,895 for members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $1,895-$2,295 for non-members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $1,695-$2,095 for “Join Now” rates (prices increase as the event approaches)

California HR Conference 2025

May 4-6, 2025 | Anaheim, CA

At the 2025 California HR Conference, HR pros will discover everything they need to excel in a multifaceted role as an organization’s first line of defense.

Conference tracks include topics around California employment law and compliance, compensation and benefits, HR technology, data analytics, global HR, HR Departments of One, DEI, mental health and wellness, and more. Attendees can expect to discover top tools for unique HR needs and make lasting connections with other HR pros.

Who Should Attend

HR managers and leaders looking to navigate California’s complex regulations and elevate their positions within their organizations.

Cost

• PIHRA Members:
• $249-$299 for a 1-day stage pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• $449-$499 for a virtual pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• $1,149-$1,199 for an all-access pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• $1,889- $1,939 for a premium all-access pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• Non-Members:
• $419-$469 for a 1-day stage pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• $619-$669 for a virtual pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• $1,319-$1,369 for an all-access pass (price increases after 12/20/24)
• $1,909- $1,959 for a premium all-access pass (price increases after 12/20/24)

SHRM25 Annual Conference & Expo

June 29-July 2, 2025 | San Diego, CA

SHRM25 is an event you won’t want to miss. With tons of sessions to choose from, the comprehensive conference will provide HR with a full range of education from the basics to offerings for C-suite executives. Whether you’ve just begun your HR career or are seasoned in the industry, you’re sure to take something away from this experience.

Content tracks include Comp, Benefits & Wellbeing, DEI, People & Talent Management, Recruitment & Talent Acquisition, and much more. From general main-stage experiences to smart stage, concurrent, and educational programs, different session formats are offered for different learners.

Who Should Attend

HR professionals, executives, and business leaders looking for the latest insights and tutorials on trending topics and for meeting organizational goals.

Cost

In-Person Passes

• $2,095-$2,395 for members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $2,495-$2,795 for non-members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $2,295-$2,595 for “Join Now” rates (prices increase as the event approaches)

Virtual Passes

• $2,295-$2,595 for members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $2,695-$2,995 for non-members (prices increase as the event approaches)
• $2,495-$2,795 for “Join Now” rates (prices increase as the event approaches)