Launched in March 2019 as the CIPD's only international conference outside of the UK and Ireland, the CIPD Middle East People Conference received unanimous praise by the 160+ attendees and has already become a not-to-be-missed rendez-vous for the community of people professionals across the region. Taking place virtually on 19 – 20 May, the 2021 edition will bring together 200+ senior HR and L&D professionals, innovative solution providers and some of the brightest minds in business all on one interactive virtual platform. If you’re still wondering whether to take part, here are eight reasons why you shouldn’t miss out. 

#1 The content: Bold ideas and practical insights

Featuring regional case studies, international speakers and the latest insights from the CIPD, the CIPD Middle East People Conference is the place to be inspired, share your practices and gain practical insights into the new world of work.  Centred around the theme of ‘Looking ahead: Towards better work and working lives’, the programme explores the lessons learnt in the past year and key themes that have emerged as priorities for organisations in the region, such as employee voice and company culture in a virtual world, leadership, mental health, diversity, change management and more. 

#2 The community: Form strong connections with industry peers

Networking within and outside your organisation is essential to build alliances and gain perspective on your work. At #CIPDME, you will meet with senior HR and L&D professionals and business leaders from diverse backgrounds. The virtual platform allows you to connect and chat with fellow delegates, speakers and solution providers in just one click! This event will also feature dedicated networking sessions on Zoom and smaller group discussions. Since online conferences can be accessed by a much wider audience, giving you the opportunity to network with fellow people professionals in the UAE, the Middle East and far beyond!

#3 Sharing is caring: Key takeaways from the past year and future-proof solutions 

After a year of uncertainty and change, companies worldwide are now striving to adapt their processes, from recruitment and retention to employee engagement and development. HR teams have had to step up and rethink their ways of working, not just within their team but for their entire organisation. Sharing experiences, lessons and potential resolutions will inspire, engage, and motivate you to turn theory into action. You will have the chance to exchange with other people professionals and create your own ‘go-to’ support network. The 2021 programme also includes discussions on the hottest HR and L&D topics to help you tackle current challenges and identify key opportunities for your team and your business as a whole. 

#4 No fluff: Hear the science behind soft topics 

Topics such as trust, agility, diversity, well-being or even change management are often perceived as ‘fluffy’. Most sessions around these topics fail to be thought-provoking or discuss less tangible actions. We believe that professional opinion carries more weight when it is supported by strong evidence. That’s why, at #CIPDME, bold topics are tackled head on through evidence-based case studies, personal accounts and genuine debates. You will hear speakers discuss everything you wish common literature would discuss – and it’s all backed by data. 

#5 The motivation: Invest in your team's development

As many of us have been working from home for the past year and as L&D budgets can be more limited, motivating your teams can be challenging. Nominating your team members to attend #CIPDME can be a great way to fuel their motivation, encourage them on their development journey and challenge them to take action. They can take part in numerous interactive sessions to further hone their skills in specific areas, supporting their continuous professional development (CPD). What’s more, attendees will be able to access all speaker presentations and additional resources after the event, helping them review, retain and implement their key learnings. 

#6 Convenient format: New pricing, no commute and a user-friendly platform

Virtual events give you the flexibility to drop in and out of the event when it suits you best, all from the comfort of your home. We have also updated our pricing to make the event affordable and accessible to you and your teams. The event will be hosted on a user-friendly platform, with a variety of features to create an event experience that works for you. You will have the option to be visible or hide from other delegates, meet the speakers and solution providers on a one-to-one basis, join any session on the agenda in one quick click, ask questions, take notes and be an integral part of all ongoing discussions.

#7 Keep learning after the event with content on-demand

The most convenient part of online events? Being able to access content when you need it, at your pace. All conference delegates will be able to access the platform and all the sessions for a limited time after the event, giving you more time and space to reflect, learn and structure your future plans and initiatives. In collaboration with our event partners, we will also be sharing further articles and free interactive webinars after the event, to keep the conversation going and hold you and the wider people community accountable for driving change and making a positive, long-term impact.

#8 One pass, more benefits

When you purchase a conference pass, you not only get full access to the two-day virtual event and all the benefits mentioned above, but you also unlock discounts on other CIPD events and training courses! That’s one powerful conference pass.

• Benefit from 10% off to attend the CIPD's Festival of Work 
• Get instant 20% off any CIPD public programmes in the Middle East (T&Cs apply)
• Enjoy many other offers from our partners and sponsors (we’ll share these with you during and after the event!)

What are you waiting for? Download the event brochure and secure your seat here.