16 Event Planning Conferences To Help You Innovate In 2025
Staying on top of trends and networking with peers is essential for the success of event managers and professionals in the hospitality industry. The year 2025 offers an exciting lineup of event and hotel conferences that cater to various aspects of event management and hospitality. Each conference has its unique offerings, from innovative technology showcases to in-depth industry insights, making them valuable for anyone looking to enhance their skills and business.
Whether you're looking to enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, or stay ahead in a competitive market, these conferences have got you covered.
Best Event Planning Conferences 2025 Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best event planning conferences I think are worth attending in 2025:
- Connect NYC 2025 - New York City, NY (February 19-21, 2025)
- Catersource + The Special Event - Fort Lauderdale, FL (February 24-27, 2025)
- International Confex - London, UK (February 26-27, 2025)
- Event Production Show - London, UK (February 26-27, 2025)
- Northwest Event Show - Seattle, WA (March 26-27, 2025)
- 2025 National Planning Conference - Denver, CO (March 29-April 1, 2025)
- Connect Spring Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV (April 22-24, 2025)
- Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum - Washington, DC (May 28, 2025)
- Small & Boutique Meetings - Spring - Burlington, VT (June 1-3, 2025)
- CEMA Summit 2025 - Austin, TX (July 27-29, 2025)
- Canadian Meeting + Events Expo (CMEExpo) - Toronto, Canada (August 12-13, 2025)
- TEAMS ‘25 Conference & Expo - Columbus, OH (October 13-16, 2025)
- Event Organisers Summit - West Drayton, UK (October 13-14, 2025)
- Event Planner Expo 2025 - New York, NY (October 14-16, 2025)
- Event Tech Live London - London, UK (November 12-13, 2025)
- Expo! Expo! 2025 - Houston, TX (December 8-10, 2025)
Best Event Planning Conferences Of 2025
Below are my summaries of the best event planning conferences on my shortlist. My reviews look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offerings.
1. Connect NYC 2025 - New York City, NY (February 19-21, 2025)
- Dates: February 19-21, 2025
- Location: New York Marriott Marquis, New York City, NY
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: Connect NYC 2025
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, X
Overview:
Connect NYC is an on-site, high-impact conference for event professionals, meeting planners, and hospitality suppliers. It integrates targeted educational programs that address event planning challenges, venue sourcing, and attendee engagement.
Why you should attend:
This three-day event will offer exclusive one-on-one appointments to engage with key decision-makers and suppliers. It will feature educational sessions to address local trends and challenges, specifically in the NYC market, and actionable event industry strategies. It emphasizes networking in an intimate setting for meaningful interactions and connections and will host the BizBash 25th Anniversary Celebration for a festive environment.
2. Catersource + The Special Event - Fort Lauderdale, FL (February 24-27, 2025)
- Dates: February 24-27, 2025
- Location: Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Pricing: Starts at $139
- Website: Catersource + The Special Event
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
Overview:
Catersource + The Special Event 2025 is a three-day immersive conference with educational sessions led by industry experts, two days of tradeshow floor with the latest innovation, and keynote sessions from guest speakers. It offers opportunities to network, actionable strategies, and innovative practices.
Why you should attend:
This annual conference will feature over 150 educational programs covering catering event trends, event design, business and professional development, sustainability, and health and safety. You can expect to witness the DICED Competition, where culinary professionals showcase their skills, and the Tablescape Competition for innovative event design. Additionally, the Hands-On Hundred Program allows you to experience volunteering on the set-up, on-site logistics, and tear-down for social events.
3. International Confex - London, UK (February 26-27, 2025)
- Dates: February 26-27, 2025
- Location: ExCeL London, London, UK
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: International Confex
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X
Overview:
The International Confex 2025 is for event organizers, planners, and suppliers to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest innovations in the events industry. It features over 200 exhibitors, a diverse range of educational sessions and workshops, and numerous networking opportunities to build relationships with peers and industry professionals.
Why you should attend:
The event will hold interactive workshops, product demonstrations, and discussions on event marketing, sustainability, diversity, event technology, community engagement, and risk management. There are also speed networking sessions to facilitate quick and effective connections with suppliers and venues.
4. Event Production Show - London, UK (February 26-27, 2025)
- Dates: February 26-27, 2025
- Location: ExCeL London, London, UK
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: Event Production Show
- Social Media: Instagram, LinkedIn
Overview:
The Event Production Show is the UK's leading and must-attend conference for event professionals delivering live events across music, sport, and culture. It is a hub for event organizers, promoters, producers, and agencies to discover the latest products and services that enhance the future of event delivery.
Why you should attend:
This annual conference addresses key industry challenges, including sustainability, crowd management, safety, creativity, attendee experience, supply chain issues, diversity, and technology. It will host interactive workshops, product demonstrations, and over 50 sessions covering the hottest topics and biggest challenges the event industry is facing today and over the next season. It will help you ensure you are delivering projects to the highest standards across creativity, engagement, and crowd safety.
