8 reasons to visit CIPP ACE 2026 (besides the free swag) in summary:
TL;DR: CIPP ACE 2026 runs on 7–8 October at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, and it’s the UK’s largest independent payroll conference and exhibition. Last year it pulled in over 600 delegates and 40+ exhibitors (including Cezanne), and this year’s set to be just as busy. You’ll get two days of proper CPD, a chance to compare notes with people who actually understand what a P60 backlog feels like, and – happily – you’ll find us on the exhibition floor too. Here’s why it’s worth the commute…
If you’ve never been to CIPP ACE before, it’s worth knowing it’s not just another half-day event with a sad selection of pastries and a keynote you could have read as a LinkedIn post.
In truth, it’s possibly one of the most unmissable events on the payroll calendar! Two full days at the stunning Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, a proper exhibition hall, a glitzy awards ceremony, and several hundred people who all understand exactly why “just run it again!” is never a small ask.
Now, we know payroll conferences have a bit of a reputation for being dry… but CIPP ACE bucks that trend – probably because it’s organised by people who actually run payroll for a living, rather than people who’ve only ever seen a payslip land in their own inbox… Don’t believe us? Well, check out the highlights from last year’s event!
Whether you’re going for the CPD hours, the gossip, or a legitimate excuse to leave your desk for two days, here’s what makes it worth the trip.
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Payroll gets talked about for once, instead of just apologised for
Most of the year, payroll is the department nobody thinks about until something goes wrong – the classic “silent until Friday” problem. ACE flips that for two days. It’s an entire event built around the idea that getting people paid correctly, on time, every time, is genuinely hard and genuinely worth celebrating. We wrote a whole blog on why payroll rarely gets a thank you – CIPP ACE is the closest thing the profession has to a two-day thank-you card.
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You’ll learn something you can’t fake-nod your way through in a webinar
The CIPP has confirmed around 20 educational sessions running across the two days, ranging from introductory to advanced level, and covering payroll, pensions, reward, and personal development topics. Unlike a webinar you’ve got muted in another tab while you answer emails, you’re in the room… so, no hiding! For a full rundown of the sessions taking place, you can view the show’s programme here.
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It’s basically legalised gossip about legislation
Where else can you spend a whole coffee break debating the finer points of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and have people actually engage, rather than glaze over? With IR35 thresholds shifting and more legislative change due through the rest of 2026, ACE is where you get the “what does this actually mean for Monday morning” version of the news, straight from people who deal with it too. Contractor compliance already keeping you up at night? Our guide to contractor compliance and management is a decent warm-up read before you go.
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The exhibition hall is a guilt-free nose around the market
Over 40 exhibitors mean a genuinely useful cross-section of the payroll and pay tech world under one roof – handy if you’re quietly (or not so quietly) shopping around, benchmarking your current setup, or just curious what “AI-powered payroll” actually looks like in practice rather than in a press release. Oh, and better still, we’ll be there on stands 33 & 34 with our team of friendly payroll experts. So, if you’re looking at switching payroll providers, want to bring things in-house with native payroll software, or just fancy a natter with some like-minded pros – don’t be shy!
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Networking that doesn’t feel like networking
There’s a particular kind of relief in talking to someone who instantly understands why “just process it manually this once” is never, ever “just” anything. With 300+ payroll colleagues and professionals from finance and HR expected, CIPP ACE is full of people who’ve lived through the same year-end scramble you have. If you want a sense of the kind of conversations payroll teams are having right now about managing risk and resilience, our recent roundtable write-up with Caxton is a good taster. And, speaking of networking, this article gives some top tips on how to do it successfully.
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There’s an actual awards ceremony
The Annual Conference and Exhibition runs alongside the CIPP Annual Excellence Awards, so there’s a proper celebration built into the trip – not just breakout sessions and a sad sandwich lunch. Whether you’re up for something yourself or just there to clap loudly for people who are, it’s a nice reminder that the profession does, in fact, know how to have a night out.
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You’ve got a ready-made excuse for your boss
If getting time (and budget) signed off is the only thing standing between you and two days out of the office, CIPP publish a business case template specifically for this. Fill it in, attach it to an email, and let the document do the arguing for you. Can’t make the event? Then check out our free guide on the fundamentals of payroll – perfect for if you ned to brush up on the basics!
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It’s genuinely the biggest payroll event going
CIPP describes ACE as the UK’s largest independent pay conference and exhibition, and last year’s numbers back that up. If you’re only picking one payroll event to attend this year, the scale alone makes a decent case for it being this one.
Whichever session you end up in, or whichever stand you wander past first, we hope to see some familiar faces on the exhibition floor. Weighing up whether your current payroll setup is pulling its weight? Then browse of our smart managed payroll service before you go – good pre-conference homework, if nothing else.
If you want to book your place at CIPP ACE 2026, just follow this link to register for the event, and we’ll see you there!
FAQs about CIPP ACE 2026
When is CIPP ACE 2026?
CIPP ACE 2026 runs on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October 2026 at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.
Who is CIPP ACE for?
It’s for payroll, pensions and reward professionals, along with HR and finance leaders who work closely with payroll teams.
Is Cezanne HR exhibiting at ACE 2026?
Yes! We’ll be on the exhibition floor across both days on stands 33 and 34.
Is there a way to get sign-off from my employer to attend?
Yes, CIPP provide a free business case template specifically to help you make the case to your manager.
Does ACE include the CIPP Annual Excellence Awards?
Yes, the Annual Excellence Awards run alongside the conference and exhibition as part of the same event.
About the author of this article
Lisa Hopper is Payroll Services Director here at Cezanne, where she leads the payroll function with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement. With extensive experience in managing complex payroll operations, Lisa is passionate about making payroll not just a back-office necessity but a strategic contributor to business success. You can learn more about her and her career journey here.
