As events continue to evolve, staying up to date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices is essential. Attending the top event planning conferences in 2025 is a fantastic way for meetings and events professionals to sharpen their skills, gain fresh insights, and network with industry leaders.
Let’s explore a few of the most impactful event management conferences for event planners that offer a range of unique educational opportunities, hands-on experiences, and valuable networking sessions.
For event planners looking to advance their knowledge of event technology, keep up with industry trends, or learn innovative event strategies, these event planning conferences are guaranteed to provide valuable tools and takeaways to help you stay ahead in the dynamic landscape of event planning.
1. Experiential Marketing Summit 2025
Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS) is a unique experience that brings together planners and marketers looking for groundbreaking ways to engage their attendees and customers. After all, experiential marketing is where events and marketing collide with the goal of boosting consumer engagement.
EMS offers insights into the latest strategies event planners and trade show marketers are using to create memorable brand experiences and interactive events. Attendees have the opportunity to hear from brand-side event executives, network with peers, and build relationships with new partners.
You'll have a chance to learn from leaders at some of the most respected and prominent brands you know. With breakout sessions, Q&As, workshops, panel sessions, and more, you'll gain senior-level insights from industry mentors.
Where: Las Vegas, NV (In-person and virtual programming)
When: April 14-16, 2025
Why Attend?: This event brings together meeting planners, trade show teams, event executives, B2B and B2C marketers, experience designers, event technology gurus, and more. This is your chance to get answers to those burning questions: What are leading brands planning in the coming years? How are brand experiences adapting to changing markets? Find out at EMS.
2. Cvent CONNECT
Cvent CONNECT sets itself apart from other industry events through several key advantages, making it a must-attend for event planners. As a top-ranking event planning conference of 2025, Cvent CONNECT offers a comprehensive focus that brings together professionals from the meetings, events, and hospitality sectors, creating a distinctive environment and opportunity for cross-industry innovation and collaboration.
The conference features tailored learning tracks designed to meet the needs of those spanning a range of experience levels within the industry. This personalized approach ensures attendees can access content most relevant to personal challenges and areas in which they are seeking growth.
Cvent CONNECT provides numerous structured and informal networking opportunities, facilitating valuable connections between industry leaders, innovators, and peers that can lead to long-lasting partnerships and career mobility.
Cvent CONNECT stands out from other event industry conferences due to its deep integration of event technology with practical, actionable education. As one of the leading conferences for event professionals, Cvent CONNECT goes beyond just showcasing the latest tech by offering hands-on training, product demos, and real-world applications of these tools, allowing planners to gain practical experience and an understanding of how to use technology to streamline their own planning and enhance event experiences.
With a strong emphasis on practical application, Cvent CONNECT delivers actionable strategies and best practices that attendees can implement immediately in their work. This focus on real-world solutions further distinguishes the event as a comprehensive and forward-thinking experience that offers tangible value to those in event organization and planning roles.
Where: San Antonio, TX (In-person and virtual programming)
When: June 9-12, 2025
Why Attend?: Cvent’s premier event planning conference gathers the best minds in the industry to share the latest ideas and innovations in event management technology. This event features an abundance of networking opportunities, along with unique sessions and workshops tailored to event planners and marketers alike. Cvent CONNECT is your gateway to elevating your event planning skills, discovering cutting-edge solutions, and maximizing the success of your events.
3. IMEX America
IMEX America is a well-regarded event for professionals in the meetings, events, and incentive travel industry. The conference offers a comprehensive platform that brings together global suppliers and industry leaders, providing attendees with access to a vast network of destinations, venues, and service providers.
One of the key aspects of IMEX America is its extensive educational program, featuring over 150 sessions designed to enhance professional development. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and effective event strategies, equipping planners with the knowledge to elevate their events.
Much like any worthwhile event industry conference, IMEX America fosters a collaborative environment where attendees can engage with a global community of influential event managers, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices.