5. Northwest Event Show - Seattle, WA (March 26-27, 2025)
- Dates: March 26-27, 2025
- Location: Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA
- Pricing: Starts at $99
- Website: Northwest Event Show
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Northwest Event Show’s (NWES) 2025 theme emphasizes the significance of human connections in propelling success for business owners. It has over 250 suppliers with innovative event services and sessions by industry thought leaders to enhance professional growth.
Why you should attend:
This in-person event will focus on fostering human connections, providing a platform for long-lasting relationships, and discovering innovative event services. It will include activities such as “Culinary Connections” for registered event planners to enhance networking opportunities and a trade show hall with suppliers, exhibitors, and the latest solutions to elevate your events. It will also host educational sessions, covering advances in event technology, sustainability, event space design innovations, and AI and automation in event planning.
6. 2025 National Planning Conference - Denver, CO (March 29-April 1, 2025)
- Dates: March 29 - April 1, 2025
- Location: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
- Pricing: Starts at $135
- Website: 2025 National Planning Conference
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The 2025 National Planning Conference is a premier event for urban planners, policymakers, and professionals shaping the events industry. It offers hundreds of sessions across key event planning areas, networking opportunities, and innovative content curated through peer review.
Why you should attend:
This year’s conference will highlight new planning methodologies, data-driven approaches, and actual case studies to address urban challenges and opportunities. You can participate in interactive workshops, networking events, policy discussions, and guided mobile tours showcasing Denver’s urban development success. It will cover climate change, energy, economic trends, and advanced strategies to help you stay ahead in the planning profession.
7. Connect Spring Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV (April 22-24, 2025)
- Dates: April 22-24, 2025
- Location: Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, NV
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: Connect Spring Marketplace
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Connect Spring Marketplace is an interactive hub for networking, professional development, and business growth among events, meetings, travel, and sports industries. This three-day event features educational sessions and specialized programs to help elevate careers and drive results in the events sector.
Why you should attend:
This conference will have one-on-one business appointments and personalized meetings that connect buyers and suppliers worldwide. It will also feature specialized programs such as the International Track, Leadership Summit, Sports Leadership Summit, and eTourism Summit, for industry-specific content and networking opportunities. The event will discuss event technology innovations, sustainable event practices, marketing engagement, and crisis management for business owners.
8. Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum - Washington, DC (May 28, 2025)
- Dates: May 28, 2025
- Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
- Pricing: Starts at $695
- Website: Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum
- Social Media: LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) is a premier gathering for senior executives in the business-to-business exhibitions and conventions industry. This one-day event comprises a concentrated agenda of high-level networking opportunities and presentations for independent and association organizers.
Why you should attend:
The event will open with a welcome reception for face-to-face engagement among industry leaders to create meaningful connections, as well as the Meet the Leaders session where you can introduce yourself and enhance visibility. The forum will address critical issues and opportunities in the trade show and convention sector, including innovative event strategies, financial decision-making, technological advancements, analyses, and industry trends. Last year’s successful event featured industry leaders and guest speakers like Melissa Media, CEO & President of eMerge Americas; Teena Piccione, Senior Director at Google; and Greg Topalian, Chairman of Clarion Events North America.
9. Small & Boutique Meetings - Spring - Burlington, VT (June 1-3, 2025)
- Dates: June 1-3, 2025
- Location: Hotel Champlain Burlington, Burlington, VT
- Website: Small & Boutique Meetings - Spring
- Social Media: Facebook, X
Overview:
The Small & Boutique Meetings - Spring is a three-day event for industry professionals and suppliers specializing in intimate gatherings. This exclusive forum facilitates pre-scheduled appointments, educational presentations, and unique experiential activities for the planning and execution of boutique events.
Why you should attend:
The conference will have interactive workshops and hands-on sessions into the latest trends and best practices for organizing small-scale events. It will have local venue showcases where you can explore Burlington’s boutique venues through guided tours, as well as curated dining events that highlight local cuisine. The forum will discuss creative event ideas and unique concepts, inclusivity, and valuable insights into event trends and strategies for 2025 in the small meetings sector.
10. CEMA Summit 2025 - Austin, TX (July 27-29, 2025)
- Dates: July 27-29, 2025
- Location: Austin, TX
- Website: Corporate Event Marketing Association
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The CEMA Summit 2025 is an event and experiential marketing summit. It's an annual conference with discussions, innovative strategies, and the latest trends, technologies, and services in the event marketing industry.
Why you should attend:
Last year’s CEMA Summit offered various activities to enhance professional development, and networking, and promote inclusivity within the event marketing industry. It featured over 30 breakout sessions, covering brain-based leadership, AI for content creation, and scaling events with integrated demand generation and interactive workshops such as problem-solving sessions for strategic and event marketers. It also hosted tours and evening social events for networking opportunities.
