NOTE: This has been edited on 3/24/2020 to provide COVID-19 updates
By now, 91 percent of B2B companies use some form of content marketing and a full 56 percent consider themselves “very committed,” according to the Content Marketing Institute. That explains why industry movers and shakers are offering an increasing number of content marketing conferences aimed at helping them make the most of its possibilities.
While the scope of such events has become difficult to track, here’s a list of some upcoming conferences that could help your organization with future strategies. (Note our omission of the formerly ubiquitous SXSW, which has become so diverse in attempting to cover the worlds of film, culture, music and technology that many marketers are seeking more targeted events.)
Digital marketing
Digital Summit Series
Date: All 9 of the events are now pushed back into the second half of 2020 due to Coronavirus
Location: 15+ cities across the U.S. including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago & more
Host: Digital Summit
Why attend: More than 20,000 people attend the Digital Summit series spanning several cities. 2018 featured more in-depth sessions and workshops on digital trends. NYC’s Summit in April, 2020, will feature Seth Godin, Ja Rule and experts from Reddit, NPR, CNN and more. View all Digital Summit event locations here.
Adobe Summit
Date: Now a virtual event on Mar. 31, 2020
Host: Adobe
Location: Virtual
Why attend: Get the latest insights and trends for brand and digital experiences, B2B marketing and more. This year’s speakers include thought leaders from companies such as Adobe, Amazon, Charles Schwab, Hootsuite and Activision.
Advanced Search Summit
Date: April 22-24, 2020
Location: Napa Valley, California
Why attend: This two-track conference is dedicated to sharing insights on the latest and most cutting edge marketing trends to over 250 attendees. Along with speeches given by leaders from PayPal, Sears, MOZ, Netflix and more, this event also includes plenty of networking opportunities throughout the week. (This includes a masquerade party inside a Tuscan castle!)
The Incite Marketing Summit
Date: Postponed due to Coronavirus
Location: San Diego
Host: Incite Group by Reuters Events
Why attend: Bringing together 300+ CMOs and marketing strategists from the world’s most recognizable brands, the Incite Marketing Summit is 2020’s meeting of the marketing elite. This is a holistic cross-industry, cross-discipline approach to purpose-driven, data-backed marketing driven by innovation.
Digital Growth Unleashed
Date: June 1-3, 2020
Host: Rising Media Ltd. and SiteTuners
Location: Las Vegas
Why attend: About 1,000 attendees discover how to attract the right audience, align business models with the user experience, optimize the lifetime value of client relationships and get up to speed on the latest marketing technology.
Marketing Evolution Experience
Date: June 1-4, 2020
Location: Las Vegas
Host: Rising Media
Why attend: “Multiply your skills with the latest thinking, newest developments, and most current examples of data enriched marketing. Whether you are an analyst or one who relies on analytics to excel in marketing, MEE is here to help YOU evolve as a professional. Peers and experts clarify how digital analytics, customer insight, and artificial intelligence are at work in marketing.” 2019 featured speakers include Rand Fishkin of Spark Toro and Andy Crestodina of Orbit Media, among others.
DigiMarCon West
Date: June 10-11, 2020
Location: Los Angeles
Host: DigiMarCon
Why attend: This year’s sessions focus on building traffic, expanding brand awareness, improving customer service and gaining insight into today’s latest digital tools. Master class sessions at the event include topics on AI & Programmatic Advertising, Brand Storytelling and Chatbots.
MozCon
Date: July 6-8, 2020
Location: Seattle, Washington
Host: Moz
Why attend: One-track conference full of “forward-thinking, tactical sessions in SEO, growth marketing, the mobile landscape, analytics, content marketing and more” from the company that dominates in helping businesses boost their search rankings with innovative tools and thought leadership.
LeadsCon’s Connect to Convert
Date: September 16-18, 2020
Location: Boston
Host: Access Intelligence
Why attend: “The world’s largest performance marketing conference and exposition” with over 30 sessions and over 1,000 attendees. 2020’s theme is “Road Mapping the Modern Marketing Landscape.”
