9 Examples of Outstanding User Conferences

Many of the most successful tech companies understand that a user conference can have a hugely positive impact on many different areas of a business. It provides the marketing team with an opportunity to form closer relationships with potential customers, the product team with vital customer feedback, and the user community that your business cares about empowering its customers to succeed.

Here are nine examples of the best and most successful user conferences to inspire your next user conference.

1. HubSpot’s INBOUND

HubSpot’s INBOUND conference is one of the most well-known, talked-about, and highly regarded user conferences in the world. The annual event brings together more than 24,000 attendees from around the world to learn about the latest trends and best practices in inbound marketing, sales, and customer success. 

The conference takes a real community-based approach, providing numerous opportunities for attendees to connect with other professionals in their industry, exchange ideas, and build relationships. INBOUND offers a variety of networking events, including meetups, parties, and interactive experiences, allowing attendees to make meaningful connections and expand their professional network.

INBOUND is also known for its inspiring and engaging keynote speakers, including Michelle Obama, John Legend, Gary Vaynerchuk, Shonda Rhimes, and others.

Want to learn more about how INBOUND was powered with the help of Bizzabo and our Klik Experiential SmartBadge™? Read the case study.

2. Salesforce’s Dreamforce

Dreamforce is Salesforce’s flagship event and the largest software conference in the world, with more than 40,000 attendees, 45 keynotes, and 1,700+ sessions in 2023. Dreamforce attracts some of the most influential figures in the tech industry as keynote speakers. Past speakers have included Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, former US President Barack Obama, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

The four-day event features hundreds of sessions, workshops, and keynotes focused on the future of technology and business. Dreamforce offers hands-on workshops and training sessions that allow attendees to deepen their knowledge and skills in the Salesforce ecosystem. Attendees can also earn certifications in Salesforce products and solutions.

But there’s more: The conference also strongly focuses on social responsibility and philanthropy. Salesforce organizes various events and initiatives during the conference to support charitable causes and give back to the community.

3. Atlassian Summit

Atlassian Summit is an annual event that brings together users of Atlassian’s suite of collaboration and productivity tools, including Jira, Confluence, and Trello. 

Attendees can choose from dozens of sessions and workshops focused on everything from agile development to IT service management. The event also includes an Innovation Zone, where attendees can meet with Atlassian experts and partners to learn about new products and services.

Atlassian Summit is an excellent opportunity for attendees to connect with other professionals who use Atlassian tools. The conference provides numerous opportunities for networking, including meetups, parties, and interactive experiences. Attendees can share ideas, learn from each other, and build relationships to help them in their careers and businesses.

4. Adobe MAX

Adobe MAX is an annual conference that brings together creative professionals from around the world to learn about the latest updates to Adobe’s suite of creative tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. 

Adobe MAX is hyper-focused on hands-on learning and skill-building. The conference offers a wide range of workshops, labs, and tutorials, allowing attendees to learn new techniques and sharpen their skills in graphic design, web development, video editing, and more.

Attendees also experience keynotes from industry leaders and a creativity expo where attendees can see the latest innovations in design and technology. Past speakers have included filmmaker Ava DuVernay, musician Tyler, The Creator, and designer David Carson, among others.

5. Google Cloud Next

Google Cloud Next is an annual conference that brings together developers, IT professionals, and business leaders to learn about the latest updates to Google’s cloud computing platform. Attendees can choose from hundreds of sessions, labs, and workshops on everything from machine learning to data analytics. 

The event also features keynotes from Google executives and industry leaders, as well as a solutions expo where attendees can see demos of the latest Google Cloud products and services.

6. VMware Explore 

Known as VMworld until a 2022 rebrand, VMware Explore is a conference that brings together IT professionals, developers, and business leaders to learn about the latest updates to VMware’s suite of virtualization and cloud computing products. Attendees can choose from hundreds of sessions, labs, and workshops on everything from data center modernization to cloud migration. 

Attendees also get to hear keynotes from VMware executives and industry leaders, as well as a solutions expo where attendees can see demos of the latest VMware products and services.

7. C2 Montréal

C2 Montréal is a conference focused on innovation and creativity. C2 Montréal is known for its unique conference approach, emphasizing collaboration and interactivity over traditional lectures and presentations. The event features a variety of experiences, including workshops, masterclasses, immersive exhibits, and networking sessions.

One of the standout features of C2 Montréal is its “labs,” which are collaborative sessions designed to spark new ideas and insights. These labs bring attendees from different backgrounds and industries to work together on real-world challenges and opportunities.

C2 Montréal also features a diverse lineup of speakers, including entrepreneurs, artists, and industry leaders. Past speakers have included actress and activist Jane Fonda, author Malcolm Gladwell, and artist and activist Ai Weiwei.

8. Collision

Collision is an annual tech conference that attracts more than 25,000 attendees from 170+ countries and features keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.

At the Collision conference, attendees can expect to hear from a diverse range of speakers, including entrepreneurs, investors, and executives from both established companies and startups. The conference covers a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, fintech, marketing, and more.

One of the standout features of the Collision conference is its startup program, which provides early-stage companies with the opportunity to showcase their products and services to potential investors and customers. The conference also features a pitch competition, where startups can compete for cash prizes and other resources.

9. The Next Web Conference

The Next Web Conference is an annual conference that focuses on the latest trends in technology, media, and business. The conference attracts over 12,000 attendees from around the world and features keynotes, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.

The conference is known for its startup program, which provides early-stage companies with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors, receive feedback from industry experts, and connect with potential partners and customers. The event also features an exhibition floor, where attendees can explore the latest products and technologies from various companies and startups.

Editor’s note: This was first published in 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevance.