B2B marketing conferences and expos are an opportunity to build your network of contacts and find potential partners. Whether you intend to give a presentation or attend as a visitor, the events below should be a fixture in every digital marketer’s annual calendar.
The best B2B marketing conferences and expos offer valuable insights and cover a wide variety of disciplines in the digital marketing sphere. These events offer something for everyone, but places are limited and tickets go pretty quickly.
Best advice: plan ahead. You could contact your nearest Trade Association or local Chamber of Commerce to ask for advice, information and notifications. But to save you the hassle, we have listed a strong line-up for you to investigate.
B2B Marketing Expo – London, UK
The B2B Marketing Expo is self-proclaimed as the “UK’s leading marketing event” – and who are we to disagree? This is a high-quality conference and showcases some of the most influential firms in digital marketing. You can even sign up for free interactive master classes.
Keynote speakers include representatives from recognisable global brands including Google, IBM, Twitter, HubSpot, SalesForce and Smart Insights.
The B2B marketing events are typically held in March so keep an eye out for the next event. Tickets are snapped up quickly. Awards are also handed out for the most innovative suppliers and contributors to the digital marketing industry.
DMWF Expo – Global
DMWF Expo is a must-attend for B2B marketers. These inspirational events cover multi-digi-disciplines and even delve into the future of online marketing. With exciting topics such as virtual reality, AI, wearables, and 360 video there are plenty of insights on offer.
Now in its 8th year, DMWF Expo is one of the grandest digital marketing conferences in the world. Annual events take place in North America, UK and Europe. Expect topics such on social media marketing, influencers and content strategies. Guest speakers stem from leading global brands such as Coca-Cola, Hootesuite, IBM, BBC, Lego and HSBC.
SMX Conference – US, UK, Europe & Israel
Search marketers – this is one for you. The SMX Conference is the premium search marketing expo on the planet with events in at least seven cities throughout the year.
The focus of SMX is to educate digital marketing professionals about the cross-grid of online marketing tools. Advice offered by leading industry experts has helped “thousands of marketing practitioners succeed with actionable tactics.”
And the event attracts critical acclaim from high-profile attendees. Purna Virji, the Senior Manager and PPC Training Officer at Microsoft said: “I’ve been attending the SMX shows since 2010 and each one just gets better and better.”
Ignite (B2B Marketing Summit) – UK
This is a digital marketing event that promises to be explosive. Even the name has been updated from the simple, ‘B2B Marketing Summit’ to – Ignite!
And with good reason. Ignite is among the biggest B2B marketing conferences in the world and features a string of creative keynote speakers the digital marketing arena has to offer.
On the Ignite agenda is a programme designed to inspire. And if you miss any of the speakers you can stream it online.
Ad:Tech – US, India, China, Australia
Social media is an integral part of digital marketing. And if you want to know all about the latest tips, trends and technologies in the world of social networking, make Ad:Tech your expo of choice. You have the choice of six conferences so there is no shortage of options.
With 20 years of successful marketing events to its name, Ad:Tech is an established digital marketing conference. And with structured formats that focus on game-changing technologies, this is your chance to stay ahead of the curve.
The immersive event is a playground for technology and media communities to assemble and share new ideas. Subsequently the Ad:Tech expo is a great opportunity to make contacts, build relationships and define innovative strategies.
Cyber Science – London, UK
If you don’t have the budget to go globe-trotting, head to London for the Cyber Science International Conference. This is one of the best social media marketing expos in Europe.
Compared with many other digital marketing events, Cyber Science is barely out of nappies. But even in its fledging years this is an event that is creating a stir. The event covers the latest on social media, wearables and web analytics.
In 2017, there is a focus on web security and protecting social media users – a subject that should be at the heart of all digital marketers. As web engineers and digital marketing practitioners seek solutions, the Cyber-Science Conference presents a great opportunity for specialists to get involved in exciting new projects.
Content Marketing Masters – Berlin, Germany
Content marketing plays a pivotal role in digital strategies. It is used to drive traffic, increase your online visibility and turns browsers into buyers.
And now mobile technologies are changing the rules, marketers need to stay on top of the content game. The Content Marketing Masters conference shows you how with top tips and insights from experienced and knowledgeable practitioners.
MarTech – San Francisco, USA
The MarTech Conference is making waves. The expo boasts over 100 leading marketing technology solutions, 60 “state-of-the-art” educational session and the opportunity to connect with more than 2500 marketing executives. This is a marketing event senior-level marketers, data scientists and growth hackers do not want to pass up.
Attendees discover how corporate brands are transforming their teams, leveraging marketing analytics and implementing Account-Based Marketing (ABM) strategies. There is even an award up for grabs in a competition to boast about your marketing stack.
With a focus on online behaviour, customer experience, design and data analytics, attendees can expect insightful solutions to engage customers. If you need to up your online game, MarTech provides the answers.
Adobe Summit Marketing Conference – Las Vegas, USA
When you hear Adobe is holding a marketing conference, you sit up and take notice. When you discover the “bash” features guest bands Death Cab For Cutie and One Republic, you develop a twitch in your click finger.
Alongside the star-studded lineup are marketing pros tackling cutting-edge subjects including data-driven marketing, integrated marketing cloud and mobile marketing. Over 150 sessions. And you have the opportunity to join pre-conference training labs. Perhaps this really could be “the best party in Vegas” for digital marketers.
Hero Conf – LA, USA, London, UK
The Hero Conf qualifies as one of the largest digital marketing conferences in the world. If your focus in paid advertising, this is a trans-Atlantic event for you. Speakers discuss innovative methods of integrating marketing tactics with Adwords, Bing Ads and other Pay-Per-Click advertising tools.
Needless to say, search giants Bing and Google are in attendance to offer insights. In the past, they have been joined by other big-hitting creative digital brands like Adobe. If you’re looking for actionable takeaways to step up your paid ad campaigns, Hero Conf is a must.
MozCon – Seattle, USA
Moz fans should head off to Seattle this summer to join Rand Fishkin and friends for a day of trailblazing digital insights. The main course is, of course, a plateful of inbound marketing. But guest speakers reveal industry secrets on multiple topics such as consumer research, data-driven design, SEO and email marketing.
But the MozCon expos are for all-rounders. A wide variety of topics are covered including social media, mobile, brand development, CRO and web analytics together with an excellent opportunity to extend your online community. Jump in early and you get the best discount deals on tickets.
Search Love | Distilled – USA and UK
Distilled in another of the leading lights in the digital marketing sphere hosting their own event. Titled ‘Search Love’ the event ads will be disappointing for hopeful daters, but a delight for digital marketers.
The Search Love events continue the theme of intimacy into the arena. Close-knit groups are encouraged to share their thoughts and “help us all get better every day.” With two days of talks covering a wide variety of topics, you will need to take your notepad for this one.
Dmexco – Cologne, Germany
To stay ahead of your competitors in the online space, you need to get on top of trends. If you can spot trends before they even become trends, you’re on to a winner and have a longer run-in than your rivals.
That’s why Dmexco in Germany is the conference choice of champions. The number one goal is to inspire. And with a program that runs for more than 250 hours, you can expect to pick up some great ideas.
Dmexco have impressive stats too. Since 2009, the attendance rate has increased by 343%. Last year saw around 50,700 visitors, 1,013 exhibitors and 570+ speakers. Dialogue is at the heart of the Dmexco expo and one of the reasons for it bulging popularity.
Web Summit – Lisbon, Portugal
The Web Summit is a three-day digital marketing conference that is receiving rave reviews from the mainstreaming media. Touted as “the best tech conference on the planet” and labelled as the “Glastonbury for geeks”, Web Summit brings a wide range of tech industries into a global community.
Keynote speakers are very high-profile. Past presenters have included Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, Travis Kalanick and Mike Krieger. Even Bono has got in on the act. This is a marketing event for big game fisherman – so take a big hook.
DigiMarcon – Online
Marketers that are unable to escape the office still have the opportunity to gain insights into the latest digital marketing strategies’. DigiMarcon is streamed online, live and On Demand. By default, this is the biggest digital marketing event in the world.
DigiMarcon hosts some of the industries thought leaders who share their ideas about building traffic, expanding brand awareness, using digital technologies to improve online customer service and showcasing the latest digital tools.
Which digital marketing events will you be attending this year? Give us a shout, we may see you there!
