Top customer experience conferences in 2026

The customer experience practice is facing fresh headwinds and technological disruptions in 2026, from price-sensitive consumers to agentic AI. 

That’s not to mention leaders' perennial problems: demonstrating ROI, collaborating on initiatives across departments and measuring CX quality.

Luckily, there are events dedicated to just that. Leaders across the profession are coming together at conferences and summits to discuss challenges and case studies of successful brands. CX decision-makers can hear from experts, vendors and top companies in their industries about how to enhance digital and in-store experience, boost satisfaction and loyalty, and integrate new technology.

Here are the top conferences to attend this year: 

CX Forum West

June 29-30
San Francisco, California

Forrester’s event zeroes in on building experiences that AI can’t. Leaders and experts will discuss creating the base of a good experience — purpose and direction, human creativity, trust, context, customer identity, and quality data — and using AI as a tool to empower that. 

Dreamforce 2026

Sept. 15-17
San Francisco

Salesforce annual event features three days of keynotes, hands-on trainings, more than 1,600 sessions and 240 roundtables. Attendees will get a first look on product announcements and real-world deployments that affect customer experience strategies.

UNBOUND 2026

Sept. 16-18
Boston

Formerly INBOUND, Hubspot’s annual conference brings together business leaders to learn about AI, customer experience and sustainable revenue strategies through networking opportunities and keynote sessions.

Customer Contact Week

Oct. 7-9
Nashville, Tennessee

Customer Management Practice’s gathering of contact center professionals features sessions exploring the tools, technology and techniques shaping the future of the industry. Past CCW speakers include leaders like Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun and Bryan Stoller, VP and global head of customer care and contact centers at United Airlines. 

Digital Transformation & Customer Experience Summit

Oct. 21-22
Boston

This in-person only summit is a senior-level executive conference, featuring chief customer officers, CIOs and chief digital officers. Attendees will learn about AI-driven transformation of customer service operations. Speakers include leaders from Lenovo and OXXO. 

ICMI Contact Center Expo 2026

Oct. 26-29
Orlando, Florida

Hosted by the International Customer Management Institute, this conference discusses challenges facing contact centers, including AI disruption and shifting customer demands. Attendees will learn from peer-led case studies and hands-on training. Educational tracts include practical applications of AI, change management frameworks and leadership, maximizing productivity and operations, and updating omnichannel experience strategies and user journey mapping. 

Gartner Customer Service & Support Conference

Nov. 4-5
Denver

Customer service and support leaders, experts and solution providers will come together to discuss the future of customer support. The event will touch on such topics as designing AI roadmaps for measurable impact, restructuring the service operating model for enterprise growth, and shifting from reactive support to providing proactive value by using data and Voice of the Customer.

Customer Service & Experience East 2026

Nov. 17-18
New York City

Reuters’ event invites practitioners to reimagine the foundations of their service and experience strategy with a focus on demystifying AI and helping leaders create a tangible ROI for their businesses. Former speakers include American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden and E.l.f. Beauty Chief Digital Officer Ekta Chopra.