CDI National Conference 2026

          2 & 3 December 2026 | Burlington Hotel, Birmingham

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. 

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

Book your place now

For an insight into last year's event, you can view the 2025 programme here.

We are grateful to our 2025 supporters

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).

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.

Further details on the awards theme and booking will be available soon.

Dinner dress is business/casual.


Example dinner schedule: 

7.00 pm : Drinks reception (Mezzanine)
7.30 pm : Dinner (Work and Play, 3&4)
9.30 pm : Music and networking
11.00 pm : End of event

Please note that the venue will contact you closer to the time of the conference to make your menu choices and notify them of any dietary requirements. 

Example of what's included:

• Welcome drinks upon arrival
• 3 Course meal
• 1/2 Bottle of wine with dinner - Non-alcoholic alternatives available. 

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.

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.