Top 19 London Business Events for your 2026 Business Diary

Manuela Willbold

8 months ago

Summary

London now hosts over 1,000 business and tech events annually, but the value you receive for your time and budget can vary significantly.
Formats of London business events have shifted dramatically over time based on attendees’ preferences. 42% of attendees now prioritise interactive workshops, while traditional lecture-style conferences continue to lose appeal.
Networking has overtaken content as the primary reason people attend London business events, with 40% of professionals stating that meaningful connections are more important than speaker line-ups.
Ticket prices in London range from free entry to £3,000+ executive passes.
With travel, time, and budgets under pressure, business leaders are attending fewer events, but choosing them far more carefully.

Note: All information in this guide is accurate as of the publication date but may be subject to change. Events are ranked from most to least affordable from beginning to end of 2026.

London’s business calendar is absolutely packed with MICE events (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

You can choose to attend anything from hands-on tech expos to C-suite leadership summits, and there’s something for every budget.

In this guide, you’ll find the most relevant, London-specific business events, organised by quarter and price, so that you can quickly compare, shortlist, and make your time count.

Also read: Top 7 Quirky & Unusual London Event Spaces

How We Chose These Events

We selected each event with your needs as a business attendee in mind and for each quarter we start with the free or more affordable options and finish with the most expensive options.

We focused on events with a strong legacy and a track record of successful past editions. So, each of our picks offers a welcoming, professional environment for business visitors, prioritises quality networking, and delivers a clear, relevant agenda.

We also considered factors like attendee feedback, appeal of the venue, the diversity of sessions, opportunities for practical learning, and the calibre of both speakers and delegates.

Top 19 London Business Events in 2026

Q1: January–March 2026

1. International Trade Conference 2026 | Time to Trade: Taking UK Tech to the World (3 March 2026)

A must-attend for UK tech SMEs, the International Trade Conference 2026 is a London business event tackles the real challenges of exporting UK technology to global markets. Hosted by techUK, it launches new research, connects you with government policy makers, and dives deep into the specifics of selling into the US and Europe.

Website: techuk.org/what-we-deliver/flagship-and-sponsored-events/international-trade-conference-2026.html
Venue: Central London (final venue details yet to be released)
Ticket Price & Options: Free (techUK members & public sector); £170 + VAT (non-members)
Key Agenda Details: Panel on navigating global markets, UK government support, US/EU market workshops, sanctions/compliance session
Key Speakers: Antony Walker (techUK), Sabina Ciofu, UK Ministers (DBT, DSIT)
Highlights:
1. Access to policymakers
2. First look at new SME trade research
3. Market deep-dive workshops
4. Live “Ask Me Anything” on compliance
5. 100% SME-focused

2. Tech Show London 2026 (4–5 March 2026)

Tech-Show-London-2026

The UK’s biggest B2B tech exhibition, Tech Show London 2026 is unique because one ticket gets you into five major shows covering AI, cloud, data, and security. Meet 450+ exhibitors, join 17,000+ industry peers, and hear from visionaries like Louis Theroux and Baroness Martha Lane Fox.

Website: techshowlondon.co.uk
Venue: ExCeL London
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Free for buyers and consumers of technology solutions
2. Service or solution providers: £249 + VAT (until 3rd March 2026), £299 + VAT (from 4th March 2026)
3. VIP Pass: Decision-makers (C-level, Director, VP, Department Head, or FTSE company end-users) may be eligible for a complimentary VIP ticket, pending registration confirmation
Key Agenda Details: AI ethics, digital twins, “Women in Tech” sessions, five co-located shows
Key Speakers: Prof. Hannah Fry, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Piers Linney, Chris Slowe, Louis Theroux
Highlights:
1. Five shows, one pass
2. Massive industry networking
3. World-class keynote lineup
4. 200+ hours of practical content
5. Real focus on tech diversity

3. IT Nation Connect™ Europe 2026 (9–11 March 2026)

IT Nation Connect™ Europe 2026 is Europe’s premier event for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). If you run or serve MSPs, this event’s for you, as it is packed with workshops, developer meetups, social events, and the chance to hear directly from ConnectWise leadership and leading performance experts.

