If you weren’t binge-watching addictive shows on Netflix 24/7, you might have elected to pick up a new skill during the pandemic. A lot of people took advantage of the gift of time—a silver lining of the past 2+ years. Suddenly, a lot of folks were on a quest to elevate their knowledge and round out their resume. For many, video conferencing satiated our craving to feel connected and productive. We kept a finger on the pulse of the ever-changing digital landscape by keeping a finger on a mouse button.
This year is no different, though many conferences are beginning to return to in-person venues. Ready to load up your Google calendar with some of the best 2022 marketing conferences? Peruse our list below to find out where you’re heading next—even if it’s to your kitchen table to tune in virtually.
March
Social Media Marketing World Conference 2022
In-person, Remote Livestream, On-demand Recordings
San Diego, CA
March 14-16,2022
$797-$1,697
This conference, put on by SocialMediaExaminer.com, includes keynote topics such as Social Marketing Trends; The Metaverse; The Logic of Emotion; The Future of Marketing; and Web 3.0. The conference covers organic social marketing, paid social marketing, content marketing, social strategy, and also features workshops on specific niche topics. In a nutshell, this is where the real social media power players huddle and network. We think the best thing about this conference is the extensive speaker lineup! Take a virtual tour here.
Adobe Summit – The Digital Experience Global Conference
100% Virtual
March 15-17, 2022
(Americas: March 15/16, 2022)
Cost: Free
Spoiler alert: Ryan Reynolds is a speaker! There are also over 200 other speakers hailing from IBM, Victoria’s Secret, Marriott International, Mattel Inc, Dell Technologies, Walgreens, LinkedIn, and other major brands, as well as many speakers from Adobe. There are actually 10 thoughtfully-themed tracks which include B2B Marketing, Digital Commerce, and Customer Data Management. You’ll find topics having to do with trends and inspiration, collaborative work management, omnichannel marketing and optimization, customer journey analytics, and more. You can even chat live with presenters during their sessions. Register here! This conference is so massive, we think it’s best to start with the FAQ page.
SEERFEST 2022: Do Good, Do Well
100% Virtual
March 16/17, 2022
$25-The sky’s the limit
What we love about this conference—other than it’s 100% online and 100% convenient—is that 100% of the proceeds goes to Seer’s charity partners. Seer is a digital firm focusing on SEO, PPC, and analytics located in Philadelphia, PA and San Diego, CA. Get ready to explore the latest consumer trends, the importance of purpose-driven marketing, and successful tactics to combat market saturation in the digital space. Speakers hail from Google, Adobe, and more. Whatever you do, don’t miss the trailblazing Founder and VP of Innovation at Seer Wil Reynolds discussing “How to master your heart, brain and ego for better search marketing.”
April
Instagram Summit 2022 Presented by ManyChat
100% Virtual
April 5/6, 2022
Cost: Starter Pass is free
Early Bird Power Pass is $49
With inflation rising, it’s good to know that sometimes the best things in life really are free. This summit is perfect for social media marketers, influencers, content creators, and eCommerce brands and promises two packed days of stellar information. There’s even a virtual VIP after-party! Expect to learn new things in specific areas like outsmarting algorithms, converting low-ROI posts into attention-grabbing sales machines, cracking Instagram automation, and making connections of substance in a global community (8,000 attendees spanning 170 countries).
A Starter Pass gives you access to keynotes and breakouts as well as networking opportunities. The Power Pass will give you access to keynotes and breakouts as well as automation workshops. Included are also tutorials and guides, access to networking and parties, 6-month access to on-demand replays, and more.
May
AD WORLD
100% Virtual
May 2/3, 2022
Cost: $119-$272
Billed as “The world’s largest online advertising event,” the conference theme this year is How to Thrive in 2022. For two days, organizers will stream 10+ digital advertising tracks, consisting of hyper-focused keynotes, highly-vetted panels, and live Q&A sessions. We love the diversity of tracks at this epic conference, which include: The Metaverse and Web 3.0, Copywriting, Content Marketing, The Future of Advertising, Lead Generation, Ad Creatives and Design, Media Buying, Conversion Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Growth Hacking, and Email Marketing and Automation. These superb tracks make it feel like eleven events in one.
The lineup of speakers is just as impressive: Arianna Huffington, Seth Godin, Rand Fishkin, and other heavy-hitters. Companies can buy a virtual booth at Ad World which also includes 3-5 complimentary tickets.
TECHSPO – Chicago
In-person
May 9/10, 2022
Chicago, IL
Cost: $0-$297
Billed as the place where business, tech, and innovation intersect, this Technology Expo is where the next generation of advances in tech are showcased bringing together some of the best developers, brands, marketers, providers, designers, innovators, and disruptors— all looking to mix and mingle IRL. Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech & SaaS (software as a service) exhibitors have the opportunity to show off their company’s products to consumers and the highest caliber investors. There will be tons of media, in-demand talent, and a chatty audience of tech enthusiasts looking to celebrate emerging brands and game-changing advancements. TECHSPO Chicago is part of DigiMarCon Midwest 2021 Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference (see #12 on our list). This event is where learning, theory, and inspiration take place. The TECHSPO floor is more hands-on— where testing, networking, and product interaction happen.
