Our Top Tips for Making the Most of Workday Rising 2026
Workday Rising 2026 is back, bigger than ever, and heading to Las Vegas. From October 12–15, thousands of HR, finance, and IT leaders will gather at the Moscone Center for four days of AI innovation, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections.
If it's your first Rising, the scale of the event can feel daunting. With hundreds of sessions, networking opportunities, product announcements and activities spread across the week, knowing where to start isn't always easy.
Whether you're hoping to expand your Workday knowledge, discover new innovations or simply make valuable connections, this guide will help you get the most from your first Workday Rising experience.
1. Plan your schedule Early
With hundreds of sessions across HR, Finance, Technology and AI, a little preparation goes a long way.
Start by reviewing the agenda and identifying the sessions most relevant to your role, business priorities and current challenges. Make the keynotes a priority as they'll provide insight into Workday's vision, major announcements and the trends that will shape conversations throughout the week.
Customer stories are also worth adding to your schedule early. These sessions often provide practical lessons, real-world experiences and proven approaches that you can apply in your own organisation. Popular sessions fill quickly, so don't wait until you arrive in Las Vegas to start planning, check it out here.
2. Make Time for the Expo Hall
At the same time, avoid packing every minute of your day. It can be tempting to spend your week moving from one session to the next, but the Expo Hall is where many of Rising's most valuable conversations happen.
We recommend visiting the Expo Hall early in the event. It will help you identify technologies, products and conversations you may want to revisit throughout the week.
3. Book Time with Experts
Workday Rising offers plenty of opportunities to connect with experts and peers. Braindates are ideal for joining topic specific discussions and sharing ideas with others facing similar challenges. If you'd like to explore a particular area in more depth, book a 1-2-1 workshop. These personalised sessions give you direct access to experienced Workday specialists who can help you uncover opportunities, address key challenges and take away practical advice you can put into action straight away.
4. Network, Network, Network,
Workday Rising is as much about connection as it is about content. From community meetups and networking events to conversations over coffee, there are endless opportunities to connect with people facing similar challenges and opportunities.
Whether you're looking to share ideas, benchmark approaches or simply expand your professional network, don't underestimate the value of these informal conversations.
Make sure you join the Welcome Reception on Monday October 12th. It's one of the easiest ways to meet other attendees and start building connections from day one.
5. Have Fun
Taking place on Wednesday, October 14 at Allegiant Stadium, the Customer Appreciation Party brings together customers, partners and the wider Workday community for an evening of food, entertainment and celebration. This year's headline performer is Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Clarkson.
With complimentary shuttle services operating between conference hotels and the stadium, it's an easy way to unwind after a busy few days of learning and networking.
5. Find time to Recharge
Four days of sessions, meetings and networking can be demanding, so don't forget to make time to recharge.
Kick-start your Tuesday at the Workday Rising 5K Fun Run and Walk or take advantage of the wellness spaces available throughout the event. The Comfort Zone by La-Z-Boy offers a dedicated place to relax, reset and grab a few moments of downtime between sessions.
6. Experience Las Vegas
While Rising will keep you busy, don't forget that you're in one of the world's most famous destinations.
Hosted at The Venetian Resort and Caesars Forum, the event places attendees right in the heart of Las Vegas. From world-class dining and entertainment to iconic attractions along the Strip, there's plenty to explore once the conference day ends.
7. Pack Smart
A few essentials can make your Rising experience much more comfortable:
- Comfortable shoes. You'll cover more ground than you think.
- Layers for moving between air-conditioned venues and the Nevada heat.
- Business cards or your LinkedIn QR code for networking.
- A notebook or note-taking app for capturing ideas and key takeaways.
- A portable charger to keep your devices powered throughout the day.
See you at Workday Rising 2026
Whether you’re here to learn, discover the latest in AI and automation, or build relationships that drive your business forward, we can’t wait to welcome you to Las Vegas
Explore the Kainos Workday Rising Resource Hub — your destination for exclusive insights, schedules, and everything we’re bringing to Workday Rising.