10 Top Project Management Conferences To Be At In 2026
Project management conferences are one of the best ways to get out of the day-to-day grind and reconnect with why you do this work in the first place. They’re great for meeting other PMs, learning directly from people who’ve been in the trenches, getting hands-on with new ideas and tools, and yes, occasionally blowing off some steam with peers who truly get it.
With many conferences offering both in-person and virtual options, there’s no shortage of ways to level up your skills this year—especially with the lineup of speakers, formats, and topics planned for 2026.
A lot of my favorite conferences are back again this year. I’m especially excited about the Digital PM Summit, the Global Scrum Gathering, and the Women of Project Management Conference. Below, I’ve shared the key details for each one, including where it’s happening, when it runs, and what it costs (just remember to factor in travel if you’re attending in person).
Unlock for Free
Create a free account to finish this piece and join a community of forward-thinking leaders unlocking tools, playbooks, and insights for thriving in the age of AI.
Have an account? Log In
Best Project Management Conferences in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best project management conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- Agile on the Beach - Falmouth, UK (July 2-3, 2026)
- PMI Agile 2026 - Prince George's County, MD (July 26-28, 2026)
- AIPM 2026 Global Virtual Conference - Virtual (September 1, 2026)
- 35th IPMA World Congress - Hiroshima, Japan (September 16-18 2026)
- Project Controls Expo USA 2026 - Washington, DC (October 5-7, 2026)
- ProjectWorld*BusinessAnalystWorld - Multiple locations and dates
- Digital PM Summit - Asheville, NC (October 19-20, 2026)
- PMI® Global Summit 2026 - Detroit, MI (October 21-24, 2026)
- Future PMO - London, UK (October 22, 2026)
- Project Management in Practice - Boston, MA (November 6, 2026)
Best Conferences for Project Management Leadership and PMO Strategy
Below are my summaries of the best project management conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event's dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. Agile on the Beach - Falmouth, UK (July 2-3, 2026)
- Dates: July 2-3, 2026
- Location: Falmouth University
- Pricing: From £670
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
Agile on the Beach is a renowned conference for Agile practitioners from software delivery, business agility, teamwork, and product management. It features prominent speakers like Veerle Maddie Clingan, Lead Agile Coach at ControlPlane, Sebastian Heglmeier, Organizational Journey Navigator at improuv, and Neha Datt, a Product & Change Consultant, offering a mix of talks and workshops.
Why attend? Experience two days of immersive learning and networking with Agile experts. The conference provides a unique blend of professional development and community engagement, set against the picturesque backdrop of Cornwall. It's perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Agile practices and connect with like-minded professionals.
2. PMI Agile 2026 - Prince George's County, MD (July 26-28, 2026)
- Dates: July 26-28, 2026
- Location: National Harbor
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Agile2026 event is the annual flagship conference of the Agile Alliance, focused on Agile values and principles. It’s designed for professionals involved in software development, business agility, and transformation across industries.
This global gathering brings together practitioners, change agents, and innovators who are redefining agile practices through real-world insights, cross-industry collaboration, and a shared drive to lead meaningful organizational change.
Why attend? At Agile2026, you’ll join live sessions, workshops, and open forums that go beyond typical ecommerce conference formats to cover software development, team dynamics, and organizational change. You’ll explore how Agile thinking scales, meet peers and thought leaders, and bring back ideas your team can apply. With a mix of talks on culture, tools, and practices, it offers both depth and practical takeaways..
3. AIPM 2026 Global Virtual Conference - Virtual (September 1, 2026)
- Dates: September 1, 2026
- Location: Virtual
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The AIPM National Conference is a virtual event hosted by the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) that explores project leadership, delivery, governance, and emerging technologies through online keynote sessions, panel discussions, and professional learning opportunities.
As one of the region’s leading project management gatherings, it provides accessible industry insights and collaboration for attendees joining remotely.
Why attend? Attend the AIPM National Conference to gain practical insights from experienced project leaders while connecting virtually with professionals across industries. The event offers expert discussions on evolving project management trends, leadership strategies, and innovation, making it valuable for professional development and industry networking.
