The 36 best public sector events of 2026

Whether you work in government or in public sector sales, events are a brilliant opportunity to learn from and network with some of the leading voices and innovators in your field.

This article breaks down 36 of the best public sector events of 2026. Discover what they're all about, who'll be there, and when they're on.

Skip ahead to find events in your sector:

• Local Government events
• Other Government events
  
  
• Public sector technology events
• Public sector health & social care events
• Public sector construction and FM events
• Public sector defence events
• Public sector climate and energy events
• Public sector education events

• Conclusion

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🌳  Local Government Events

Some events are sector-specific. Others bring together experts from across industries to tackle the pressing issues in Local Government. That's what these events are all about:

1 👉 Local Government Partnership Network (LGPN) North 

LGPN North is a networking and shared learning event that brings together over 100 senior leaders and transformational suppliers in the public sector to collaborate, connect, and discuss innovative solutions. The key themes of the event span digital transformation, public health, community engagement, and cyber security.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: Manchester

2 👉 Local Government Partnership Network (LGPN) South

LGPN South is the sister event to LGPN North. The event brings together private sector industry leaders with high-level Local Government stakeholders from across the South of England.

Senior leaders in Local Gov't can register for free.

🗓️ Date: 18th - 19th November 2025

📍 Location: Heathrow

3 👉 LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition

The LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition is a must-attend event for senior representatives working in local and central government. Each year, the LGA Innovation Zone features some of the most innovative work being done by councils and Local Government suppliers.

🗓️ Date: 7th - 9th July 2026

📍 Location: Bournemouth

🏛️  Other Government Events

The following public sector events bring together public sector buyers and suppliers from different industries to collaborate on innovative solutions across all areas of Government.

4 👉 Central Government Partnership Network (CGPN)

CPGN brings together top stakeholders from Central Government and private industry to collaborate and connect over solutions across infrastructure, finance, technology, cyber security, trust, and transparency.

Senior leaders in Central Gov't can register for free.

🗓️ Date: 13th - 14th October 2026

📍 Location: Heathrow

5 👉 The Emergency Services Show

Co-located with the Emergency Services show, this two-day technology exhibit brings together pioneers in AI, data, robotics and more with public sector and blue light stakeholders.

🗓️ Date: 16th - 17th September 2026

📍 Location: Birmingham

6 👉 BAPCO

The BAPCO Annual Event, held by British APCO, is the UK’s leading public-safety communications exhibition and conference. It brings together emergency services professionals, tech suppliers and decision-makers for live demos, keynote sessions and networking across multiple theatres.

🗓️ Date: 25th - 26th March 2026

📍 Location: Coventry

7 👉 The Social Value Conference

Social Value Portal's annual Social Value Conference is a must for public sector buyers and suppliers interested in how they can improve social value outcomes. Network with and learn from industry leaders, charities and senior government stakeholders.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: TBC - 💻 Hybrid event

Read Tussell's social value explainer to learn how social value works

💻  Public Sector Technology Events

The following public sector events bring together top suppliers from across the IT and technology sectors with senior government stakeholders to tackle cyber security, AI, the digital divide, and public sector transformation.

8 👉 Building the Smarter State

TechUK's Building the Smarter State is the go-to conference for public sector technology leaders. The annual event has been running for over 10 years and offers an opportunity for the tech industry and public sector to network and build relationships.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: London

9 👉 PublicTechnology Live

PublicTechnology Live gathers industry leaders and public sector pioneers to examine the opportunities and risks in the era of rapid technological change. Hear from the best in digital and data, plus meet the people who can help make change happen.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: London

10 👉 DigiGov Expo

With attendees from the Cabinet Office, DSIT and the GDS, DigiGov is one of the leading public sector tech events. DigiGov offers learning, networking, and actionable strategies to the best and brightest in public sector technology.

🗓️ Date: 23rd - 24th September 2026

📍 Location: London

Download Tussell's free 2025 analysis of the 150 top public sector tech firms

11 👉 Tech200 Meet and Greet

Tussell and TechUK's second annual Tech200 Meet and Greet will celebrate the 200 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK public sector. With representatives from SMEs and the Strategic Suppliers alike, the event offers the opportunity to learn, network and develop partnerships to do more business with the public sector.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: London

12 👉 Public Sector Data & AI Summit

Holyrood Connect's Public Sector Data Summit offers masterclasses and panel discussions around the themes of data and artificial intelligence. With top speakers from across Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the University Sector, this event is one not to miss.

The Public Sector Data & AI Summit is free to attend for those working in the public or third sectors.

🗓️ Date: 18th March 2026

📍 Location: Edinburgh

13 👉 GovTech Show and Exhibition

IGPP and Socitm's 2025 Govtech Show offers an opportunity for public sector professionals, policymakers, and the brightest minds in industry converge to explore the technological possibilities shaping the future of the UK public sector.

