Conferences are planned events for a group of people with a common interest, where participants share and disseminate knowledge. Conferences are a key dimension of academic practice in their own right, but they are also linked to publishing and career development. Conferences form a recognised global business involving hotels, professional conference venues and staff, and conference suites located within higher education institutions. This entry begins with an overview of the nature and purpose of conferences, discusses the benefits of and barriers to attending conferences, and then explores research related to the future of conferences.