11. Canadian Meeting + Events Expo (CMEExpo) - Toronto, Canada (August 12-13, 2025)
- Dates: August 12-13, 2025
- Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Website: Canadian Meeting + Events Expo (CMEExpo)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE) is Canada’s premier and must-attend tradeshow for meetings and event professionals. The event is a platform for industry experts to connect with suppliers from Canada, the U.S., and international destinations, and elevate event planning expertise.
Why you should attend:
Last year’s successful event featured over 300 exhibitors with venues, technology solutions, and decor options to explore. It introduced hands-on workshops for participants to earn Continuing Education (CE) credits and designed education sessions to enhance industry skills and knowledge. Topics discussed include proactive negotiation tactics for attrition damages and leveraging AI for event planning and marketing. Additionally, the “Spotlight on Stage” sessions explored emerging travel and innovative event trends and solutions in the industry.
12. TEAMS ‘25 Conference & Expo - Columbus, OH (October 13-16, 2025)
- Dates: October 13-16, 2025
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: TEAMS ‘25 Conference & Expo
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Overview:
The TEAMS Conference & Expo is an annual conference for the sport-event industry, bringing together over 1,300 participants, including CEOs, executive directors, and event managers from sports organizations. It is an event for sport-event professionals to engage in high-impact networking and join educational sessions related to sports tourism and event management.
Why you should attend:
Last year’s conference and expo featured one-on-one appointments for future partnerships between hotels and suppliers and sports-specific educational sessions to provide valuable insights into trends and best practices in sports-event management. It also hosted an appointment-based trade show for deal-making and social functions for casual networking opportunities. The previous conference tackled event management strategies, sponsorship and marketing, and emerging trends in the event industry.
13. Event Organisers Summit - West Drayton, UK (October 13-14, 2025)
- Dates: October 13-14, 2025
- Location: Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre London Heathrow, West Drayton, UK
- Website: Event Organisers Summit
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Event Organisers Summit is an event to connect senior event professionals with leading suppliers in the industry. It is a curated environment for one-on-one meetings, personalized interactions, and insightful seminars on event planning and execution.
Why you should attend:
The summit will hold one-to-one business meetings, allowing you to engage in personalized interactions with suppliers tailored to your business projects. It will hold seminars led by industry experts and will discuss trends and best practices in event management, venue selection and management, and event technology trends. Additionally, you can participate in keynote seminars, discussion panels, and certification programs to enhance your skills.
14. Event Planner Expo 2025 - New York, NY (October 14-16, 2025)
- Dates: October 14-16, 2025
- Location: New York, NY
- Website: Event Planner Expo 2025
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
Overview:
The Event Planner Expo 2025 is a three-day in-person event for marketing and event planners worldwide. It features a trade show floor, and exclusive VIP networking events, and is structured to maximize engagement and learning, and event marketing.
Why you should attend:
This annual event will have exclusive sessions designed to elevate your business acumen with strategies to drive growth and success. It will host a speaker series where you can immerse in educational experiences with keynote speakers and panelists discussing trends and strategies in event planning, marketing, and sales. It will also include a trade show floor with over 150 vendors showcasing the latest venues, technologies, and services in the event planning industry.
15. Event Tech Live London - London, UK (November 12-13, 2025)
- Dates: November 12-13, 2025
- Location: ExCeL London, UK
- Website: Event Tech Live London
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Event Tech Live London 2025 is a globally recognized conference that gathers over 4,000 event professionals from more than 80 countries. It features sessions and exhibitions, showcasing the latest innovations in event technology and leveraging these to enhance events.
Why you should attend:
This event is well-known for its comprehensive educational sessions and will feature over 100 presentations from industry thought leaders in the 2025 conference. It will hold the hosted buyer program to facilitate connections between buyers and exhibitors and an exhibition to showcase advanced event technology solutions. Discussions will include sustainability in event planning, strategies to enhance attendee engagement, and the integration of AI in event management.
16. Expo! Expo! 2025 - Houston, TX (December 8-10, 2025)
- Dates: December 8-10, 2025
- Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
- Website: Expo! Expo! 2025
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
Expo! Expo! 2025 is an in-person annual event and exhibition for industry leaders, event organizers, and suppliers to converge, share valuable insights, and explore the latest trends in the exhibitions and events industry. It fosters an environment of thought leadership, best practices, and innovative solutions.
Why you should attend:
Last year’s expo featured over 70 educational sessions covering six unique learning tracks, including event technology, marketing strategies, and trade show design. It had an exhibition floor with 240 exhibitors showcasing solutions, products, and services to elevate event planning and execution. Guest speakers included Sebastion Terry, best-selling author; Beth Surmont, Vice President of Event Strategy and Design for Smithbucklin; and Tim Luepke, Director of MPI Academy at Meeting Professionals International.
Summary
In summary, these event planning conferences are rich sources of knowledge and excellent networking hubs for those in the event planning sector. They serve as essential platforms for learning, idea sharing, and keeping pace with the dynamic nature of the event industry.
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