Since the advent of the internet revolutionized almost every aspect of business, it’s become completely normal for many entrepreneurs to conduct their business 100 percent online.
E-commerce alone is now a $200 billion industry in the United States, and is increasing by 15 percent each year. It’s essentially a requirement for companies to at least have a website; and isn’t uncommon to only have a website.
But the problem with shaking the brick-and-mortar skin is that building your connections and influence online can lead to a lack of legitimate in-person connections; people you can turn to for advice, help, or inspiration.
This digital subset of entrepreneurs can benefit from events more than most others. It’s a way to meet the other people doing what you’re doing, and take advantage of face-to-face opportunities that are otherwise far and few between.
1. TogetherDigital Conference
About
The key goal of founder Alaina Shearer when she first ideated the TogetherDigital Conference in 2016 was connecting female entrepreneurs in digital fields who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet. Now on its third year, the conference attracts over 40,000 women who have often been referred by previous attendees.
Who It's Right For
This event is for digital entrepreneurs who feels as though they are lacking community — which are many. It’s a place for women to empower and support each other, and doesn’t just prioritize the success of the individual, but of the collective.
2. Digital Summit Conference
About
Hosted in cities across the U.S., including Detroit, Charlotte, Boston, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles and more, Digital Summit Conferences connect digital entrepreneurs to successful representatives of the world’s leading brands. The conference has numerous high-profile digital partners, such as Facebook, Spectrum, and Workfront.
Who It's Right For
These conferences are right for anyone who wants to hear from and network with the creme de la creme of their industry. It’s rare to be in a room with so many successful people, so if you’re ready to get your network on, this conference is right for you.
3. eTail
About
True to its name, eTail is a conference designed specifically for digital entrepreneurs in retail. It’s a place where “top minds in retail meet, collaborate and learn about what’s disrupting the industry today and what’ll change tomorrow.”
It is hosted in Palm Springs, California, and doles out Best-In-Class awards as well as unparalleled advice from industry experts.
Who It's Right For
The website states that this conference is for those who want to “cut out the fluff” and simply build their businesses and maximize profits. The speakers get straight to the good stuff because they are true trailblazers in the industry, and they have a lot to say.
4. Content Jam
About
Content Jam is a two-day long conference in Chicago, Illinois. Featuring over 400 professionals, the event focuses on digital marketing — boasting word-class marketers and top-rated speakers who share their expertise on content strategy, analytics, conversion, and promotion.
Who It's Right For
Those seeking “actionable advice” certainly have something to gain from Content Jam as the leading minds in marketing make their way to the vibrant conference every year. It’s a place where you can learn from experts, but also from each other, sharing ideas and strategies.
5. Open Mobile & Digital Experience Summit
About
Over its two-day conference, Open Mobile & Digital Experience Summit features over 500 participating brands who discuss four key subjects, all relating to digital strategies that deliver long-term growth, retention, and customer acquisition.
This year, the conversations will center around product strategy, mobile strategy, digital and growth marketing, and digital technology innovation.
Who It's Right For
Though socializing and networking are innate components of summits, this event in particular seems more information-centered. So it will benefit those who want to learn specific strategies and techniques that they can actually consider in their plans and apply to their businesses. It’s essentially a state of the industry summit.
6. MediaPost's Search and Performance Insider Summit
About
Speaking of niche, the MediaPost Search and Performance Insider Summit is a three-day event exploring the pertinent questions in the Search marketing industry. Located in Deer Valley, Utah, the event is predominantly designed around intimate, useful conversations about new technologies, strategies, and tactics.
Who It's Right For
Anyone who likes learning and conversing in a self-described “think-tank environment,” where the subjects of discussion relate exclusively to Search marketing.
7. Affiliate Summit
About
Across the world in Europe, Asia, and North America, Affiliate Summit runs “the biggest performance marketing events in the world.” What is especially interesting about these summits is the fact that they are tailored to the attendees’ varying experience levels.
Who It's Right For
As it is personalized based on experience level, the Affiliate Summit is genuinely a good event for anyone interested or involved in affiliate marketing. Whether you started yesterday or you’ve been doing it for decades, you’ll be able to take something away from this event.
8. The Digital & Affiliate Marketing International Expo (DMIEXPO)
About
For 12 years, DMIEXPO has hosted events geared toward digital entrepreneurs. Specifically, these events facilitate networking for leading digital and performance marketing professionals, partners, executives, and affiliates.
Who It's Right For
It’s an opportunity to learn from industry experts and explore new opportunities, useful for those pursuing digital and affiliate marketing. One thing to note is that this expo is based in Israel, so it may be a bit of a trek for those who aren’t local.
9. Digital Marketing Leaders Summit Hong Kong
About
Over the course of two days, the Digital Marketing Leaders Summit in Hong Kong attracts over 150 in-house creative marketers, strategists, and digital gurus. There is a lot to learn from the star-studded speakers headlining this event about the present profile and future developments of marketing.
Who It's Right For
This event is geared toward digital marketers based in Hong Kong or those who don’t mind a (potentially very long) commute. This year’s summit will broach topics like data-driven marketing strategies, VR & AR in marketing, and personalized consumer journeys, to name a few.
10. Women in Digital Events
About
Women in Digital hosts a set of learning experiences designed specifically for women working in the digital sphere. There are larger conferences held in many different countries, as well as smaller events targeting more specific skills, such as elevator pitches, customer experience, and influencer marketing.
Who It's Right For
Women who want to stay at the forefront of digital skills and knowledge, and potentially have key areas of interest they want to cultivate.
11. Digital Growth Unleashed
About
The tagline of this London-based event is “optimizing the complete customer journey.” If that’s got your attention, there’s a lot more you can learn. At this conference, you'll hear from international digital growth experts who gather every year to discuss how to attract the right audience, optimize the life value of client relationships, and tackle new technologies.
Who It's Right For
These events are for entrepreneurs interested in the “art and science of conversion rate optimization,” or CRO. This is a technical way of creating more leverage across a whole business, and has quietly become a key part of success in today’s digitalscape.