IMEX America stands out from other event planning conferences due to its comprehensive focus on both the strategic and experiential aspects of event planning. Unlike many other conferences that might focus primarily on technology or logistics, IMEX America offers a holistic approach to the event industry, integrating trends in sustainability, creativity, and innovation alongside practical tools and strategies for effective event execution.
Where: Las Vegas, NV (In-person)
When: October 7-9, 2025
Why Attend?: IMEX America represents a valuable investment with the opportunity to meet a diverse array of suppliers all in one space. This streamlines the networking process, providing new business opportunities while engaging in programming specifically tailored for corporate planners to gain targeted insights and connections that are directly applicable to their roles.
4. IAEE Expo! Expo!
This event management conference is particularly valuable for its extensive educational sessions, which cover diverse topics such as attendee engagement, sustainability, and event technology. These sessions are tailored to address the challenges and opportunities event planners face, making it an essential stop for those looking to enhance their strategic approach and planning their attendance at event planning conferences in 2025.
IAEE Expo! Expo! serves as a hub for networking opportunities by attracting professionals from across the globe, fostering connections between peers, exhibitors, and thought leaders who offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. Additionally, the hands-on exhibits and demonstrations allow attendees to experience the latest tools and services, ensuring they remain competitive in the ever-evolving event landscape.
One of the event's distinguishing features is its emphasis on creating a collaborative environment where planners can not only attend sessions but actively participate in discussions and workshops. This allows for more personalized learning experiences, where planners can engage with experts, ask questions, and tailor insights to specific challenges. It also offers the chance to explore specific niches within the industry, such as sustainability, diversity, and wellness in events, which are increasingly becoming top priorities for planners.
Setting itself apart from other event industry conferences, Expo! Expo! focuses on cross-industry networking, thereby drawing together a wide spectrum of attendees from many sectors of the event industry, including corporate planners, association organizers, and suppliers. This diversity creates a rich networking environment where planners can learn from different perspectives, expand their professional networks, and explore new ideas that may not be on their radar otherwise.
Where: Los Angeles, CA (In-person and virtual programming)
When: December 16-19, 2025
Why Attend?: IAEE's Expo! Expo! stands out from other expos due to its unique blend of educational depth, interactive learning opportunities, and a focus on the entire lifecycle of event planning. Unlike many other conferences that primarily focus on technology or sales, Expo! Expo! offers a comprehensive approach that includes strategic sessions on marketing, logistics, and operations, all tailored to the specific needs of event planners.
Tips for making the most of event planning conferences
While these conferences offer so many advantages to event planners, be sure you have a firm understanding of what you hope to gain from attending, both so you can choose the right event for your needs and to help justify your attendance to any higher-ups who need to give the green light.
Use these tips to make the most of any event management conference in 2025.
Define your goals
Before you go to a conference, take time to clearly outline what you hope to achieve. This may include networking with industry leaders, learning about new trends, seeking sponsors, or developing relationships that may lead to future partnerships. Having specific objectives will help you focus your efforts and make meaningful connections during the event.
Strategic networking
Leverage social media and conference platforms to identify key attendees and speakers you want to meet. Research their backgrounds and interests beforehand and consider reaching out to schedule meetings at the event. Initiating conversations around shared interests or industry trends can be a natural way to break the ice and maximize your networking potential.
Participate in interactive sessions
Get involved in workshops, breakout sessions, and group activities that encourage attendee interaction. Make time for informal settings that offer a more casual environment, thereby making it easier to build meaningful connections and engage in in-depth discussions.
Download our 2025 events calendar
2025 promises to be an exciting year for event planners seeking professional growth and networking opportunities—and we've only scratched the surface of the amazing events taking place for planners. With a diverse array of event planning conferences on the horizon, professionals can look forward to enhancing their skills and staying ahead of industry trends.
This year’s events will offer immersive experiences and explore the latest technologies, trends, and innovations, as well as strategic planning ideas and invaluable insights that can elevate your event planning expertise and help you thrive in the ever-dynamic event industry.
Download our full 2025 events calendar to learn about even more must-attend events for event planners.
