Finding top events to attend can be challenging, so we've simplified it for you. This post features a comprehensive list of must-attend event industry conferences for this year.

By attending these conferences, you'll gain valuable insights into the events industry and connect with fellow professionals. These 16 events offer exceptional networking opportunities, innovative content, stellar speaker lineups, and the chance to explore fantastic destinations!

And don’t forget, when you’re ready to make your event stand out, we’re here to help with our custom event badges and conference lanyards. Let’s dive into the must-attend events and get ready to elevate your event planning game! 🎉

Engaging in Experience means immersing yourself in education that adds value to your professional journey. Here's a glimpse of what awaits you:

• Unveiling the latest trends in the dynamic catering and events industry

• Networking with influential decision-makers and like-minded professionals

• Opening doors to exciting new products, services, and meaningful connections

The NACE Experience Conference for Catering and Events offers unmatched opportunities to meet and network with the brightest minds in the industry, discover the newest trends moving the industry, and learn from experts in sessions that enhance skills, grow businesses, and advance careers.

Join us for the 55th annual GBTA Convention, the premier global event for the business travel industry where diverse voices come together for a common purpose.

Connect with industry peers, suppliers, and partners for growth, learn from insightful speakers on key topics, grow your skills with tailored sessions, and discover tools, trends, and best practices to advance your organization.

IAVM’s 99th VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show is the only industry conference that inspires industry leaders, provides targeted education, and brings attendees together creating relationships that last a lifetime.

Representing public assembly venues from around the globe, IAVM’s 7,800+ active members include managers and senior executives from auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, amphitheaters and fairgrounds. IAVM’s mission is to educate, advocate for, and inspire public assembly venue professionals worldwide.

As a member, you have a front-row seat for industry trends — plus backstage access to venue management's superstars. Get connected to the industry's professional core, plugged into its powerful network, enlightened by visionaries, and inspired by once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

CEMA Summit attracts visionaries, industry leaders, and innovators who share a passion for creating exceptional experiences.

This year, we'll explore the intersection of strategy, purpose, and play, and discover how this balanced approach can elevate your events to new heights. You’ll gain invaluable inspiration and insights, actionable strategies, and meaningful connections with fellow corporate event marketers.

Experience thought-provoking keynotes, engaging panel discussions, hands-on workshops and interactive sessions led by experts at the forefront of the industry—all set against the iconic backdrop of Seattle's skyline and vibrant culture.

The Canadian Meetings + Events Expo is the largest and longest running trade show for meeting and event professionals. 

Explore a world of opportunities at CMEE, the ultimate trade show tailored for meeting and event planners. Seamlessly connect with industry professionals from Canadian, U.S., and International destinations, venues, tech companies, décor and more. Expand your network effortlessly, and discover innovative avenues to enhance your revenue – all within the dynamic setting of the show floor. CMEE goes beyond being just an event; it serves as your gateway to cultivating meaningful connections and nurturing profitable collaborations in the vibrant realm of meetings and events.

Get in on the excitement! 

Celebrate with us 15 years of IBTM Americas

For 15 years, our platform has connected event and meeting professionals with industry vendors. Join us for two days, find high-level educational programs, high-quality suppliers, and technological innovations in the industry. But more than that, we offer you the opportunity to make meaningful and strategic connections.

Learn the latest event trends for social, corporate, and sports events at IBTM Americas, where you'll find valuable business partners and join the Hosted Buyers program to meet decision-makers seeking new suppliers.

The MPI Foundation convenes the meeting and event industry's top leaders for it's annual Thought Leaders Summit to discuss, ideate and problem-solve critical challenges such as safety, diversity and design.

This is your opportunity to help establish new programs, develop new opportunities and shape the future of your industry. And you'll benefit from insights from some of the most brilliant minds in the business while collaborating with fellow leaders to create tangible solutions that will help take your profession to new heights.

