Top 10 Big Data Conferences and Expos to Watch in 2026 in London, UK, Europe, Amsterdam, US, Canada, Dublin Ireland, Dubai UAE, Singapore and Saudi
The definitive guide to Big Data conferences in 2026, from AI World Congress in London to NVIDIA GTC in San Jose, covering premier events across Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Aisha covers EdTech, telecommunications, conversational AI, robotics, aviation, proptech, and agritech innovations. Experienced technology correspondent focused on emerging tech applications.
- AI World Congress 2026 leads the calendar as Londons premier event for AI and big data convergence on June 23-24
- NVIDIA GTC 2026 showcases GPU-accelerated computing and AI innovations in San Jose, March 16-19
- Gartner Data and Analytics Summit delivers strategic insights for data leaders in Orlando, March 9-11
- Databricks Data + AI Summit brings together the global data engineering community in San Francisco
- European events including Big Data Conference Vilnius and DSCNext Amsterdam strengthen regional data ecosystems
- Virtual and hybrid options expand accessibility for global professionals seeking flexible learning formats
Dates: June 23-24, 2026
Website: aiconference.london AI World Congress 2026 emerges as the premier destination for professionals exploring the convergence of artificial intelligence and big data analytics. Hosted in Londons prestigious business district, this flagship conference brings together 250+ delegates from enterprises, technology vendors, research institutions, and government agencies to examine how AI is transforming data management, analytics, and business intelligence across industries. The two-day programme features keynote addresses from technology leaders at [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/), [Google Cloud](https://cloud.google.com/), and [Amazon Web Services](https://aws.amazon.com/), exploring topics including generative AI for data analytics, real-time processing architectures, and the future of intelligent data platforms. Attendees gain access to hands-on workshops demonstrating practical implementations of machine learning pipelines, automated data governance systems, and advanced visualisation techniques. The conference particularly excels in addressing enterprise data strategy, with dedicated tracks covering data mesh architectures, lakehouse implementations, and the integration of large language models into business intelligence workflows. Networking opportunities include structured matchmaking sessions connecting data leaders with solution providers and potential partners across the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets. ## 2. NVIDIA GTC AI Conference 2026 Location: San Jose, California, United States
Dates: March 16-19, 2026
Website: nvidia.com/gtc NVIDIA GTC 2026 stands as the worlds premier event for GPU-accelerated computing, artificial intelligence, and data science. Drawing over 25,000 developers, researchers, and enterprise leaders to San Jose, this four-day conference showcases the latest innovations in accelerated computing that power modern big data analytics and machine learning workloads. The technical programme delivers more than 900 sessions covering deep learning, data analytics acceleration, and high-performance computing applications. Industry analysts anticipate significant announcements regarding next-generation GPU architectures, enhanced AI frameworks, and expanded tools for data scientists working with massive datasets. Hands-on labs provide attendees with practical experience deploying NVIDIA technologies for data processing and analytics at scale. [NVIDIA](https://www.nvidia.com/) executives and leading researchers present breakthrough applications in areas including real-time analytics, natural language processing, and computer vision. The conference serves as the definitive venue for understanding how GPU acceleration transforms big data processing capabilities across financial services, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors. ## 3. Gartner Data and Analytics Summit 2026 Location: Orlando, Florida, United States
Dates: March 9-11, 2026
Website: gartner.com/en/conferences Gartner Data and Analytics Summit 2026 provides data and analytics leaders with strategic insights essential for driving organisational transformation. This premier event brings together Chief Data Officers, analytics executives, and data governance professionals seeking authoritative guidance on strategy, governance, architecture, and leadership in the data domain. The three-day programme features exclusive [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/) research presentations covering emerging trends in data management, analytics modernisation, and AI integration. Attendees access one-on-one analyst meetings to discuss specific organisational challenges and receive tailored recommendations aligned with Gartners comprehensive research methodology. Key themes for 2026 include data fabric architectures, augmented analytics adoption, and the evolution of the Chief Data Officer role in AI-driven enterprises. The summit provides exceptional networking opportunities with over 3,000 data leaders from global enterprises, fostering discussions on practical implementation strategies and lessons learned from large-scale data initiatives. ## 4. Databricks Data + AI Summit 2026 Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Dates: June 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
