The 10 Best MarTech Conferences to Attend In 2024
As we all know, staying ahead of MarTech (marketing technology) is crucial for CMO success. In fact, the value of the MarTech industry worldwide is continuously climbing, and as of 2021 was sitting at around $344.5 billion.
One of the best ways to gain new insights, network with industry experts, and stay at the cutting edge of MarTech is by attending MarTech conferences.
In this post, I’ll explore the value of attending MarTech conferences (endless if you ask me), what you can expect when attending, and my top 10 MarTech conference recommendations to add to your calendar in 2024.
While virtual events, on-demand events, or other online opportunities are valuable to some, I prioritized in-person conferences. Because despite the ways we’ve found to communicate over the last few years, there’s nothing like networking and learning face to face. I also gathered the highest attended conferences with the highest caliber of speakers. You’re paying good money to attend these events, so I want them to bring as much value as possible!
Why Attend A MarTech Conference?
Besides the fact that marketing events are always fun, knowledge is power.
When you choose to attend a martech conference, you can expect to gain fresh insights, discover new strategies, and learn about the latest MarTech tools and trends. These conferences are an opportunity to:
Stay Informed: Attending conferences ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest developments, which is vital for making informed decisions for your marketing strategies.
Network: This is an excellent platform for networking with marketing leaders, experts, and potential partners. Building relationships in the industry can open doors to collaborations and opportunities now and in the future.
Knowledge Share: MarTech conferences feature top-notch speakers and thought leaders who share their experiences and insights. You can learn from the best in the field and apply their knowledge to your own strategies.
Get Inspired: Immersing yourself in multi-day conferences can be a source of inspiration and creativity, helping you approach your marketing challenges with fresh perspectives.
Showcase New Technology: You can get hands-on experience with the latest Marketing software and tools before the public. This will help you discover which solutions can help streamline your operations and boost your efforts.
What Can I Expect At A MarTech Conference?
When you decide to attend a MarTech conference, you can anticipate a well-structured and enriching experience. Conferences cater to a diverse audience, including marketing professionals, tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, creating a melting pot of ideas and networking opportunities.
To make your attendance convenient, MarTech conferences offer various ticket options, from full conference passes to day passes and virtual attendance choices, each with different inclusions. These inclusions could be access to workshops, VIP events, or exclusive sessions, allowing you to tailor your experience to your needs.
For multi-day events, conference organizers often secure discounted room rates at nearby hotels, ensuring comfortable and cost-effective accommodation for attendees.
The caliber of speakers at MarTech conferences is top-notch, featuring industry luminaries, successful marketers, and tech innovators. Their presentations and insights are designed to equip you with the latest innovative strategies.
Beyond keynote presentations, these conferences feature panel discussions, workshops, breakout sessions, and interactive activities that provide a well-rounded learning experience. Whether you want to gain in-depth knowledge, engage in hands-on workshops, or participate in lively discussions, MarTech conferences offer it all.
Dedicated conference networking events provide ample opportunities to connect with fellow attendees, speakers, and sponsors. 78% of attendees agree or strongly agree that in-person B2B conferences offer the best networking opportunities! This opens the door to valuable partnerships and collaborations that can enhance your marketing campaigns and expand your professional network.
What’s the difference between MarTech conferences and summits?
The MarTech conferences are typically larger events that span multiple days and offer a wide range of activities and sessions. They can be held in convention centers or large venues, attracting diverse and large audiences. Conferences are known for providing comprehensive coverage of MarTech trends, with a focus on hands-on learning, networking, and thought leadership.
The MarTech summits are more compact events, usually lasting only a day or two. They are designed to provide an in-depth exploration of a topic within MarTech. Summits are highly focused and feature intense sessions, discussions, and workshops that cater to a niche audience seeking deeper knowledge in a specific subject.
10 MarTech Conferences To Add To Your Calendar
DigiMarCon
Multiple Dates | Multiple Locations
DigiMarCon, a global event, is a must-attend Digital Marketing, Media, and Advertising Conference & Exhibition that caters to business and marketing professionals. It takes place in over 40 locations across the world annually, offering the option of online on-demand or in-person attendance.
This event covers the most up-to-date trends in digital marketing and social media marketing, cutting-edge and actionable solutions, networking, and a glimpse into the future of technology and innovation. Past speakers have included executives from Coca Cola, Facebook, and Microsoft! DigiMarCon covers a wide spectrum of digital realms, including Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS Technology so you can expand your breadth of knowledge.
MozCon
Dates Coming Soon | Seattle, WA
MozCon, hosted by Moz, is a top-tier digital marketing conference. It attracts marketing professionals, SEO experts, and industry leaders. The event offers an enriching experience with informative sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations.
Attendees will explore SEO, content marketing, and digital marketing strategies. MozCon is a platform for networking and collaboration with peers and experts. It emphasizes the latest trends, best practices, and actionable insights to boost online presence. MozCon is a must-attend for staying on the cutting edge of digital marketing and SEO, making it a premier destination for professionals looking to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Adobe Summit
March 26-28, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV
The Adobe Summit is a premier digital marketing event. It gathers industry leaders, marketing professionals, and innovators for an immersive experience both online and in-person. Attendees explore cutting-edge marketing technologies, share insights, and engage in hands-on learning. The event also features inspiring keynote speakers, in-depth breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
It is a hub for discovering the latest trends in marketing, social media, and technology. They’ve got powerhouse speakers booked for this year including Mary. T Barra, Chair and CEO at GM, Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, and Ann Handley, a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author. Adobe Summit empowers participants to elevate their digital strategies and enhance customer engagement, making it an essential event for staying at the forefront of digital marketing innovations.
