The Ultimate Guide to SMB Conferences of 2020

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Have you already decided which of the countless conferences and events across the globe you want to attend in 2020?

Attending a marketing conference is a great opportunity to network,  present your ideas and work to others, learn about up-and-coming technology trends in the industry, meet new potential clients, and expand your knowledge.

There is no way we could tell you which conference is the best. There is no one size fits all answer; your business is unique and has distinct needs. Whatever your niche may be, try to find few events that fit your needs the most.

What to consider before choosing which event to attend:

1. Your goals vs. topics covered

Determine your goals and do your research. What are the topics that will be covered at the event, and what is the overall approach? Ask yourself if these topics are aligned with your goals. You don’t want to waste energy, time, and money on a conference that won’t be beneficial for your business. 

2. Your calendar and other obligations

Consider your other obligations. Preparing, traveling, and networking at conferences is very time-consuming. Taking a week away from your business at the wrong time could be a disaster. Which conferences are worth the time out of office?

3. Your budget and event location

Conferences can be costly. Considering accommodations and travel fees, some conferences might be less convenient than others. View the trip and all your spendings as an investment and make sure that it can be paid off.

4. Speakers and attendees

This is a huge one. Conferences are the best place to network and expand your business. Do not underestimate your preparation. Find out who is attending; it might be your favorite influencer, competitor, or a company you wish to collaborate with.

Learn how Nimble helps you to be effective and make the most of networking at a conference.

5. Schedule

Look at the conference schedule. Unfortunately, you can’t split yourself in half and be at two places at the same time. Study the schedule thoroughly. Divide your time between seminars, networking, and visiting exhibitor booths.

To stay as productive as possible and to manage your time efficiently, have someone else handle your urgent emails and set up lunch meetings or coffee dates. Don’t forget to take a break when you feel overwhelmed.

To help you choose which conference is right for you, we’ve created a guide to the biggest conferences for SMBs in 2020:

The Top Sales, Marketing, Tech, and Social Media Conferences of 2020

**This list is actively being updated on a regular basis in consideration of the coronavirus outbreak. If a conference is canceled or rescheduled, it will be updated on our post. Stay tuned for further updates. 

Social Media Marketing World

Type: Social Media Marketing

Date: March 1 – 3

Hashtag: #SMMW20

Location: San Diego, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Rev2020 hosted by Salesloft (virtual)

Type: Sales

Date:  Tuesday, March 10 at 1pm – 2pm ET

Hashtag:  #REV2020

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Sales 3.0

Type: Sales

Date: March 10-11

Hashtag:  #s30c

Location: Orlando, FL 

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

SaaStr Annual – (Rescheduled and merged with SaaStr Bi-Annual)

Type: Sales

Date: March 10 – 12

Hashtag: #saastrannual, #saastr

Location: San Jose, CA  

2020 Florida CIO Executive Leadership Summit

Type: Technology

Date: March 12

Location: Championsgate, FL

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

SXSWCanceled

Date: March 13-22

Hashtag#SXSW

Location: Austin, TX

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Gartner Digital Workplace Summit

Type: Technology, Workplace productivity

Date: March 16–17

Hashtag: #GartnerDWS

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

PRWeek Awards 2020

Type: PR

Date: March 19

Hashtag#PRWeekAwards

LocationNew York, NY

Click here for a list of all the finalists for the 2020 PRWeek US Awards.

Oracle Modern Customer Experience – (Virtual)

Type: Marketing, Sales

Date: free live broadcast on Tuesday, March 24 at 8:00 a.m.

Hashtag:  #ModernCX

Registrants of Oracle MBX will automatically receive a pass to Oracle OpenWorld Las Vegas 2020, September 21–24. Those who cannot attend in Las Vegas will be offered a full refund.

Connect Los Angeles

TypeCRE/Tech

DateMarch 26

Hashtag: #ConnectLA

LocationLos Angeles, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

VO Atlanta 2020

Type: Voiceover

DateMarch 26-29, 2020

Hashtag#VOATLANTA

LocationAtlanta, GA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Technology Solutions Conference & Expo  – Canceled

Type: Technology

Date: March 29– April 1

Location: Los Angeles, CA

MBA will automatically refund all registration, sponsorship, exhibit and affiliate space payments. If you booked a hotel room through the MBA online portal, you will not be charged.

LeadsCon 2020

Type: Lead Generation

Date: March 30 – April 1

Hashtag: #LeadsCon2020

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Adobe Summit – (Virtual) 

Type: Marketing

Date: March 29 – April 2

Hashtag: #AdobeSummit

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Digital Summit: Los Angeles

Type: Digital Marketing

Date: March 31 – April 2

Hashtag: #DSLA

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

I.CON

Type: Industrial real estate

Date: April 2-3

Hashtag:  #NAIOPicon

LocationHuntington Beach, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Digital Sales and Marketing World

Type: Sales, Marketing

Date: April 5-7

Hashtag:  #DSMW2020

Location: Hartford, CT

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Google Cloud Next ’20:  Digital Connect

Type: Technology

Date: April 6 – 8

Hashtag: #GoogleCloudNext 

Location: Livestream

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Leadership Summit 2020 – (Rescheduled)

Type: Sales

Date: April 14-16

New Date: August 18-20

Hashtag: #LS2020

Location: Chicago, IL

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

MarTech West

Type: Marketing

Date: April 15 – 17

Hashtag: #MarTechConf

Location: San Jose, CA 

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

ContentTech Summit

Type: Marketing

Date: April 20 – 22

Hashtag: #ContentTECH

Location: San Jose, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Content Marketing Conference

Type: PR

Date: April 21-23

Hashtag: #CMC2020

Location: Boston, MA 

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

CREtech

TypeCRE/Tech

DateApril 22-23

Hashtag: #CREtechaustin

Location: Austin, TX

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

TOPO Summit

Type: Marketing, Sales

Date:  April 23 – 24

Hashtag: #TOPOSummit

Location: San Francisco, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

CRM Evolution

Type: CRM

Date: April 27 – 29, 2020

Hashtag:  #CRMEvolution

Location: Washington, DC

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

CSO50

Type: Technology: risk

Date: April 27-29

Hashtag: #CSO50

Location: Scottsdale, AZ

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Conex

Type: Marketing

Date: April 28

Hashtag: #Conex

Location: San Francisco, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Sior TransACT 360

TypeIndustrial/office CRM, network

DateApril 28 – May 2

Hashtag#Transact360

LocationIndian Wells, CA 

Click here to access the schedule.

PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Conference

Type: PR

Date:  May 3–5

Hashtag: #CAPRSA

Location: Puerta Vallarta, Mexico 

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Gartner Tech Growth & Innovation Conference

Type: Technology

Date: May 11 – 13

Hashtag: #GartnerTGI

Location: San Diego, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

C3

Type: SEO, Content Marketing

Date: May 12 – 13

Location: New York, NY

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

SAPPHIRE NOW and AGUS Annual Conference

Type: SAP, Technology

Date: May 12 – 14

Hashtag:  #SAPPHIRENOW, #ASUG2020

Location: Orlando, FL

Click here to access a list of the sessions.

RECon

Type: CRE

Date: May 17 – 19

Hashtag: #CONFAB2020

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Click here to view the schedule.

Confab

Type: Content Strategy

Date: May 17-20

Hashtag: #CONFAB2020

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

BCTECH Summit

Type: Startup

Date: June 1st – 2nd

Hashtag:  #BCTECHSummit

Location: Vancouver, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Realcomm

Type: CRE/Tech

Date: June 3-4

LocationMiami, FL

Click here to access a list of advisors.

Marcus & Millichap / IPA Multifamily Forum: Southern California

Type: Multifamily

DateJune 4

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Commercial Real Estate Finance Council

Type: CRE

Date: June 8-10

Hashtag: #CREFC

LocationNew York, NY

Click here to access the conference program.

IABC World Conference

Type: Communications/PR

Date: June 14-17

Hashtag: #IABC20

Location: Chicago, IL

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

DigiMarCon Midwest 2020

Type: Digital Marketing

Date: June 17-18

Location: Chicago, IL

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Social Media Week LA

Type: Digital Marketing, PR

DateJune 17-18

Hashtag#SMWLA

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Spark + AI Summit

Type: Technology: AI

Date: June 22-25

Hashtag: #SparkAISummit

Location: San Francisco, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

BOMA

Type: CRE/Tech

Date: June 27-30, 2020

Hashtag: #BOMA2020

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Click here to access the conference program.

MozCon

Type: Marketing

Date: July 6-8

Hashtag: #MozCon

Location: Seattle, WA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

MGS New York 20

Type: Technology: mobile app

Date: July 16, 2020

Hashtag#MGS20

Location: New York, NY

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

MS Inspire

Type: MS Partner

Date: July 19-23

Hashtag:  #MSInspire

Location: Las Vegas, NV 

Tom Ferry Success Summit 2020

Type: Real Estate Training

Date: July 20

Hashtag: #tomferrysummit

LocationAnaheim, CA

Inbound

Type: B2B and B2C

Date: August 18-21, 2020

Hashtag: #INBOUND2020

Location: Boston, MA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers from last year.

 

VOcation NYC

Type: Voiceover

Date: September 11-13

Hashtag#VOcationNYC

Location: New York, NY

Click here to access a list of past speakers and judges.

Disrupt SF 2020

Type: Startup

Date: September 14-16

Hashtag: #DisruptSF

Location: San Francisco, CA

Click here to access a list of past speakers and judges.

CREW Network Convention

Type: CRE Network

Date: September 15-17

Hashtag: #crewconvention

Location: Austin, TX

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

B2B Marketing Expo

Type: Marketing

Date: September 16-17

Hashtag: #B2BMarketing20

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

Elevate

Type: Technology

Date: September 20-26, 2020

Hashtag: #ElevateTechFest#Elevate2020

Location: Toronto, CA

Click here to apply to become a 2020 speaker or check the list of 2019 conference speakers. 

Advertising Week

Type: Marketing, Tech

Date: October 5-8

Hashtag: #AWNewYork

Location: New York, NY

Click here to access a list of past conference speakers.

CRE.Converge

Type: CRE

Date: October 6-8

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Click here to access the agenda.

The Incite Marketing Summit

Type: Marketing

Date: October 13-14

Hashtag: #incitesummit

Location: New York, NY

Click here to access a list of past conference speakers.

Content Marketing World

Type: Content Marketing

Date: October 13-16

Hashtag: #CMWorld

Location: Cleveland, OH

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

MBA Annual Convention & Expo

Type: Real Estate Finance

Date: October 18-21

Hashtag: #mbaannual20

Location: Chicago, IL

Sior CREate 360

Type: Sale/Leasing of CRE

Date:  October 22-24

Hashtag: #CREate360

Location: Boston, MA

CoreNet Global Summit North America

Type: Corporate Real Estate

Date: October 25-28

Hashtag:  #CoreNetGlobalSummit

Location: Washington, DC

Mid-Atlantic Voiceover “Get Inspired”Conference 2020

TypeVoiceover

Date: November 6-8

Hashtag: #MAVO2020

Location: San Francisco, CA

Click here to access the conference schedule.

Dreamforce

Type: Technology

Date: November 9-12

Hashtag: #DF20

Location: San Francisco, CA

Click here to access a list of conference speakers.

ICSC New York Deal Making

Type: Retail Real Estate

Date: December 8-10

Hashtag: #ICSCNYDM

LocationNew York, NY

Click here to view the full schedule.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see, there are many conferences to choose from when planning your annual itinerary. In order to avoid wasting time, resources, and money, it’s crucial to do your research ahead of time and determine which conferences will help you get closer to your goals. We hope this list helps!