Planning and forecasting have come to the forefront of many FP&A priorities. Rolling cycles, sets of scenarios, resource allocation, performance goals, and assumptions based on data are all reviewed regularly by finance leaders. AI-integrated forecasting tools are also now the conversation starter in finance. Because of this, it continues to be a challenge for professionals to find places for ideas to be discussed carefully that have a practical application.
This guide is a list of important 2027 FP&A events that are worth attending to discuss forecasting and planning. There are certain events that focus on practical application, others on strategy, peer exchange, and/or leadership context. The AFP FP&A Forum has a prominent presence due to its special emphasis on planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management. Professional learning takes place in a different context for each event.
2. What FP&A Leaders Are Looking For
FP&A leaders want to gain a practical perspective to enhance planning practices and more timely decision-making with financial insight. Practitioner-led sessions are valued for their practical context and information for real business situations. Common topics of discussion in finance remain accurate forecasting, agility of planning, and organizational alignment. Meanwhile, AI tools are gaining popularity as companies look into additional analytical tools. There are some common themes repeatedly featured in the top finance conversations.
- Practitioner-led sessions on rolling forecasts and scenario design
- Real case studies on planning agility and right-sized models
- Coverage of predictive forecasting and AI in planning
- Peer benchmarking on how other teams are running their cycles
3. The FP&A Events Driving the Planning Conversation in 2027
1. 2027 AFP FP&A Forum (Featured Pick)
- Dates: March 22 to 24, 2027
- Location: Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Scale: 500+ finance and FP&A professionals, 24+ sales-free sessions across 3 tracks, 10+ networking experiences
- Format: The 2027 AFP FP&A Forum stands out because forecasting and planning topics receive dedicated attention across the program. Hosted at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, the event brings together finance professionals through 24+ sales-free sessions and interactive networking experiences. Its three tracks include Finance & Financial Processes, Technology & Data, and Personal & Team Effectiveness. Finance leaders shape the agenda through the FP&A Forum Planning Task Force, which supports a practitioner-focused experience.
- Credits: Earn FPAC and CPE credits through 24+ sessions across 3 tracks.
- Pricing: Pricing ranges from $985 to $1,785. Early pricing closes December 11, 2026. AFP members and FPAC holders receive discounted rates.
- Positioned as the FP&A event where finance leaders shape what’s next, the AFP FP&A Forum gathers top finance practitioners to explore cutting-edge strategies in planning and forecasting.
- The Finance & Financial Processes track looks at strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, cross-functional alignment, and performance management. Within this, Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting cover predictive forecasting, faster planning cycles, rolling budgets, simplified models, and scenario-driven forecasts. Hands-on Principles in Practice workshops give people experience with finance tools and AI. The AFP FP&A Forum in New Orleans remains a leading destination for planning and forecasting discussions in 2027.
2. FP&A Trends Group International FP&A Boards
- Dates: Year-round
- Location: Hybrid digital and in-person
- Focus: The FP&A Trends Group International FP&A Boards provide continuous opportunities for peer exchange throughout the year. Discussions frequently address agile FP&A, driver-based planning, predictive forecasting, and integrated FP&A practices.
- Best For: Finance leaders participate in conversations that support benchmarking across industries and regions. Many widely referenced planning frameworks receive further refinement through these discussions. The year-round format encourages consistent engagement rather than a single event experience.
3. Vena Excelerate Finance Fest 2027
Dates: May 11-13, 2027
Vena Excelerate Finance Fest focuses on platform-specific planning practices, Microsoft Copilot integration, and AI applications within finance processes. The event appeals primarily to teams that already operate within the Vena ecosystem. Sessions emphasize practical use of platform capabilities that support planning activities. Participants can explore methods that align closely with existing technology environments. The content remains particularly relevant for organizations committed to platform-driven planning.
4. FP&A Summit Series (Finance Alliance)
- Dates: Multi-city 2027
- Location: One-day format, co-located with the CFO Summit
- Focus: The FP&A Summit Series delivers focused discussions through a one-day event structure. Topics include AI in FP&A, forecasting, scenario planning, and dashboarding.
- Best for: Finance leaders who prefer shorter events may appreciate the concentrated format. The sessions provide useful exposure to current planning discussions without extensive travel requirements. Many professionals view these events as valuable supplements to larger conferences.
5. Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo
- Dates: June 2-4, 2027
- Location: National Harbor, Maryland
- Focus: Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo addresses finance transformation, AI strategy, data, and analytics through a research-oriented perspective.
- Best for: Enterprise finance leaders frequently attend to explore organizational priorities and strategic direction. Discussions place substantial emphasis on finance function design and operational alignment. The event examines many of the same planning questions discussed elsewhere, though through a different lens. Strategic context remains a defining characteristic of the conference.
6. Spring CFO Leadership Conference
- Dates: June 14-16, 2027
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Focus: The Spring CFO Leadership Conference focuses primarily on leadership development, executive influence, and finance team management.
- Best for: FP&A directors who seek broader leadership perspective may find value in the program. Planning content receives less direct attention than at specialized FP&A events. However, leadership discussions can provide useful context for professionals with expanding responsibilities. The conference serves a distinct audience within the broader finance community.
4. How to Use This List
A thoughtful development approach can help finance professionals gain greater value from industry events. Many practitioners choose one immersive FP&A event as the foundation of annual professional learning. The AFP FP&A Forum serves this purpose for professionals who want substantial forecasting and planning depth. Communities such as the FP&A Trends Group can support ongoing benchmarking. Additional strategic events may complement development goals when leadership responsibilities expand.
5. FAQ
Which FP&A conference covers planning and forecasting in the most depth?
The AFP FP&A Forum covers a lot through its Finance & Financial Processes track and a specific Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting section. They talk about predictive forecasting, quick planning cycles, rolling budgets, and scenario-driven forecasts too.
Where can FP&A leaders compare planning approaches across industries?
The FP&A Trends Group International FP&A Boards offer ongoing opportunities for peer benchmarking through global discussions. Finance professionals can exchange perspectives and explore planning approaches used across different organizations.
Are virtual events useful for planning discussions?
Virtual events can support knowledge exchange, benchmarking, and exposure to planning ideas. Many professionals use virtual communities and digital sessions to complement larger in-person conference experiences.
6. Conclusion
Strong planning teams benefit from shared knowledge, practical discussion, and continuous professional interaction. Finance leaders usually look beyond company walls to see what their peers are doing when it comes to forecasting, planning cycles, performance management, and scenario building. They usually discuss these things at industry events. These gatherings offer great chances for those kinds of talks. Each event listed here offers a unique angle, from deep dives into strategy to detailed guides on planning. Of all these, the AFP FP&A Forum still stands out as a key spot for FP&A pros in 2027. It keeps folks connected over issues that are really shaping the field today.