🗓️ Date: 13th May 2026

📍 Location: London

14 👉 The GovTech Summit 2026

The GovTech Summit 2026 unites 200+ senior government innovators, tech founders and investors to explore public-service transformation. Focus areas: AI adoption, procurement reform, scaling local innovation and startup-government collaboration.

🗓️ Date: 16th April 2026

📍 Location: London

Dive into the key trends driving public sector AI procurement

15 👉 Government Transformation Summit

Now in its 7th year, the Government Transformation Summit brings together leaders in digital, data, and delivery from across government to share insight, accelerate transformation, and reimagine the role of the modern state.

🗓️ Date: 25th June 2026

📍 Location: London

16 👉 LGC Digital Futures

LGC Digital Futures is a brand new public sector event aimed at putting digital technology at the heart of Local Government services. The event will focus on leadership, implementation and collaboration across the private and public sectors.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: London

17 👉 The Emergency Tech Show

The Emergency Services Show is Europe’s leading annual event for the blue light community, delivering two action-packed days of innovation, learning, and networking. This two-day exhibit lets you present your products to key decision-makers from across the sector.

🗓️ Date: 16th - 17th September 2026

📍 Location: Birmingham

18 👉 Cyber Security Conference (Total Politics)

Total Politics' Cyber Security conference is a one-day conference bringing together public and private sector IT security professionals. The 2025 Conference focussed on collaboration across skills, AI, disinformation and nation-state attacks. 

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: London

19 👉 Cyber Security Conference (Holyrood Connect)

Originally based only in Edinburgh, Holyrood Connect's flagship Cyber Security Event has become so popular that they debuted in Glasgow last year. Holyrood's 7th annual public sector cyber security NI event will return to Belfast in early spring.

🗓️ Date: 3rd, 4th and 18th February 2026 

📍 Location: Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast (respectively)

20 👉 Powering Digital Public Services 2026

This virtual event hosted by UKAuthority focuses on the foundations of digital transformation in UK public services — from cloud, identity and platforms, to tackling legacy estates and unlocking savings for the public good.

🗓️ Date: 25th - 27th March 2026 

📍 Location: 💻 Online

21 👉 The EdtechX Summit - London EdTech Week

The EdTechX Summit on 16 June 2026 at County Hall, London, convenes 250+ senior leaders across education, training and work. Set within London EdTech Week, it blends insights, networking and innovation-showcase opportunities.

🗓️ Date: 16th June 2026 

📍 Location: London

22 👉 CyberUK - National Cyber Security Centre - GCHQ

CyberUK is the UK government’s flagship cyber security event, marking the 10th anniversary of the National Cyber Security Centre with over 2,500 leaders, 150+ exhibitors and a theme of “The Next Decade: Accelerating Our Cyber Defence.”

🗓️ Date: 21st - 23rd April 2026 

📍 Location: Glasgow

Read Tussell's 8th Flagship Strategic Suppliers Report

23 👉 The Innovation 2026 Conference - Global Government Forum

The Innovation 2026 conference, organised by Global Government Forum and co-hosted by the UK Government, the Cabinet Office and UK Civil Service, brings together public-sector leaders and practitioners to focus on defence & security innovation, accelerating technology adoption, smart procurement, AI in national security, and building more agile government.

🗓️ Date: 24th - 25th March 2026 

📍 Location: TBA

24 👉 Future Telecoms Conference

TechUK's flagship Future Telecoms Conference brings together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to set the agenda for the future of connectivity for the UK.

The Future Telecoms Conference is free to attend for public sector authorities and TechUK members.

🗓️ Date: 2026 dates TBA

📍 Location: London

25 👉 Digital Health Rewired 2026

Digital Health Rewired is the UK’s largest digital-health conference, bringing together NHS leaders, providers, suppliers and start-ups to explore AI, data, integrated care and the future of health and social care transformation.

🗓️ Date: 24th - 25th March 2026

📍 Location: Birningham

🏥  Public Sector Health & Social Care Events

Rising health and social care demands will prove to be one of the greatest challenges facing the public sector in the 21st Century. These events bring together senior government and NHS stakeholders with industry leaders to bring new solutions to public health:

26 👉 HETT (South)

HETT South aims to transform patient outcomes through innovation, transformation and collaboration. The technology-focussed public healthcare event hosts 250+ expert speakers and runs for 2 days in the latter half of the year.

🗓️ Date: 29th - 30th September 2026

📍 Location: London

27 👉 Best Practice Show 2026

Aimed at the UK’s general practice and primary-care sector, this two-day event features  hands-on workshops and an exhibition of the latest clinical and operational solutions. It attracts thousands of GPs, practice managers, clinical directors and primary-care suppliers.