Website: databricks.com/dataaisummit Databricks Data + AI Summit 2026 represents the definitive gathering for data engineers, data scientists, and analytics professionals working with unified data platforms. This flagship [Databricks](https://www.databricks.com/) event attracts over 15,000 attendees to San Francisco for comprehensive training, product announcements, and community engagement around the lakehouse paradigm. The technical programme spans hundreds of sessions covering Apache Spark optimisation, Delta Lake implementations, and machine learning operations at enterprise scale. Attendees gain early access to platform innovations and connect with the global community of practitioners building data-intensive applications across industries including financial services, healthcare, media, and technology. Hands-on training workshops provide practical experience with data engineering workflows, MLflow for experiment tracking, and Unity Catalog for data governance. The summit serves as the premier venue for understanding how modern data platforms enable organisations to unify their analytics, business intelligence, and machine learning workloads on a single foundation. ## 5. Big Data and AI World London 2026 Location: London, United Kingdom
Dates: March 4-5, 2026
Website: bigdataworld.com Big Data and AI World London 2026 delivers Europes leading exhibition and conference for big data, analytics, and artificial intelligence technologies. Hosted at ExCeL London, this event brings together over 12,000 data professionals to explore the latest innovations in data management, analytics platforms, and AI-powered business intelligence. The two-day programme features keynote presentations from enterprise data leaders sharing transformation journeys and lessons learned from large-scale implementations. Exhibition halls showcase solutions from over 200 vendors spanning data infrastructure, analytics tools, governance platforms, and consulting services serving the European market. Conference tracks address practical challenges including data quality management, real-time analytics implementation, and the integration of generative AI into enterprise data workflows. Free-to-attend sessions make this event particularly accessible for professionals across the UK, European Union, and broader European region seeking to benchmark their data strategies against industry best practices. ## 6. DSCNext – DataScience Next Conference 2026 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dates: May 7-8, 2026
Website: datasciencenext.com DSCNext 2026 emerges as Europes most progressive gathering for data science practitioners, bringing together professionals focused on machine learning operations, AI ethics, and advanced analytics applications. Hosted in Amsterdam, this conference attracts data scientists, ML engineers, and analytics leaders from across the European Union and beyond. The programme emphasises practical implementation with workshops covering MLOps best practices, responsible AI frameworks, and cutting-edge techniques in natural language processing and computer vision. Attendees connect with peers facing similar challenges in deploying and maintaining production machine learning systems at scale. Key themes for 2026 include the operationalisation of large language models, automated machine learning platforms, and the evolving regulatory landscape for AI systems under the European Union AI Act. The intimate conference format facilitates meaningful networking and knowledge exchange among practitioners at the forefront of applied data science. ## 7. Microsoft Ignite 2026 Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Dates: November 17-20, 2026
Website: ignite.microsoft.com Microsoft Ignite 2026 delivers [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/)s premier technology conference, featuring extensive coverage of data and analytics services across the Azure platform. Drawing over 25,000 attendees to San Francisco, this four-day event showcases innovations in cloud data platforms, business intelligence, and AI-powered analytics solutions. The technical programme spans hundreds of sessions covering Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and the integration of Copilot capabilities across the data and analytics portfolio. Attendees gain direct access to product teams and receive early insights into roadmap developments shaping the future of Microsoft data services. Hands-on labs and certification opportunities provide practical training on implementing enterprise data solutions using Microsoft technologies. The conference serves as the definitive venue for organisations standardising on the Microsoft ecosystem to understand emerging capabilities and connect with the global community of Azure data professionals. ## 8. Big Data Conference Europe 2026 Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Dates: November 24-27, 2026
Website: bigdataconference.eu Big Data Conference Europe 2026 brings together data engineers, platform architects, and analytics leaders for an intensive exploration of modern data platforms, MLOps practices, and analytics at scale. Hosted in Vilnius, this conference attracts practitioners from across Europe seeking practical guidance on building and operating enterprise data systems. The four-day programme combines keynote presentations, technical workshops, and hands-on sessions covering Apache Kafka, Kubernetes-native data platforms, and streaming analytics architectures. Speakers from leading technology companies share lessons learned from operating data infrastructure at global scale. Key themes include data mesh implementation patterns, real-time feature stores for machine learning, and the evolution of data engineering practices in cloud-native environments. The conference provides exceptional value for practitioners seeking to deepen their technical expertise while connecting with the European data engineering community. ## 9. AI + Data Predictions 2026 Location: Virtual Event
Dates: January 29, 2026