Open Mobile & Digital Experience Summit
Date: Nov. 2020
Host: Incite
Location: West Coast, USA
Why attend: The Open Mobile & Digital Experience Summit brings together 400+ Chief Digital, Product and Marketing officers from America’s most powerful and innovative brands to shape how we can create personalized digital and mobile experiences that impact and add value to customers beyond a transaction. More details about the 2020 event to come.
Programmatic Pioneers Summit
Date: Nov. 11-12, 2020
Host: World Business Research
Location: Los Angeles
Why Attend: This two-day conference hosts over 200 heads of programmatic, media, marketing, digital and advertising professionals to network and discuss the future of programmatic advertising. Speakers include leaders from American Express, Google, Dell and Samsung.
Content marketing
Content Marketing Conference
Date: Now a virtual event on Apr. 21, 2020
Location: Virtual
Why attend: The sixth year of CMC will cover “what’s new, what’s next, and what’s essential for content marketing success.” With 14 keynotes, 45 sessions, 9 tracks and 7 workshops, there is a lot to learn. 2019 speakers included Don McMillan of Technically Funny, Sarah Cooper of TheCooperReview.com, Andrew Davis of Monumental Shift, Debra Jasper of Mindset Digital and others.
Confab Central
Date: Now a virtual event from May 18-20, 2020
Location: Virtual
Host: Confab
Why attend: Confab draws more than 600 professionals from around the world who design, create and manage content. “From UX to storytelling, accessibility to structure, Confab brings together those who are committed to making content useful and usable.” (And there’s never a shortage of cake!). Check out highlights from the 2019 event.
Inbound 2020
Date: Aug. 18-21, 2020
Location: Boston
Host: HubSpot
Why attend: 24,000 participants from 100-some countries. “A community of people passionate about marketing, selling, and delighting customers in an inbound way. We bring together speakers who are passionate not just about improving the bottom line, but also about building a brighter, kinder and more inclusive future.”
Content Jam
Date: Sept. 16-17, 2020
Location: Chicago
Host: Orbit Media
Why Attend: With over 500 attendees, this convention shares insights on content strategy, promotion, conversion and analytics. Speakers include Mark Schaefer, Wil Reynolds and Britney Muller.
Content Marketing World
Date: Oct. 13-16, 2020
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Host: Content Marketing Institute
Why attend: Some 4,000 attendees are offered 120 sessions presented by experts from around the world, covering strategy, storytelling, ROI, demand generation, AI, etc. The 2019 event featured Henry Rollins, as well as Mindy Kaling in a keynote Q&A. Plus, don’t miss the fun networking events like the opening night reception at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Read Brandpoint’s recap of the 2019 CMWorld event here. Don’t miss the fact that the event is no longer in September!
LavaCon Content Strategy Conference
Date: Oct. 25-28, 2020
Location: New Orleans
Host: LavaCon
Why attend: For content strategists, documentation managers and senior content professionals who want to stay ahead of rapidly changing technology and customer demographics while connecting with vendors who can help with content challenges.
Marketing
Pubcon Florida
Date: Postponed due to Coronavirus
Location: Miami, Florida
Why attend: Pubcon is a full stack marketing conference that “will cover everything a marketer needs to know from in-house team building to online marketing strategies to tracking conversions.” Session tracks include influencer marketing, organic SEO, paid ads and “alternative advertising.”
Digital Sales & Marketing World
Date: Now from Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2020
Location: Hartford, CT
Host: IMPACT Branding & Design
Why Attend: Formally known as IMPACT Live, this conference is “an immersive event for marketers, salespeople, and business leaders looking to drive significant revenue growth for their companies.” This event is directed towards marketers from all types of companies, including B2B, B2C and agencies.
Mirren Live New York
Date: June 2-3, 2020, also offering a new virtual option
Location: New York City
Host: Mirren
Why attend: Mirren Live New York bills itself as one of the most prominent conferences in the agency business. It sells out every year with 400 senior decision-makers taking in 60+ speakers in 30+ sessions over 2 jam-packed days. Focused on driving business growth, management team leads and CEOs join the conference from around the country. This year’s speakers include leaders from NFL, Mastercard, AdWeek and Groupon.
