Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) live and breathe at the crossroads of innovation and execution, striving to uncover unique ways to surpass their competitors and stay on top of the latest industry trends, all while managing expansive teams and campaigns. That’s a lot to juggle, and the dynamic nature of marketing demands continuous learning and adaptation.
The top marketing conferences are perfect for gaining new ideas and inspiration. Plus, read on for 16 more specialized events I highly recommend. Here’s my shortlist of the best CMO conferences to attend in 2024 and 2025:
1. IRL – Alberta, Canada (October 1-4, 2025)
Location: Alberta, Canada
Website: IRL
Overview
The IRL 25 conference is an exclusive and immersive event for SaaS executives scaling their businesses from millions to billions in revenue. It’s for leaders scaling up post-Series B, and the conference will cover challenges including product-market fit, go-to-market strategies, customer retention, leadership hiring, and scaling infrastructure.
IRL is a conference designed for participation. Participants engage in tailored tracks, collaborative workshops, expert-led discussions, and masterminds while enjoying outdoor adventures and gourmet dining experiences together.
Why You Should Attend
? Unique outdoor and engagement-driven conference format
? Application-only admission to ensure high-quality attendees
? Exclusive networking opportunities for SaaS executives
2. DigiMarCon – Multiple Locations & Dates
Location: Multiple cities in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean
Website: DigiMarCon
Overview
DigiMarCon is the world’s largest digital marketing, media, and advertising conference & exhibition series for business and marketing professionals. With over 40 locations across 18 countries, this conference is a must for those looking to stay ahead in digital marketing trends.
What You’ll Experience
? Learn from digital marketing experts sharing strategies and case studies
? Explore next-generation technology in internet, mobile, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS
? In-person and virtual attendance options available
3. Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo – June 3-5, 2024 | Denver, Colorado
Location: Denver, Colorado
Website: Gartner
Overview
Gartner’s Marketing Symposium/Xpo is designed entirely for marketing leaders. The 2024 event focuses on how CMOs can lead through disruption. The highlight? Their “Ask the Expert” sessions, which allow for direct engagement with industry-leading strategists.
Why You Should Attend
? Exclusive access to Gartner’s latest research and insights
? Hands-on sessions and expert-led discussions
? Networking with top-tier marketing executives
4. ANA Masters of Marketing Conference – October 21-25, 2024 | Orlando, Florida
Location: Orlando, Florida
Website: ANA Masters
Overview
Recognized as the largest CMO event of 2023 by AdAge, ANA Masters of Marketing Conference 2024 is a hybrid event that gathers some of the world’s biggest marketing leaders to share insights and strategies for brand growth.
What You’ll Experience
? Hear from CMOs of major brands like P&G, United Airlines, and Ford
? Learn creative brand strategies and marketing tactics
? Enjoy extensive networking opportunities and breakout sessions
5. Reuters Events: Strategic Marketing – October 2024 | New York, NY
Location: New York, NY
Website: Reuters Strategic Marketing
Overview
Reuters’ Strategic Marketing conference gathers top marketing executives to discuss industry trends, brand positioning, and customer engagement strategies. With keynote sessions from C-suite executives, this is a can’t-miss event for CMOs looking to stay ahead.
Why You Should Attend
? Exclusive sessions with marketing leaders from Fortune 500 companies
? Interactive roundtable discussions
? Hands-on workshops for real-world marketing challenges
6. OnCon 2024 – October 21-22, 2024 | Virtual
Location: Virtual
Website: OnCon
Overview
ONCON isn’t your usual CMO conference—it targets the entire C-suite and includes tracks on DEI, supply chain, and talent acquisition. This makes it an ideal event if you’re looking to engage multiple members of your leadership team.
What You’ll Learn
? Generative AI for marketing
? Mastering content creation and demand generation
? The future of work and leadership in marketing
How We Made My Selection For This List
There are a lot of factors I considered when putting together this list of top CMO conferences. Key questions I asked:
1?? Relevance: Are the topics addressing current challenges faced by CMOs?
2?? Speaker Quality: Are keynote speakers high-level marketing executives with relevant insights?
3?? Networking Opportunities: Do organizers facilitate partnerships and networking sessions?
4?? Budget Considerations: Are the costs reasonable considering the value offered?
Conclusion
Attending the right marketing conference can elevate your leadership, enhance your strategy, and expand your professional network. Whether you’re looking to dive into digital marketing trends, AI-driven strategies, or leadership innovation, these six conferences should be at the top of your list.
Which CMO conference are you planning to attend in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
