8 Can't-Miss Marketing Conferences for Marketers in Tech
The content marketing world can be fast-paced and complex. Its dynamic nature makes it one of the most exciting—and most difficult—industries to work in, and it’s also one of the main reasons why today’s marketing professionals are hard-pressed to stay on top of the latest trends, research, and advancements within the industry.
That’s where marketing conferences come in.
A well-planned conference facilitates both professional and individual growth in two major ways. First, it bridges knowledge gaps by presenting expert insights from industry leaders who are working on the cutting edge of advancements in the marketing realm. Second, it provides invaluable networking and skill-development opportunities for attendees, which help them grow professionally and further their careers.
If you have yet to attend a digital marketing conference this year, it’s not too late to enjoy the many benefits they offer.
Tips for Selecting the Best Conference
Not all marketing conferences are created equal, so it’s important to do a bit of research before registering. Attendees should always carefully review conference details such as speakers and the number of attendees to gauge a conference’s professional quality. Also, think about whether or not the conference topics will help achieve your professional and business goals. There can be a lot of pressure to choose a good conference — especially if you’re selecting a conference for your entire marketing team or if you can only attend one or two marketing conferences a year.
To make the most of your conference experience, consider the following questions before registering:
Is it an in-person conference or a virtual one?
There are pros and cons to both options. Virtual conferences tend to be more accessible due to their lower cost of attendance and greater availability for those unable to travel. However, in-person conferences offer more opportunities for connection and face-to-face interaction with speakers and other attendees, not to mention hands-on experiences with newer technologies.
Who are the organizers?
Credibility is important. After all, anyone can rent a venue and send out invites. A well-known, reputable organizer is more likely to attract experts in the field and offer greater diversity among attendees.
What’s included with the conference fee?
Some conferences organize additional workshops, forums, networking events, and meals as part of the conference agenda. Knowing beforehand what’s included and comparing that to the overall cost can be a good indicator of the conference's overall quality.
Who are the speakers and what topics will they cover?
Marketing leaders tend to specialize. Consider what topics they’ll discuss and their relevance to current business projects and industry trends.
Ready to register for your next marketing conference? Here are some top marketing conferences you won’t want to miss!
Top Digital Marketing Conferences
When: June 3rd–4th
Where: Virtual & In-person in Seattle, Washington
Description: MozCon is a two-day conference centered around exploring and discussing the future of digital marketing. Organized by MOZ, an SEO software company, it’s no surprise that many of the event’s speakers are SEO experts delving into topics such as AI and algorithms, the latest ranking factors, and how popular platforms like TikTok and ChatGPT are affecting the SEO and content marketing world today.
To make the conference more accessible to marketers around the globe, registrants can choose from three different attendance options: a Livestream ticket to view the conference virtually, a Livestream ticket and recording bundle to access recorded presentations after the conference, and an in-person ticket. In-person attendees will enjoy full access to the conference venue in Seattle, Washington, as well as evening networking events. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are also included in the in-person ticket cost.
Confirmed Speakers:
Amanda Jordan – Director of Digital Strategy at RicketyRoo
Andy Crestodina – Co-founder & CMO at Orbit Media Studios
Crystal Carter – Head of SEO at Wix
Travis Tallent – VP, SEO at Brainlabs
Chima Mmeje – Senior Content Marketing Manager at Moz
and more!
Search Marketing Expo 2024: Advanced & Next Conferences
When: June 11th-12th (Advanced) & November 13th-14th (Next)
Where: Virtual Only
Description: The Search Marketing Expo is an annual conference series with two separate events: SMX Advanced and SMX Next. Both conferences are online-only events and the tickets for each are completely free, making these the most budget-friendly conferences of the year.
The purpose of this conference series is to provide actionable training for digital marketers looking to expand their knowledge about search rankings, lead generation, conversions, and traffic management. SMX Advanced is recommended for seasoned professionals in search marketing. SMX Next can be attended by all search marketing professionals, regardless of experience level.
Confirmed Speakers for SMX Advanced:
Elizabeth Tucker – Director, Product Management at Google
Aaron Levy – Former VP of Paid Search at Tinuiti
Stephanie Cheung – Senior Enterprise Account Executive at Moz
Lily Ray – Vice President of SEO Strategy & Research at Amsive Digital
*SMX Next speakers will be announced when conference dates are closer.
When: June 25th-26th
Where: In-person in New York City, New York
Description: The annual Meltwater Summit is a highly anticipated gathering of PR, Marketing, and communications professionals from far and wide. The conference hosts 30+ thought leadership sessions with top marketers from renowned brands such as Microsoft, Google, Verizon, and more.
Confirmed Speakers:
Ryan Reynolds – Actor, Producer, Entrepreneur
Elena Franceschini – Head of Consumer Insights at Pernod Ricard
Steve Clayton – VP of Communications Strategy at Microsoft
Rebecca Hinds – Head of The Work Innovation Lab at Asana
Frank Gregory – Social Intelligence Lead at Nestlé USA
Jenny Force – Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Meltwater
Sonya Gavankar McKay – Senior Director of Digital Strategy at Axiom Space
Amanda Coffee – Senior Director of Global Media Relations at Under Armour
and more!
2024 ANA Digital & Social Media Conference
When: July 17th–19th
Where: Virtual & In-person in Los Angeles, California
Description: Digital and social landscapes are experiencing significant disruptions from new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), new advertising avenues formed by the increased use of Connected TV (CTV) devices and online gaming, and the rapid growth of social commerce. These groundbreaking technologies and trends are the focus of this year’s conference.
