Businesswoman speaking to an audience
Great leaders are always striving to learn how to better serve their teams and bring out the best of their abilities. It’s an ongoing goal that involves staying on top of changes in employer-employee dynamics and leadership strategies and techniques. While articles and books can provide helpful insights, I find that leadership conferences offer something the written word can’t.
In my experience, conferences have an energy and excitement about them as attendees and speakers learn from each other in real time. The conference environment also creates opportunities for two-way conversations and lasting connections. I’ve found these encounters one of the best ways to get real-world advice.
For leaders who want to stay ahead of trends, gain actionable tips and make a difference, such events are key. Here are the conferences I think you should have on your radar—and that are still up and running in these challenging pandemic times.
For 14 years, Ernst and Young’s Strategic Growth Forum has brought together CEOs from companies around the nation. The Strategic Growth Forum’s motto is to build a better working world for all. Attendees can experience panels with thought leaders, keynote addresses and networking sessions.
This year’s Strategic Growth Forum will welcome animated discussions with C-suite executives and entrepreneurs specializing in high-growth ventures. The conference will also feature stimulating sessions with leaders from industries such as agribusiness, financial services, advanced manufacturing and mobility, health and life sciences.
Forbes hosts a variety of top-notch events, such as their Under30 Summit and their Small Business Summit. I’ve attended several of them and have had a great experience every time. The speaker lineup is always strong, and they also provide a variety of options so you can select the best event (or events) for you.
If you click on the link above, you will see the different events and the speakers and benefits they offer. What’s nice about them is that Forbes has also established content channels that allow you to follow related content around these communities.
The Inc. 5000 Conference is a three-day event with high-profile and legendary business leaders. Past discussions have included tips on overcoming supply chain challenges, navigating momentous and rapid growth and startup development tips. Beyond enlightening sessions with the experts, there are peer and facilitator-led networking opportunities.
While this year’s speaker lineup has not been announced, it promises to fulfill Inc.’s reputation for bringing visionaries to the table. Last year’s conference included virtual and in-person options. With the easing of pandemic-related restrictions and anxieties, I anticipate this year’s event will see larger in-person attendance. Inc. 5000 is definitely the place for entrepreneurs and startup founders to be.
Do your brand and your digital content deal with personal finance? FinCon is a conference that explores how personal finance companies can create better digital content and reach more people.
FinCon emphasizes networking and collaboration opportunities and learning sessions with industry champions. This year’s speaker lineup features Allison Baggerly, Clark Howard and Anthony O’Neal.
This year’s SXSW conference already took place in March. Fortunately, the ever-engaging event is still available to watch online. You can also start planning for 2023’s in-person and virtual gathering next spring.
The event’s replay sessions feature learning tracks in diverse and creative fields, such as advertising and brand experience, film and television, gaming and civic engagement. Keynote presentations focus on technology, culture, music and film. You’ll hear from musical icons, leaders from the gaming industry, best-selling authors and advertising storytellers.
Get on 2023’s waitlist for three days and nights of thought leadership, interactive programs and outdoor activities. This conference is for investors, capital providers, executives and entrepreneurs who want to push the envelope. Discussions center around innovation, breaking new ground and discovering new horizons in the business world.
At this event, you’ll go through four days of learning from the best content marketers around and networking with fellow digital content creators.
Discovering how to grow your business through engaging and effective content is also on the agenda. Choose from over 100 forums, workshops and sessions, customizing your conference schedule according to topic and each speaker’s expertise. And if you can’t attend in person, there’s a virtual option as well.
Collision is all about tech and what’s happening in the industry. Learning sessions focus on the uncertainty and challenges that tech companies face.
The conference draws leading companies and more than 1,200 journalists from prominent global publications. Plus, there are networking and lead gen opportunities for those who want to build community connections. The conference features over 600 speakers, including Nicolas Cary of Blockchain.
Summit Palm Desert offers a multidisciplinary series of talks, performances and health and mindfulness sessions. The conference gathers experts in achieving health and happiness and thought leaders from business, music and visual art. The sessions include notable speakers and leaders, such as the former CEO of Dreamworks, Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Hawkefest is put on by Los Angeles–based Hawke Media and has been around the time of LA eCommerce Week in the past. It’s a good event for marketing leaders, especially ones that are in the eCommerce space.
I was a keynote at this event years ago and it typically has an impressive group of speakers that range from celebrity NBA stars to media CEOs that are in the media and eCommerce space.
The months ahead will likely prove challenging for business leaders, offering the promise of continued pandemic recovery—fitful though it may be—combined with significant economic uncertainty. Conferences are an opportunity to learn from peers, find out what’s working in real-world environments and prepare for the unexpected. Choose one or more that look to offer the insights and sessions that can most benefit your work and vision.
