Executive Summary
The global education landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with conferences serving as vital platforms for knowledge exchange, networking, and professional development. This comprehensive guide highlights the top 10 education conferences taking place in 2026 across major global hubs including London, Europe, the United States, Canada, Ireland, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Germany, India, Turkey, and China. These events bring together educators, school leaders, policymakers, and EdTech innovators to address critical challenges facing modern education systems.
| Rank |
Conference |
Date |
Location |
Expected Attendees |
| 1 |
EdTech World Forum 2026 |
May 12-13, 2026 |
London, UK |
200+ |
| 2 |
SXSW EDU 2026 |
March 9-12, 2026 |
Austin, Texas, USA |
8,000+ |
| 3 |
GESS Dubai 2026 |
November 2026 |
Dubai, UAE |
12,000+ |
| 4 |
EDULEARN26 |
June 29 - July 1, 2026 |
Palma, Spain |
800+ |
| 5 |
GESS Saudi Arabia 2026 |
May 4-6, 2026 |
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
5,000+ |
| 6 |
SEACE 2026 |
February 5-9, 2026 |
Singapore |
1,500+ |
| 7 |
Online Educa Berlin 2026 |
December 2026 |
Berlin, Germany |
2,000+ |
| 8 |
DIDAC India 2026 |
November 25-27, 2026 |
Bengaluru, India |
15,000+ |
| 9 |
NAFSA Annual Conference 2026 |
May 26-29, 2026 |
Orlando, Florida, USA |
10,000+ |
| 10 |
European Conference on Education 2026 |
July 2026 |
London, UK |
500+ |
1. EdTech World Forum 2026 - London, UK (https://edtechconferences.london/)
The
EdTech World Forum 2026 takes the top position as the premier education technology conference in Europe. Scheduled for May 12-13, 2026, in London, this flagship event brings together over 200 education leaders, technology innovators, and policymakers from across the globe. The forum addresses critical topics including artificial intelligence in education, personalized learning platforms, digital transformation strategies, and sustainable education practices.
Key highlights include keynote addresses from leading education ministers, hands-on technology demonstrations, startup pitch competitions, and networking sessions with global EdTech investors. The London venue provides an ideal setting for international delegates, with the city serving as a global hub for education innovation according to the
UK Department for Education.
2. SXSW EDU 2026 - Austin, Texas, USA (https://www.sxswedu.com/)
SXSW EDU 2026 returns to Austin, Texas from March 9-12, 2026, as North America's most influential education innovation conference. Part of the broader South by Southwest festival, this event attracts over 8,000 educators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders exploring the intersection of education and technology.
The conference features sessions on project-based learning, STEM education equity, social-emotional learning, and emerging classroom technologies. According to
Education Week, SXSW EDU has become the go-to platform for launching innovative education products and fostering cross-sector partnerships between schools, startups, and government agencies.
3. GESS Dubai 2026 - Dubai, UAE (https://www.gessdubai.com/)
The
Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai 2026 celebrates its 19th edition in November 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. As the Middle East's largest education exhibition and conference, GESS Dubai attracts over 12,000 attendees from 100+ countries.
This CPD-accredited event features over 200 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge educational supplies, technology solutions, and curriculum resources. The conference program includes masterclasses on school leadership, EdTech implementation workshops, and panel discussions on regional education reform initiatives. The
UAE Ministry of Education typically participates as a key partner, highlighting the nation's commitment to education excellence.
4. EDULEARN26 - Palma, Spain (https://iated.org/edulearn/)
EDULEARN26 takes place June 29 to July 1, 2026, in Palma, Spain, organized by IATED Academy. This annual international conference on education and new learning technologies welcomes over 800 experts from 80+ countries in a hybrid format.
Topics covered include innovative pedagogical methodologies, e-learning platforms, virtual and augmented reality in education, and inclusive education strategies. Research presentations and paper submissions are encouraged, with proceedings indexed in major academic databases according to
Elsevier and other scholarly publishers.
5. GESS Saudi Arabia 2026 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (https://www.gess-saudiarabia.com/)
GESS Saudi Arabia 2026 runs from May 4-6, 2026, in Riyadh, supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 education transformation goals. This CPD-accredited conference and exhibition attracts over 5,000 education professionals from across the Gulf region.
