FAQ'S

The CIPD Festival of Work is taking place on 10-11 June 2026. To book accommodation at preferential rates, we have partnered with MICE Concierge to offer the best accommodation prices whilst you visit the CIPD Festival of Work 2026. The accommodation they offer is all located close to the venue and offers a range of hotels to suit all budgets. 

Click here to book your accommodation: 

For assistance with accommodation bookings, particularly for larger groups, please call or email:

Tel: +44 (0) 1438 908770

Email: [email protected]

There are bathroom facilities located both outside the Festival, in the Excel London boulevard, as well as inside the Festival. Both of which are sign-posted accordingly. 

For festival-goes with additional requirements, there are clearly marked disabled access bathrooms located in the centre boulevard and with the Festival. 

When will I receive confirmation of my booking?

You should receive your booking confirmation the same day that you complete your registration. Please save [email protected] as a safe sender and check your junk mail if you haven’t received it. Please email [email protected] if you would like your confirmation email to be resent.

When will I receive my badge and joining instructions?

Your badge and joining instructions will be sent from [email protected] approximately one week before the event. Please email [email protected]. If you have not received your badge by 5 June.

Can I transfer my place to someone else?

As this is a free to attend event, you will need to cancel your registration and your colleague will need to register for their own ticket.

Can I cancel my registration?

Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel your festival attendance registration (free of charge). The Festival on demand pass is non-refundable after purchase.

Is it possible to register onsite?

Please register before you arrive onsite via the website. 

Do I need to book sessions?

Sessions on the content stages are non-bookable, seating will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Can I watch the sessions live online or on demand?

Sessions will only be available to watch in person during the event (10-11 June). Once you've registered for your free ticket, you can unlock the on demand option by purchasing a Festival on demand pass, allowing pass holders to access all sessions across all 7 stages after the event (excludes headline speakers) after the event.

There is a staffed cloakroom on the lower level of Excel near the N4 and S4 entrances. This cloakroom is provided at no charge to visitors however, please note that items are left at your own risk. There is very limited space for luggage, so it is strongly recommended that luggage is left at hotels prior to your arrival at the venue and collected after your departure.

Please note this is a card payment only event, cash is not accepted. Entry to the event is free. Food, and drink can be purchased onsite. 

There is no formal dress code, please dress as you feel comfortable.

If you are contacted by an individual claiming to be, or work with the CIPD, we recommend contacting your Account Manager to determine the authenticity of sender. You can read more on our scam guidance page. You can also contact our support team on: [email protected] OR our commercial sales team on: [email protected].

The venue and event opening times are as follows: 

• Weds - 08:15 - 17:30

• Thurs - 08:30 - 16:30

There are charging points located in the boulevard. Just £2.00 for the first hour, or £4.00 if you drop it back within 24 hours.

There is a quiet room onsite for anyone who needs it, please feel free to come here to regulate and de-escalate. Please be mindful of others while using this space, if you require a meeting space please use the networking areas located in the Social Cafe and Meet and Eat, or the boulevard.

As part of the security procedures for this event, bag checks will be conducted as you enter the show. Please ensure that you wear your badge and keep your personal belongings with you at all times. 

How to get there
Check out our travel page here. To reduce your carbon footprint we would strongly recommend travelling by public transport where possible.

Parking

Parking is available at Excel London. Please note the updated parking tariffs below.

Pre-booked parking
£27.50 per calendar day
Valid from 00:00–23:50

On-the-day parking (pay on exit)
£30.00 per calendar day
Valid from 00:00–23:59

Excel London has recently redesigned its parking layout. The closest parking area with access to N4 / S4 is now West 3.

You can view the parking map and find further travel information here:
https://www.excel.london/visitor/getting-here/parking-and-taxis

As this event is free to attend, we cannot issue letters of invitation in support of a visa application to the UK embassy.

There is complimentary wifi provided throughout the venue.

08:15- 17:30, Wednesday 10 June 2026 

08:30 - 16:30, Thursday 11 June 2026

*Please note: Last entry will be confirmed nearer to the event

Excel London, 

One Western Gateway,

Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL 

What 3 words: ///cheer.events.began

If you are attending the festival alone or starting to feel overwhelmed, we are operating a 'buddy system'. Volunteers will be on hand to make sure that you are enjoying your festival experience. 

There is a staffed cloakroom on the lower level of Excel near the N4 and S4 entrances. This cloakroom is provided at no charge to visitors however, please note that items are left at your own risk. There is very limited space for luggage, so it is strongly recommended that luggage is left at hotels prior to your arrival at the venue and collected after your departure.

We will have green lanyards available on-site, so the festival team can recognise that you may have additional requirements.

Excel London aims to be as inclusive as possible for all visitors and staff, including those with access needs.

• Prior to your arrival at the CIPD Festival of Work, there are two step-free DLR stations located next to the venue: Custom House and Prince Regent. You can use the TfL step-free station map to help plan your journey. Click here to see TfL step-free station map to plan your journey. All public entrances to Excel London are accessible by wheelchair

• If you require assistance when travelling on the DLR, support can be pre-booked in advance. Click here to find out how you can pre-book assistance

• Excel London is a large venue, with a central boulevard approximately 600 metres long. All public entrances are wheelchair accessible, with low-gradient ramps and automatic doors. Once inside, all floors are level, providing step-free, unobstructed access throughout the venue. If you would like advice on the most suitable entrance or DLR station for your event, please visit the What’s On page or contact [email protected].

