The Ultimate Guide to Conferences for Event Planners in 2024
Bizzabo Blog Staff
We know how hard it can be to find great events to attend, so we’ve made it easier for you. In this post, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the most important event industry conferences that every event professional should attend this year.
Attending these conferences will allow you to learn more about the events industry and meet other event professionals. Besides access to great networking opportunities and innovative content, the following 60+ events will also provide attendees with great speaker lineups and the chance to travel to amazing locations!
Don’t see your 2024 conference for event planners on this page? Apply to have your event featured!
January 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Jan. 7-10, 2024 |
San Diego, CA | Embark on a transformative journey to shape the future of your organization through exceptional business event strategy. Sessions in this track will help you think better, plan smarter, and create events that drive real business outcomes and lasting success. | |
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Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA) Annual Conference |
Jan. 19-21, 2024 |
Indianapolis, IN | ESPA is the only association dedicated to advancing the professional development of event service managers thereby building the bottom lines of the hotels, facilities and CVBs they work for. We recognize and understand the day-to-day challenges Services professionals face; our programming is geared to help you achieve success, find solutions, and grow in your career. |
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Jan. 20-22, 2024 |
Richmond, VA | Join us for a 3-day event that will provide valuable insights into effective chapter leadership and networking with peers. This conference will help take your chapter to the next level by focusing on membership, programs, and branding. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to make an impact in your chapter and the NACE community. | |
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Jan. 21-23, 2024 |
Greenville, SC | The leading conference produced exclusively for independent planners not associated with third-party organizations. The IPEC program for independent planners provides the perfect mix of education, networking and meetings with suppliers, with options for hosted and nonhosted buyers. Those booking new business will meet with myriad suppliers who are eager to host the buyers’ future events. | |
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June 19-20, 2024 |
London, UK | Step into a world of endless possibilities. Let your imagination run wild as you connect with your community, explore the latest trends, and discover new ways to take your events to the next level. With hundreds of forward-thinking meeting and event suppliers from across the UK and around the world, a comprehensive education programme featuring influential leaders, and countless networking events happening both at the show and throughout London, The Meetings Show is THE place to be. |
February 2024 Conferences for Event Planner
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Feb. 12-15, 2024 |
Austin, TX | Catersource + The Special Event is the only annual event of its kind. A show of unrivaled influence and inspiration, it’s a spirited gathering of all the people, ideas, and trending innovations shaping the catering and events industry. | |
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Feb. 19-21, 2024 |
Melbourne, Australia | The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) is the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is where industry decision makers connect, create and do business. We bring together international and local event planners and connect them with the best destinations, venues and event suppliers from around the world. | |
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Feb. 22-24, 2024 |
Atlanta, GA | ADMEI has designed a conference exclusively for DMC owners, GMs, sales, and operations staff to help you get IN THE ZONE! The ADMEI annual conference will give you tools and help shape your mindset to help you fire from all cylinders. | |
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Connect NYC 2024 |
Feb. 22-24, 2024 |
New York, NY | Connect NYC offers a unique platform to engage and cooperate with top-tier planners and suppliers, all while gaining valuable knowledge from industry luminaries who will impart priceless insights into the future of the meetings and events landscape. |
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Feb. 28-29, 2024 |
London, UK | EPS has been bringing live to life for over 35 years. The lineup of content and exhibitors on show is designed to help everyone involved with live events across music, sport and culture, ensuring their events are delivered to the highest standards across creativity, engagement and crowd safety. | |
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Feb. 28-29, 2024 |
London, UK | Running for 40 years, Confex has become a household name for #eventprofs of all levels. The conference programme is packed with 60+ industry-leading speakers. Featuring faces from all sectors of the industry join forces to question, educate and inspire attendees to reach maximum potential and expand horizons. |
March 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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March 5-7, 2024 |
Berlin, Germany | For more than 50 years the name ITB has stood worldwide for industry knowledge 365 days a year, networking and trendsetting events, whether in a virtual, in-person or hybrid format. Every year in March the world of international tourism gathers at the largest travel trade show, ITB Berlin. | |
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Meeting Professional International European Meetings and Events Conference (MPI EMEC) |
March 3-5, 2024 |
Luxembourg | EMEC exemplifies MPI’s brand promise in Europe; it brings our global meeting and event community together to focus on topics that matter most to European professionals, all while advancing new ideas and building lasting partnerships. And, if you’ve been to EMEC before, you know it’s serious fun. |
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March 11-13, 2024 |
New York, NY | The elite event for North American meeting and incentive travel buyers who are focused on placing programs around the world. Attendees will learn from industry experts, make invaluable business connections, and experience unforgettable activities at New York City’s iconic landmarks. | |
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March 25-27, 2024 |
London, UK | Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is the UK’s leading business event for hospitality and foodservice professionals to test, taste and source the latest products available in the market. | |
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March 26-28, 2024 |
Brighton, UK | MPI’s EMEC Brighton will not only bring you face-to-face with the brightest event experts from all over Europe, it will test new insights and bring you fresh ideas. We’ll re-examine how events are produced and the resources used to achieve the experiences they deliver. We’ll immerse ourselves in the latest trends, ideas and engagement design. |
April 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Connect Spring Marketplace 2024 |
April 2-4, 2024 |
Las Vegas, NV | Unlock unparalleled opportunities for growth and success at Connect Spring Marketplace, the paramount event designed exclusively for event professionals. Join over 2,000 passionate event experts from around the globe for unparalleled networking, one-on-one business meetings, innovative education sessions and a dynamic tradeshow overflowing with the latest event solutions. |
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April 3-5, 2024 |
San Diego, CA | Digital Travel Connect is an executive level meeting of digital marketing leaders in travel;who come together to benchmark, network and share strategies.Expect to meet at least 75 of the most senior level executives from North America’s most successful and innovative travel agencies, hotels and OTAs. You’ll be shaking hands with Chief Digital Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, VPs/Heads/Directors of eCommerce, User Experience, Personalization and many more! | |
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April 3-4, 2024 |
Seattle, WA + Virtual | From Seattle to San Francisco, Vancouver to Boise, and beyond, the Pacific Northwest boasts remarkable destinations, venues, and suppliers that captivate audiences from all corners. Engage with industry frontrunners, absorb fresh perspectives, learn from esteemed speakers, and immerse in unique experiences crafted to spark inspiration for your next face-to-face event. #NWES2024. | |
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April 7-10, 2024 |
Orlando, FL | GMITE has been connecting the largest selection of high-volume meeting and incentive travel buyers with global suppliers since 2005. As the industry’s only one-to-one event held in private suites, GMITE selects locations that provide a powerful platform for productive one-to-one meetings in private suites tailored to specific business objectives. | |
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April 13-16, 2024 |
Minneapolis, MN | NPC24 is your ultimate ticket to connect with your professional community. Join us in the vibrant city of Minneapolis and immerse yourself in an inspiring network of peers that will empower you to analyze, imagine, and plan for the future of the planning profession. | |
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April 15-16, 2024 |
Singapore | The Business of Events is not just a conference; it’s a unique opportunity for our community to forge meaningful connections, engage in co-learning, and shape a new horizon. | |
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April 17-18, 2024 |
Singapore | The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is proudly brought to you by Northstar Meetings Group, a name synonymous with excellence in the MICE industry. This new show represents the expansion of the inaugural brand of The Meetings Show, which takes place annually in the UK and was launched in 2013. It continues to brings together thousands of UK and European event professionals, providing the face-to-face connections desired by both planners and suppliers. | |
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April 21-23, 2024 |