Website: itnation.connectwise.com/connect-europe
Venue: Hilton London Metropole
Ticket Price & Options:
1. All Access Pass: £199 – For MSPs only; includes all keynotes, breakouts, Solutions Pavilion access, event app, all meals, and evening socials
2. Social Pass: £99 – Covers evening receptions and the off-site party (cannot be bought alone)
3. Non-MSP Pass: £2,000 – For vendors; full access to all content, networking, and meals
4. Team Rate: 25% discount for bookings of two or more delegates
Key Agenda Details: Solutions Pavilion, MSP workshops, first-timer orientation, networking at Flight Club
Key Speakers: Jake Humphrey, Prof. Damian Hughes, Manny Rivelo
Highlights:
1. MSP-focused agenda
2. Hands-on training
3. Direct developer Q&A
4. Vibrant networking socials
5. Team-based discounts

4. DMA Annual Conference 2026 (17 March 2026)

DMA Annual Conference 2026 is the marketing industry’s key London business event for 2026. The DMA brings together leaders, creatives, and strategists to explore data, tech, and the human side of marketing. It promises a high-level yet intimate atmosphere and lays a special focus on ethics and psychology in marketing.

Website: dma.org.uk/learning-and-events/events/events-webinars/annual-conference-2026
Venue: Ham Yard Hotel, London
Ticket Price & Options: £199 (DMA members), £349 (non-members) excl. VAT
Key Agenda Details: “State of the Nation” keynote, DMA Grand Prix case study, “Marketing For Good vs For Now” debate
Key Speakers: Lea Karam, Rachel Aldighieri, Russell Parsons, Leila Seith-Hassan
Highlights:
1. Behavioural science in practice
2. “Responsible marketing” deep dives
3. Exclusive campaign case studies
4. Multi-stream content
5. Boutique networking

Q2: April–June 2026

5. Data Decoded LDN 2026 (22–23 April 2026)

Data Decoded LDN 2026 is a two-day data festival making data skills and strategy accessible to businesses of all sizes. With a free main event, hands-on workshops, and a lively afterparty, this is a go-to for anyone wanting to turn new data ideas into action.

Website: datadecoded.com/ldn
Venue: Olympia Events, London
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Main event: Free (registration required)
2. Hands-on workshops: £195 + VAT per session
Key Agenda Details: Five themed theatres, data governance, generative AI, engineering, practitioner workshops, and evening entertainment
Key Speakers: Tripti Anil (Kellanova), Nicola Askham (The Data Governance Coach), Fay Churchill (ITV), Kam Karaji (NFL)
Highlights:
1. Free entry for main festival
2. Specialist content theatres
3. Festival-style networking and afterparty
4. Peer-led “Meetups”
5. Actionable, practitioner-led workshops

6. Accountex London 2026 (inc. The FD Show) (13–14 May 2026)

Accountex London 2026 is the world’s largest accounting and finance expo, Accountex London brings together 16,000+ professionals for two days of discovery, education, and demos at ExCeL London. Entry is free for finance pros.

Website: datadecoded.com/ldn
Venue: ExCeL London
Ticket Price & Options: Free for all finance professionals (registration required)
Key Agenda Details: 180+ CPD seminars, 13 theatres, live demos (e.g., Microsoft Copilot), networking with 300+ exhibitors
Key Speakers: Rotating line-up of industry leaders, including Pro Drive IT and leading fintech firms
Highlights:
1. Entry to 300+ suppliers under one roof
2. Earn up to 16 CPD hours
3. Co-located with The FD Show for senior finance leaders
4. Hands-on demos of AI in accounting
5. Access to benchmarking tools for IT and cyber security

7. London Tech Week 2026 (8–12 June 2026, main expo 8–10 June)

London Tech Week 2026 is Europe’s largest tech festival. With 30,000+ innovators, 400+ speakers, and 70+ events, it’s the ultimate meeting point for startups, enterprises, and investors. Standard entry is free, with premium and bundled passes available for deeper engagement.

Website: londontechweek.com
Venue: Olympia London & across the city
Ticket Price & Options:
1. General Standard: £0
2. General Premium: £395 (early bird)
3. LTW + The AI Summit: £1,299
4. Solution Provider: £995
Key Agenda Details: AI Arena, Deep Tech Stage, Founders Stage, VIP Village, Tech Nation Rising Stars Final
Key Speakers: Mati Staniszewski (ElevenLabs), Miki Kuusi (Deliveroo), Alex Kendall (Wayve), Stella Li (BYD), Ling Ge (Tencent)
Highlights:
1. 30,000+ attendees and 70+ citywide fringe events
2. Tech Nation’s £1M competition
3. “Off the Record” fireside chats
4. EQL:LOUNGE for accessible, diverse tech
5. VIP networking via LTW Connect

8. Tech.eu Summit London 2026 (21–22 April 2026)

Tech.eu Summit London 2026 is Europe’s top tech and startup event, gathering founders, investors, and VCs for high-powered networking, investment talks, and real-world scaling strategies.

