12 Social Media Conferences to Learn From in 2026
Social media conferences are a great place to network. But they are also a melting pot of insights and industry trends. Think of them as a must-have marketing resource.
For any social media pro looking to stay ahead of the curve, or pick up a new tactic they can use to optimize their next social campaign, these are the 16 best social media conferences to attend in 2026.
For those looking to stay updated on the latest trends, these top marketing conferences are a must-attend.
Best Social Media Conferences in 2026 Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best social media conferences I think are worth attending in 2026:
- SocialNext Conference - Multiple locations and dates (January 29)
- Social Media Strategies Summit - Virtual (February 25-26, 2026)
- Social Fresh: The Original Social Media Conference - New York, NY (March 19-20, 2026)
- Government Social Media Conference - New Orleans, LA (May 5-7, 2026)
- SocialDay 2026 - London, UK (May 19-20, 2026)
- Social Media Week Lima 2026 - Lima, OH (June 17-18, 2026)
- VidCon 2026 - Anaheim, CA (June 25-27, 2026)
- HeyOrca Community Summit - Toronto, Canada (June 2026)
- State of Social '26 - Perth, Australia (August 25-26, 2026)
- VidSummit - Dallas, TX (September 29-October 1, 2026)
- Content Marketing World 2026 - Denver, CO (October 5-7, 2026)
12 Best Social Media Conferences of 2026
Below are my summaries of the best social media conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
1. SocialNext Conference - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: $699
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
| Locations | Dates |
|---|---|
| Ottawa, Canada | January 29, 2026 |
| Toronto, Canada | April 9, 2026 |
| Calgary, Canada | May 28-29, 2026 |
| Montreal, Canada | June 10-11, 2026 |
| Vancouver, Canada | September 23-24, 2026 |
| Halifax, Canada | October 26-30, 2026 |
SocialNext is Canada’s next-level and most established marketing conference series, bringing together thousands of marketers, business leaders, nonprofit professionals, and digital strategists from across the country. It’s focused on practical strategies, emerging tools, and real-world knowledge you can use to strengthen your marketing, communications, and growth efforts.
Why attend? SocialNext stands out with its diverse range of sessions and workshops, tailored to address current marketing challenges, influencer marketing, social media strategy, SEO, and technology and martech innovations. You and your team will benefit from networking opportunities and learning from industry experts. The conference's focus on practical applications makes it a valuable experience for anyone looking to enhance their marketing skills.
2. Social Media Strategies Summit - Virtual (February 25-26, 2026)
- Dates: February 25-26, 2026
- Location: Virtual
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The Social Media Strategies Summit is a long-running, virtual social media marketing conference designed for marketing professionals eager to enhance their social media strategies. It is organized by the Global Strategic Management Institute (GSMI) and helps attendees sharpen strategy, learn practical tactics, and stay ahead of trends in digital marketing.
Keynote speakers include Elizabeth Thompson, Senior Manager of Social Media at National Geographic; Jake Lloyd, Director of Social Media at News Literacy Project; and Katie Walmsley, General Manager of Social and Creative at Microsoft.
Why attend? This virtual event offers a unique chance to dive into the latest trends in social media marketing. You'll gain insights on leveraging AI, maximizing ad spend, and proving ROI. Engage with industry leaders and participate in sessions that can transform your social media strategy. If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, this virtual summit is a must-attend.
3. Social Fresh: The Original Social Media Conference - New York, NY (March 19-20, 2026)
- Dates: March 19-20, 2026
- Location: Tishman Auditorium, The New School
- Pricing: $1,799 ($899 for the livestream pass)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Social Fresh 2026 is a two-day, in-person social media and marketing conference focused on real-world, practical strategies across the modern marketing industry. The event blends deep social media expertise with broader content, creator/influencer, paid media, community, and AI topics, all aimed at helping marketers stay ahead in a fast-moving industry.
The event will feature 24 speakers, 18 sessions, and exclusive case studies that explore what’s working today and what’s coming next. Former attendee Nathan Allebach shared:
“Social Fresh was the first marketing conference I attended that felt less about celebrity speakers and flashy production, and more about relevant experts who are actually doing the work.”
Why attend? At Social Fresh, you'll dive deep into social media marketing, content strategy and creation, and influencer strategies. The conference promises exclusive case studies and insights that can elevate your team's approach. With sessions designed to tackle real-world challenges, it's the perfect place to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of social media.
4. Government Social Media Conference - New Orleans, LA (May 5-7, 2026)
- Dates: May 5-7, 2026
- Location: Hilton New Orleans Riverside
- Pricing: $929 ($599 virtual)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The Government Social Media Conference is the largest gathering for government social media professionals in the United States. It is a platform for sharing best practices and cutting-edge strategies for effective online communication with the public. The event allows both in-person and virtual participation, making it accessible for professionals across the U.S., Canada, and globally.
Speakers include Tony Adamo, Communication & Media Specialist of the City of McKinney; Wendy Aguilar, Media and Communications of the Sacramento Fire Department; and Marian Doucette from the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance.
Why attend? The conference focuses on the unique challenges faced by government social media managers. You'll gain insights on policy development, crisis communication, and citizen engagement. It's a chance to network with peers, participate in interactive sessions, and learn from case studies. This event is essential for those aiming to enhance their agency's social media presence.
5. SocialDay 2026 - London, UK (May 19-20, 2026)
- Dates: May 19-20, 2026
- Location: Protein Studios
- Pricing: £620 (early bird pricing)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
SocialDay is a two-day, immersive social media marketing festival designed specifically for professionals working in social media — including marketers, creators, agency teams, brands, and digital strategists. It’s not your typical conference; it blends practical learning, interactive workshops, expert sessions, and festival-style networking in a lively, engaging environment.
