CDI National Conference - Career Development Institute

CDI National Conference and Dinner 2025

18 & 19 November 2025 | The Studio, Birmingham

The CDI National Conference is the annual must-attend event for everyone working across career development. This year, the conference will be held as a two-day event on the 18 and 19 November 2025 at The Studio, Birmingham.

As the pre-eminent event covering all areas of career development, the conference features keynotes and debates covering the strategic opportunities and issues facing the profession, as well as talks and workshops focused on specific aspects of career development provision for young people and adults in public services, organisations and private practice.

We will update this webpage with further details of the 2025 event in due course. For an idea of what to expect at the event, download the 2024 progamme.

Valuing Careers

With a new UK government championing key changes to careers provision in England, ongoing reviews in Scotland and continued developments in Wales and Northern Ireland, it is an ideal time for the conference to explore themes linked to the CDI’s Valuing Careers campaign.

Talks will explore how the profession adds value to the careers of people at different stages of their life, the macro benefits to economic growth and society, and the need to ensure a sustainable career development workforce into the future.

Over two days, the event provides learning and insight for practitioners, researchers, leaders and policymakers, offering unrivalled opportunities to enhance your own work and career.

For leaders, strategic thinkers and policymakers, we will discuss global factors that impact the profession and our role in the education, skills and jobs ecosystems. For practitioners and researchers, it is a chance to hear examples of best practice, share insights and learn from the latest studies on supporting young people and adults.

2024 Keynote speakers

We are delighted to announce our keynote speakers for the CDI National Conference. Jane Hubbuck, Deputy Director for Careers, Department for Education, will give an opening keynote talk on 'Careers priorities of a Labour government'.

Our next keynotes include Professor Tristram Hooley speaking on breaking down barriers to opportunity, Professor Pete Robertson, CDI President, on building respect for the careers profession and Dr Gill Frigerio on unlocking the secrets to becoming a great career development practitioner.

Alongside these keynote talks and four panel sessions, Conference attendees will be able to choose from up to 27 workshops covering themes relevant to all areas of careers education, information, advice, and guidance.

Find out more about our 2024 keynote speakers.

Getting to the venue

The conference will take place at: The Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP

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

The nearest car parks are Birmingham Snow Hill Car Park and New Street Station Car Park. It is a few minutes walk from either car park to the venue.

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.

On arrival, please go to the second floor where the Conference will take place.

Conference Dinner

Our conference dinner will take place at the end of the first day (18 November). This is a great opportunity to network with friends and make new contacts while enjoying a delightful three-course meal and drinks.

Dinner dress is business/casual.

Dinner schedule:
7.00 pm : Drinks reception (Atrium)
7.30 pm : Dinner (Explore room)
9.30 pm : Music and networking
11.00 pm : End of event

Please note that you will be asked to select your menu options at the time of booking. Once you have made your food order, we are unable to make any changes to this. For this reason, please ensure that you fill out the booking form correctly. If the menu available does not cater to your dietary requirements/allergies, please specify when booking and a member of our team will contact you.

2024 Exhibition

An exhibition will run alongside the conference on both days - this is a great opportunity to meet with representatives of top services and products within the sector.

The exhibition is open from:

Day 1: 9 am - 5 pm
Day 2: 9 am - 5 pm

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.

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].

Having any trouble?

Do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

01384 376464