The event features hands-on workshops, keynote presentations from international education leaders, and an extensive exhibition floor showcasing EdTech solutions tailored for the Middle Eastern market. The
Saudi Ministry of Education actively participates, presenting updates on national curriculum reforms and digital learning initiatives.
6. Southeast Asian Conference on Education (SEACE) 2026 - Singapore (https://seace.iafor.org/)
The
6th Southeast Asian Conference on Education (SEACE2026) takes place February 5-9, 2026, at Singapore EXPO. Organized by IAFOR (International Academic Forum), this interdisciplinary conference attracts over 1,500 researchers, educators, and policymakers from across Asia-Pacific.
Conference themes include educational technology integration, sustainable development in education, inclusive learning practices, and cross-cultural education research. Paper presentations are peer-reviewed and published in IAFOR conference proceedings, with opportunities for publication in indexed academic journals according to
Scopus.
7. Online Educa Berlin (OEB) 2026 - Berlin, Germany (https://oeb.global/)
Online Educa Berlin returns in December 2026 as Europe's largest conference on technology-enhanced learning and training. For over 30 years, OEB has brought together more than 2,000 learning professionals from corporate, higher education, and government sectors.
Focus areas include microlearning strategies, artificial intelligence tutoring systems, AR/VR immersive learning, and lifelong learning frameworks. The conference is held in partnership with leading German educational institutions and supported by the
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
8. DIDAC India 2026 - Bengaluru, India (https://didacindia.com/)
DIDAC India 2026 runs November 25-27, 2026, at BIEC in Bengaluru, Karnataka. As Asia's largest B2B education exhibition and skilling event, DIDAC India attracts over 15,000 visitors and 300+ exhibitors over three days.
With 15 years of experience, this flagship event covers K-12 education technology, higher education solutions, vocational training systems, and educational furniture and infrastructure. The event supports India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals, as outlined by the
Ministry of Education India.
9. NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo 2026 - Orlando, Florida, USA (https://www.nafsa.org/)
The
NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference and Expo convenes May 26-29, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, with the theme "Global by Design." As the world's largest association for international education professionals, NAFSA attracts over 10,000 attendees from universities, government agencies, and education organizations.
Sessions cover international student recruitment, study abroad program management, immigration policy updates, and global partnership development. The conference serves as a primary networking platform for higher education institutions seeking international collaborations, according to the
Institute of International Education.
10. European Conference on Education (ECE) 2026 - London, UK (https://ece.iafor.org/)
The
14th European Conference on Education (ECE2026) takes place in July 2026 in London, UK, organized by IAFOR in partnership with Birkbeck University of London and University College London. This interdisciplinary academic conference welcomes over 500 researchers presenting papers on education policy, teaching methodologies, and learning sciences.
Unique features include cross-conference access with simultaneous humanities and social sciences events, providing expanded networking opportunities. Published proceedings are indexed in academic databases, supporting researchers in building scholarly publication records according to
UCL.
Additional Notable Conferences by Region
| Region |
Conference |
Date |
Location |
| Canada |
CSSE Annual Conference 2026 |
May 2026 |
Toronto, Canada |
| Ireland |
EdTech Ireland Summit 2026 |
October 2026 |
Dublin, Ireland |
| Turkey |
ICERI Istanbul 2026 |
September 2026 |
Istanbul, Turkey |
| China |
China Education Expo 2026 |
October 2026 |
Beijing, China |
Conclusion
The global education conference landscape in 2026 offers unprecedented opportunities for professional development, knowledge exchange, and international networking. From the EdTech World Forum in London to DIDAC India in Bengaluru, these events address critical challenges facing modern education systems including AI integration, digital transformation, inclusive learning, and sustainable development goals.
Educators, school leaders, policymakers, and EdTech entrepreneurs should prioritize attendance at events aligned with their professional goals and regional focus areas. Early registration typically offers significant discounts, with many conferences now offering hybrid attendance options for those unable to travel.
References
EdTech World Forum 2026
SXSW EDU 2026
GESS Dubai 2026
EDULEARN26
GESS Saudi Arabia 2026
SEACE 2026
Online Educa Berlin 2026
DIDAC India 2026
NAFSA 2026
European Conference on Education 2026