Attendees can expect to discuss strategies and insights with peers in the industry, review current case studies, and explore ideas for navigating these exciting developments. They’ll also have plenty of networking opportunities via cocktail receptions and organized dinners. In-person attendees will meet at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown and the ANA has negotiated a discount rate for anyone who registers before June 24th. Be sure to download the ANA Events app for quick access to the conference agenda and AI-assisted recommendations. The app can also be used to plan meet-ups with other attendees during the event.
Confirmed Speakers:
Sherine Ebadi – Managing Director, Forensic Investigations and Intelligence at Kroll
Jason Goldberg – Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis Groupe
Amy Hu – CMO at New York Life
Anna Johnson – Director, Precision Media & Marketing Analytics at Molson Coors Beverage Company
Laura Martin – Senior Advertising & Internet Specialist at Needham & Company
Amy Ralph Mudge – Leader of Advertising, Marketing, and Digital Media Practice at BakerHostetler LLP
Joshua Palau – VP, Performance Media & Activation at Pfizer
When: September 18th–19th
Where: In-person in Cologne, Germany
Description: DMEXCO takes marketing conferences to the next level. The 2023 DMEXCO Expo featured over 800 speakers presenting across 14 different stages. By the end of the event, over 200 hours of content had been produced.
This massive gathering of global thought leaders includes some of the brightest minds in digital marketing today. Though the agenda for 2024 has yet to be released, attendees can expect to have a wide range of marketing topics to choose from. With so many brilliant speakers from every corner of the industry, there’s a little something for everyone at DMEXCO.
This year, the conference will take place in Cologne, Germany, and—if previous years are any indication—it will undoubtedly attract thousands of marketing leaders from around the globe for a jam-packed two days of groundbreaking ideas and discussion.
Confirmed Speakers:
*The list of speakers at the 2024 conference has yet to be released.
When: September 18th–20th
Where: In-person in Boston, Massachusetts
Description: Organized by HubSpot, the INBOUND annual conference is the perfect source to learn about the latest trends and tactics in the sales and marketing industries. This three-day conference offers attendees a mix of activities, including the usual keynote speakers and networking events included at marketing conferences, as well as hands-on workshops and educational breakouts. Plus, attendees also get a sneak peek at upcoming developments in the HubSpot platform and product demos.
Another feature that makes INBOUND stand out from other conferences is its pricing structure. General Admission Passes have 4 tiers to choose from so registrants can customize their experience to their needs and budgets. For those wanting the full InBound experience, there is also a VIP Pass available.
Confirmed Speakers:
*The 2024 keynote speaker has yet to be announced, but previous years boasted celebrities like Barack Obama, Chip & Joanna Gaines, Oprah Winfrey, and Serena Williams.
When: October 1st–3rd
Where: In-person in Alpharetta, GA
Description: The B2B Sales and Marketing Exchange has hosted thousands of B2B marketing professionals since 2019. With their explosive growth over the last few years, they recently reorganized their event structure and now host two separate conferences: B2B Marketing Exchange East and B2B Marketing Exchange West.
The B2B Marketing Exchange East event encourages boldness. With the theme, “The Future in Motion,” the conference’s main goal is to explore innovation and push the boundaries of the content marketing world as we know it. In just three days, attendees will choose from over 50 sessions presented by more than 40 tech providers who are transforming the industry with cutting-edge technology and solutions. They’ll also have the chance to attend the B2B Innovator Awards.
The B2B Marketing Exchange West conference happened in February of 2024, so be sure to keep an eye out for future announcements with details about the next West conference in 2025.
Confirmed Speakers:
*The full agenda of speakers, sessions, and workshops has not yet been released.
When: October 21st–23rd
Where: In-person in San Diego, California
Description: The Content Marketing Institute is the primary organizer of the Content Marketing World 2024 conference. Going into its 14th year, this conference specifically focuses on content marketing, bringing together marketing leaders, content creators, and agencies from near and far to share ideas and inspiration. The conference will be hosted in a new location this year in San Diego, California, but it will maintain its usual three-day schedule with more than 150 industry thought leaders presenting the latest tools and strategies for advancing creativity in the years to come.
Confirmed Speakers:
*The Content Marketing Institute is still in the early stages of conference planning, so the list of speakers for 2024 has yet to be finalized and published.
A Quick Note About Conference Costs
Too often marketers and business leaders miss out on the many benefits of marketing conferences because the cost of a ticket seems too high. Could anything that expensive really be worth it?
The answer is yes! Assuming, of course, you choose to attend a conference with topics relevant to your interests and career aspirations. Attending marketing conferences is an investment in your career, and it will pay off in spades when you can return to the office with a deeper understanding of the content marketing world and the new technologies that are changing it day by day.
Unfortunately, sometimes the will is strong but the wallet is weak. If that’s the case, don’t despair. Cut down on conference costs by doing the following:
Registering early – most conferences offer steep discounts for early bird registrants.
Attending virtually – tickets for online attendees are much cheaper than in-person tickets. Plus you’ll save a ton of money in travel fees.
Asking about negotiated and group rates – many conferences offer additional discounts for group registrants and negotiate lower hotel, travel, and food rates with nearby venues.
Even if you can only attend one conference a year, you’ll find the new knowledge, experience, and professional contacts gained will far outweigh the cost of attendance.
Ready to partner with confident content marketers? Schedule your free 20-minute consultation today and learn how Comma Copywriters can help you reach your goals.