IRCE (Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition)
Date: June 9-11, 2020
Location: Chicago
Host: Internet Retailer magazine
Why attend: Over 130 sessions covering a range of topics relevant to online commerce. With nearly 600 vendors, come ready to find solutions to help your business succeed in every facet.”This conference and trade show offers you everything your business needs to stay ahead of your competition, in one simple location.” Seth Godin was featured as the 2018 guest speaker.
CX North America
Date: June 16-18, 2020
Location: NYC
Host: Forrester
Why attend: “Join 50 Forrester analysts and 1,500 CX industry leaders for three days of cutting-edge, interactive customer experience programming.” Topics included in this event range from AI to creative and modernization.
Affiliate Summit East
Date: July 27-29, 2020
Location: NYC
Host: Affiliate Summit
Why attend: The performance marketing industry’s premier global event featuring high-level decision makers including online publishers, bloggers, media owners, traffic sources, advertisers, global brands, networks, technology firms, agencies, and other solution providers. Typically more than 6,000 attendees, 70 sessions, 100 expert presenters and 300 exhibitors. Check out Affiliate Summit events in other locations around the globe.
Klaviyo:BOS
Dates: Aug. 26 – 27, 2020
Location: Boston
Why attend: This conference hosts over 600 attendees and is aimed at helping email marketers, entrepreneurs and business leaders grow their brand, create actionable strategies and take their ecommerce marketing to the next level.
Brand ManageCamp
Date: Sept. 15-16, 2020
Location: Las Vegas
Host: ManageCamp
Why attend: Attendees learn about strategy, trends, storytelling, optimization, advertising, content, insights and more to help “take your brand to the next level.” The speakers are best-selling business authors, world-renowned experts, or up-and-coming mavericks, pushing the boundaries in their respective concentrations.
FinCon 2020
Date: Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, 2020
Location: Long Beach, CA
Why attend: This conference states that “our mission is to help financial influencers and brands create better content, reach their audience and make more money.” In 2019, this expo had 2300+ attendees, 200+ speakers and 100+ exhibitors.
Advertising Week
Dates: Oct. 5-8, 2020
Location: New York
Why attend: With over 98,000 attendees, this conference is a must attend for PR professionals, social media strategists and CMOs. Past speakers include Al Gore, Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington. Don’t miss Gary Vaynerchuck at the 2020 event!
MarketingProfs B2B Marketing Forum
Dates: Nov. 3-6 , 2020
Location: San Francisco
Host: MarketingProfs
Why attend: The “place where leaders, innovators and people who make things happen gather to learn about the latest in B2B marketing and share the secrets to success as well as “belly laughs, creative networking, shenanigans and marketers’ off-the-clock antics.” 2019 keynote speakers included Ann Handley, Jay Baer, Neen James and Kara Swisher.
Forbes CMO Summit
Dates: Nov. 11-13, 2020
Location: Miami, Florida
Host: Forbes
Why attend: “Unique access to the world’s most influential leaders, policy-makers, entrepreneurs, and artists, uniting these global forces to harness their collective knowledge … and address the challenges of today’s complex marketing landscape.” Past speakers include CMOs from Wells Fargo, the NHL, Facebook and Target.
PRNews Media Relations Conference
Dates: Dec. 11, 2020
Location: Washington, D.C.
Host: PRNews
Why attend: This conference is “for communications professionals who need to hear forward-thinking insights on media pitching, measurement, the impact of AI/machine learning on media relations and journalism, influencer relations, social media marketing, and the best media relations tools from leading brands like USA Today, NPR, Accenture, Aflac and D.C. Public Charter School Board.”
Rakuten Optimism
Date: 2020 TBD
Location: San Francisco
Host: Rakuten
Why attend: Rakuten Optimism is a world-class event for digital innovation in e-commerce, marketing, and more! 2019’s event included industry experts and thought leaders like Google Chief Evangelist of Brand Marketing, Gopi Kallayil, Forrester Research Vice President and Principal Analyst, Sucharita Kodali, and Rakuten Americas President, Amit Patel.