Website: tech.eu/event/2026/summit-london/
Venue: Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Early Bird: £400 + VAT
2. Early Bird (3+ people): £360 + VAT per person
Key Agenda Details: LP/investor networking, curated startup showcases, pan-European collaboration
Key Speakers: Laura Modiano (OpenAI), Hussein Kanji (Hoxton Ventures), Maren Bannon (January Ventures), Nikola Mrkšić (PolyAI)
Highlights:
1. Prestigious central London location
2. Deep LP/investor focus
3. Access to European startup innovation
4. Integrated event app for networking
5. Bridge between UK and European tech ecosystems

9. AI World Congress 2026 (23–24 June 2026)

AI World Congress 2026 is a must-attend for anyone serious about artificial intelligence. This London business event brings together leaders from enterprise, research, and tech for two days of world-class discussion on everything from MLOps to AI ethics.

Website: aiconference.london
Venue: The Great Hall, Kensington Conference and Events Centre
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Early Bird (2-Day Pass): £495 + VAT
2. VIP Pass: £695 + VAT (incl. recordings)
3. Full Price: £2,295 + VAT
Key Agenda Details: Scaling AI in enterprise, autonomous AI risks, generative AI, responsible AI, robust MLOps
Key Speakers: Nayur Khan (QuantumBlack, McKinsey), Roland Scharrer (Kearney), Tejas Joshi (Oracle), Oliver King-Smith (SMARTR.AI), Benjamin Summerfield (IBM)
Highlights:
1. Access to a dedicated Networking Portal
2. Enterprise AI deep-dives and integration strategy
3. Focus on generative AI revolution
4. Strong ethics and responsible AI track
5. Iconic Kensington venue

10. SocialDay Social Media Marketing Festival (SMF26) (19–20 May 2026; welcome drinks 18 May)

SocialDay Social Media Marketing Festival (SMF26) is an all-inclusive, hands-on London business event for social media pros and marketers. Offers real-world strategies, CPD credits, and an “unstuffy,” networking-focused atmosphere.

Website: socialday.co.uk
Venue: Protein Studios, Shoreditch, London
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Early Bird 2-Day Pass: £620 + £124 VAT – Access to both days (19–20 May), all sessions, food, drinks, and the welcome reception on 18 May
2. Early Bird 1-Day Pass (Tuesday 19th or Wednesday 20th May): £420 + £84 VAT – Includes one day of sessions, food, drinks, and the welcome reception
3. Team of 5 – Early Bird 2-Day Passes: £2,790 + £558 VAT – Full festival access for five people, including food, drinks, and welcome reception
Key Agenda Details: AI in social media, influencer marketing, creator economy, platform trends, and organic growth
Key Speakers: Practitioners from major platforms and brands (line-up rotates every year)
Highlights:
1. All-inclusive festival vibe
2. Barista coffee and street food included
3. Strictly practical, sales-free sessions
4. Community chat for solo attendees
5. CPD-accredited learning

11. The AI Summit London 2026 (10–11 June 2026)

The AI Summit London 2026 is the flagship AI event within London Tech Week. The AI Summit brings 5,000+ leaders together at Tobacco Dock for hands-on masterclasses, real-world demos, and in-depth content across 8 stages.

Website: london.theaisummit.com
Venue: Tobacco Dock, London
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Included with LTW + The AI Summit Pass (£1,299)
2. Standalone passes available (check event site for details)
Key Agenda Details: Ambassador Chapter-curated agenda, The AI Trail, Start-up & Investor Village, VisionAIres Programme
Key Speakers: Lawrence Ampofo (Vodafone), Matthew Candy (IBM), Mara Pometti (Mastercard), Nipun Jain (AstraZeneca)
Highlights:
1. Agenda designed by top industry experts
2. Dedicated start-up & investor zones
3. VIP VisionAIres programme
4. Historic venue for unique atmosphere
5. Commercial AI, with a focus on business value

12. Innovate Finance Global Summit (IFGS) 2026 (21 April 2026)

Innovate Finance Global Summit (IFGS) 2026 is the flagship event of UK FinTech Week. IFGS convenes the brightest minds in finance and tech. From hands-on tech demos to “silent disco” panels in historic Guildhall, the focus is on the future of global fintech, regulation, and digital innovation.

