When is the next Professionals Conference?

The conference will run from Thursday 29 April - Friday 30 April 2027.

When is the Professional Excellence Awards ceremony?

The awards ceremony will be held on the evening of Thursday 29 April.

Where will the event take place?

Both the conference and awards ceremony will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham.

For helpful travel information, visit: Getting to the ICC | The ICC, Birmingham

How much does it cost?

The conference and awards ceremony are free for Macmillan professionals to attend.

Do you have to be a Macmillan professional to attend?

Yes. As the event is fully funded, places are reserved for Macmillan professionals. The only exception is for non-Macmillan professionals who are co-presenting content. They are welcome to attend but cannot claim travel or accommodation expenses. 

How do I register to attend?

Apply by submitting a registration form between 28 October – 12 January. Before applying, please make sure that:

• You are a Macmillan professional.
• You are available to attend both days of the event.
• You have approval from your line manager to participate.

Places are limited, and applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

To ensure a fair and diverse mix of attendees, tickets are assigned to achieve regional and role representation, with priority given to those who have not attended before. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in early February 2027.

Please only apply if you are confident you can attend. Cancellations incur costs for Macmillan and prevent others from taking part.

What if I need to cancel?

We understand that sometimes circumstances change and you may need to cancel your place. If that happens, we ask that you let us know as early as possible, so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist.

If you cancel with less than four weeks’ notice (after 30 March 2027), Macmillan will be charged for your place and your line manager will be informed.

I am a Macmillan professional now, but I will no longer be in post by April 2027. Can I still attend the conference as a delegate?

Unfortunately, you would not be eligible to attend if you are no longer in post by the time of the conference. Attendance is reserved for professionals who hold an active Macmillan role at the time of the event.

Will food and drink be provided?

Lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days of the conference.

For those attending the Macmillan Professional Excellence Awards ceremony, a three-course dinner will also be served as part of the evening event.

You’ll be asked to provide your dietary requirements during registration, and we’ll work closely with the venue to accommodate your needs. If we anticipate any challenges meeting your requirements, we’ll let you know in advance.

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes, cloakroom facilities are available at the conference venue.

Is there a dress code?

• Conference (daytime sessions): Smart casual
•  Awards Ceremony (evening event): Formal attire, though black tie or long dresses are not mandatory – just dress up and feel great!

Can I attend the Awards ceremony?

The Macmillan Professional Excellence Awards is complimentary for all conference attendees, but pre-registration is required to manage capacity and plan catering and seating.

Award finalists will receive two guaranteed places.

If you’d like to attend the awards evening on Thursday 29 April, you'll be able to add this to your agenda when session booking opens, approximately eight weeks before the event.

Capacity is limited, so early booking is encouraged. If your plans change, please update your booking promptly to avoid Macmillan incurring unnecessary charges.

Is accommodation provided?

No, delegates are responsible for booking their own accommodation.

To help with this, we've partnered with Event Express to offer reserved rooms at nearby hotels. If your event application is successful, you'll receive a link to a booking portal in your confirmation email.

You're welcome to make your own accommodation arrangements, but the portal offers discounted rates and guaranteed room availability until 26 March. After this date, rooms and rates will be subject to availability.

A credit or debit card will be required to secure your booking, with payment taken during your stay. If paying upfront would be a barrier to your attendance, please contact MacmillanProfessionalsConference@macmillan.org.uk.

Are expenses covered?

Macmillan professionals attending the event can claim reasonable expenses including up to £150 per night for accommodation directly related to the event. A link to the Expenses Policy and further guidance will be included in your event confirmation email.

Please note that expenses will only be reimbursed if you attend the event. To avoid incurring costs that cannot be reimbursed, please do not book any travel or accommodation until you've been advised to do so.

For expenses-related queries, please contact serviceopssupport@macmillan.org.uk.

Unfortunately, we are unable to reimburse expenses for non-Macmillan presenters. However, they will receive complimentary event registration and refreshments throughout the event.