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For an agency owner or professional, attending an industry conference is a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge, stay updated on trends and network with others in your space and in adjacent, often complementary fields. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which ones to invest time and money in.
Certain conferences stand out with excellent reputations, high-quality content and consistently powerful attendee experiences. Below, 11 Forbes Agency Council members share must-attend industry events and conferences, explaining why attending should be a priority for agency pros and what factors to consider to choose one aligned with your professional goals.
1. Build A Better Agency Summit
There are several great events that provide networking and educational opportunities around trends and technology. The only national conference I am aware of that supports agency owners through best practices, financial benchmarks and resources that improve their business is the Build a Better Agency Summit. The event was created by agency owners to support and guide agency owners in growing their businesses. - Korena Keys, KeyMedia Solutions
2. Inbound
HubSpot’s Inbound conference features inspiring speakers, practical workshops and networking opportunities. Attendees can learn about the latest marketing trends, get hands-on experience with HubSpot’s tools and connect with peers and experts. It’s a great opportunity to learn, grow and network with like-minded professionals. - Eroslav Georgiev, Orange Trail
3. Consumer Electronics Show
It’s all-encompassing but still very beneficial for CEOs to kick off the beginning of the year at the CES in Las Vegas. It gives you an entire consumer-based landscape of literally every product and technology out there currently and what is on the horizon. - Jessica Hawthorne-Castro, Hawthorne LLC
Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
4. Counselors Academy Spring Conference
Improvement is a core value, so we invest heavily in professional development. We pay for our PR firm employees to attend conferences and complete quarterly certification programs as part of their professional development plan. Personally, I regularly attend the Public Relations Society of America’s annual Counselors Academy Spring Conference and Agency Management Institute’s Build a Better Agency Summit. - Jason Mudd, Axia Public Relations
5. Digital Agency Expo
One must-attend conference for agency owners and professionals is the Digital Agency Expo, as it offers valuable insights and networking opportunities with industry experts and peers. The conference covers topics such as marketing, sales, operations and technology, providing a holistic view of agency operations. - Garrett Atkins, VIE Media
6. South By Southwest Interactive
SXSW Interactive is a conference held annually in Austin, Texas, that focuses on emerging technology, media and culture. It is a must-attend for agency owners and professionals because it provides an opportunity to stay up to date on the latest technological innovations, network with other professionals and gain insights from thought leaders in a variety of fields. - Kamaljit Singh, AMZ One Step
7. CMO Summit
We have had success participating in CMO Summit events. We love the one-on-one interaction they provide with CMOs of companies in a variety of industries. We also appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate our competence in strategy, voice of the customer research and translating data insights into effective tactical campaigns. - Mary Ann O’Brien, OBI Creative
8. MJBizCon
For professionals in the cannabis industry, MJBizCon is a can’t-miss event. This past year, my company even hosted an after-party to get one-on-one time with contacts and potential clients. No matter what conference you attend, make sure to get as involved as possible, whether that’s through sponsoring a booth, networking or hosting an ancillary event. - Evan Nison, NisonCo
9. Funnel Hacking Live
One must-attend conference for agency owners and professionals is Funnel Hacking Live. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the top digital marketing and sales funnel experts in the world. This conference offers invaluable education, inspiration and networking opportunities that simply cannot be found anywhere else. I personally attend it every year. - Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS
10. Business Blueprint
I am a big fan of Business Blueprint, which also offers its conferences online. It allows business owners to learn the latest in cutting-edge technology and strategies that they can apply to their businesses. A lot of conferences may just hype you up and then leave you deflated, while this one actually teaches you firsthand, step-by-step, the process you need to put into place. - Adrian Falk, Believe Advertising & PR
11. TED Conference
If you can swing the $10,000 membership and your application is accepted, the TED conference is a life-altering event. You’ll interact with some amazing people who are changing the world—and you’ll get to see what a PowerPoint presentation should really look like. - Eric Gutierrez, Hey