• Wheelchairs are free of charge to hire. They are subject to availability, please email [email protected] to enquire 

• Mobility scooters are free of charge to hire. They are subject to availability, please email [email protected] to enquire 

• An accessible changing facility can be found as the east of the venue on level 1- click here for more information

• There are 80 bays suitable for disabled drivers on-site across Orange car park- click here for more information

• There are 40 toilets for disabled visitors located throughout the building – You’ll find them near the Business Services centre, located on level 0 between hall entrance N4 and S4, the ICC conference suites on Level 3 and the restaurants and cafes on Level 1 and Level 2 – click here for more information 

• Guide dogs are welcome at Excel London, please contact [email protected] to plan your visit.

There will be a hearing loop zone available at each stage.

There will be a dedicated nursing room on-site.

There is a quiet room onsite for anyone who needs it, please feel free to come here to regulate and de-escalate. Please be mindful of others while using this space, if you require a meeting space please use the networking areas located in the Social Cafe and Meet and Eat, or the boulevard.

All stages will have subtitles available.

How to get there
Check out our travel page here. To reduce your carbon footprint we would strongly recommend travelling by public transport where possible.

Parking

Parking is available at Excel London. Please note the updated parking tariffs below.

Pre-booked parking
£27.50 per calendar day
Valid from 00:00–23:50

On-the-day parking (pay on exit)
£30.00 per calendar day
Valid from 00:00–23:59

Excel London has recently redesigned its parking layout. The closest parking area with access to N4 / S4 is now West 3.

You can view the parking map and find further travel information here:
https://www.excel.london/visitor/getting-here/parking-and-taxis

We ask all our attendees if they have any additional requirements as part of the registration process and make every effort to accommodate them. We're committed to making this event accessible to everyone.

• Excel London is designed for maximum accessibility for all events, this includes full accessibility to wheelchair users. 

• There is a quiet room for anyone who needs it, please feel free to come here to regulate and de-escalate.

• There is a multi-faith prayer room located at Excel for anyone who needs it. It can be accessed through the grey door next to the S9 entrance on the boulevard.

• There is no formal dress code, please dress as you feel comfortable.

• Anyone with an accessibility requirement will be offered a different coloured lanyard so that stewards may easily identify and offer support.

• Event staff will be wearing green t-shirts on the content stages to be more easily identified and approached for help.

• Hearing loops are located at the front of content stages for anyone who is hard of hearing.

• All content stages and rooms will have closed captions.

• The Content+ option means that anyone who does not want to attend in person, for whatever reason, can still view the content across all 7 stages.

• In order to support visitors wishing to bring personal support animals to the venue and to ensure smooth entry for those animals permitted, please email [email protected], copying in [email protected], prior to arriving onsite.

• If you are attending the festival alone or starting to feel overwhelmed, we are operating a 'buddy system'. Volunteers will be on hand to make sure that you are enjoying your festival experience. 

Should you have any queries or concerns please visit the help desk during the event, or email [email protected] if your query is before the event.

Click here to find more information on how Excel is accessible as a venue. 

Excel London holds a number of recognised certifications and memberships, including:

• UN Global Compact participant
  

• PAS 2060:2014 Carbon Neutral certification
  

• Planet Mark Certified Business
  

• CarbonSAVER Triple Crown of Sustainability
  

• CIWM Affiliated Organisation
  

• isla venue member

• London Living Wage Employer

• AEV Cross-Association Sustainability Working Group member

To support organisers, Excel London works with TRACE, the event industry’s definitive real-time carbon measurement platform. TRACE helps events measure and reduce their carbon impact.

Excel London is committed to creating a positive impact on both the local community and the wider world. In 2022, Excel London became certified carbon neutral, achieving PAS 2060 status, the first UK venue to do so under this internationally recognised standard.

We are working with the venue and all of our suppliers to reduce the environmental impact and increase the positive social and economic contribution of this event. Here are some of the things we are doing:

• Our chosen venue, Excel London, is easy to reach by public transport.

• Our procurement process requires our suppliers to demonstrate the steps they are taking to make their own operations sustainable. 

• Your badge is made of paper (FSC certified) and no plastic badge wallets are used.

• Our lanyards are made from recycled plastic water bottles.

• The majority of the signage we use onsite is returned to a depot and entered into specialist recycling. Our signage supplier is ESSA Tier 5 accredited for Sustainability.

• We are working with sponsors and exhibitors to minimise materials they dispose of whilst at the conference.

• We ensure that the carpet and paper used at the event are made from recycled materials and it is recycled or reused at the end of the event.

• We have reduced the amount of printed materials which we provide to attendees by switching to digital.

• 100% of electricity comes from renewable sources, with all gas accounted for through Voluntary Carbon Offsets (VCOs)
  
  

• One of the largest commercial wormeries in the UK, housing 300,000 worms to recycle food waste
  
  

• Zero waste-to-landfill since 2012, with 71% of waste recycled and the remainder used for refuse-derived fuels
  
  

• Water fountains throughout the venue, helping to eliminate around 200,000 plastic bottles each year
  
  

• Waterless urinals that save enough water annually to fill six Olympic-size swimming pools
  
  

• 50% of catering menus offering plant-forward, vegan or vegetarian options, with 80% using British seasonal produce
  
  

• A living wall along the promenade with over 9,000 plants that help remove air pollutants
  

• Used cooking oil recycled into biofuel, and HVO used for plant and machinery, delivering up to a 93% emissions saving compared to white diesel

Exhibitors are being targeted by organisations claiming to be, or work with the CIPD. They offer misleading directory services, accommodation recommendations and show guide services – sometimes they use existing CIPD branding which may appear genuine.

Please be aware and remain vigilant when contacted by these organisations. We recommend not responding to these communications and to circulate examples of scam emails to make the appropriate teams aware of the risk. 

The CIPD Festival of Work is not in any way associated with these organisations and does not engage in the sale or trade of any customer lists or charge for show guides/profiles. If you are ever in doubt about a piece of communication received in relation to the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your Account Manager.

More information available on this website page

Please contact us on this enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch.