As events continue to evolve, staying up to date with the latest event trends, technologies, and best practices is essential. Attending the top event planning conferences in 2026 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. PCMA Convening Leaders 2026
Convening Leaders is PCMA's flagship event designed for business events leaders. This event offers executive-level educational programming, valuable networking opportunities, intensive workshops, and innovation showcases.
Convening Leaders is meant to help event professionals dig deeper and think more strategically about their event programs. This event is designed by and for event industry leaders, curated to inspire, elevate attendees' skills, and promote meaningful conversation.
With "Conversation Starters" sessions, attendees have an opportunity to meet in small, 30-person groups to discuss industry-critical topics, such as attendee acquisition strategies and budgeting. These highly interactive conversations are designed to facilitate collaboration and problem-solving so attendees leave not only with ideas but action items for their own programs.
Where: Philadelphia, PA (In-person and virtual programming)
When: January 11-14, 2026
Why Attend?: If you're a leader in the events space, this event has so much to offer, from networking opportunities with valuable connections to educational programming designed to help you rethink and reinvigorate your own events. You can expect to leave with inspired ideas and actionable goals that ensure you keep pace with industry standards.
2. MPI World Education Congress (WEC)
MPI’s World Education Congress is all about taking your events to the next level through thoughtful programming and intentional networking. With thought-provoking keynotes and interactive sessions, you'll gain insights that will help transform the way you create events.
What's more, this event is designed to facilitate networking in a way that allows for meaningful connections and lasting relationships.
What sets WEC apart is its format. This event is not a sit-and-listen conference. Every learning experience is interactive and participatory, so you’ll help shape the energy and the outcomes of each session and interaction.
Where: San Antonio, TX (In-person)
When: June 2-4, 2026
Why Attend?: WEC is built with a unique spin, with content curated into festival-inspired programming tracks: People, Passion, Pride, Promise, +Party. With different content tracks for different interests and priorities, you can explore sessions on leadership, creativity, industry excellence, innovation, and celebration.
3. 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 2026, 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: Nashville, TN (In-person and virtual programming)
When: July 13-16, 2026
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.
4. ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition
ASAE's Annual Meeting & Exposition welcomes thousands of association professionals and industry partners to network and exchange knowledge, resources, strategies, and more. At its heart, this event is all about learning and growth: growing your network, learning what's new in the association space, and finding unique solutions to ubiquitous challenges.
Throughout the three-day event, attendees will gain inspiration from industry peers that can inform their own work throughout the year, impacting their daily responsibilities as leaders in the association industry.
The ASAE Annual Meeting offers a unique opportunity to participate in authentic, engaging, thought-provoking, and positive community-building experiences that support the association space and the many industries attendees serve.
Where: Indianapolis, IN (In-person)
When: August 15-18, 2026
Why Attend?: If you're a professional in the associations space, this event is for you. With thousands of like-minded, community-oriented professionals in attendance, you'll have an opportunity to build meaningful connections while keeping a pulse on what's new in the world of associations and how you can improve your strategies in your daily work life.
Register for the ASAE Annual Meeting
| Conference | Date | Location | Virtual Option? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCMA Convening Leaders 2026 | January 11-14, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA | Yes |
| MPI World Education Congress (WEC) | June 2-4, 2026 | San Antonio, TX | No |
| Cvent CONNECT | July 13-16, 2026 | Nashville, TN | Yes |
| ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition | August 15-18, 2026 | Indianapolis, IN | No |
Download our full 2026 events calendar to learn about more 2026 events:
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 2026.
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 2026 events calendar
2026 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 2026 events calendar to learn about even more must-attend events for event planners.