4. 35th IPMA World Congress - Hiroshima, Japan (September 16-18 2026)
- Dates: September 16–18, 2026
- Location: International Conference Center Hiroshima
- Pricing: From ¥150,000 (members) – ¥180,000 (non-members)
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Organized by IPMA and SPM Japan, the 35th IPMA World Congress brings together project professionals globally. Running since 1965, it's one of the field's most internationally diverse gatherings, themed "Delivering Peace: Project Management for a Sustainable World."
Why attend? Held in Hiroshima, the 2026 congress ties project management to sustainability and global impact. Keynote speakers include JAXA's Yuichi Tsuda and Mazda's Tohiko Adachi, bringing real-world large-scale project insights across aerospace and automotive industries.
5. Project Controls Expo USA 2026 - Washington, DC (October 5-7, 2026)
- Dates: October 5-7, 2026
- Location: Nationals Park
- Pricing: From $279 - $1,399
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Project Controls Expo USA is North America's largest project controls conference, organized by Anil Godhawale. It draws thousands of professionals from construction, infrastructure, and energy for deep-dive sessions on scheduling, cost control, and risk management.
Why attend? PCE USA is built exclusively for project controls specialists. You'll find dedicated content on EVM, digital twins, and megaproject delivery, plus a large expo floor with leading technology vendors — making it one of the most focused and practitioner-driven events in the field.
6. ProjectWorld*BusinessAnalystWorld - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Varies (see table below)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
ProjectWorld*BusinessAnalystWorld: Locations, Dates, & Pricing
| Locations | Dates | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | October 5-7, 2026 | From $955 - $2,706 |
| Boston, MA | October 19-22, 2026 | From $966 - $3,685 |
| Vancouver, Canada | November 2-5, 2026 | From $966 - $3,685 |
ProjectWorld*BusinessAnalystWorld is one of the largest conference for project managers and business analysts, organized by PMBA Conferences. It features expert speakers from every sector and helps attendees earn PDUs and CDUs.
Why attend? PW*BAW covers PM and BA disciplines under one roof, with hands-on workshops, keynotes, and educational sessions built for immediate workplace application. It's a rare chance to deeply expand your network across both communities in a single event.
7. Digital PM Summit - Asheville, NC (October 19-20, 2026)
- Dates: October 19-20, 2026
- Location: Asheville, NC (venue TBA)
- Pricing: $1,150 (members) - $1,650 (non-members)
The Digital PM Summit is a leading event for digital project managers, providing a platform for sharing practical skills and networking. It brings together professionals to explore the latest trends in digital project management in North America. The summit features a range of sessions and workshops designed to enhance attendees' skills and knowledge.
"The breakouts were one of my favorite parts, mainly because we got to see just how similar our problems can be, it made me feel a little better about what I was doing in my job, knowing that I am not the only person experiencing these problems."
— Matthew Salvoni, event attendee
Why attend? The event offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders, gain insights from expert speakers, and participate in hands-on workshops. You'll leave with actionable strategies to improve your project management practices and a stronger professional network.
8. PMI® Global Summit 2026 - Detroit, MI (October 21-24, 2026)
- Dates: October 21–24, 2026
- Location: Huntington Place
- Pricing: $2,100 (members) - $2,600 (non-members)
- Social Media: Facebook
The PMI® Global Summit is PMI's flagship annual event, bringing together thousands of project professionals for learning sessions, keynotes, networking, and actionable insights. Designed for professionals at all stages of their careers, the summit offers a rare opportunity to connect with the global project management community and gain perspective on where the profession is headed.
Why attend? This is the biggest event on the PMI calendar — a chance to learn from top voices in the field, connect with peers from around the world, and come away with concrete strategies to elevate your practice. More details will be announced soon.
