Shaping the future through people and learning
Connect returns in 2026 at a new venue, Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. Our 2026 theme is: Building the Future.
The future of work and learning isn’t something that simply happens to us, it’s something we build, together.
In times of rapid change, it can be tempting to focus on tools, frameworks and forecasts. But the future is ultimately shaped by people; their skills, confidence, wellbeing, creativity, and capacity to adapt. L&D has a unique responsibility not just to prepare organisations for what’s next, but to support individuals to grow, thrive and belong in an evolving world of work.
At LN Connect 2026, we’ll explore how learning professionals can put people at the centre of future-building. How do we design learning that empowers individuals while strengthening teams and cultures? How do we build inclusive pathways to opportunity, develop human capabilities alongside technical skills, and create environments where continuous learning feels safe, supported, and valued?
Join us as we explore:
- What the future of learning ‘looks’ like, and what skills gaps companies are looking to fill
- Building future skills while supporting confidence, wellbeing, and career mobility.
- Creating inclusive learning cultures where everyone can grow and contribute.
- Designing people-centred learning systems that adapt as organisations evolve.
- Balancing performance, productivity, and human sustainability.
The Learning Network invites you to a day of inspiration, practical insight and shared purpose, where we focus not just on shaping what the future looks like — but on who it is built for.
Introducing our keynote speakers!
Donald H Taylor
Donald Taylor creates and shares research into what’s happening in our field, with a goal of moving L&D forward by supporting the next generation of leaders and enabling growth in the industry. He also currently chairs the Learning Technologies Conference and is the Network Chair at Emerge Education.
Susi Miller
Susi Miller is the Founder and Director of eLaHub and created the DALC programme, which is designed to help teams design, develop, and test accessible learning. Susi works with organisations to provide training, auditing, and consultancy, to help them make inclusive and accessible learning content, helping them improve the overall learning experience in the process.
Visit our new webapp to see the full agenda.
Thank you to our sponsors
Want to sponsor?
If you’d like to sponsor Connect, get in touch at [email protected].