B2B Marketing Exchange
Date: 2021 TBD
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Host: Demand Gen Report
Why attend: More than 1,000 participants in 2018, with more than 85 workshops and case study sessions. Speakers include the industry’s top marketing professionals including analysts, authors and B2B practitioners from companies like Facebook, BuzzFeed and LinkedIn.
[FREE CHECKLIST: How to Market Your Business While Attending an Event or Tradeshow]
Social media
Social Media Strategies Summit
Date: Now from Aug. 11-13, 2020
Location: Chicago
Host: GSMI
Why attend: The event features best practices in social media marketing from successful brands. 2020 will feature speakers from companies such as Vitamix and CERN. Past speakers have been from Intel, Ben & Jerry’s and GE Healthcare. The event is also held in San Francisco, Feb. 4-6, 2020; and NYC, Oct. 27-29, 2020.
Social Media Week
Date: Now a virtual event due to Coronavirus
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Host: Social Media Week
Why attend: SMW is “one of the world’s premier conferences and industry news platforms for professionals in media, marketing and technology.” This year’s theme is, “Stories: With Great Influence Comes Great Responsibility.” This theme will spark conversation throughout the week on how brands can take meaningful action to be more truthful and real in their content and communication. Speakers at the LA event include Ira Madison III, Maycie Timpone of Buzzfeed and Will Cady of Reddit.
VidCon
Date: Cancelled due to Coronavirus
Location: Anaheim, California
Host: VidCon
Why attend: The industry track at VidCon will teach “deep insight into how to build sustainable and profitable communities, best practices for using video to sell products and services, and in-depth strategy discussions that will chart the course for the future of online video and media in general.” This year is the tenth anniversary of the convention and features many video influencers, including Matthew Patrick from Game Theory and the Merrell twins.
AMPlify
Date: 2020 TBD
Location: Boston
Host: GaggleAMP
Why attend: Bills itself as “the only marketing event addressing the unique challenges associated with leveraging employees and stakeholders in your digital marketing strategies.”
Social Media Marketing World
Date: Now from Feb. 28 – Mar. 2, 2021
Location: San Diego, California
Host: Social Media Examiner
Why attend: With some 7,000 participants, bills itself as the industry’s largest social media marketing conference. Sponsor is considered the world’s leading online social media magazine for businesses, with more than 1.5 million monthly visitors.
Technology
ContentTECH Summit
Date: Now from Aug. 10-12, 2020
Location: San Diego
Host: Content Marketing Institute
Why attend: Formerly the Intelligent Content Conference, the refresh of this event will help senior marketing executives learn how to enable technology to improve processes to better execute their content strategy. The 2018 event drew 400 participants who learned from leaders representing Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Mayo Clinic, Cisco, Salesforce and others.
SiriusDecisions Technology Exchange
Dates: Now a virtual event on May 4 , 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Host: SiriusDecisions
Why attend: At this annual event, more than 500 people will be updated on data-driven best practices research and new innovations across the B2B space. Breakout sessions with SiriusDecisions analysts cover niche topics and case studies.
MAICON
Date: July 14-16, 2020
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Host: Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institution
Why attend: AI in marketing is a trend that only is getting larger, but it’s a tactic that many professionals are still struggling to implement. This event is for manager-level and above marketers, and is catered to non-technical audiences. Meaning: if you need to learn about AI, this conference is for you.
MarTech
Date: Oct. 6-8, 2020
Location: Boston
Host: Chief Marketing Technologist
Why attend: Some 2,200 people come to this event that delivers “a vendor-agnostic, graduate-level marketing, technology and management perspective designed to help you succeed in this software-powered marketing world.”
Reach
Date: 2020 TBD
Location: Chicago
Host: G2
Why attend: This is the inaugural year of this one-day-only conference focused on tech sales and digital marketing. Speakers include Neil Patel, Meghan Keaney Anderson of Hubspot and Meredith Kopit Levien of New York Times, as well as leaders from Drift, Whole30 and SalesLoft.
Editor’s note: Would you like your marketing event added to this list? Please only send annual, U.S. events. Send us an email for consideration. This post is regularly updated.
