FAQs

Why has the CIPD Festival of Work decided to hold a virtual event?
In light of recent events due to Coronavirus, we are now planning to run the festival as a three-day virtual event, from 10-12 June 2020. Given the health and economic emergencies the world is facing right now, we understand that this event may be far from your mind. However, we believe that global and organisational recovery will be accelerated by harnessing the value of our people – and that is fundamentally at the core of the CIPD Festival of Work, helping you to create great people and great businesses.

Normally a jam-packed two days, we appreciate that in our current climate, the majority of our attendees are working from home and may have other work or family commitments they have to focus on during the day. For these reasons, we have taken the decision to extend the festival to three days, to provide a better experience to all attendees. The aim is to provide you with the chance to make the most of the learning and networking opportunities available during the virtual festival.

I’ve already booked my conference ticket. What happens now? 
You don’t need to do anything. If you are a CIPD member, we have moved you over to the online event automatically and given you a full refund. If you are not a CIPD member, your booking has been automatically transferred across to the three-day online event. In line with the event moving to a digital platform, you can now choose from one of the following options;

• The ability to invite one of your colleagues, to join the conference with you, for free.
• A credit note, to the total value available to you as a partial rebate, bringing your new CIPD Festival of Work conference ticket price to £395. You can use your credit note to purchase a conference pass on a selection of alternative CIPD events within the next 12 months. View full list of available events.
• A full refund, if you are now unable to attend the event you can cancel your registration and receive a full refund, back on to the original payment method for this booking.

If you haven’t received an email from our Customer Services team already, please get in touch on cipdevents.tickets@haymarket.com or call us on +44 (0)20 8267 3200.

I am on furlough, can I still join the digital event?
Yes you’ll still be able to join us, but we advise that you contact your employer for confirmation first.

I have booked a conference ticket, where can I pre-book the conference sessions that I want to attend?
Conference sessions are not pre-bookable for a virtual event. 

Will I be able to access the sessions at a later time or date?
Yes, sessions will be made available to access both real-time and on-demand, meaning you can watch the sessions at a later time or date that suits you.

What networking opportunities will there be?
The online platform will provide attendees the opportunity to reach out and connect with other attendees. This includes other conference delegates, exhibition-only visitors, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and the CIPD. You’ll be able to arrange 1-on-1 meetings via video conferencing and an online chat functionality. 

Will I still be able to ask questions to the conference speaker during the session?
Yes, there will be the ability to have your questions answered during the scheduled session time via the online chat functionality. This will not be possible if you’re viewing the session on-demand. 

Do you provide subtitles and closed captioning?
Yes, all conference sessions and free learning sessions will have subtitles and closed captioning for those with hearing disabilities.

Can CIPD members attend the conference for free?
Yes, you’ll be able to join the conference for free this year.

Can any type of member grade attend the conference for free? 
Yes, the free conference ticket is available to all existing members regardless of grade and region.

Are CIPD members charged a cancellation fee?
No, only non-members are subject to a cancellation fee of £45. Cancellations will be accepted up until Monday 11 May 2020. 

When is the CIPD Festival of Work 2020?
Wednesday 10 June – 08:30-17:30
Thursday 11 June – 08:45-17:30
Friday 12 June – 08:45-16:30
All times are BST. 

What is included in the free exhibition-only pass?
A free exhibition-only pass will grant you access to:
– Free learning showcase sessions
– Exhibition access
– Networking opportunities
– Access to on-demand exhibition content
You will need to book a conference ticket to access the conference programme.

Is there a conference programme available?
You can explore the three-day conference programme on festivalofwork.com/conference.

I have booked a conference ticket, where can I pre-book the conference sessions that I want to attend?
Conference sessions are not pre-bookable for a virtual event. 

What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations received a minimum of 30 days prior to the first day of the event will be refunded. Please note: a £45 administration fee will be incurred to process all non-member ticket refunds. It will not be possible to cancel bookings with less than 30 days notice to the first day of the event. Substitute delegates are welcome at no extra charge. Any non-member ticket cancellations that still have payment outstanding will be liable for either the administration fee or the full registration fee, dependent on the date and time of the cancellation. Non-member attendance fees will not be refunded in the event of threat of war, terrorism, curtailment of public transport, strikes or other circumstances outside of the organisers’ control. Where the organisers elect to cancel a conference the liability of the organiser will be limited to a refund of any fees paid. The organisers are not liable for any consequential loss.  

What sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are there?
Please visit festivalofwork.com/exhibit for further information or contact the Commercial Team on sales@festivalofwork.com.

How do I register for a free press ticket? 
Please contact press@cipd.co.uk to register as a member of the press to attend the virtual CIPD Festival of Work. Please note that press registration is restricted to journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters and bloggers associated with the HR industry and related fields. Press applications may be required to produce accreditation. Non-editorial representatives are not eligible – these interested parties are invited to book a conference ticket or to register as a free visitor to the exhibition only.

Where can I view your latest press releases?
Head over to the CIPD’s Media Centre, where you’ll find latest press releases and information on spokespeople.

How can I get in touch to request an interview or source speaker images?
Please contact the CIPD press team:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8612 6400
Email: press@cipd.co.uk

For more information on how the CIPD is supporting its members and the people profession during the Coronavirus crisis, you can also visit the Coronavirus hub.