May 30th, 2017 @ Michael Pinchera
There remains a litany of conferences for meeting and event professionals to receive education and valuable networking throughout the duration of 2017. Following are highlights, including events with hosted buyer programs (*), which can reduce or limit the cost of a planners’ attendance.
This list does not contain every single conference for event planners, but we feel that these are the main ones you should have on your radar. If you feel we are missing an exceptional conference, let us know about it and what makes it so great in the comments below!
June
FIEXPO Latin America*
June 5-7, Santiago, Chile
This gathering with exhibitors primarily representing Latin American destinations and services also included dozens of education sessions. Scheduled speakers include Nina Freysen-Pretorium, president of ICCA, and Rajeev Kohli, president of SITE.
CONFEC blue*
June 8-11, Marbella, Spain
In a results-oriented business setting, this event is designed to bring together top international agencies, corporate and incentive organizers to meet with international suppliers for a series of one-on-one meetings.
PCMA Education Conference
June 11-14, New York City, New York
Brought to you by the Professional Convention Management Association, scheduled speakers for this event include bestselling author Luke Williams and Loews Hotels Chairman Jonathan M. Tisch. Watch the 2016 conference wrap-up video for an idea as to what this year’s event will be like.
Cvent Connect
June 12-16, Las Vegas, Nevada
Expect approximately 2,000 participants. Last year boasted a 5:1 planner-to-exhibitor ratio. This year: Keynote speaker Jay Leno! Read more about the 2016 edition.
ibtm America*
June 14-16, Hollywood, Florida
Three-day North American event centered on one-on-one meetings between qualified planners and suppliers.
MPI’s World Education Congress*
June 19-22, Las Vegas, Nevada
The landmark annual event from MPI, the world’s largest industry for meeting and event professionals brings together more than 2,000 of your peers for industry-leading education and networking. What’ll it be like? Check out the top 15 things you missed at #WEC16.
Here is their promo video for this year.
Latin America Meetings & Incentive Travel Exchange*
June 19-23, La Antigua, Guatemala
An opportunity to engage with a wide variety of Latin American travel industry professionals. Highlights from the 2016 edition.
PYM Live
June 27, Charlotte, North Carolina
PYM LIVE Events are the fastest way for meeting and event planners to research meeting venues, network and learn from their peers, play with new event technology and establish important business relationships. Watch video testimonials of past editions.
July
ALSD Conference and Tradeshow
July 10-13, Miami Beach, Florida
For 27 years, this event full of networking, education and entertainment has constantly evolved. Expect more than 100 speakers and presenters, including bestselling author Jon Spoelstra. The Sports Sales Boot Camp (a “non-nonsense sports sales training course”) and the Sports Venue Design & Build Forum run concurrently with the ALSD Conference and Tradeshow.
GBTA Convention
July 15-19, Boston, Massachusetts
A gathering of 7,000+ business travel professionals seeking education, networking and news on the latest industry innovations. This year’s convention includes speakers Gen. David Petraeus and Olympian Michael Phelps.
PYM Live
July 27, Denver, Colorado
PYM LIVE Events are the fastest way for meeting and event planners to research meeting venues, network and learn from their peers, play with new event technology and establish important business relationships. Watch video testimonials of past editions.
August
IAVM VenueConnect 2017
August 7-10, Nashville, Tennessee
VenueConnect hosts professionals from a spectrum of public assembly venues including arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, fairgrounds, performing arts centers, stadiums, universities and more, for 80+ education sessions. Read about the conference’s re-branded strategy.
ILEA Live 2017
August 10-12, Calgary, Canada
From the International Live Events Association, this is billed as “an educational and collaborative experience for creative event professionals to strengthen their creative output, sharpen their business strategies and find inspiration.”
ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition
August 12-15, Toronto, Canada
This annual event features networking and education opportunities and more than 400 exhibitions with which to engage. Scheduled speakers include Nilofer Merchant, fellow of the Martin Prosperity Institute, and Nyle Dimarco, a past winner of America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars.
Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange*
August 13-16, Montego Bay, Jamaica
An event consisting of scheduled meetings between pre-qualified North American meeting planners and incentive buyers and Caribbean suppliers.
IncentiveWorks
August 22-23, Toronto, Canada
Billed as “the largest meeting and events industry trade show and conference in Canada,” this event is centered on education. Scheduled speakers include Event Manager Blog editor Julius Solaris and trend spotter Seth Mattison. Check out some highlights from the 2016 IncentiveWorks.
ibtm China*
August 23-24, Beijing, China
Designed as a gathering where industry decision makers do business. Attendees are Chinese and international planners.
PYM Live
August 30, New York City, New York
PYM LIVE Events are the fastest way for meeting and event planners to research meeting venues, network and learn from their peers, play with new event technology and establish important business relationships. Watch video testimonials of past editions.
September
ibtm Latin America*
September 6-7, Mexico City, Mexico
A hosted-buyer program and series of one-on-one meetings, with aspirational education,” the event is said to bring together more than 380 suppliers and 6,400 planners.
SITE Classic
September 13-16, Los Cabos, Mexico
A blend of incentive travel buyers and industry suppliers that come together for three days of business networking, education and activities that showcase the destination.
PYM Live
September 20, Dallas, Texas
PYM LIVE Events are the fastest way for meeting and event planners to research meeting venues, network and learn from their peers, play with new event technology and establish important business relationships. Watch video testimonials of past editions.
IT&CMA Asia
September 26-28, Bangkok, Thailand
A combo event of Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia and Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific, this is the only double-billed industry event in the Asia-Pacific region. If your work matches any of the above buzzwords, check it out. Watch a sizzle reel from 2016
October
SITE Young Leaders Conference
October 8-9, Las Vegas, Nevada
Scheduled to take place immediately prior to IMEX America, this event is designed as an opportunity for Millennials to meet each other and learn to help those pursuing a career in the incentive travel industry.
IMEX America*
October 10-12, Las Vegas, Nevada
With more than 12,000 participants last year representing all facets of the global meeting and event industry, many rightfully argue that IMEX America is the can’t-miss show. Before you go, read our 10 essential IMEX America hosted buyer tips.
Watch the promo video from 2016
PYM Live
October 18, Houston, Texas
PYM LIVE Events are the fastest way for meeting and event planners to research meeting venues, network and learn from their peers, play with new event technology and establish important business relationships. Watch video testimonials of past editions.
ITB Asia
October 25-27, Singapore
This B2B show is designed to become the primary event for the Asia-Pacific travel industry, welcoming all sectors, including small and medium-sized businesses. Last year, ITB Asia reported more than 10,000 attendees from 110 countries.
November
PYM Live
November 15, Ottawa, Canada
PYM LIVE Events are the fastest way for meeting and event planners to research meeting venues, network and learn from their peers, play with new event technology and establish important business relationships. Watch video testimonials of past editions.
IAEE Expo! Expo!
November 28-30, San Antonio, Texas
This show emphasizes thought leadership and best practices in unique learning environments. It’s “the show for shows.”
ibtm World*
November 28-30, Barcelona, Spain
More than 15,000 industry professionals come together for networking and education in ibtm’s premier annual event. Explore some highlights from last year’s ibtm world
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