Why we have written this guide

The 8th Global QA Conference (' Mind the Gap'), takes place at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith from the 4th to 6th November 2026. It will bring together QA professionals from around the world, which means busy rooms, a full programme and a lot of conversation.

We know that large events can be tiring, noisy and hard to predict, and that this affects some delegates more than others, including many neurodivergent colleagues. This guide sets out what to expect, what support is in place and who to contact, so that you can plan your days in the way that works best for you.

Before you arrive

The venue is a short walk from Hammersmith Underground station, which is served by the Piccadilly, District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. If you prefer to avoid crowded trains, travelling outside the morning peak or allowing extra time on the first morning can make the journey calmer.

The full programme is available on the app before the conference. Reading it in advance and marking the sessions you most want to attend can help you decide where to spend your energy and where you might take time out.

A few things that some delegates find useful to bring:

• Noise-reducing headphones or earplugs, as the exhibition area and catering spaces can be loud during breaks.
• A layer of clothing you can add or remove, because room temperatures can vary between sessions.
• A water bottle and any snacks you rely on, in case you would rather not queue at busy times.

Registration is just inside the doors from the hotel, on the first floor. It opens at 7.30am on Wednesday and 8am on Thursday and Friday. If you would like to know the layout in advance, the Find your way guide has short walking videos to every conference room, including the plenary in the Chablis Suite on the ground floor.

What each day looks like

Registration opens at 07:30 on Wednesday and 08:00 on Thursday and Friday, with sessions starting at 09:00 each day. Wednesday and Thursday each have a morning break, lunch and an afternoon break. Friday is shorter, with a morning break and a 30-minute lunch, and the conference closes at 15:00.

Breaks are the most crowded and noisy points of the day. If that is difficult for you, it is fine to collect food or a drink and take it to a quiet spot, or to arrive a few minutes before or after a break starts when the queues have eased.

We have an open door policy, so you are welcome to leave or join a session at any time, and to sit wherever you are most comfortable, including near the door.

Full session details, including which sessions run in parallel, are in the conference programme.

Quiet room and step-free access

A quiet room is available throughout the conference for any delegate who needs a break from noise, light or people. You do not need to book it or explain why you are using it, and you can stay as long as you need.

The quiet room is on the mezzanine level. The mezzanine section of the Find your way guide includes the Quiet Room, with a short walking video and step-by-step directions, so you can see the route before you arrive.

The venue has step-free access, so you can reach the conference rooms, exhibition area and catering spaces without stairs. If you have specific access needs, please let us know before the event so that we can plan for them with the venue.

Networking on your terms

Meeting other QA professionals is one of the main reasons people come to the Global QA Conference, but there is no single right way to do it. Some delegates enjoy busy breaks and evening events, while others find it easier to connect in smaller, more structured settings.

If open networking is not for you, you might find it easier to message a speaker or fellow delegate through the event platform and arrange to meet at a set time. Asking a question at the end of a session, or visiting an exhibitor stand once the break has quietened down, are other ways to start a conversation with a clear focus.

It is also perfectly fine to skip social events, leave early or spend a break on your own. The sessions are where the core content sits, and you will not miss anything essential by looking after your energy.

Questions and adjustments

If anything in this guide raises a question, or if there is something that would make the conference easier for you, please email the conference team at conferences@therqa.com. You do not need to share a diagnosis or give a reason, and anything you tell us will be used only to plan support for you.

The earlier you get in touch, the more we can do, so we recommend contacting us before the conference begins. During the event, the registration desk can also point you to the quiet room or help with any practical issue.

We look forward to welcoming you to London.