Audience listening to speaker at large conference
I travel all over as a sales keynote speaker, but some of my favorite events are the ones that spark that entrepreneurial spirit or just truly bring the best out in leaders. It’s just so refreshing to talk with people with new ideas and passion about the industry they work in. Attending conferences is also valuable because it opens your mind to new possibilities and encourages you to challenge your beliefs.
Now that people are back to traveling again it's important to find events that can help drive business growth and help you become the best version of yourself. These are some of the top business conferences I recommend. They’re worth putting on your calendar, if you have the time.
1. Montgomery Summit: March 5-6; Santa Monica, CA
The Montgomery Summit brings together a large assembly of the most inventive and accomplished figures in business, technology, and finance. The two-day event features close-knit conversations discussing leadership, the future of AI, emerging tech sectors, the investment climate, the global outlook, and more.
This summit is especially unique since it draws in renowned financial figures, exceptional CEOs, and rising entrepreneurs while still maintaining an intimate setting that enables participants to establish and create business connections.
2. Summit at Sea: April 4-7; International Waters, Port of Miami
With 2,000 forward-thinking individuals from around the world, this four-day adventure is filled with limitless creativity and meaningful encounters. Drifting on the open seas, where the horizon between sky and ocean dissolves, the confines of everyday life fade away, revealing an extraordinary realm of inspiration and possibilities.
With six core elements of programming covering talks, health and happiness, visual and performance art, culinary experiences, and impact, Summit At Sea is an exceptional and diverse journey meticulously designed to foster deep connections within our dynamic community. Attending means being bound together by common interests and a steadfast sense of camaraderie.
3. Collision: June 17-20; Toronto, Ontario
Collision assembles individuals and enterprises reshaping the global tech landscape, providing a platform to establish meaningful connections and engage with peers and mentors across various tech-related industries. In an era marked by uncertainties in both technology and business, this conference brings together the people addressing significant challenges.
Collision's diverse content spans topics such as data science, content creation, autotech, and environmental sustainability. At the conference you can connect with so many individuals and businesses relevant to your interests, fostering leads that bring tangible value to your organization. Collision often attracts hundreds of journalists from esteemed publications including Bloomberg, Forbes, CNN Business, CNBC, and the Wall Street Journal, so you know it’s worth checking out.
4. Fortune Brainstorm Conference: July 15-17; Park City, Utah
It’s no secret that tech has evolved and innovations are shaking up different sectors. But now advancements come so rapidly that tech companies are often changing the world. In its 23rd year, Fortune Brainstorm has evolved from a small meetup into a buzzing community. It has become a vital hub to discuss the advancements affecting the world.
Fortune 500 leaders, investing experts, banking executives, VCs, startup trailblazers and global thought leaders are just a glimpse into the types of guests you can expect at this event. Since its first event, Fortune Brainstorm has continued to offer opportunities across the board. Between networking opportunities, engaging content, and valuable takeaways, attendees can always expect a space that fosters collaboration and sparks new ideas.
5. Main Street Summit: October 9-10; Columbia, Missouri
As a two-day festival tailored for business owners, operators, and investors, Main Street Summit celebrates the essence of the economy’s core — small and medium-sized businesses. Main Street Summit provides a space for business owners to connect and share in the journey of successes and challenges. This event features a lineup of 100+ speakers and joins over 1,000 attendees for top-quality content, valuable discussions, hospitality, and enjoyable experiences.
Between industries such as manufacturing, construction, retail, technology, aerospace, and more, Main Street Summit’s sessions cater to a diverse spectrum of industries. Whether their expertise falls in the introductory or industry expert category, all attendees will have the opportunity to learn and grow in their skillset. Interviews, presentations, debates, workshops, and conversations are just a few of the many facets in which this summit will unfold. This event is an ideal way for like-minded business leaders to network and gain mutually beneficial insights from one another.
6. Forbes Under 30 Summit: October dates TBA; Cincinnati, Ohio
At this event, the world’s leading founders, creators, and young leaders join together to network, teach, and expand their skills. Forbes Under 30 Summit invites individuals with a collective desire to not only make a global difference, but do so while also holding true to their authentic values. With their innovative mindset, ability to evolve in the business world, and passion to share their insights, it’s no surprise that previous event speakers have inspired countless business leaders.
With more immersive elements than your average conference, the Forbes Under 30 Summit offers experiences like a private concert, A-list speakers, industry-oriented outings, local culinary and community service events, an unforgettable bar crawl, and more. This unforgettable event continues to impact its attendees and creates a new generation of leaders with its motivational influencers, speakers, and memorable experiences.
7. EY Strategic Growth Forum; November 13-16; Palm Springs, CA
Known as one of the top-tier gatherings in the US, EY's Strategic Growth Forum unites CEOs, entrepreneurs, investment fund managers, and C-suite executives from worldwide industry giants. At this event, attendees can create new connections and network with entrepreneurs involved with EY’s thriving communities like Entrepreneur Of The Year, Entrepreneurial Winning Women, and Entrepreneurs Access Network.
Delivering a diverse program featuring captivating keynotes, main-stage panel discussions, and stimulating workshops, this event creates an environment that exceeds typical business event expectations. Attendees will not only learn more about accelerating company growth, raising capital, strategic transaction marketplaces, and broader economic trends, but they’ll be able to connect with potential clients, investors, and acquisition targets.
8. Baja; November 15-18; Baja, Mexico
As Summit continues in its mission to bring together entrepreneurs and change-makers, they are excited to announce the launch of a new Summit event called Summit Baja. This inaugural event will be more intimate, with only 1,000 invitations available, and it will take place over three nights and four days on a campus new to the Summit community in Puerto Los Cabos in Baja, Mexico.
The event is designed to fuel, challenge, and inspire the many global leaders, visionaries, and creators who attend. As always, this will be a mind-expanding, immersive Summit, and there will be a focus on innovation, futurism, professional optimization, and the future of business. The lineup of speakers and interactive experiences will be announced in the coming months.
9. YPO EDGE; Dates TBA; New York City, New York
This valuable event unites CEOs from all over the world. Happening in the heart of New York City, YPO Edge exceeds the expectations of ordinary conferences. As a diverse platform for open conversation, this event’s competitive edge fosters a collaborative environment for infinite innovation.
Known as the world’s largest leadership community with more than a whopping 32,000 chief executives, YPO will assemble over 2,700 members from 80 countries together for an immersive learning experience that features expert keynotes, masterclasses, workshops, and in-depth forums. This conference aims to provide worldwide leaders with essential tools for overcoming today’s business challenges, YPO Edge proves to be worthwhile for leaders.
As you book events for your 2024 agenda, consider the distinctive opportunities offered at each of these events. Whether connecting virtually or in-person, these conferences have the potential to impact your business trajectory and provide the necessary insights for sustained success in today’s competitive landscape. Hopefully you’ll walk away with some insights that positively impact your personal and professional growth too.
