Common Ground Annual Conference 2026 - FAQ

  • This year we are holding our Common Ground Annual Conference from 4pm on Monday 16 November (opening keynotes and Awards ceremony) until 5pm on Tuesday 17 November (with a full agenda through this second day). The venue is DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes.

    We are also holding a smaller Network-focused Energy strategy conference on Monday 16th November at the same venue, running from 10am to 3.45pm. This event is exclusively aimed at strategic decision-makers for energy from local Citizens Advice. 


  • Common Ground is an event for colleagues across Citizens Advice, both Network and National. It’s a chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with people from all parts of the organisation. We are also encouraging volunteers, advisors and more junior staff members to attend, and there are free tickets available for these groups with every ticket purchased by a local office.

    The Energy Conference is for strategic decision-makers for energy from local Citizens Advice. 


Registration and tickets

  • Tickets for the Monday Energy conference are for the Network only, and are free.

    Tickets for the Common Ground Annual Conference are for Network and National staff, and are £75. (Long-distance Network attendees can get a reduced ticket for £40 if they have travelled over 100 miles)

    All paid-for Common Ground Network tickets unlock a ‘buy one get one free’ offer for another Network colleague to attend.

    Here are our ticket options for 2026:

    • Energy Conference ticket (Monday only) - £0

    • Common Ground Network Ticket - £75

    • Common Ground National Ticket - £75
      For national colleagues we will cross-charge the cost of the ticket internally, no payment will be required at registration

    • Common Ground Network Long Distance Traveller Ticket (100 miles) - £40.00

    • Buy One, Get One Free – Local Citizens Advice Only
      Once you've purchased a ticket, you'll receive a code to redeem your free one. Free tickets are exclusively for frontline staff, volunteers, and junior colleagues from local offices. We have a cap on the maximum number of attendees so please redeem early.

  • Yes. Please register in advance here. We have limited capacity at the venue so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.


    1. Buy your ticket – your confirmation email will include a free code.

    2. Share the code with your colleague (volunteers, advisors, or junior staff).

    3. They must register themselves. When registering, they enter the code at Stage 3: Tickets.

    4. They select Buy One, Get One Free – Local Citizens Advice Only.

    5. Their ticket is confirmed – no payment needed.

  • Item descriptionYes you can log back into your account and update your details at any time. Please note, we will be passing all the dietary and accessibility requirements on to the venue on the week commencing 27th of October. Any updates after this date may not be passed on to the venue.

Your conference guide - everything you need to know to plan your journey and make the most of the conference


  • Registration will be open from 8am on Monday 16th November. The Energy Conference sessions will run from 10am-3.45pm on Monday. The Common Ground Annual Conference opening keynotes begin promptly at 4pm on Monday 16th November.

    On Tuesday 17th November, the full schedule of Common Ground events will run from 9am to 5pm.


  • Please follow the guidance on the website for DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes. 


  • The sessions in our keynote room will be streamed live onto Workvivo and recorded. Most workshops will not be streamed or recorded. 

  • Yes - please make us aware of any accessibility requirements at registration so we can ensure a smooth experience for you when you arrive onsite.


  • Lunch and refreshments will be provided on both days. Please let us know any dietary requirements when registering. 

    Please note that breakfast and evening meals are not included as part of your ticket.

  • No, travel and accommodation is not covered in the ticket price. However you can book a discounted hotel room in the conference venue hotel - subject to availability.


  • The Energy Conference will be taking place from 10am on Monday 16 November (registration open from 9.30am). This event is exclusively for strategic decision-makers for energy from local Citizens Advice, and has a capacity limit of 150 people. You can attend only the Energy Conference if you wish (tickets are free), however you will not be able to attend any Annual Conference events.

    The Common Ground ticket price gives you access to Annual Conference events from 4pm onwards on 16 November (opening keynotes and the Awards ceremony), and all day for 17 November. There isn’t an option to just purchase a ticket for one day of Annual Conference. 

    If you’d like to attend both the Energy Conference and Common Ground Annual Conference, please ensure you select both options on the registration form. 

  • Please reach out to events.team@citizensadvice.org.uk with any queries.


Programme and sessions

  • We will be releasing the agenda closer to the event. We will also be giving you a chance to book a seat in the sessions of your choice, so keep an eye out for our comms!


  • Join our Workvivo group

  • Yes - please complete this form by Wednesday 30 September. You can take a look at this guide for everything you need to know!

  • We will be offering a few slots to run sessions at the conference. Please reach out to events.team@citizensadvice.org.uk to express your interest.

  • No - please don’t register on someone else’s behalf. Each person needs to complete their own registration so they can personally review and accept our privacy policy.