9. Future PMO - London, UK (October 22, 2026)
- Dates: October 22, 2026
- Location: Mercure London Earls Court
- Pricing: £445
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Future PMO conference, organized by Wellingtone, is a one-day event dedicated to PMO and project management professionals. It features engaging sessions and workshops designed to tackle project management challenges.
The event is known for its unique themes, with the 2026 conference inspired by Ghostbusters, aiming to provide a fun, interactive, and educational experience.
Why attend? Join 300 professionals for a day of learning and networking in a vibrant atmosphere. The conference offers dynamic sessions and hands-on workshops, allowing you to customize your experience. You'll gain practical tools and fresh insights to enhance your PMO practices, all while connecting with a global com.
10. Project Management in Practice - Boston, MA (November 6, 2026)
- Dates: November 6, 2026
- Location: Boston, MA (Venue TBA)
- Pricing: TBA
PMiP is an annual conference hosted by Boston University Metropolitan College, now in its 20th year. It brings together faculty, researchers, and industry practitioners for a single-day event on BU's campus in Boston. It's co-chaired by BU faculty Rich Maltzman and Yolande Athaide.
Why attend? PMiP bridges academic research and real-world PM practice. The 2026 theme is AI-Powered Project Management, with tracks on leadership, tech, and strategy. It features high-quality applied and scholarly contributions from faculty, graduate students, and industry practitioners. It's a strong pick for PMs who value academic depth alongside peer networking.
How to Get Buy-In to Attend a Project Management Conference
Convincing your boss to let you attend a project management conference isn't always easy. You know the benefits, but translating that into value for your company can be tough. But with the right approach, you can show them how their investment will pay off:
- Align with company goals: Identify how attending the conference lines up with your company's strategic objectives. Highlight specific sessions or workshops that focus on skills or knowledge areas that you and your team need to improve on.
- Highlight networking opportunities: These events offer unique opportunities to connect with industry leaders and peers, which can lead to fresh insights and potential partnerships, or even new project management software tools that can improve your team’s efficiency.
- Showcase learning outcomes: You'll learn specific skills and insights, such as understanding how emerging technologies impact project workflows. Offer to share your learnings with the team through a presentation or report, so you can pass on your knowledge and apply it effectively.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Prepare a breakdown of the conference costs against the expected benefits and highlight potential savings from applying new practices or tools learned at the event.
- Leverage Testimonials: Gather feedback from colleagues who've attended similar conferences and use their experiences to reinforce the value and applicability of attending.
FAQs About Project Management Conferences
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about project management conferences.
What Is A Project Management Conference?
Project management conferences are formal gatherings for people working in the project space. They usually include a set program that can include keynote addresses, workshops, panels, Q&A sessions, and networking events.
Conferences are in-person for the most part, but since the pandemic there have been more virtual project management events popping up.
What Are The Advantages of Attending A Project Management Conference?
If you can spare a few bucks (or more than a few, in some cases), you’ll get several benefits when you attend a conference:
- Opportunities to network (and make friends) with peers, including popular project management influencers.
- Access to exclusive talks and workshops
- Learn new and innovative information and project management skills that you can apply in your daily work life immediately
- A sense of camaraderie and community with other people in your profession
- Demos of newly released project management software or other relevant products from exhibitors
- Opportunities to visit fun cities you might not have been to before, like Boston, Denver, San Diego, Washington DC, Dubai, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Toronto, or Vancouver
- Earn PDUs, CDUs, or SEUs (in some cases)
- For agency leaders, some conferences focus specifically on running and scaling an agency, with sessions on workflow optimization, client management, and team operations
Common Topics At Project Management Conferences
Common topics of PM conferences include:
- Agile, Scrum, and other methodologies
- Project portfolio management, the project management office (PMO), and program management
- Change management
- Resource management and project resource scheduling
- Risk management
- Professional development and career-oriented topics
- Managing teams and stakeholders
- Project comms
- Connections between project management, software development, and software engineering
- The future state of project management
What's Next?
Want to connect with other digital project managers to share resources and best practices? Join our membership community and get access to 100+ templates, samples, and examples and connect with 100s of other digital project managers in Slack.