Social Media Week (#SMW) Presented by Adweek
In-Person + Virtual
New York, NY
May 9-11, 2022
Cost: $299-$749
It’s time to head to the city that never sleeps! At #SMW, you can spend three glorious days diving into the ever-changing formats around creativity and quality content and find out why collaboration with social creators is paramount in 2022. You’ll also examine the nebulous area between virtual reality and real-world reality, with quality instruction on how to successfully secure digital real estate in emerging spaces like VR, AR, live streaming, and experimental commerce. Last but certainly not least, you’ll learn about the paradigm shift to Web 3.0 creator economy and discover how to navigate serious issues around data privacy, online identity, and the powerful trifecta of marketers, creators, and consumers.
Attendees include B2B and B2C companies, Fortune 500 brands, agencies, small business owners, startups, freelancers, government, finance, higher ed, retail, and nonprofit. Topics include: How to get the most out of TikTok in 2022, How Brands Can Develop & Scale Short Form Video Skills, Storytelling for Paid Social, and more.
September
INBOUND 2022 Hosted by Hubspot
Virtual (September 7-9, 2022)
In-Person (September 6-9, 2022)
Boston, MA
Cost: free-$1,499
This fully-immersive, online experience is your gateway to business trends of the future, robust and useful conversations, and use-when-you-return-to-the-office legit takeaways. You’ll connect with thousands of global attendees and leaders across industry verticals to collectively unpack amazing things that you might have never known existed. Expect session topics such as How Successful Brands Create Video Content, Community Building with Customers, and Email Myths Busted – What’s Really Working Now?
Sessions were built with remote work in mind (woo-hoo!) and learning is really convenient as well as cost-saving. Check out the various levels of admittance and register here. Be sure to follow #INBOUND on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all of the latest updates and details.
Content Marketing World Conference + Expo
Virtual + In-person
September 13-16, 2022
Cleveland, OH
Cost: TBD Click here to be notified about future pricing.
Expect 3,000+ attendees and 225 speakers at this popular conference where there seems to be a palpable spark in the air—it’s just plain fun. Think 100 sessions, workshops, and industry forums presented by the leading brand marketers and experts from around the world paired with networking time and entertaining events to enable you to connect with other attendees. This event covers every aspect of content marketing, including content creation, visual storytelling, branded content, content distribution, demand gen, and more (20+ more topics, to be exact). Attendees typically include brand and agency content marketing leaders and practitioners in any function and all industries.
October
Button – The Content Design Conference
In-person
Seattle, WA
October 10-12, 2022
Cost: TBC
If you lie awake at night dreaming about how to make content in digital products and services better for all, then Button is for you. We recommend joining their mailing list to be alerted to all details when they are ready for public consumption (cost). Expect to learn a lot about the state of content design, UX writing, and product content strategy from those who are top in the field. Expect keynotes, panel discussions, breakaway sessions, and fireside chats that will inspire. There are also fun, social activities planned. You can check out the Button Speakers and sessions from 2021 here to give you an idea of the topic mix and pedigree of speakers. Never heard of this one? That’s okay. Button made its debut virtually in 2020.
Digital Summit
In-person + Post-event Recordings
Chicago: TBD (2021 held in October)
Other Major U.S. cities: visit this link to see map
Cost: $297-$397
The big news is that in-person Digital Summits are back! It’s a jam-packed 2 days of up-to-the-minute information that you can use as soon as you return to the office—and that alone is worth the price of admission. Each regional event feels like an off-the-charts national conference. Presenters include innovative thought leaders from Fortune 100 companies. The leading marketing-technology vendors also showcase new solutions for social media, email, advertising, hosting, content management, analytics, branding at this conference. See what’s included in your desired pass and also purchase tickets here.
November
DigiMarCon
World 2022
Virtual + On-Demand
November 17/18, 2022
$97-$297
In 2022-2023, Digital Marketing Conferences (DigiMarCon) continues its incredible growth, invading 40 cities worldwide across 18 countries—plus there’s an international cruise planned. In short, it’s the motherload—the largest Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition Series in the world.
Dig into topics like digital strategy, programmatic advertising, web experience management, usability/design, mobile marketing & retargeting, customer engagement, user acquisition, social media marketing, growth marketing tools, marketing & sales automation, product marketing & UX / UI, and more. There are so many in-person and online choices it can be a little overwhelming when you land on their site.
Can’t make the World 2022 Conference? Check out many other possibilities to partake in this conference like DigiMarCon Midwest 2022 (In-person + Virtual Chicago, IL May 9/10, 2022.)
Bottom Line?
Driven by specialty focuses, digital marketing is constantly shifting and growing. Now is the perfect time to dive into some of these suggested marketing conferences to ensure you stay up to date with the ever-changing industry. Bone up on new features of social media platforms. Dig into AR and VR. Demystify SEO. Learn more about the uncharted territory of the metaverse.
Our recommendation? Purchase your pass(es) now. Nearly all of the costs mentioned herein are subject to increase after early bird durations expire. Protip: Be sure to check the time zones of the conferences that interest you.
_____________________________________________________________
Want to engage directly with a team of marketing experts? We stay on top of the trends so you don’t have to. We can help! Reach out and let’s talk!