Don't miss your opportunity to join thousands of passionate event experts from around the globe for unparalleled networking, one-on-one business meetings, innovative education sessions, and a dynamic trade show overflowing with the latest event solutions.

Expand your network with over 2,000 event professionals through diverse formats, gain over 10 hours of expert-led education and earn up to 9 CMP credits. Our AI-powered matchmaking connects buyers and suppliers worldwide, and our trade show features 200+ exhibitors showcasing premier event solutions.

The world's leading conference and expo for the sports-event industry. Launched in 1998, TEAMS attracts more than 1,000 attendees including CEOs, executive directors and event managers from sports organizations as well as representatives from sports commissions and convention bureaus, corporate sponsors, event suppliers and other hospitality industry opinion leaders. For 25 years, TEAMS has helped define the sports-event and appointment-based trade show industries.

IMEX America is the largest trade show for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry. 

Our award-winning show brings the meetings industry together to do a year’s worth of business under one roof. Suppliers and buyers from every sector of the meetings industry come together at IMEX, held at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.

It’s free to attend, and our four-day program offers specialist education, networking and much more, on and off the trade show floor.

Get ready for an unforgettable three-day conference experience at The Event Planner Expo 2024 in New York City. EMRG Media produces this amazing conference and brings together event and marketing professionals from around the globe for an immersive experience like no other.

From the exciting trade show floor at the Metropolitan Pavilion, where over 150 exhibitors showcase the latest venues and services, to the inspiring Speaker Series held at the iconic 92nd Street Y, you’ll find yourself surrounded by opportunities for growth, strategic partnerships, and networking.

At this all-in-one event, you’ll leverage the power of Connect's signature reverse-style trade show in a focused environment that services event professionals planning and sourcing events in the Western region. Unlock the potential of one-on-one meetings, gain region-specific insights, and cultivate relationships that can shape your future success.

Meet face-to-face with key people through advanced AI-matchmaking, learn from industry thought leaders, and expand your network at Connect West. These intimate events focus on meaningful interactions and local trends, helping you catapult your career with enriching sessions and lasting connections.

Connect Winter Marketplace is the ideal place to build lasting connections and business relationships for 2024 and beyond into 2025. Corporate, association, and medical event professionals will join in the nation’s capital for three days of highly-curated one-on-one appointments, networking, and education. Register today to join us at Connect Winter Marketplace and walk away with lasting connections, business leads, and inspiration.

Meet face-to-face with key people through advanced AI-matchmaking, learn from industry thought leaders, and expand your network at Connect West. These intimate events focus on meaningful interactions and local trends, helping you catapult your career with enriching sessions and lasting connections.

At this all-in-one event, you’ll leverage the power of Connect's signature reverse-style trade show in a focused environment that services event professionals planning and sourcing events in Texas. Unlock the potential of one-on-one meetings, gain region-specific insights, and cultivate relationships that can shape your future success.

Meet face-to-face with key people through advanced AI-matchmaking, learn from industry thought leaders, and expand your network at Connect West. These intimate events focus on meaningful interactions and local trends, helping you catapult your career with enriching sessions and lasting connections.

The Northstar Leadership Forum brings together the industry’s thought leaders – planning professionals and suppliers – for three days of education, networking and sharing of best practices.

Our forum is unlike any other industry gathering: A unique, high-level experience where business relationships and friendships are forged. Hosted at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, Calif., the Leadership Forum has been programmed by the teams behind Northstar Meetings Group flagship brands – Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Incentive and SportsTravel – to deliver an experience your clients and colleagues will never forget.

Exhibitions and events industry professionals attend this premier show to learn about the latest industry trends and technology, as well as network with professional peers.
Lessons learned from fellow organizers and content provided from both inside and outside the industry will set you up for success in the coming years.

The trade show community is resilient, vibrant, and ready to do business. With partners represented from all facets of the ecosystem and organizers spanning all marketplace verticals, the connections you will make at Expo! Expo! are unmatched in scope and value.