1. Dates & Venue
The CIPD Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE) 2025 is the flagship event in the people and HR calendar, bringing together practitioners, leaders, and tech innovators to tackle how work is evolving. Below is your guide to making the most of it.
👉 Register for your free exhibition floor ticket and come see us in Manchester.
Find us at Stand B1
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When: Wednesday 5 November 2025 (08:30–17:10) & Thursday 6 November 2025 (08:30–16:00)
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Where: Manchester Central Convention Complex
Windmill St, Manchester, M2 3GX
2. Ticket Types & What You Get
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Free Exhibition Floor Ticket gives access to the exhibition hall, Insight stages, Evidence Lab, networking, and the exhibitor area.
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Conference Pass (paid) includes everything in the exhibition ticket plus access to the full conference content, curated sessions, and hybrid online viewing options.
3. What HR Software Will You Find at the CIPD ACE 2025?
You’ll find a wide range of HR software providers exhibiting at CIPD ACE 2025, including:
Evalu-8 HR, Cezanne HR, Dayforce, IRIS, Moorepay, Sage, Certn, Frontier Software, Heka, HiBob, Hireful, Humanforce, Keyzo, PLD, Realise HR, Rippling, Softworks, Talos360, TerryBerry, Think Learning, Veremark, Vetting Gateway, Zelt, and Zinc.
Not all HR systems are built the same. Here’s a quick look at the types of software you’ll see across the exhibition floor:
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Basic HR Software: Straightforward systems for smaller organisations looking to move on from spreadsheets and manual admin.
(Evalu-8 HR, Moorepay, Sage, Keyzo, Realise HR, PLD) -
People-Focused Platforms: Tools built around engagement, wellbeing, learning, and culture rather than operations.
(Heka, TerryBerry, Think Learning, HiBob, Hireful, Certn, Veremark, Vetting Gateway, Zinc) -
Enterprise HR Suites: Full-scale solutions for larger, complex organisations that need automation, compliance, and analytics across multiple sites.
(Dayforce, Cezanne HR, IRIS, Frontier Software, Rippling) -
Growth HR Software (HR + ROTAs + Time & Attendance): Platforms that bring together HR, rotas, and time tracking for growing teams that need smarter workforce management.
(Evalu-8 HR, Humanforce, Softworks, Talos360, Zelt)The top 5 HR software vendors exhibiting at CIPD ACE 2025:
Evalu-8 HR
HiBob
Cezanne HR
Hireful
Sage HRIf you’re looking for HR software that brings everything together such as HR, ROTA scheduling, time & attendance, performance, and compliance and more, visit Evalu-8 HR Software at Stand B1.
It’s smart, scalable, and built for growing UK organisations that want one system to manage people and performance with ease.
4. Agenda, Speakers & Highlights
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Expect 28+ hours of exhibition content across the Insight stages and Evidence Lab.
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The full conference programme offers additional sessions, keynotes, and deeper dives in various topic streams.
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Speakers are drawn from HR, public policy, and thought leadership, and include senior professionals and experts.
5. Why You Should Attend
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Stay ahead on future-of-work trends, AI, employee experience, skills development, and HR transformation
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Network with 7,000+ professionals, thought leaders, and solution providers
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Discover the latest HR tools, services, vendors, and innovations under one roof
6. Travel & Transport in Manchester
By Train / Rail
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Manchester Piccadilly is the main hub. From there, you can get a tram or bus to central Manchester
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Manchester Victoria is also viable for northern or regional connections
By Tram / Metrolink
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The city’s Metrolink network connects multiple lines across Manchester. Use it to reach stops close to the convention area.
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Check live tram schedules and line closures ahead of your trip
By Bus / Local Transport
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Numerous bus routes run through central Manchester. Use local timetables or transport apps to plan your route
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Manchester Central is in the city centre, so walking from nearby stops may be feasible depending on where you’re staying
By Car / Parking
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Driving is possible but central traffic and parking constraints are expected
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There are parking facilities nearby, but arriving early or using park-and-ride may reduce stress
7. Tips for a Smooth Visit
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Plan your schedule: mark must-attend sessions and where your favorite exhibitors are
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Download the event app or timetable (if available) for live updates
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Wear comfortable shoes venues can be large, and you’ll be walking
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Arrive early each day to beat queues for sessions or exhibition access
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Bring business cards/contact info plenty of networking opportunities
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Charge your devices / bring a power bank, essential for full-day attendance
Whether you’re walking the exhibition floor or following from afar, CIPD ACE 2025 is the perfect opportunity to explore how the world of HR is evolving. And if you can’t make it to Manchester, you don’t have to miss out, you can still discover why so many UK organisations are switching to Evalu-8 HR.
CIPD ACE (Annual Conference and Exhibition) is the UK’s leading HR and people development event. It brings together professionals, thought leaders, and technology providers to discuss the future of work, workforce trends, and HR innovation.
The event will be held on 5–6 November 2025 at the Manchester Central Convention Complex,
Windmill St, Manchester, M2 3GX.
You can register for your free exhibition floor ticket on the official CIPD website. This pass gives you access to the exhibition hall, Insight stages, and networking opportunities.
Expect over 7,000 attendees, inspiring talks from HR leaders, and a packed exhibition floor featuring the latest in HR tech, consultancy, and solutions, including Evalu-8 HR at Stand B21, where you can chat with our team about simplifying your HR.
If you can’t make it to Manchester, you can still explore what makes Evalu-8 HR the best HR software for UK organisations.
🎥 Take a quick demo now and see how it can save you time, cut admin, and keep you compliant, all in one platform.