Website: dev.events AI + Data Predictions 2026 launches the conference calendar with an early-year virtual event focused on emerging trends and strategic foresight in artificial intelligence and data analytics. This online gathering brings together thought leaders, analysts, and practitioners to share predictions and prepare organisations for the year ahead. The virtual format maximises accessibility for global professionals, offering keynote presentations and panel discussions covering anticipated developments in generative AI, data governance, and analytics innovation. Attendees gain insights to inform strategic planning and investment decisions for their data and AI initiatives. Key topics include the evolution of large language models for enterprise applications, regulatory developments affecting data practices, and emerging technologies poised to transform analytics workflows. The event serves as an essential briefing for executives and practitioners seeking to anticipate industry trends and position their organisations for success. ## 10. ICBDA – International Conference on Big Data Analytics 2026 Location: Tokyo, Japan
Dates: April 11-14, 2026
Website: icbda.org ICBDA 2026 provides the academic and research community with a premier forum for presenting advances in big data analytics, data mining, and machine learning algorithms. Hosted in Tokyo, this conference attracts researchers, doctoral students, and industry practitioners interested in the theoretical foundations and emerging applications of big data technologies. The four-day programme features peer-reviewed paper presentations, keynote lectures from distinguished researchers, and workshop sessions exploring cutting-edge topics in distributed computing, graph analytics, and privacy-preserving data analysis. Accepted papers are published in proceedings indexed by leading academic databases. The Tokyo venue provides exceptional opportunities for attendees to connect with Asias vibrant data science and analytics community. The conference addresses research challenges including scalable algorithms for massive datasets, explainable AI techniques, and novel applications of big data analytics across scientific and industrial domains. ## Additional Notable Events in 2026 Beyond the top ten conferences, several additional events merit consideration for big data professionals. [Strata Data Conference](https://www.oreilly.com/conferences/) continues to deliver practical insights for data practitioners across multiple global locations. The [IEEE International Conference on Big Data](https://www.ieee.org/) provides academic perspectives on emerging research directions. Regional events including [Data Innovation Summit](https://datainnovationsummit.com/) in Stockholm and [Big Data Paris](https://www.bigdataparis.com/) serve professionals in the Nordic and French-speaking markets respectively. The [Data Council](https://www.datacouncil.ai/) conference series offers practitioner-focused content emphasising real-world implementation experiences. Virtual options continue to expand accessibility, with online events from [Dataiku](https://www.dataiku.com/) and [Snowflake](https://www.snowflake.com/) providing flexible learning opportunities for professionals unable to attend in-person conferences. ## Conclusion The 2026 big data conference calendar presents exceptional opportunities for professionals to advance their knowledge, expand their networks, and shape the future of enterprise analytics. From the AI-focused sessions at AI World Congress in London to the GPU-accelerated innovations at NVIDIA GTC in San Jose, these events deliver unmatched value for data practitioners at every career stage. Organisations investing in conference attendance position their teams at the forefront of data innovation, gaining early access to emerging technologies and best practices that drive competitive advantage in an increasingly data-driven business landscape. Whether attending flagship events or targeted regional conferences, professionals engaged with this vibrant community accelerate their careers while contributing to the advancement of the global data and analytics discipline.
About the Author
Aisha Mohammed
Technology & Telecom Correspondent
Aisha covers EdTech, telecommunications, conversational AI, robotics, aviation, proptech, and agritech innovations. Experienced technology correspondent focused on emerging tech applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best big data conference for enterprise data leaders in 2026?
AI World Congress 2026 in London (June 23-24) and the Gartner Data and Analytics Summit in Orlando (March 9-11) are premier events for enterprise data leaders. AI World Congress offers strategic sessions on AI and data convergence with over 3,500 delegates, while Gartner provides authoritative research-based guidance and one-on-one analyst meetings for Chief Data Officers and analytics executives.
Which big data conferences offer the best hands-on technical training?
NVIDIA GTC 2026 (San Jose, March 16-19) provides extensive hands-on labs for GPU-accelerated data processing. Databricks Data + AI Summit offers practical workshops on data engineering and MLOps. Big Data Conference Europe in Vilnius (November 24-27) delivers intensive technical sessions covering Apache Kafka, Kubernetes, and streaming analytics architectures.
What are the top big data conferences in Europe for 2026?
Leading European big data events include AI World Congress in London (June 23-24), Big Data and AI World London (March 4-5), DSCNext in Amsterdam (May 7-8), and Big Data Conference Europe in Vilnius (November 24-27). These events collectively address strategic, technical, and practical aspects of enterprise data management across the European market.
Are there virtual big data conferences available in 2026?
AI + Data Predictions 2026 (January 29) offers a fully virtual format for global accessibility. Microsoft Ignite and several other major conferences provide hybrid options with online streaming. Virtual events enable professionals to access thought leadership and training regardless of geographic constraints or travel limitations.
Which conferences focus on MLOps and machine learning engineering?
DSCNext in Amsterdam (May 7-8) emphasises MLOps best practices and responsible AI frameworks. Databricks Data + AI Summit covers machine learning operations at enterprise scale. Big Data Conference Europe in Vilnius addresses ML infrastructure, feature stores, and production machine learning systems for data engineering teams.