Montgomery, Texas | The premier hosted-buyer event designed to connect top suppliers and destinations with planners looking for creative solutions to elevate their small and boutique-sized meetings in the U.S. and beyond. | |
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April 24-26, 2024 |
Las Vegas, NV | EMS is designed to prepare you for what’s next. Hear from brand-side event marketers leading the ultimate three-day conversation. Commiserate with your peers and meet new partners inside our Hall of Ideas. Address your challenges and find the solutions you need to lead and thrive in the next era of experiential marketing. If experiential marketers are talking about it, we’re talking about it. | |
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April 28-30, 2024 |
Las Vegas, NV | The “must-attend” incentive, loyalty and motivation event welcomes you! The biggest trends, the biggest influencers, the biggest spenders – all come together for three highly productive days. |
May 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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May 1-2, 2024 |
Las Vegas, NV | Event Tech Live (ETL) is the only event portfolio dedicated to event technology. Our mission at Event Tech Live is to join global event professionals with the latest advances in Event Tech championing thought leadership and bringing together the community 365 days per year. | |
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May 14-16, 2024 |
Frankfurt, Germany | IMEX is where the global business events community comes together for four exhilarating days every year. Where more than 3,800 meeting planners meet with 2,900 suppliers from every corner of the globe. This is where powerful business connections that offer real ROI are made. | |
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Meeting Professional International World Education Congress (MPI WEC24) |
May 20-22, 2024 |
Louisvile, KY | There won’t be a more spirited event experience in 2024 than MPI’s WEC Louisville. Event professionals are our audience, so you know we’re getting this right. It’s future-focused, adventurous and built for honing your strategic event mindset. Our mantra: we take the event risks so you don’t have to. |
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May 21-23, 2024 |
Montréal, Canada | C2 Montréal meaningfully connects people and organizations from diverse backgrounds, fields and industries in order to drive development in all its forms. We believe that society is at the heart of business. Which is why we put people’s stories and perspectives at the centre of the conversation. | |
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May 27-29, 2024 |
Shanghai, China | ITB China is the leading B2B-Exclusive trade show focused on the Chinese Travel Market. At ITB China in Shanghai, we bring together top and hand-selected buyers from Greater China with industry professionals from all over the world. We provide various networking events and a unique state-of-the-art matchmaking system to enhance networking and maximize business opportunities at our travel expo. | |
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May 29-31, 2024 |
Raleigh, NC | The EsportsTravel Summit is the world’s largest gathering of esports tournament and video-game event organizers and the only event focused on the travel side of the esports industry. | |
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May 29, 2024 |
Washington, DC | For 22 years, through every business cycle, ECEF has connected executives at associations and independent organizers to information they use immediately. Take away actionable ideas and valuable contacts that will benefit your brand, your event, your organization, and your career. | |
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May 2024 |
TBA | Destination West is the premier hosted-buyer event for qualified meetings and incentive professionals sourcing programs in the West. Formerly Discover Colorado, Destination West will also include other destinations and hotels in the Western U.S. |
June 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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June 18-20, 2024 |
London, UK | Join sporting-event rights holders, destinations and suppliers at ExCeL London for an exclusive opportunity to network, share insights, and learn about the latest trends and best practices in sports events. | |
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Emerging Leaders |
June 2024 |
TBA | Emerging Leaders is dedicated to connecting the next generation of leading meeting and incentive planners with suppliers they’ll rely on throughout their careers. |
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June 2024 |
TBA | The first – and only – meetings industry event exclusively designed for planners who are sourcing meetings at venues that can support all of their needs – all in one place, under one roof. |
July 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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NACE Experience Conference for Catering and Events |
July 21-23, 2024 |
Denver, CO | Engaging in Experience means immersing yourself in education that adds value to your professional journey.Here’s a glimpse of what awaits you:
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July 22-24, 2024 |
Atlanta, GA | The premier global event for the business travel industry where diverse voices come together for a common purpose.
