FAQS

CIPD Festival of Work - 11 and 12 June 2025 - To book accommodation at preferential rates, please visit the Priority website here using the event passcode HAYC11925 Alternatively you can call Priority on 0845 6123 611 or +44 1473 550 620 quoting event code HAYC11925

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 6 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 Content+ 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 (11-12 June). Once you’ve registered for your free ticket, you can unlock the on demand option by purchasing a Content+ pass, allowing pass holders to access all sessions across all 7 stages after the event (excludes headline speakers) after the event.

Please contact [email protected] and they will send them out electronically 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.

The conference and exhibition is completely free to attend (please note the event takes place in-person only and is not available online). Food and drinks can be purchased onsite. 

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].

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.

The venue and event opening times are as follows: 

• Weds - 08:15 - 17:30 
• Thurs - 08:30 - 16:30

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

We strongly recommend pre-booking your parking space.

To pre-book your parking space please visit the online booking platform here. Please select the date(s) you would like to park which should then display the event you are planning to attend. Select the type of space you need and complete the form to secure your spot. Pre-booking is the only way to guarantee your parking at the venue. It is recommended you book to avoid disappointment should the car park be full on arrival.

There are clearly marked disabled parking bays in the Venue's orange car park. These are wide bays with minimum dimensions of 5.9m by 3.6m. Access to the building from these bays is along walkways with a gradient of no more than 1:15 and via flat entrance lifts with automatic doors. Blue badge holders can park in designated disabled parking bays. Parking costs £25 for up to 24 hours. There is a fine of £80 for parking in a disabled bay without displaying a valid disabled badge.

Excel offer a 15-minute free of charge window for drop offs. The closest entrance for drop off is S4/N4 hall modules – located near car park zone 3.

Please note: the Orange car park only permit vehicles up to a maximum of 1.9 metres height. Please email [email protected] if you require a disabled space for a taller vehicle.

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, sponsored by MHR. Select the network 'CIPD FOW free WiFi' and enter the password 'MHRglobal', then agree to the terms and conditions to gain access.

08:30 - 17:30, Wednesday 11 June 2025 

08:30 - 16:30, Thursday 12 June 2025

*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

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.

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. 

Click here to see what we are doing to make the festival accessible

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.

• Prior to your arrival at the CIPD Festival of Work, there are two adjacent stations to the venue – Custom House and Prince Regent, both of these are step-free
• All public entrances to Excel London are accessible by wheelchair
• 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 / session

There will be a dedicated nursing room on site 

All stages and sessions will have subtitles available 

The venue and event opening times are as follows: 

• Weds - 08:15 - 17:30 
• Thurs - 08:30 - 16:30

• There will be a quiet room for anyone who needs it, attendees could come here to regulate and de-escalate. 
• There is no formal dress code, please dress as you feel comfortable. 
• There is a multi-faith prayer room located inside the hall for anyone who needs it.
• 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 in the conference rooms and content stages to be more easily identified and approached for help. 
• There are hearing loops on all the content stages for anyone who is hard of hearing.
• All content stages will have accessible 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.
• If you’re bringing a support animal, please visit the help desk where staff will be happy to assist with any arrangements such as supplying a water bowl or offering a place to rest.

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

We strongly recommend pre-booking your parking space.

To pre-book your parking space please visit the online booking platform here. Please select the date(s) you would like to park which should then display the event you are planning to attend. Select the type of space you need and complete the form to secure your spot. Pre-booking is the only way to guarantee your parking at the venue. It is recommended you book to avoid disappointment should the car park be full on arrival.

There are clearly marked disabled parking bays in the Venue's orange car park. These are wide bays with minimum dimensions of 5.9m by 3.6m. Access to the building from these bays is along walkways with a gradient of no more than 1:15 and via flat entrance lifts with automatic doors. Blue badge holders can park in designated disabled parking bays. Parking costs £25 for up to 24 hours. There is a fine of £80 for parking in a disabled bay without displaying a valid disabled badge.

Excel offer a 15-minute free of charge window for drop offs. The closest entrance for drop off is S4/N4 hall modules – located near car park zone 3.

Please note: the Orange car park only permit vehicles up to a maximum of 1.9 metres height. Please email [email protected] if you require a disabled space for a taller vehicle.

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.

Here are some of our venue’s sustainability features:

• 100% of Excel London’s electricity comes from renewable sources and all gas is accounted for through Voluntary Carbon Offsets (VCOs).

• They are home to one of the largest commercial wormeries, containing 300,000 worms to recycle food waste.

• They have operated a zero waste-to-landfill policy since 2012, with 71% of waste recycled in 2021 and the remaining 29% used to create refuse-derived fuels.

• Water fountains are installed throughout the venue which results in 200,000 fewer plastic bottles used every year.

• Excel London’s waterless urinals save enough water to fill 6 Olympic-size swimming pools each year.

• 25% of the catering menus serve plant-forward, vegan or vegetarian options and 80% of their menus use British seasonal fruit and vegetables.

• The living wall along the promenade has 9,000 plants which remove air pollutants.

• Used cooking oil is collected for recycling into biofuel.

• HVO is used for plant and machinery across the venue which has up to 93% emissions saving compared to white diesel.

Excel London’s sustainability credentials, memberships and partnerships:

• ISO 14001 & ISO 20121 for robust business and event sustainability management

• Carbon Neutral Certification to account for our carbon emissions

• Planet Mark Business Certification to validate our carbon footprint and reduction commitments

• Signatory of the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge and active member in working groups

• isla venue member and new partnership to support sustainability across our value chain

• AEV Cross-association Sustainability Working Group member

• London Living Wage accredited and Royal Docks Action Group member

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

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