Website: innovatefinance.com/ifgs2026
Venue: Guildhall, London
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Early Bird: £1,050 + VAT
2. Startups: £475 + VAT
3. Members: Complimentary (varies by tier)
4. Concessions/Students: Discounted (on enquiry)
Key Agenda Details: Four stages, Expo Hall, “Tech Tunnel” demos, sustainability and growth sessions
Key Speakers: Carefully curated mix of industry leaders, senior regulators, and influencers
Highlights:
1. Flagship FinTech Week event
2. Silent disco panel sessions
3. AI-powered 1-2-1 networking app
4. Live Tech Tunnel demos
5. Access to 2,000+ senior influencers

13. Generative AI Summit 2026 (13–15 April 2026)

Generative AI Summit 2026 is Europe’s most exclusive summit for enterprise leaders in GenAI and Agentic AI. With over 65 speakers and 30+ case studies from companies like BMW and Mastercard, this is where AI strategy meets hands-on execution.

Website: aidataanalytics.network/events-generativeaisummit
Venue: Novotel London West
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Bronze Pass: £1,099 (early bird, main conference + reception)
2. Silver–Platinum: £1,599–£3,099 (adds 1–4 workshops)
3. Solution Provider: £2,999
4. Group Discount: 5–20% for 2+ delegates
Key Agenda Details: Main conference, workshop day, Agentic AI sessions, workforce transformation
Key Speakers: Kirstine Dale, Rohit Dhawan, Kaan Cetinturk, Daniel Hulme
Highlights:
1. Executive-only, closed door
2. Two summits with one pass
3. Real-world enterprise stories
4. Actionable, hands-on workshops
5. AI-native business focus

14. Gartner Digital Workplace Summit 2026 (27–28 April 2026)

Gartner Digital Workplace Summit 2026 is the leading London business event for digital workplace and HR tech leaders. Dive into the AI-native future of work, with Gartner analysts and global experts guiding strategy, tech adoption, and workplace transformation.

Website: gartner.com/en/conferences/emea/digital-workplace-uk
Venue: InterContinental London – The O2
Ticket Price & Options:
1. Early Bird: €3,275 + VAT (until 27 Feb 2026)
2. Standard: €3,725 + VAT
3. Public Sector: €2,925 + VAT
4. Group Discounts: 1 free for every 3 paid
Key Agenda Details: 68+ sessions, digital employee experience, AI in the workplace, tech adoption roadmaps
Key Speakers: Max Goss, Erin Pierre (Gartner), Tori Paulman, Dan Wilson
Highlights:
1. Private 1:1s with Gartner experts
2. Proprietary, data-driven insights
3. Strategy validation for your roadmap
4. Personalised session agendas
5. 2026 AI-native workplace benchmarking

15. Momentum AI London 2026 (29–30 June 2026)

Momentum AI London 2026 is a closed-door, application-only summit for enterprise leaders, focused on moving “beyond the hype” to real business impact from AI. With Chatham House roundtables and a speaker pledge for actionable content, this event is all about substance over buzzwords.

Website: events.reutersevents.com/momentum/london
Venue: 5 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London
Ticket Price & Options: Application and approval only; delegate passes by invite/approval (see organiser for category)
Key Agenda Details: Benchmarking AI maturity, trust architecture, sector-specific roundtables (finance, retail, pharma, automotive), “Women in AI” leadership
Key Speakers: George Mudie (CTO/CISO), Scott Marcar (CIO), Opal Perry (CDTO), Jasmeet Narang (Transformation & AI), Dr Paul Dongha (Responsible AI)
Highlights:
1. Strictly vetted senior audience
2. Real-world, actionable case studies
3. Chatham House closed-door discussions
4. Women in AI breakfast
5. Cross-industry C-suite networking

Q3–Q4: September–December 2026

Note: At the time of publishing not all details and events for Q3 and Q4 are confirmed.

