On March 26, PMI hosted its annual PMXPO, one of the largest virtual events for project professionals, attracting over 100,000 registrations.The event is free and offers expert insights, case studies, practical tools, and PDUs at no cost.

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I joined this year with a simple question in mind: Is PMXPO worth my time?

Three Key Highlights

1. Thoughtful Event Setup
Registered participants gain access to the platform one day in advance, allowing time to build a profile, explore sessions, and create a personalized agenda. During the event, you can explore multiple session formats, the exhibit hall, and networking features. Luckily, most content remains available afterward on demand, offering flexibility for busy professionals.

On-demand access to the platform for latecomers:
https://www.pmi.org/shop/p-/digital-product/pmxpo-2026/ve008

2. Focused and Relevant
The program is structured across keynote speakers, breakout sessions, bonus sessions, and sponsored content.

This year’s keynotes centered on complexity. As our world becomes increasingly complex and unpredictable, the general sessions explored what this means for project managers and the profession. Key questions included:

• What drives complexity?
• How do we navigate growing complexity?
• Which skills are essential to remain relevant?

Breakout and bonus sessions complemented the keynotes with concrete case studies, expert insights, and actionable tools.

3. Interview with Chief Catalyst from Bayer
The keynote session “2026: Pulse of the Profession” with PMI’s CEO Pierre Le Manh featured PMI’s latest research and vision, as well as an interview with Michael Lurie, Chief Catalyst at Bayer (at minute 34:35). Michael shares his insights on Bayer’s major organizational transformation from a hierarchical model to what they call Dynamic Shared Ownership. Definitely worth my time!

The Exhibit Hall: A Gateway to PMI Resources

The virtual exhibit hall primarily features PMI-curated booths covering basic topics and emerging trends. Each booth aggregates resources such as blogs, podcasts, and certification information.

It serves as an easy, user-friendly entry point into PMI’s broader ecosystem—particularly useful for newcomers seeking orientation or for those looking for specific content.

Final Takeaway

PMXPO is a valuable event for staying current, gaining fresh perspectives, and finding inspiration in the diverse field of project management. While not perfect (particularly in terms of networking feature performance), it is a low-cost, low-barrier opportunity for professional growth.

Who Should Attend?

• Early-career professionals looking to understand the expectations and opportunities within project management
• Experienced practitioners exploring their next move
• Professionals who prefer virtual to in-person events
• Certification holders looking for PDUs ;)