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Staying connected, informed and inspired is essential in the ever-evolving fields of career development and workforce planning. Conferences offer a valuable opportunity to explore emerging trends, build professional networks, and gain practical tools to better serve clients and communities. This round-up highlights key conferences happening across Canada (and beyond) in fall 2025 that are tailored to career professionals, employment counsellors, HR practitioners, educators and others working at the intersection of careers and the labour market.
September
NCDA 2025 Virtual Global Career Development Conference
On-demand until Oct. 31 | Virtual
Career-focused sessions on AI’s impact in the workplace, career development trends, disability-inclusive practices, coaching strategies and more.
International Conference on Education & Workforce Development
Sept. 10, 2025 | Montreal, QC
Explores global education trends and workforce strategies, which are ideal for practitioners engaged in skill development, labour market insights and career transition planning.
Elevate: NSCDA Professional Development Series
Sept. 11-12, 2025 | Membertou, NS
This two-day, in-person event brings together career development practitioners, HR professionals, educators, industry leaders, employment service providers and emerging professionals. Everyone comes together to share insights and explore cutting-edge practices in career development.
Out on Bay Street
Sep. 26-27 | Toronto, ON
Two-day career focused celebration tailored to 2SLGBTQIA+ talent, combining hands-on professional development with joyful community connection all in the heart of Toronto’s financial district. It’s a must attend for aspiring queer leaders seeking mentorship, skills and inclusive workplace entry.
October
EDAC 2024 (Economic Developers Association of Canada)
Oct. 6-9 | Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Ideal for economic development practitioners, municipal workforce planners and community development officers. This event provides networking sessions and speaker panels whereby individuals share their innovative ideas and solutions to national and local challenges.
Talent Connect (Linkedin)
Oct. 20-22 | San Diego, CA & Virtual
This summit brings together talent acquisition and HR professionals to discuss four key themes: Adaptive & Cultural Leadership, Strategic Workforce Planning, the New Way of Work and the LinkedIn Ecosystem. Attendees will engage in interactive workshops, breakout and networking sessions to address challenges and opportunities in talent leadership and workforce transformation.
HR Conference 2025: In the Zone (CPHR Manitoba)
Oct. 21-22 | Winnipeg, MB
This conference is tailored to business leaders and managers, and the event centres around discussions about how to foster a workplace that promotes productivity and performance so that employees feel focused and “in the zone.”
QT Qonference 2025 (QueerTech)
Oct. 23-24 | Calgary, AB
The QT Qonference 2025 is the fourth annual in-person summit for queer tech, leadership, HR and entrepreneurship professionals. Held October 23-24, 2025, at Platform Calgary, it features two days of interactive tech talks, workshops, and strategy sessions under the theme “igniting Queer Power in Tech”. The event aims to empower 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals with skills in AI, leadership, HR and innovation while fostering community and networking across Canada’s queer tech ecosystem.
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Conference
Oct. 27-29 | Orlando, FL
The largest global gathering of CHROs and HR executives to tackle issues such as foundations for performance, skills requirements for hires and changing the success landscape with an integrated human-technology workforce.
2025 Futures Workforce Development Conference (First Work)
Oct. 28-30 | Collingwood, ON
Ontario-focused conference but broadly relevant; themes include workforce disruption, talent pipelines, cross-sector collaboration and strategic innovation in employment services.
November
OSCA Conference (Ontario School Counsellors’ Association)
Nov. 3-4 | Mississauga, ON
Guidance counsellors and career educators across Ontario will gather to discuss all aspects of leadership and inspiring change, as the theme for this year’s conference is “Leadership starts here.”
Let’s Get to Work (MACD)
Nov 4 | Winnipeg, Manitoba
Organized by the Manitoba Association for Career Development, Let’s Get to Work is Manitoba’s largest career development event, designed for practitioners to engage in insightful keynote presentations, interactive workshops and meaningful networking opportunities. A pre-conference training session is also scheduled for Nov. 3 at the Viscount Gort Hotel, further details TBA.
Rethinking Disability Conference 2025 (Ontario Disability Employment Network)
Nov. 4-6 | Richmond Hill, ON
This two-day, in-person event from ODEN is designed for employment service providers, HR professionals and inclusive business leaders. It features the full Disability Awareness & Confidence Training in a business stream on day 1, followed by practical sessions, networking and a business-to-business presentation on day 2.
40th Annual Conference (ONECA)
Nov. 4-6 | Sault Ste. Marie, ON
The 40th Annual ONECA Conference is a 3-day event that attracts a variety of counselling delegates from across Ontario. It’s a space to network and engage in educational workshops, presentations and networking opportunities. The Ontario Native Education Counselling Association is an organization comprising First Nation education counsellors.
I4PL 2025 Conference – Quantum Horizons 2025 (Institute for Performance & Learning)
Nov. 5-6 | Toronto, ON
This is a two-day, in-person event aimed at L&D, talent development and performance professionals across Canada. The programs include keynotes, expert-led breakout sessions, interactive workshops and an exhibitor showcase, highlighting topics such as AI in performance evaluation, leadership, organizational learning and accessibility in training.
CAGS Conference (Canadian Association for Graduate Students)
Nov. 4-7 | Ottawa, ON
This conference will explore the evolving role of graduate education in addressing societal challenges such as climate change, economic uncertainty and technological advancements. It will emphasize the importance of leadership, advocacy and public engagement in promoting the value of graduate research and training. The event in primarily in-person, with select sessions available via live stream.
Indigenomics on Bay Street 2025
Nov. 6-7 | Toronto, ON
This event is focused on advancing Indigenous economic leadership and reconciliation, bringing together Indigenous leaders, businesses, industry partners, investors, policymakers and allies. The theme for this year is “The Rise of Indigenous Economic Power,” highlighting the growing strength and influence of Indigenous economies in shaping both national and global landscapes.
2025 CAEL Annual Conference (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning)
Nov. 13-14 | Memphis, TN & Virtual
The 51st CAEL Annual Conference is a hybrid event that brings together educators, workforce development and economic leaders, employers and community stakeholders to explore how adult learning aligns with career pathways. The conference features pre-conference workshops, keynotes and system-level collaboration.
2025 CPHR Atlantic Conference
Nov. 13-14 | Halifax, NS
The 2025 CPHR Atlantic Conference & Trade Show brings together HR and workforce professionals from across Atlantic Canada to explore key trends in leadership, talent development and organizational strategy. Hosted by CPHR provincial bodies, the event features keynote speakers, breakout sessions and a trade show displaying HR tools and services.
ASPECT Conference 2025 (Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training)
Nov. 13-14 | Vancouver, BC
This conference is a two-day, in-person professional development event for community-based employment and career training professionals across British Columbia. It features keynote sessions, interactive workshops, exhibitor showcases and extensive networking.
2025 CES Conference (Career Education Society)
Nov. 17-18 | Vancouver, BC
This in-person event brings together over 350 career education professionals, workshop facilitators, exhibitors and sponsors from across British Columbia. Highlights include a keynote by organizational coach Andrea Fruhling, interactive workshops, exhibitor showcases and valuable networking opportunities.