16. The Business Show London 2026 (11–12 November 2026)

The Business Show London 2026 is the world’s biggest business event for SMEs, startups, and ambitious founders. 25,000+ entrepreneurs, 500+ exhibitors, and 200+ masterclasses (all free to attend). Network, learn, and grow your business under one roof.

Website: greatbritishbusinessshow.co.uk
Venue: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock
Ticket Price & Options: Free Tickets (register on event website)
Key Agenda Details: Speed Networking, CPD-accredited masterclasses, Going Global Live & Retrain Expo co-location
Key Speakers: Touker Suleyman (Dragons’ Den), Lord John Bird (Big Issue), Dean Franklin (The Apprentice 2025), James Gold (SkinnyDip)
Highlights:
1. Earn CPD credits at every session
2. Largest gathering of UK entrepreneurs
3. Masterclasses for hands-on mentorship
4. Access Going Global Live + Retrain Expo
5. Lightning-fast speed networking

17. B2B Marketing Live 2026 (18–19 November 2026)

B2B Marketing Live 2026 is the UK’s leading event for B2B marketers, where the industry’s decision-makers gather for practical workshops, big-idea seminars, and unbeatable networking. Tailored for those leading or growing B2B marketing functions.

Website: b2bmarketingexpo.co.uk
Venue: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock
Ticket Price & Options: Pre-register for updates; group discounts available on launch (pricing TBA)
Key Agenda Details: 60+ seminars, four theatres, eight themes (including ABM, AI, automation), hands-on skill workshops, Discovery Zone for startups
Key Speakers: “Elite” speaker line-up—past brands include IBM, Amazon, Adobe, Mastercard, BBC
Highlights:
1. 88% attendee decision-makers
2. Discovery Zone for startups/SMEs
3. Eight future-focused themes
4. Actionable, hands-on workshops
5. UK’s #1 B2B marketing event

18. eCommerce Expo 2026 (23–24 September 2026)

eCommerce Expo 2026 is the UK’s largest eCommerce event for B2B and B2C sellers where over 10,000 senior professionals and 200+ top solution providers come together at the ExCeL. It’s co-located with Technology for Marketing, which means you can access two shows with one pass.

Website: ecommerceexpo.co.uk
Venue: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock
Ticket Price & Options: Register interest now; options usually include VIP Visitor and Press Passes (pricing TBA)
Key Agenda Details: 10 content theatres, Growth Summit for retail leaders, eCommerce Awards, full-stack solution showcase
Key Speakers: Andy Mulcahy (IMRG), Marzena Jargan (Estée Lauder), Kieron Smith (Waterstones), Swagat Choudhury (Mars)
Highlights:
1. Free dual access to Technology for Marketing
2. 77% attendee decision-makers/procurement leads
3. 200+ hours of CPD-accredited content
4. Invitation-only Growth Summit for retail leaders
5. Covers every aspect from marketing to logistics

19. Sifted Summit 2026 (30 September – 1 October 2026)

Sifted Summit 2026 is Europe’s standout tech/startup summit, where 3,000 founders, operators, and investors meet at Magazine London. Famous for “real talk,” unfiltered conversations, and celebrating the fastest-growing startups across the continent.

Website: summit.sifted.eu
Venue: Magazine London, 11 Ordnance Crescent
Ticket Price & Options: Register interest; tickets open soon (past years: Early Bird £275–£375)
Key Agenda Details: Scaleup CxO Series, Sifted 250 live launch, three stages of panels, VC-founder roundtables, newsroom networking
Key Speakers: John Collison (Stripe), Anne Boden (Starling Bank), Ali Parsa (Quadrivia), Reshma Sohoni (Seedcamp)
Highlights:
1. A reputation as a platform for raw, honest dialogue
2. Live Sifted 250 fastest-growing startup reveal
3. Direct VC-founder matchmaking via app
4. Connect with Sifted’s editorial team
5. Dedicated scaleup/ambitious operator content

So, no matter your budget, focus, or seniority, London’s business events offer more choice and more value than ever before.

Ready to shortlist your next event?

Explore, compare, and make your time count. The right event could be the catalyst for your next breakthrough or key connection.

Have suggestions for another London business event to be included in the list? Contact us here.

Author Profile

Manuela WillboldOnline Media & PR Strategist

As a London-based Chief Marketing Officer at the digital marketing agency ClickDo Ltd I blog regularly about London, lifestyle, technology, business and many more topics.