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July 28-31, 2024 |
Portland, OR | GuestX is a one-of-a-kind conference for everyone invested in crafting an exceptional, safe and extraordinary guest experience. GuestX provides attendees with invaluable content via skills based workshops and networking sessions that empowers them to put newly gained expertise into immediate action. | |
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July 2024 |
TBA | Small & Boutique Meetings — Northstar’s premiere hosted-buyer event designed specifically for small and boutique-sized meetings — bringing together highly-qualified meeting buyers with destinations, hotels, DMCs and other suppliers ready to welcome smaller events. Attendees participate in one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments, gain industry insights from our guest speakers and network with this exclusive group. |
August 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Aug. 4-6, 2024 |
Seattle, WA | The Corporate Event Marketing Association advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. | |
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Aug. 5-7, 2024 |
Wichita, KS | The premier hosted-buyer event for Midwest suppliers to connect with meeting professionals sourcing programs throughout the Midwest. Meet with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs and venues from across the Midwest in prescheduled one-on-one appointments and network with your industry peers. | |
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Aug. 13-14, 2024 |
Toronto, Canada | Canadian Meeting + Events Expo (CMEExpo) is the largest, best attended and longest running meetings and events show in Canada. What began in 1991 as the Canadian Incentive Travel Symposium has grown to offer an incredible two days of valuable connections and education representing 200+ companies every year in downtown Toronto. | |
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Aug. 18-20, 2024 |
Point Clear, AL | Destination Southeast — Northstar’s destination-specific hosted-buyer event — brings together the most highly-qualified meeting and incentive buyers with top destinations, hotels/resorts, cruise lines, attractions, DMCs, DMOs and tourism offices from the Southeastern states | |
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Aug. 21-22, 2024 |
Mexico City | IBTM Americas is the trade show where the largest community of meeting & event planners, as well as Experience Creators from Mexico, Latin America, and North America come together with the aim to:
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Aug. 27-29, 2024 |
Milwaukee, WI | Join us as we gather thousands of meetings and events professionals from around the globe to get business done. At Connect Marketplace, you’ll have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with key decision-makers, learn from industry experts, network with like-minded peers, and discover intelligent event solutions on our innovative trade show floor. |
September 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sep. 5-7, 2024 |
Huntington Beach, CA | The leading hosted-buyer event for elite meetings and incentive professionals looking to book business in California will congregate with California’s top hotels, CVBs, DMCs and venues for three highly productive days. | |
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Sep. 11-14, 2024 |
Bahamas | The leading hosted-buyer event for top-level, prequalified meetings and incentive professionals looking to book business in the Caribbean. Participants will meet with the leading hotels, CVBs, DMCs and venues from the Caribbean for three highly productive days. | |
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Sep. 11-13, 2024 |
Mumbai, India | This 3-day business-to-business travel and tourism trade fair for India has been put together to bring different facets of the Indian Travel Market. | |
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Sep. 23-26, 2024 |
Anaheim, CA | TEAMS: TRAVEL, EVENTS AND MANAGEMENT IN SPORTS, is the world’s leading conference and expo for the sports-event industry. | |
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Sep. 30-Oct. 2, 2024 |
Barcelona, Spain | Convening EMEA is PCMA EMEA’s annual flagship event bringing together the global business events industry for an immersive 3-day programme in Europe.The event attracts 500+ business event leaders from over 40 countries to challenge each other and develop ways to move forward together. It is the platform to share knowledge, make meaningful connections, learn, do business, be inspired and to grow as an individuals, teams and organisations. |
October 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Oct. 7-10, 2024 |
Frankfurt, Germany | IMEX America is the largest trade show in the US for the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry. Our award-winning show brings the meetings industry together to do a year’s worth of business under one roof. | |
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Oct. 15-17, 2024 |
New York, NY | The Event Planner Expo 2024 is the premier conference for Event and Marketing professionals. This highly anticipated event draws top-tier executives, business owners, marketing experts, and event professionals. | |
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Oct. 16-17, 2024 |
London, UK | The Event Organiser Summit brings together senior event professionals and the suppliers who service them—this is where business is created and new relationships are built. | |