Inbound
September 18-20, 2024 | Boston, MA
INBOUND is a renowned marketing and sales event put on by industry favorite, HubSpot, that brings together industry experts, marketers, and business professionals. This immersive experience offers a diverse range of sessions, interactive workshops, and keynote presentations. Attendees gain valuable insights into inbound marketing, sales, and customer experience strategies.
INBOUND fosters networking, allowing participants to connect with peers and experts. With a focus on inspiration and innovation, the event equips attendees with the latest tools and knowledge to drive business growth. They’re currently booking their 2024 speakers, but have booked powerhouses like Andrew Huberman, Karen Stocks, a VP at Google, and even booked after hours entertainment from comedian John Mulaney! INBOUND is a great opportunity for those looking to enhance their marketing and sales skills and stay updated on industry trends.
SXSW
March 8-16, 2024 | Austin, TX
SXSW is a renowned annual event that surpasses traditional boundaries, making it an invaluable experience. The multifaceted conference incorporates technology, film, marketing, music, and interactive industries, offering a broad spectrum of insights and networking opportunities. CMOs can benefit immensely from SXSW due to its emphasis on innovation, creativity, and the convergence of industries.
It provides a unique platform to explore emerging technologies, consumer behaviors, and content creation trends, which are pivotal for developing new marketing strategies. This year, SXSW has over 450 sessions including speakers from American Cancer Society, Bloomberg, Meow Wolf, NASA, Netflix, Spotify, TikTok, and even Ben & Jerry’s. SXSW is an essential destination for CMOs seeking holistic knowledge, diverse networking, and cross-industry inspiration to drive success in their roles.
Marketing AI Conference (MAICON)
September 10-12, 2024 | Cleveland, OH
98% of marketers use AI in some way, showing us that the new tech is here to stay. The Marketing Artificial Intelligence Conference, organized by the Marketing AI Institute, is a paramount event for professionals specifically seeking to harness the deep power of AI in marketing.
This conference will offer you deep insights into AI-driven strategies, marketing automation, data analytics, and how to use your customer data. Attendees gain hands-on knowledge from industry experts, exploring the latest AI applications. Speakers include leaders, founders, researchers in the AI and Data Science field! This conference is a great resource for CMOs aiming to leverage AI for data-driven marketing success, ensuring they stay at the forefront of AI's impact on the industry.
Advertising Week New York
Dates Coming Soon | New York, NY
Advertising Week New York 2023 is a premier event in the advertising and marketing industry. This annual gathering brings together marketing professionals, industry leaders, and innovators for a jam packed week of live sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. It explores the latest trends, strategies, and technologies in advertising and marketing.
CMOs will benefit from a diverse range of panel discussions, roundtables, keynote presentations, gaining valuable insights and networking with thousands of industry peers. 2023’s speakers were incredibly impressive, including Andy Cohen, Barbara Corcoran, and Mark Cuban. This is a must-attend event for professionals looking to stay connected in the industry and keep up to date on the latest trends in advertising and marketing.
Gartner Marketing Symposium/XPO
June 3-5, 2024 | Denver, CO
The Gartner Marketing Symposium and Expo is a leading event in the marketing and technology field. It offers a platform for marketing professionals and CMOs to explore the latest industry trends, strategies, and technologies. They offer a specific track for CMOs with benefits like how to come back after a brand crisis, optimizing budgets, impactful messaging on contentious topics, and how to encourage customer loyalty.
The symposium features a wide range of sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations that provide valuable insights into marketing innovation and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, attendees have the opportunity to network with industry experts and peers.
B2B Marketing Exchange
February 26-28, 2024 | Scottsdale, AZ
Produced by Demand Gen Report, the B2B Marketing Exchange is designed specifically for B2B marketing professionals and CMOs in the B2B SaaS industry. It’s a prime opportunity to dive into the latest B2B marketing strategies, ecommerce trends, and technologies to add to your martech stack.
There’s a comprehensive range of sessions, workshops, case study discussions, and keynote presentations, delivering actionable insights and best practices for B2B marketers. What sets this event apart is its targeted focus on the unique challenges and opportunities within B2B marketing and senior marketing professionals. Attendees can connect with industry leaders, explore innovative approaches, and gain a competitive edge.
Digital Marketing World Forum
June 25-26, 2024 | London, England
If you’d like an excuse to go to Europe (same), The Global Digital Marketing Conference is a huge opportunity! It serves as a dynamic platform for marketing professionals, CMOs, and tech enthusiasts to dive into the latest digital marketing and email marketing trends and innovations.
The conference offers a diverse program, including keynote presentations, workshops, and panel discussions, enabling attendees to gain valuable insights and hands-on knowledge. With a focus on the global digital marketing landscape, this conference is instrumental in staying updated on international trends. Speakers in the past have included leaders at American Express, Nasdaq, LinkedIn, J.P. Morgan Chase, Amazon, and TikTok!
Conclusion
Attending MarTech conferences is an investment in your knowledge, network, and career as a CMO. As you fill your calendar for 2024, consider these 10 conferences that offer value, networking opportunities, and the chance to explore the greater marketing technology industry. Make the most of your attendance by engaging in discussions, connecting with industry experts, and implementing the knowledge you gain.
From Seattle to New York to London, there’s so many opportunities to explore! Where will you go next to supercharge your marketing strategies? Let us know in the comments, and while you're here, subscribe to The CMO newsletter.