Editor’s Note: Updated on 11/26/2019.
In addition to arranging events, planners typically attend many industry gatherings each year to make connections, stay on top of new developments, develop skills and pick up hot tips so that they can keep improving. Here are some of the top industry events to look forward to in the United States during the coming year.
Convening Leaders 2020
San Francisco Travel Association will host PCMA’s Convening Leaders 2020, on Jan. 5–8 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. The 2021 Convening Leaders conference will take place Jan. 10–13 at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Caesars Forum be will in Las Vegas will be the site of the 2022 event Jan. 9–12, and Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio will host the 2023 gathering Jan. 8–11.
Destination Showcase 2020
Washington, D.C.’s only one-day event for CVBs and event organizers to come together for a full day of learning, Destination Showcase 2020 is set to take place on Feb. 5, 2020, at Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Sara Ross, co-founder of BrainAmped, will be the keynote speaker. The event debuted last year, and is offered jointly by PCMA and Destinations International.
More: Upcoming Smart Events
Destinations International Annual Convention 2020
If you just can’t get enough of Destinations International at the 2020 showcase, head to Illinois for its Annual Convention, which will be hosted in Chicago on July 13–15.
Elevate! 2020
The Association for Women in Events (AWE) will be hosting its second event, Elevate! 2020, on March 5. Its first gathering—held in in Washington, D.C., last year—was such a success that AWE has decided to go bigger, so this year they are headed to one of the biggest convention destinations in the country: Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. You can register here.
IPW 2020
The U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, a leading travel trade show, will be in Las Vegas from May 30 to June 3, 2020. IPW Daily has just come out with its fall preview issue to get you ready and excited for the trade-show floor. Check out this page to find out the registration dates and deadlines.
Cvent Connect
Las Vegas will be busy next June. Twelve days after IPW 2020, Cvent’s Connect will take over Las Vegas’ Caesars Forum Conference Center on June 15–18. It is the world’s largest event technology user conference, and registration has just opened.
SPINCon 2020
Senior Planners Industry Network has announced that its 10th annual SPINcon will be held at Kimpton Epic Hotel in Miami Dec. 13–15. SPIN members must be full-time planners, suppliers or media personnel and have at least 10 years of experience.
IMEX America 2020
MICE industry professionals will flock to Las Vegas next September for IMEX 2020. The popular convention will be held at Sands Expo and Convention Center Sept. 14–17. P.S. registration is already open!
IMEX Frankfurt 2020
Before IMEX America hits in September, IMEX Frankfurt will kick of the 2020 summer events calendar with its annual event, to be hosted by Messe Frankfurt on May 11–14. IMEX already has all the information you need here on how to get there, where to stay and how to register.
ASAE 2020
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will host ASAE’s annual meeting and exposition Aug. 8–11 next year. Additionally, ASAE has announced the dates and location for its annual event in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, expect to head to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas in Texas on Aug. 14–17, while in 2022 the annual meeting and convention will take place at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Aug 6–9.
FICP Annual Conference 2020
Finance and Insurance Conference Professionals hold several events throughout the year. One of its biggest events is the Annual Conference, and next year it will take place Nov. 15–16 in Washington, D.C., at Washington Hilton. FICP has also announced that its 2021 Annual Conference will be held at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge on Nov. 14–17.
MPI WEC 2020
Meeting Professionals International is all about creating authentic experiences at its next World Education Congress. Therefore, the 2020 WEC will be held in Grapevine, Texas, June 6–9. Get ready for locally sourced, locally flavored food as one example of the genuine hospitality that Texas has to offer as well as a part of the authentic experience that MPI has promised.
