CDI National Conference

CDI National Conference 2026

2 & 3 December 2026 | Burlington Hotel, Birmingham
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The CDI National Conference is the annual must-attend event for everyone working across career development. The conference returns again as a two-day event on the 2 & 3 December at The Burlington Hotel in Birmingham.

This year, the prestigious UK Career Development Awards will be held on the evening of Wednesday 2 December.

This year's conference theme, A career-ready UK: Ensuring young people and adults can thrive throughout life, explores what it means to build a career-ready UK through lifelong learning, career management and essential work skills. Together, we'll examine how career readiness can be developed across education and adulthood, while championing it as a key goal and highlighting the value of professional career development.

As the pre-eminent event covering all areas of career development, the conference will feature keynotes and panel sessions covering key areas of interest, as well as workshops focused on specific aspects of career development provision for young people and adults in educational institutions, public careers services, organisations and private practice.

You can view the latest 2026 agenda here - the full programme will be published soon.

Book your place now

We are grateful to our 2026 supporters

If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference, please contact CDI Events & Commercial Manager, [email protected].

Keynote speakers

We’re delighted to welcome this year’s keynote speakers, who will bring their expertise and insights to the Conference.

Latest workshops announced

With 24 practical workshops across two days, the conference offers a wealth of opportunities to explore new ideas and support your professional growth. This year’s workshops bring together experts from across the sector, with sessions designed to challenge your thinking, broaden your perspective and give you fresh approaches to put into practice.

Here’s a sneak peek at just some of the workshops you can look forward to:

NEET prevention is better than cure with Wendy Phillips & Jessica Allen
Too early for careers? Think again! with Jo Hooper & Jo Saward
Unlocking self-awareness: Strategies for unleashing clients' superpowers with John Ambrose
Supporting disabled and neurodivergent jobseekers with confidence: Practical strategies for career professionals with Anna Masefield
The skills myth: Why knowledge, skills & experience can't be separated with Hannah Gill and Sarra Jenkins

The full programme will be available soon. With new workshops being added regularly, view the latest agenda here.

Join us for dinner at the UKCDAs 2026

This year, we’re excited to host the UK Career Development Awards on the evening of the first day of Conference - Wednesday 2 December - at the Burlington Hotel (replacing the Conference Dinner). The theme for this year is 'Careers and All That Jazz'.

Join us for an inspiring and celebratory evening recognising some of the outstanding careers professionals and their achievements across the career development sector. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate success, connect with peers, and be part of a truly memorable occasion.

Enjoy a delicious three-course meal, drinks and a lively atmosphere - perfect for networking and celebrating in style. Dress code: Jazz Age glamour / 1920s inspired

Take a look at the dinner schedule here and find out more about what’s included.

2026 Ticket Prices

Here’s a breakdown of the ticket prices for the conference and dinner.

Conference tickets:

Entry for both days of the conference- 2nd & 3rd December

Member Rate: £154
Non-Member Rate: £190
Student Member Rate: £135

Entry for day 1 of the conference- 2nd December

Member Rate: £85
Non-Member Rate: £110
Student Member Rate: £75

Entry for day 2 of the conference- 3rd December

Member Rate: £85
Non-Member Rate: £110
Student Member Rate: £75

Dinner tickets:

CDI Member rate: £50
Non-Member rate: £62.50

Why attend?

Continuous learning is at the core of being a career development professional, whether that is through gaining new experience, reflecting on previous interactions, gathering feedback or attending CPD events such as this one. Your attendance at the conference is an important part of maintaining and building on your knowledge and skills, benefiting you and your clients.

We limit the keynote and panel sessions to focus on select key topics that will be of interest to all attendees. Then, for the rest of the day, you will have the opportunity to choose from several concurrent workshops covering an array of topics that will help enhance your area of practice.

This enables you to make this your conference, creating an agenda that best suits your needs and interests.

Audience

This conference is aimed at all careers professionals, regardless of your area of practice or where you work in the UK and beyond.

Getting to the conference venue

The conference will take place at: Burlington Arcade, 126 New Street, Birmingham,B2 4JQ

For directions via train, car and by foot, including a map, please visit the venue's website.

Please note that there is no on-site parking available at the hotel. However, concessionary rates are available at nearby city centre car parks. The B4 Car Park (postcode B4 6DG) is approximately a 9-minute walk from the hotel. More information here.

If you are driving, please check your route and allow plenty of time to get to the venue, as the Birmingham Christmas Market is open and there may be route changes or road closures.

Partner with us

We have a limited number of sponsor or exhibitor opportunities available at the conference. For more information and to discuss your organisation's requirements, please contact [email protected].

Call for workshops 2026 - closed

We are now inviting proposals for workshops related to the conference theme. We welcome proposals exploring different career development contexts, from primary and secondary education, PRUs and special schools, colleges and training providers, university and other educational institutions, through to young adults, adults in and out of work, and through to older workers. View the full proposal submission overview here.

Submission deadline: Monday 14 September at 5 pm.

Having any trouble?

Do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

01384 376464