Budgets are tighter than ever. Every business trip needs to prove its value, and finance events are no exception. The ROI needs to be clear, which is why choosing the right event matters.
Events are the place to be for finance professionals looking to learn more about collaboration, digital transformation, compliance, talent retention and more. But they’re also ideal for networking, exploring the latest tech on the market and discussing the real challenges finance teams face day in and day out.
The conferences we’ve shortlisted stand out for the quality of their audience, the networking opportunities and the content on their agendas. Covering AI’s impact on finance, treasury and payments transformation, compliance culture, and leadership in uncertain times, these are the finance events you won’t want to miss in 2025.
How we picked the events
Choosing the right finance event can be overwhelming. Every organiser claims to be “the leading” or “the must-attended” gathering for CFOs. But when travel budgets are being scrutinised and senior leaders are asked to demonstrate value from every trip, you need more than marketing words to justify attendance.
We applied a clear set of criteria to separate the signal from the noise. Our focus is on events that deliver substance: where you’ll find your peers, leave with tangible insights, and create connections that last longer than a business card exchange.
We looked at:
- Audience quality: events that attract senior finance decision-makers, not just vendors and consultants;
- Actionability: sessions that go beyond theory, offering tools, benchmarks, and frameworks you can apply back at the office.
- Relevance: focus areas that matter in 2025, such as treasury, payments, digital transformation, compliance culture, AI, and leadership.
- Balance: a mix of global flagships and standout regional forums, recognising that not every CFO needs to cross continents for insights.
- Timing: clustered in the high season of September–November, when most of the major global forums take place.
Finance events you can’t miss
Sibos 2025
Frankfurt, Germany | 29 Sept – 2 Oct
Sibos is the global flagship for payments, securities, and treasury. Expect in-depth debates on cross-border payments, regulatory shifts, and the role of AI in financial infrastructure.
With thousands of banking and corporate finance leaders on site, it’s the place to see how innovation and compliance intersect. Ideal for CFOs, treasurers, and anyone shaping digital finance in an organisation.
CFO Network UK
Bedfordshire, UK | 13 – 14 Oct
An invitation-only senior-level forum for CFOs from across the UK. The format is highly interactive, with roundtables and peer discussions rather than long lectures.
The topics on the CFO Network UK agenda include embracing a transformative role in the growing digital era, the relationship between the CFO and CEO and exploring the skills needed for the future finance professional.
Attendance is capped, making networking targeted and highly valuable for those seeking new partnerships.
Business Travel Show America
New York, US | 15 – 16 Oct
For finance leaders with travel on the agenda, the Business Travel Show America is the hub for policy, sustainability, and spend optimisation.
The two-day line-up will highlight industry trends, practical solutions, and expert insights that promise to help finance teams build cost-efficient travel strategies that align with compliance goals. A useful stop if your role touches travel and expense budgets or corporate travel policies.
AFP 2025
Boston, US | 26 – 29 Oct
One of the biggest treasury events in North America, the Association for Financial Professionals welcomes over 6,500 yearly attendees for four days of discussions around payments, innovation, FP&A transformation and more.
The exhibition floor alone is a crash course in what’s next for treasury and finance tech, with over 200 solution providers. If your role involves liquidity management or global finance operations, AFP is the event for you.
CFO Flagship UK Summit
London, UK | 4 Nov
A one-day summit designed for meaningful discussions, gathering insights from seasoned experts, and networking with peers. With over 20 speakers expected, the sessions at the CFO Flagship UK Summit will feature perspectives on compliance culture, leadership and digital transformation.
The formats include keynote sessions, panel discussions and fireside chats, giving attendees the opportunity to learn, connect and discuss the topics of the day. It’s the place to be for those who want to get the most out of an event without multiple days away from the office.
CFO Network DACH
Frankfurt, Germany | 5 – 6 Nov
CFOs from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland meet at the CFO Network DACH in Frankfurt to tackle regional challenges in transformation, digitalisation, and finance leadership.
Expect detailed case studies from large enterprises and plenty of discussion about DACH-specific regulatory and economic context. The event is organised by The Network Group, making it a strong regional counterpart to the UK edition.
GBTA + VDR Europe Conference 2025
Hamburg, Germany | 10 – 12 Nov
The GBTA + VDR Europe Conference is Europe’s largest conference for business travel management professionals to meet and learn about what’s next for the industry.
For two days, attendees can benchmark sustainable travel strategies, negotiate supplier deals, and learn about innovations in expense management. With a heavy emphasis on travel policy and compliance, this conference is especially relevant for CFOs with global mobility programmes.
Richmond Finance Directors’ Forum London
London, UK | 11 – 12 Nov
Another invitation-only event, Richmond Events will bring together a group of finance directors and CFOs to share challenges and discuss best practices.
The format combines keynote sessions with one-to-one meetings, creating opportunities for personalised conversations that go beyond typical networking. If you prefer smaller, more focused environments, this is the event for you.
Future of Finance France
Paris, France | 12 – 13 Nov
This Paris-based conference featured a programme especially designed for leaders looking to transform uncertainty into opportunity. The role of AI in finance, digital transformation and sustainability are some of the topics on the Future of Finance France agenda.
With a mix of French and European finance leaders, this is the event for finance professionals and leaders looking to build resilience in volatile markets.
Forge Connect
Antwerp, Belgium | 13 Nov
Hosted by Rydoo, Forge Connect brings together finance leaders, innovators and partners across Europe for a day of inspiring conversations and long-lasting connections.
After two successful editions in Amsterdam and Düsseldorf, the third edition will happen this November in Antwerp. The agenda focuses on strategy, digital innovation and what’s next for finance, with sessions designed to spark conversation as much as deliver expert insights.
It’s an exclusive chance for finance professionals to hear real stories, join discussions that spark new ideas, and walk away with connections that last long after the day ends.
AI for Finance
Brussels, Belgium | 20 Nov
Hosted by FDmagazine, AI for Finance is an exclusive event for finance leaders and professionals looking to discover how AI can innovate the way they handle day-to-day operations.
A full day of keynote sessions, masterclasses and open debates, attendees will get a chance to see how European banks, corporates and fintech organisations are already experimenting with AI adoption. If you’re exploring automation, predictive analytics, or AI governance, this is where theory meets practice.
World Finance Forum New York
New York, US | 4 Dec
One day, five core topics, 25 expert speakers. That’s what attendees can expect from the World Finance Forum New York, one of the most global finance leadership events in the US.
AI and automation, ESG value perception, finance workforce, strategic FP&A and economic volatility are the topics bringing senior finance leaders to New York City. Networking opportunities are particularly strong, making it a useful event if you’re expanding your US or international footprint.
Whether your focus is on digital transformation, leadership or strategy, the last months of 2025 are crowded with great opportunities to learn and connect with peers.
When selecting which events to add to your calendar, look for the ones that align with your business goals. Bring back ideas to challenge the current strategy, benchmarks to test performance and connections that last beyond the conferences.