Note: This was originally published on June 12, 2014 but reviewed and updated on June 27, 2017.

I love our industry and it's great to see there are more and more events and conferences popping up for our own folk.

Interestingly enough June and November seem to be particularly busy for the events world. Fortunately there's a good variety of them, some of which are more marketing related, that we all should put in our diaries and make a point of attending.

The weather is finally hotting up and so are the events out there for events and conference marketing professionals - here goes our top list in no particular order.

Specific events for event profs:

1. PPA Connect Live

This one-day networking event aims to help people connect with each other by facilitating a variety of high-energy networking and engagement opportunities, with content designed to support those working in operations, marketing, sales, and content roles.

#PPAConnectLive

2. SISO Executive Leadership Conference

Rub shoulders with fellow show organizers who run and market some of the most important trade and consumer shows in the world.  They will also have the "Event Innovation Battlefield" taking place where hopeful founders and entrepreneurs will give their unseen startup companies the opportunity to launch at the event.

#SisoOrg
>Best suited for: CEO's/MD's/Heads of Dept from event organisations

3. IBTM World

The worldwide IBTM event series showcases the global meetings, events, and incentives industry. Experience three inspirational days of business, networking and education to a community of international suppliers and buyers, helping drive your business into the future.

#ibtmworld
>Best suited for: MD's/CEO's/Heads of Dept/event marketers

4. Event Technology Live

Another event that's focusing on the technology out there for the industry. The event will explore themes including: hybrid / virtual events, technology for conferences/exhibitions, technology for marketing an event and building event attendance. The great thing is it's free to attend (so we should expect lots of exhibitors!).

#ETL17
>Best suited for: event planners/operations/marketers interested to learn what are the latest technlogy trends for the events industry

5. The Conference Summit

An annual event previously known by our folk as "The Conference for Conference Organisers" specifically designed for event and conference organisers and nicely tackles both opportunities and challenges for the industry. It's tailored more for the senior conference professional and whilst it's not marketing specific, they do cover marketing related issues. It's an important event for the industry and nice to see we're less cloak and dagger these days! A great place to bump into the competition.. I mean like-minded organisations.

#confsummit
>Best suited for: MD's/CEO's/Heads of Dept of conference companies including marketing 

6. UFI Global CEO Summit

This gathering organised by the Global Association of Exhibition Industry takes place each year in late January/early February. Only the CEOs or equivalent of global exhibition organising companies are permitted to attend - so if you want to meet with the creme de la creme of the exhibition industry this is the one for you.

#UFILive
>Best suited for: CEO's/MD's

7. International Confex

An exhibition for event organisers that predominantly connects destinations, venues and support service suppliers. A good place to source all the essentials for planning your event. Whilst it's not a must attend for the event marketers out there, your project, operations or production teams might want to pop in.

#LoveConfex
>Best suited for: Event planners/operations/production

8. Event Marketing Summit

The essential tool-kit to improve your event marketing strategy and grow your events business - the annual Event Marketing Summit offers inspirational case study presentations, discussions on best practices and actual experiences, and networking with marketing professionals. A new approach or technique picked up at this event pays huge dividends for all types of event organisations.

#EventMarketingSummit
>Best suited for: Event marketers/senior execs who want to network and improve their strategies 

9. IMEX Exhibitions

With annual events in America and Frankfurt, the IMEX Group holds the landmark exhibition for professionals working within the incentive travel, meetings and events industry. With speakers, educational events, countless opportunities to connect - this is something to keep your eye on.

#IMEX17
>Best suited for: Professionals working within the incentive travel, meetings and events industry

10. Techsytalk LIVE

As one of the industry's most acclaimed Event Tech conferences, uniquely for planners, by planners, techsytalk LIVE is designed to address planners' pain points, discuss innovative ideas and best practices, and network with high-caliber planners.

#techsytalk
>Best suited for: Event planners who "hustle HARD, yearn to learn, and have a healthy phobia of death by boredom"

11. BizBash Live 2017

The annual trade show and conference for event professionals hosted by BizBash is packed with incredible new activations, innovative new vendors, inspiring new education, and so much more. It's the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and create lasting relationships.

#BizBash
>Best suited for: Event marketers/senior execs interested in various industries and innovations 

12. European Meetings & Events Conference

Hosted by the Meeting Professionals International (MPI), EMEC is an environment that brings planners and suppliers together to collaborate, solve problems and confront challenges head-on. Enjoy an immersive learning experience that gives you new ideas, keeps you current on industry trends and creates new pathways and opportunities for your events and your career. You can even take your Level 1 of the Certificate in Event Design whilst at the event!

#EMEC17
>Best suited for: Event planners and suppliers who enjoy innovation 

13. EventTech by EventMarketer

Not to be confused with the previously mentioned Event Tech Live, this marketing technology conference offers 100 classes, 500 technologies, and unlimited ideas. Learn about using social media and technology to enhance live experiences from the top marketing technologists.

#EventTech2017 
> Best suited for: Marketers interested in learning different ways to utilise social media and technology

And other events for B2B Marketers but highly relevant for event professionals:

1. The Festival of Marketing

This event is a real celebration of the marketing industry "in all its digital and non-digital glory" as eConsultancy like to put it. There is always a dedicated stream on "B2B - The sales and marketing pipeline" which is great news for the B2B events marketers. 

#FoM17
>Best suited for: Event marketers

2. Future of Digital Marketing

The event explores new digital trends and brings together about 300 senior digital professionals. A great event for marketers looking to get ideas and inspiration outside the events industry - although a lot of the content is probably more geared for B2C. 

#fodm
>Best suited for: Event marketers/ B2B Marketers keen understand what "Digital" is all about. Mostly consumer brands are featured at this event

3. B2B Ignite

4. Marketing Week Live

The event is free to attend and has a revamped look and feel to it with content to match we hope. Cherry pick the sessions you want to pop into .. we're liking the look of The Guardian, IDM and eConsultancy sessions. 

#MWL17
>Best suited for: Event marketers/B2B Marketers, this event is mostly B2C

If your agenda is just too busy to attend some of these key events, but you still want to know what everyone is talking about especially at the networking sessions, then check out our "11 Predictions for the events and conference industry for the near future" based on keeping our own ears to the ground over the past months. 

There you have it. If you think there is a particular event we've missed out, please send it our way and we will consider adding it to the list.