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Top Conferences for Event Planners

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If you work as an event or meetings planner, now is the time to plan out your professional development opportunities for 2017. Everyone knows conferences and tradeshows are a great way to network — but for event planners especially, they are a valuable place to learn sector-specific skills. We've compiled a list of some of the best conferences for event planners and experiential marketers. Mark your calendars!
 

JANUARY:

Event Service Professionals Association Conference 

January 6-8, Austin, Texas
This conference provides the opportunity for continuing education credits, networking events, learning from leading meeting planners, and engaging keynote addresses.

PCMA Convening Leaders Conference 
January 8-11, Austin, Texas

This conference showcases the latest innovations in event technology, meeting design, and business event strategy.

The Special Event Conference 
January 10-12, Long Beach, California
TSE is the industry's largest tradeshow and conference for event professionals, with educational sessions, showcasing events, and networking opportunities.
 

FEBRUARY:

 

MARCH:

EventSource 101 
March 5, Springfield, VA
Eventsource101 Tradeshow provides an opportunity to present products and services to hundres of event planners, caterers, DJs, and venue managers. 

Catersource and Event Solutions Conference
March 12-15, New Orleans, Louisiana
CSES is an extensive tradeshow for catering and special event industries, with exhibitors, culinary and design competitions, seminars, and tastings.
 

APRIL:

BizBash Elevate New York 
DATE TBD, New York, NY
An in-depth one-day conference focused on rethinking the attendee journey at events, with workshops forcusing on technology, design, fundraising, and other topics.
 

MAY:

Experiential Marketing Summit 
May 3-5, Chicago, Illinois
Learn emerging trends, best practices on face-to-face marketing, plus workshops and master classes from some of the world's leading brands.

BizBash Live: The Expo 
May 4, Fort Lauderdale, FL
BizBash's Expo contains a day packed with presentations, event thought leaders, a workshop series, and exhibit floor filled with new technology and ideas to improve events.
 

JUNE: 

Offline Summit 
DATE TBD, Brooklyn, NY
This conference focuses on how offline experiences drive business results, focusing on creating experiences, experiential technology, and agency growth. 

ITBM America 
June 14-16, Hollywood, Florida
ITBM is an invite-only event that pairs top suppliers with premier meeting planners for one-on-one meetings.

World Education Conference 
June 19-22, Las Vegas, Nevada
At the WEC, attend certification courses, make new contacts, and attend engaging sessions.

JULY:

BizBash Live: The Expo 
July 19, Los Angeles, CA
BizBash's Expo contains a day packed with presentations, event thought leaders, a workshop series, and exhibit floor filled with new technology and ideas to improve events.
 

AUGUST:

BizBash Elevate D.C. 
DATE TBD, Washington, D.C.
An in-depth one-day conference focused on rethinking the attendee journey at events, with workshops forcusing on technology, design, fundraising, and other topics.

International Live Events Association (ILEA) Conference 
August 10-12, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ILEA Live is an international conference created to deliver an experience of stimulating ideas and knowledge sharing with other creative professionals around the world.

ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition 
August 12-15, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ASAE is where thousands of association professionals and industry partners gather to exchange time, resources, strategies, solutions, and more.
 

SEPTEMBER:

MEET National 
September 6-7, Washington, D.C.
This dynamic conference and trade show offers a fresh, invigorating vision for meeting and event planners eager to meet with new suppliers and increase their certification.
 

OCTOBER:

IMEX America 
October 10-12, Las Vegas, NV
This trade show model is a leader in the meetings industry in the US, with strategic industry partnerships, quality education programs, and powerful networking opportunities. 
 

NOVEMBER:

EventTech 
November 13-15, Las Vegas, NV
This conference focuses on using social media and technology to optimize live experiences. 

BizBash Live: The Expo 
DATE TBD, New York, NY
BizBash's Expo contains a day packed with presentations, event thought leaders, a workshop series, and exhibit floor filled with new technology and ideas to improve events.
 

DECEMBER:

IAEE Expo! Expo! 
DATE TBD, Anaheim, CA
Exhibition and events industry professionals attend this premier show to learn about the latest industry trends and technology, as well as access a diverse marketplace with tools for trade shows and events.

Which great conferences for event planners and experiential marketers are we missing? Let us know by emailing [email protected] and we’ll refresh the list. PEX can upgrade the financial operations of any event. Learn how.

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