🗓️ Date: 7th - 8th October 2026

📍 Location: Birmingham

28 👉 Future of Healthcare

The New Stateman's Future of Healthcare conference is an annual event aimed at addressing the UK's most pressing policy issues in health and social care. 2024's core themes included NHS reform, reducing health inequalities, improving patient outcomes and addressing net zero in public health.

🗓️ Date: 28th October 2025

📍 Location: London

29 👉 Care England 2026 Conference & Exhibition

Social Care Summit (North) is a new event hosted by Care England in Manchester. The event promises to bring together industry and local government leaders from across the North of England for a day full of insight, collaboration and opportunity.

🗓️ Date: 12th March 2026

📍 Location: London

Download Tussell's free DHSC & NHS England Procurement Profile

🏗️  Public Sector Construction & FM Events

FM is one of the largest public sector markets. With projects like HS2 and housing reform pledged by the new Labour Government, the need for public/private collaboration across FM and construction is greater than ever.

30 👉 UK Construction Week

UK Construction Week runs twice every year - once in London and once in Birmingham. With leading construction products, all of the major construction professional bodies, international pavilions, industry and government leaders, the event is a must attend for those in the industry.

🗓️ Date: 12th - 14th May 2026, 29th September - 1st October 2026

📍 Location: London, Birmingham

31 👉 Public Sector Estates & Facilities Management Show 

IGPP's Estates and FM Show brings together leading experts and those at the forefront of transforming public estates. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and hear practical tips on cost reduction.

🗓️ Date: 17th March 2026

📍 Location: Manchester

Download Tussell's free Public Sector FM Market Snapshot

32 👉 The Planning Summit

The Planning Summit brings together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from Central Government, local planning authorities, developers, consultants and law firms. The day is packed with discussion panels, workshops and practical advice for suppliers and buyers alike.

🗓️ Date: 2026 date TBA

📍 Location: London

🛡️  Public Sector Defence & Security Events

Kier Starmer has pledged to spend 2.5% of national income on defence. These public sector events exist to facilitate public and private sector collaboration in the industry:

33 👉 DSEI 2027

As the flagship defence event for the UK, DSEI promotes the UK’s defence ethos, agenda and leadership while encouraging opportunity and cooperation with our global allies. ​Whilst DSEI is not explicitly public sector-focused, key stakeholders from the UK are likely to be in attendance.

🗓️ Date: 7th - 10th September 2027 (no 2026 dates)

📍 Location: London

34 👉 Defence in Space

The Defence in Space Conference (DISC) is a free multinational event for government, industry and academics. With over 20 talks covering national programs, cyber and space security, the event is perfect for those looking to learn and network.

🗓️ Date: 28th - 29th October 2025

📍 Location: London

Dive into the key trends driving public sector defence procurement

35 👉 Security & Policing 2026

Security & Policing 2026 is the UK government’s official global security event, bringing together senior law-enforcement and resilience decision-makers with 400+ suppliers to explore cutting-edge defence, policing and national-security innovation.

🗓️ Date: 10th - 12th March 2026

📍 Location: Farnborough

36 👉 Security & Defence 2026

With thought-provoking discussions covering arms control, arctic security, and the future of defence in Europe, the Security & Defence conference brings together 650+ policymakers, business leaders and international security experts.

🗓️ Date: 26th February 2026

📍 Location: London - 💻 Hybrid event

🌱 Public Sector Climate & Energy Events

AI and the Russia-Ukraine war have turned the global energy landscape on its head. These events exist to facilitate collaboration on some of the biggest challenges across the energy and climate sectors:

BONUS: 37 👉 Climate & Energy Summit 2026

🗓️ Date: 10th - 11th March 2026

📍 Location: London - 💻 Hybrid event

🏫 Public Sector Education Events

AI and the Russia-Ukraine war have turned the global energy landscape on its head. These events exist to facilitate collaboration on some of the biggest challenges across the energy and climate sectors:

BONUS: 38 👉 BettUK 2026 (Hyve)

This leading EdTech exhibition brings together 35,000+ educators, policymakers and suppliers from over 130 countries. With 600+ exhibitors and 400+ speakers, it’s a key global platform for education innovation.

🗓️ Date: 21st - 23rd January 2026

📍 Location: London

BONUS: 39 👉 Schools & Academies Show 2025 (GovNet)

SAAShow is major UK education event brings together senior school and academy leaders, Multi-Academy Trusts and suppliers. Featuring 200+ exhibitors, CPD-certified content and networking, it’s a one-stop forum for strategic education improvement.

🗓️ Date: 19th - 20th November 2025

📍 Location: Birmingham

🌅  Conclusion

2026 is set to be a big year for public procurement. The Procurement Act has been live since February 2025, and record funding has been allocated for AI, health and social care and defence.

Events are a great way of networking with high-level public sector stakeholders in your industry, to make sure you're best placed to do more business with government in 2026.

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Book a Tussell demo to discover what you've been missing out on, and join the top suppliers in your sector already using Tussell to sell more to government in 2026.