6 Marketing Conferences You Shouldn't Miss in 2024

With so much innovation--and transformation--happening right now in AI, social, SEO and more, this is definitely the year to stack up the learning opportunities.

Professional conferences have changed in one big way since early 2020:?Many now offer a choice between in-person and virtual attendance. That means you've got a lot more flexibility for fitting learning and networking into your schedule.?

And though three-quarters of marketers believe that in-person is?the better option because of those?networking opportunities, 40 percent of folks say they're really into the hybrid model.

Personally, I've found that even though an in-person event is better when I want to give my undivided attention to a specific?subject and make new business contacts, I'm partial to virtual opportunities. I love that I can still tune into a talk from a top content marketing or SEO expert--even when my schedule is too busy to allow for in-person viewing.

No matter your preference, one thing's certain: It's crucial to carve out time periodically to learn what's happening in your industry and keep up to date with the constant movement and innovation. With that in mind, here are some events I'm excited about for the rest of 2024:?

MozCon (June 3-4 | Seattle)

It seems like SEO is changing practically by the day. (For example, recently, I learned that keyword terms may be becoming a thing of the past as Google and others rely more on natural, human language.) At this conference, you'll learn new ways to navigate rapidly evolving digital trends and ensure your strategy stays ahead of new releases from major search engines. Early Bird prices start at $899 for in-person attendance; a live-streamed version of the event is $299.

Inbound (September 18-20 | Boston)

Hubspot's popular annual marketing extravaganza takes place in its home city of Boston once again this year. It's an incubator, accelerator, and innovator, all rolled into one, with a goal of giving you the tools to help your business scale. Ticket prices are tiered, starting at $899 for regular admission and $1,699 for the VIP treatment--think private lounge, exclusive access to priority hotels, and reserved seating at Spotlight sessions).

Marketing Artificial Intelligence Conference (September 10-12 | Cleveland)

Sink your teeth into the intersection of marketing and AI with the event that focuses on the five Ps: Planning, Production, Personalization, Promotion, and Performance. With keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, this is a hot place to be this year. The event will focus on two core tracks: Applied AI (real-world examples and uses) and Strategic AI (privacy, ethics, legal, etc.). Tickets start at $1,199, and there's an option to purchase digital recordings after the event for around $500.

The AI Conference (September 18-19 | San Francisco)

Spend two jam-packed days in San Fran listening to leaders from giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft discuss the broader AI landscape. Prices haven't been released yet, but you can sign up for notification of early bird ticketing here.

Engage Marketing Conference (October 17-18 | Portland, OR)

This nonprofit-led event focuses on supporting the marketing industry and highlights new strategies and technology for marketing, social media, content, UX design, and more. Conference attendees will also qualify for 25 credits towards a digital marketing certification from Online Marketing Certified Professionals. Tickets start at $350.?

Content Marketing World (October 21-23 | San Diego)

I've attended CMW five times in the past decade--and the experience has been so valuable that I've started taking my team along with me. Besides being squarely focused on content marketing--our jam at Masthead!--the sessions and networking events I've attended have provided a wealth of information on every aspect of content: strategy, optimization, team building, tech tools, and AI transformation. I highly recommend checking this out (and meeting up with me if you're at the next one!). Sign up to be the first to hear when registration opens.?

Written by Amanda Pressner Kreuser.?Originally published on Inc.com on January 20, 2024.