The event has grown into one of the top specialist social media marketing events in the UK, focused on real-world strategies and community-driven learning.
"Impressive lineup of speakers, and the content was very relevant to current trends."
- John Hammond, Amazon
Why attend? SocialDay stands out for its interactive sessions and practical workshops that focus on real-world applications. You'll connect with top influencers and learn innovative strategies to boost your social media presence. This conference is perfect for anyone looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
6. Social Media Week Lima 2026 - Lima, OH (June 17-18, 2026)
- Dates: June 17-18, 2026
- Location: UNOH Event Center
- Pricing: From $210
Social Media Week Lima (often abbreviated SMWL) is an annual social media and digital marketing conference that focuses on relationship-driven, practical marketing strategies and the latest trends in social media, branding, content, AI, and business growth.
The event is designed to help attendees boost social media marketing and digital strategy, learn the latest tools and trends, build stronger and customer relationships through online channels, and walk away with actionable skills and ideas to apply right away.
Why attend? Social Media Week Lima offers a deep dive into social media marketing, focusing on relationship-building and innovative strategies. You and your team will benefit from hands-on workshops and networking opportunities. It's an ideal setting to connect with industry leaders and elevate your digital marketing efforts.
7. VidCon 2026 - Anaheim, CA (June 25-27, 2026)
- Dates: June 25-27, 2026
- Location: Anaheim Convention Center
- Pricing: From $179
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
VidCon is the world’s largest in-person gathering in California, celebrating digital content, online video creators, and the creator economy. It unites fans, content creators, and industry professionals from across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and more to connect, learn, and explore the future of digital media.
Founded in 2010 by YouTube creators John and Hank Green, VidCon has grown from a small YouTube-centric fan meetup into a multi-day creator culture festival and industry expo.
Featured creators for the 2026 event include Aimsey, Anthpo, Death Battle!, Emmy Combs, The Goddess Boys, and Haminations.
Why attend? VidCon offers a unique opportunity to connect with your favorite creators and learn from industry experts. With panels, workshops, and meet-and-greets, it provides an immersive experience in the world of online video. Whether you're a creator or a fan, VidCon is a must-attend event to stay updated on the latest trends and network with peers.
8. HeyOrca Community Summit - Toronto, Canada (June 2026)
- Dates: June 2026
- Location: Toronto, Canada (venue TBA)
- Pricing: TBA
The HeyOrca Community Summit is an event held annually to focus on community-led marketing and brand collaborations. It centers on the idea that community building is central to modern marketing. It brings together marketers, social media leads, and agency professionals to explore strategies for building engaged audiences and stronger brand communities online.
Why attend? At the HeyOrca Community Summit, you'll explore the latest trends in community-led marketing. Engage in discussions about effective brand collaborations and learn from industry experts. This summit offers a unique chance to network with peers and gain insights into building successful marketing communities.
9. State of Social '26 - Perth, Australia (August 25-26, 2026)
- Dates: August 25-26, 2026
- Location: Optus Stadium
- Pricing: From $645
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
State of Social is one of Australia’s most respected social media and digital marketing conferences, designed to push marketers beyond buzzwords into practical and future-focused learning. It isn’t a typical “trend parade” — the event emphasizes real insights, strategy, and connective experiences that challenge assumptions and sharpen your marketing instincts.
Why attend? State of Social '26 offers a unique blend of expert talks, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. You and your team will explore the latest digital marketing trends and strategies. This conference is ideal for those looking to innovate and stay ahead in the fast-paced world of social media.
10. VidSummit - Dallas, TX (September 29-October 1, 2026)
- Dates: September 29-October 1, 2026
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Pricing: $895
- Social Media: LinkedIn
VidSummit is an annual business-focused conference for video creators, marketers, and brand professionals in Texas. It is designed to help people grow audiences, monetize content, and build sustainable creator businesses. The event is all about professional growth in the creator economy, and strategizing around tech trends.
Why attend? VidSummit is unique for its focus on actionable, in-depth strategies tailored for video creators. You'll learn from the best in the industry through workshops and panels. It's a perfect opportunity for creators and marketers to enhance their skills and network with peers who share their passion for video content.
11. Content Marketing World 2026 - Denver, CO (October 5-7, 2026)
- Dates: October 5-7, 2026
- Location: Colorado Convention Center
- Pricing: TBA
Content Marketing World (CMWorld) is an annual, global conference and expo focused on content marketing strategy, storytelling, and best practices. It’s produced by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), a leading organization dedicated to advancing the practice of content marketing globally. CMWorld brings together thousands of content marketers, strategists, creators, and business leaders from around the world to share insights, tactics, and practical takeaways.
"Every year, I come home with new ideas and validation. Even after more than a decade in the industry!"
- Mariah Obiedzinski, AVP of Content Services
Why attend? Content Marketing World stands out with its diverse sessions and workshops tailored to all levels of marketers. You and your team will learn actionable strategies to improve your content marketing efforts and content performance optimization. It's a perfect place to connect with industry leaders and enhance your skills in a rapidly evolving field.
Related Marketing Conferences
If social media marketing is just one piece of your puzzle and you're also digging into areas like brand strategy, growth marketing, or automation, these conferences are well worth a look:
- Content Marketing Conferences
- Marketing Automation Conferences
- Growth Marketing Conferences
- Branding Conferences
Which Social Media Conference are you Bookmarking?
Ready, set, scroll back up and pick one or two social media events you'll be attending. Remember to put a reminder in your calendar and kick off the approval process if your employer will be funding your registration fees.
Pro tip? You can file this under personal development. But I'm sure you knew that already.
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