Inclusion and Culture Conferences Worth Attending in Q3 & Q4 in 2026

Looking to strengthen your leadership skills, stay current on the latest workplace trends and bring back valuable organizational culture knowledge to the workplace? Attending diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused conferences can be one of the most valuable and rewarding investments that you can make this year. 

Today’s conferences go beyond just measuring diversity alone. Many focus on topics like, employee engagement, inclusive leadership, effective communication and mentorship.

Whether you’re an HR professional, people leader, IO psychologist, or an executive/manager, the second half of this year is filled with several conferences to learn more about practical strategies for a healthy, more effective workplace.

Why Attend Inclusion and Culture Conferences?

The best work conferences don’t just inspire, but rather provide implementation tools to create more respectful and welcoming spaces.

Benefits of attending include:

• Learning practical strategies from workplace culture experts

• Staying informed on new data and workplace trends

• Building relationships with industry peers and leaders

• Discovering new approaches to leadership, employee engagement, and belonging

• Returning with ideas that can strengthen your organization's culture

Professional development is one of the most effective ways to continue growing as a leader while helping your organization adapt to an evolving workplace. And just because it isn't called a DEI conference doesn't mean the content doesn't exist! Industry-specific conferences often have tracks focused on culture and inclusion as well. Check out this sample of events we’ve curated coming up in the second half of 2026.

Conferences to Add to Your Calendar:

Industry Specific

AENC 71st Annual Meeting - July 27–29 | Raleigh, NC

Leaders will gather to discuss leadership development, member engagement, governance, and organizational growth.

Plan To Action will be there! Sertrice Shipley will deliver the keynote "Mentorship to Sponsorship: Leveling Up Your Career Growth Through Ally Actions," sharing practical strategies for turning allyship into meaningful career advancement opportunities.

The Center for Association Leadership Annual Meeting and Exposition - August 15-18 | Indianapolis, IN

Hosted by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), this event brings together professionals to explore leadership, governance, organizational culture, workforce trends, and strategic planning. This year’s theme is “Driven by Purpose”, emphasizing the importance of driving change versus simply reacting to it. Learn more about ASAE and this event.

Learning Forward’s Annual Conference - December 6-9 | Dallas, TX

Geared toward educator professionals, this conference focuses on evidence-supported, engagement-based sessions to turn individual efforts into collective action for every teacher and student. Attendees typically include superintendents, teachers/coaches, principals/assistant principals, policymakers, etc. You can learn more and register by visiting their website.

Vizient Connections Summit - September 22-25 | Las Vegas, NV

Designed for healthcare leaders and professionals, the Vizient Connections Summit brings together experts from across the healthcare industry to discuss leadership, workforce development, innovation, operational excellence, and improving patient outcomes. While not exclusively focused on DEI, many sessions explore topics like building resilient teams, strengthening workplace culture, and advancing equitable healthcare practices. Learn more and register by visiting the Vizient Connections Summit website.

Local Events

Raleigh Metro SHRM - August 18 | Raleigh, NC

Local SHRM chapter events are a great opportunity for HR professionals to connect, earn continuing education credits, and discuss today's biggest workplace challenges.

Plan To Action will be presenting "Combatting Toxic Workplaces," exploring practical leadership strategies for creating healthier workplace cultures.

2026 SHRM NC Conference - September 23 – 25 | Wilmington, NC

Hosted by the North Carolina State Council of SHRM, this annual conference brings together HR professionals from across the state for three days of networking, professional development, and practical learning. Attendees can explore sessions on leadership, talent management, employee engagement, workplace culture, diversity and inclusion, and the future of HR while earning SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. 

If you're attending, be sure to join Sertrice Shipley's session, "Microaffirmations: Small Actions, Big Impact," to learn how small, intentional actions can foster more inclusive, supportive workplaces. Learn more here!

NCWorks Partnership Conference - October 14-16 | Greensboro, NC

Hosted by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the NCWorks Partnership Conference brings together workforce development professionals, educators, employers, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders from across the state. The conference features sessions on workforce strategy, talent development, career pathways, employer partnerships, and economic mobility. While not exclusively focused on DEI, it offers valuable insights into building inclusive talent pipelines, strengthening workforce partnerships, and creating opportunities for diverse communities. Learn more and register by visiting the NCWorks Partnership Conference website.

National Events

CultureCon 2026 - August 4–6 | Madison, WI

CultureCon brings together HR, leadership, and workplace culture professionals to explore employee experience, organizational culture, leadership, and engagement through interactive sessions and case studies.

Join Sertrice's session, "From Mistrust to Momentum: Turning Employee Voice into Culture Change During Turbulent Times," for practical ideas on building trust and transforming employee feedback into lasting organizational change.

Future of Work USA Summit - September 15–16 | Dallas, TX

This conference focuses on workplace innovation, AI, hybrid work, organizational design, and workforce planning. It's an excellent event for leaders preparing their organizations for what's next rather than simply reacting/dealing with change. View the speakers and register on their website.

Global Work and Organizational Psychology Conference - September 10th | Virtual  

This 24-hour, virtual, global event brings together more than 20 professional industrial and organizational membership organizations from around the world. By gathering peers to connect and reflect, this summit encourages shared learning that transforms into meaningful organizational action. 

Join Sertrice’s session “Beyond Mentorship: Using Sponsorship and Allyship to Advance Career Growth” where attendees will explore the value of investing in sponsorship and allyship to create access, visibility, and opportunity while strengthening leadership pipelines and career mobility. Register now for this event!

Seramount WorkBeyond Summit - October 23 | Jersey City, NJ + Virtual

Hosted by Seramount, the WorkBeyond Summit brings together HR, talent, and workplace leaders to explore the future of work through the lens of inclusive leadership, employee experience, workforce strategy, and organizational culture. The conference features research-backed sessions, case studies, and networking opportunities designed to help organizations build workplaces where employees can thrive. Learn more and register by visiting the WorkBeyond Summit website.

Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo™ - October 26-28 | Orlando, FL

The Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo is designed for CHROs and senior HR executives looking to stay ahead of emerging workplace trends and business challenges. Sessions cover topics including leadership development, talent strategy, AI in HR, organizational transformation, employee experience, and building resilient workplace cultures. Attendees also have opportunities to network with industry peers and gain actionable insights from Gartner experts. Learn more and register by visiting the Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo website.

Getting the Most out of DEI Conferences

Whether this is your first or fifth work conference, being prepared ahead of time can help you maximize your time and experience. 

Here are some best practices:

• Set one or two learning goals before attending

• Introduce yourself to speakers and fellow attendees. Make connections!

• Take notes on ideas you can realistically implement

• Share key takeaways with your team after the event

• Identify one action you'll begin within the first month after returning

Don’t Let the Learning End After the Conference

The conversations shouldn’t end once you return back to work. At Plan To Action, we partner with organizations to turn workplace culture insights into practical action through consulting, leadership development, and speaking engagements.

If you'll be attending one of these events, we'd love to connect. And if you're looking to continue the conversation after conference season, we're here to help your organization build a culture where your team (and your organization) can thrive.