New year, new conferences! They’re the best part of the event planning game, where new and experienced planners socialize, share horror stories, network, and discover emerging technologies. They’re as fulfilling personally as they are beneficial for your business.
Deciding which events you’ll attend in 2024 ahead of time will make scheduling your year a lot easier. Those looking to exhibit at these all-star events should register as soon as possible. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the must-attend event planning events of 2024.
Whether you’re looking to meet influential planners, improve networking skills, learn about emerging technologies, or simply reconnect with planner besties, this list of 2024 conferences and trade shows has something for everyone.
Event Tech Live.
Tech geeks unite! Event Tech Live is for planners eager to learn about and try new event technologies. It features the only event portfolio wholly dedicated to event technology, making it a must-attend for those looking to take advantage of the latest advancements. It’s also a great excuse to travel to one of two principal cities!
Event Tech Live is hosted twice a year. This improves accessibility by offering multiple opportunities for busy planners to attend. It’s hosted in London in the fall (usually November) and Las Vegas in the spring (usually April). Attend your local(ish) event or pack for a trip abroad!
Advance your business by being among the first to learn about and incorporate emerging event technologies. Everyone wants to be the cool kid on the block with the shiny new toy. Event Tech Live is how you achieve this status.
Event Tech Live Vegas runs from May 1st to 2nd, 2024—London dates for 2024 TBD.
Event Planner EXPO.
Competition for the premier event planner conference is tight, but the Event Planner Expo would undoubtedly make the podium. This massive event takes place across three days and hosts
over 2,000 guests from every corner of the event planning industry. Past speakers include business icons such as Gary Vaynerchuck, Alicia Schiro, Marcy Blum, and David Morris.
The conference takes place in the Big Apple, New York City, allowing small-town planners to live it up in the big city. NYC is one of the most diverse cities in the world, so if you’re looking to network with unique, creative, and inspiring individuals, this is the city to do it.
Several ticketing options are available, including 3-Day Education, VIP Education, All Access, and more. The event aims to be accessible to planners at every level of their career, fostering a community that uplifts the next generation by learning from the leaders of the past. It is sure to be the highlight of any planner’s year!
The Event Planner Expo runs from October 15th to 17th, 2024.
IMEX America.
Regarding international meetings in America, it doesn’t get bigger than IMEX. It’s described as a year’s worth of business under a single roof. IMEX America is an award-winning events conference bringing together planners, suppliers, tech specialists, educators, and more. It’s the event planning conference to attend in North America.
Unlike other events on this list, IMEX is free to attend. It takes place across four PACKED days in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. The massive exhibit hall hosts hotel groups, technology providers, convention aureus, airlines, and more. Everything and everyone you need to be a successful event planner can be found under one roof!
IMEX strongly focuses on education, with 150+ educational sessions led by expert speakers. Topics include Technology and Innovation, Business Practices, Event Marketing, Trends and Research. Each day begins with an inspiring talk by celebrated MPI speakers. There are healthy networking opportunities, too, such as a 5k sunrise run across the Las Vegas landscape.
IMEX America runs from October 7th to 10th, 2024.
WEC at MPI.
Event planners at all stages know about MPI. The Meeting Professionals International organization is a long-time leader of the business of the meetings, a cousin of event planning. They provide engaging educational resources, including the WEC (World Education Conference). Here, event planners gather to do one thing—learn together.
This event is “future-focused,” designed to provide planners with the tools they need to advance their business and meet the needs of a changing world. There are sessions on technology, diversity & inclusion, marketing strategy, and more. The goal is to elevate the way event professionals approach their planning.
The conference is available to everyone, from students to industry leaders. It provides an unparalleled networking and education experience, with 2,500+ professionals gathering in one space to learn, connect, and get inspired.
WEC 2024 runs from May 20th to May 22nd in Louisville, Kentucky.
International CONFEX.
For exciting international conferences, look no further than International CONFEX! It takes place in February so you can start your year with a gathering of event professionals in London, England. Planners from all corners of the globe meet in one of the world’s most diverse metropolitan cities. It may introduce you to the planners or suppliers who share the best of your 2024 planning journey.
Over two days, planners, suppliers, venue managers, tech platforms, and more gather in 7 content theaters to meet and mingle. 60+ speakers introduce the strategies and technologies that will shape the industry going forward. The hall is packed with 180+ exhibitors and 100 free-to-attend sessions.
The themes for the 2024 conference are Even Technology, Sales Excellence, Sustainability, and the Future of Events. This growing conference is quickly becoming a significant meeting place for forward-thinking planners, exhibitors, and suppliers.
International CONFEX runs from February 28th to 29th, 2024, in London.
New year, new parties.
Business and fun come together in these must-attend event planner conferences for 2024. Whether you’re looking to travel abroad, discover new suppliers, or nurture long-lasting relationships, the top planner conferences provide the opportunity you need. Attending a conference is also one of the best ways to grow your planning skills.
You’ve spent all year planning events for other people to enjoy. Now, it’s your turn to attend an event and indulge in a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres. You’ll be sure to walk away feeling inspired and excited to try out new technologies and marketing strategies or to work with newly developed connections.
Whatever your 2024 goals are, an event planner conference is the place to realize them!