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Oct. 23-25, 2024 |
Singapore | Travel Tech Asia is where latest technologies, emerging trends, leading travel brands and innovative startups are all at one place to create the new possibilities of travel. From travel tech suppliers, innovative start-ups and leading travel brands who are at the forefront of the industry transformation, we welcome attendees from all levels of seniority across a wide range of disciplines and sectors in the travel industry. |
November 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Nov. 4-7, 2024 |
Killarney, Ireland | The global hosted buyer event for the incentive travel industry brings together the most highly-qualified incentive travel buyers with top hotels/resorts, cruise lines, DMCs, DMOs and tourism offices from around the world. | |
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Nov. 6-8, 2024 |
Los Angeles, CA | Connect West to meet one-on-one with top-notch meeting planners from around the region. This is the premier B2B conference for event professionals based in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Join us nd walk away with business leads and connections that only Connect events can provide. | |
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Nov. 11-13, 2024 |
Greenville, SC | The industry’s leading faith-based planners and suppliers gather in Greenville, S.C., for two days of one-on-one meetings, education, and networking. Come experience the power of personalized networking designed to help you get business done. | |
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Nov. 12-14, 2024 |
Las Vegas, NV | With wedding professionals from around the world, 200 exhibitors, and over 150 educational seminars, Wedding MBA is the must-attend event for wedding professionals looking to take their businesses to the next level. Find out the latest in business, tech, trends, and more during this three-day, resource-packed event. | |
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Nov. 19-21, 2024 |
Washington, DC | Connect D.C. is the ideal place to build lasting connections and business relationships for 2024 and beyond into 2025. Association, Corporate, Faith, and Medical event professionals will join in the nation’s capital for three days of highly-curated one-on-one appointments, networking, and education. | |
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Nov. 19-21, 2024 |
Barcelona, Spain | IBTM World is the leading global event for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry, taking place annually in Barcelona. Our event has one goal; to inspire the events world to deliver exceptional experiences for their customers. We bring together the global meetings industry, with everyone having that one common purpose – to meet the right people that can create better business results for their organisation. | |
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Nov. 20-22, 2024 |
Dallas, TX | This all-in-one event brings together the most active meetings and events professionals from across the region for engaging general sessions, informative round tables, one-on-one business meetings, and quality networking. | |
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Event Tech Live London |
Nov. 20-21, 2024 |
London, UK | Event Tech Live (ETL) is the only event portfolio dedicated to event technology. Our mission at Event Tech Live is to join global event professionals with the latest advances in Event Tech championing thought leadership and bringing together the community 365 days per year. |
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November 2024 |
TBA | The premier hosted-buyer event designed to connect top suppliers and destinations with planners looking for creative solutions to elevate their small and boutique-sized meetings in the U.S. and beyond. |
December 2024 Conferences for Event Planners
| Event Name | Event Date | Event Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 4-6, 2024 |
Woodlands, Texas | The premier hosted-buyer event for Southwest suppliers to connect with meeting professionals sourcing programs throughout the Southwest. Meet with the top hotels, CVBs, DMCs and venues from across the Southwest in prescheduled one-on-one appointments and network with your industry peers. | |
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December 2024 |
Dallas, TX | Exhibitions and events industry professionals attend this premier show to learn about the latest industry trends and technology, as well as network with professional peers. Lessons learned from fellow organizers and content provided from both inside and outside the industry will set you up for success in the coming years. |
Wrapping Up: The Best Conferences for Event Planners in 2024
These 2024 conferences for event planners provide the perfect opportunity to meet, connect, and be inspired by others equally passionate about event management and planning! We hope this list will help you find the event planner conferences that best suit your professional goals.
You might also be interested in the following event directories:
- Education Events and Conferences
- Marketing Events and Conferences
- Technology Events and Conferences
- Top Event Agencies in the USA and Canada
- FinTech Events and Conferences
- Blockchain and Finance Events and Conferences
- Women-in-Tech Conferences
- AI Events and Conferences
Don’t see your 2024 conference for event planners on this page? Apply to have your event featured!
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance.
