The new year is upon us, which means event planners like you are looking ahead to an action-packed year. Fortunately, the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) industry has an exciting event schedule to support event professionals. With so many upcoming conferences to attend in 2019, you’re bound to find one close in proximity with relevant and fresh content guaranteed to inspire and help you achieve your 2019 goals.
Keep reading for the calendar of event professional conferences around the world, starting in March 2019. You can also do a quick skim based on your industry to see if there’s an event tailored to your field. The biggest conferences like IMEX and MPI WEC made the list below, along with some new events making waves in their respective industries.
March 2019 Event Planning Conferences
Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I) – March 24-27
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Industry: Higher Education Event Planning
Are you a collegiate event planner? This event unites 1,500 educational event professionals – just like you – from around the world. Guests can attend special interest sessions, roundtable discussions and roam the Expo Hall with relevant, trending products and trade show services specific to collegiate events.
ACUI Annual Conference – March 24-28
Indianapolis, Indiana
Industry: Higher Education Event Planning
Each year, ACUI invites college union and student activities professionals to network and learn at this event. Not only will guests be able to attend informative classes, they’ll also have access to behind-the-scenes tours of Indiana University, Lucas Oil Stadium, Butler University, Indy Brew Bus, Marriot Back-of-House and Foodservice, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
CBI Pharma Forum – March 24-27
New York, New York
Industry: Life Sciences Event Planning
Considered to be one of the largest events in the world, the CBI Pharma Forum is the go-to event for the life sciences field. Thought leaders will host sessions that teach guests all about conference trends specific to the pharma industry. You can expect three action-packed days with unmatched educational content and over 700 industry peers.
May 2019 Event Planning Conferences
C2 Montréal – May 22-24
Montréal, Quebec
Industry: General Event Planning
This three-day event is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and leaving the conference feeling completely inspired. Although there aren’t any trade show booths or exhibitors, C2 Montreal brings together visionaries and forward-thinkers from around the globe to help companies learn about future trends and identify their blind spots. Let the numbers speak for themselves:
- 6500+ participants
- 50+ countries represented
- 20+ industries
June 2019 Event Planning Conferences
Meeting Professional International World Education Congress (MPI WEC) – June 15-18
Toronto, Ontario
Industry: General Event Planning
As the world’s largest MICE association, MPI serves as the industry leader in the general event planning field. Guest speakers range from scientists, artists and business leaders who encourage guests to design experiences, not just meetings. In addition, some event planners may even qualify for a free ticket to one of the industry’s most epic events.
The Meetings Show – June 26-27
Olympia, London
Industry: General Event Planning
The Meetings Show is not a televised sitcom, but rather the best platform in the United Kingdom for the MICE industry. Over 4,500 professionals, 600 global vendors, and countless networking events make this the perfect event for conference planners.
July 2019 Event Planning Conferences
IAVM VenueConnect – July 21-24
Chicago, Illinois
Industry: Stadium, Convention Center, Amphitheater, Festival, Collegiate Planning
The 94th annual VenueConnect event will host 1,500 planners specifically from the public assembly sector. Most attendees are Executive Directors or GMs, followed by Directors and Managers, and a small portion are coordinators. Don’t miss this unique networking and educational opportunity if you’re in this field!
August 2019 Event Planning Conferences
Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention – August 3-7
Chicago, Illinois
Industry: Business Travel Planning
If you’re in the business travel industry, this is the event you can’t afford to miss. 7,000 professionals from 50 countries come together to see over 400 exhibitors and take part in hundreds of educational and professional development classes.
International Live Events Association (ILEA) Live – August 8-10
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Industry: Creative Event Planning
ILEA Live strives to inspire guests to collaborate and strengthen their creative output. Throughout the conference, attendees will be encouraged to network, enhance their strategies and get inspired for their next event.
September 2019 Event Planning Conferences
IMEX America – September 9-12
Las Vegas, Nevada
Industry: General Event Planning
As the trendsetter in the event meetings field, IMEX is the go-to event in the continental United States. 3,500 exhibitors, 6,300 guests, and brilliant speakers come from around the globe to discuss and discover the MICE trends on the horizon.
Skift Global Forum – September 25-26
New York, New York
Industry: Meetings, Travel, and Hospitality Planning
Acknowledged by past attendees as the “TED of Travel” conferences, this year’s event will be the company’s 5th annual conference, which has grown to over 1,100 attendees from over 40 countries. Here, marketers, strategists and technologists all come together to redefine the future of travel.
October 2019 Event Planning Conferences
The Event Expo – October 2-3
New York, New York
Industry: Events and Hospitality Planning
Are you local to New York City? If so, be sure to attend this two-day event at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The city’s biggest names in event planning gather under one roof to create new relationships and acquire new clients. Meet with over 150 exhibitors, listen to inspirational speakers and network with other New York companies to help advance your career in this industry.
As the year wraps up, don’t forget to look ahead and research event planning conferences that typically take place in the early months of the year. Here are a few that might be just what you need to start 2020 on the right foot.
- PCMA Convening Leaders
- Academic Event Professionals (AEP)
- The Special Event (TSE)
- Association of Desination Management Executives Internationsl (ADMEI)
- CatersourceÒ
- International Confex
If you’re attending one of these events as an exhibitor, don’t forget about your trade show booth! Contact Exhibitus today to learn about our custom exhibit options and how we can help you get ready for these 2019 upcoming events!