It’s a new year, but it doesn’t feel a whole lot different yet. Mostly because “business casual” still means it’s still OK to wear pajama bottoms to meetings—just as long as your Zoom peers don’t notice.
The global pandemic has changed the way we work. It’s also changed the way we think about industry events. Major brands and organizations have shifted gears from in-person events to hybrid experiences—like virtual fireside chats in real time alongside live fireside chats. In some industry surveys, over 70% of event creators had to make the all-out switch from face-to-face to digital. Marketers remain in this same holding pattern.
For content marketers, the new year brings new opportunities to refine their craft. It may just end up looking a lot different than we’re used to. (The keynote speakers may be wearing pajamas.) In fact, it’s already very different for some tried-and-true events.
Below are the nine best content marketing conferences to check out this year. The list is organized by when they’ll show up on your calendars, but we’re opening with a bang: Content Marketing World has been a staple for content marketers for years. If your calendar or budget allows for only one major content marketing industry event in 2023, this might be the best choice.
We’ll keep updating this page when conference details change, so keep your eyes peeled (and bookmarks ready) for more up-to-date information.
Content Marketing World 2023
The Rolls-Royce of content marketing conferences, this annual event is hosted by the Content Marketing Institute. They’re the folks who made content marketing a thing. Their conferences help both marketing upstarts and seasoned veterans get better at what they do. This year, they’ve got over 130 sessions slated and more than 120 hours’ worth of learning material (between keynotes, sessions, and networking opportunities).
When: September 26–29, 2023
Where: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Registration opens soon
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: Content Marketing Institute provides virtual passes that include livestreams and recordings of most of their events.
ContentTECH Summit 2023
Brought to you by the makers of Content Marketing World, this conference is for the tech geeks and operations gurus on marketing teams. Here, they focus on surfacing trends and next-level thinking around effective use of technology (especially artificial intelligence) and content to provide better digital experiences. This feels especially important in 202e as audiences are doing more with digital content than ever before. For brands to elevate their enterprise-level content, learning from trailblazers and their innovations could be the difference between standing out and standing still.
When: June 20–22, 2023
Where: Online
Cost: Registration opens soon
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: ContentTECH is now completely virtual.
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Confab 2023
If you’re itching to become a content strategy guru (and it’s not just a reaction to your new soap), check out Confab. They focus on the strategic components of content marketing—from research and analysis all the way to accessibility and workflows. This is for marketers serious about building the right kind of content marketing engine for both today during the pandemic and in a post-COVID world. In the past, they’ve been creative with their events (like setting up separate lounges for introverts and extroverts), and they’re bound to find a way to bring people together this year for attendees weary from the pandemic. This is the last year for Confab, so now's your chance to spend four days meeting with some of the best and brightest minds in content strategy.
When: April 30–May 3, 2023
Where: Minneapolis, MN
Cost: $1,795 to $2,695 (for regular passes); $695 (for virtual)
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: They’ll offer virtual passes that allow for livestreams and recordings.
MozCon 2023
For content marketers who want to zero in on and learn SEO, this is a serious contender for bumping that foosball tournament off your calendar in July. The pandemic has forced marketers to learn new tactics (and unlearn a few outdated ones) to continue to stand out during a crisis. Quite frankly, more people are online now. And they’re using search engines more often. For marketers who want to sharpen skills, explore new and upcoming tactics, and learn about how the nature of search is evolving, this event’s for you.
When: August 7–9, 2023
Where: Seattle, WA
Cost: Early bird pricing from $699; regular pricing from $1,299
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: There will be two virtual pass options that offer livestreams of MozCon 2023.
Money20/20 2023
(Try saying that three times fast.) Money20/20’s annual global events are where the party’s at, and this year’s U.S. event is no different. Dynamic leaders in the fintech space share the stage with celebrities, dazzling attendees with glimpses behind the veil of the ongoing financial tech evolution. Focused on financial institutions, emerging fintech brands, and players in the blockchain space, leaders converge to talk about what’s changing in those markets. There’s some fantastic learnings about both digital content marketing here for content strategists and creators looking to fine-tune their fintech marketing activity in 2023 across social media and beyond.
When: October 22–25, 2023
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Early bird pricing from $2,499; regular pricing from $3,999
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: The conference team is ready with options in case COVID restrictions impact scheduling.
INBOUND 2023
For a truly immersive, global experience, consider HubSpot’s Inbound 2023. Open to attendees from across the globe, the virtual event brings together over 250 activists, entertainers, and Fortune 500 executives to the stage. There’s a good mix of work and play: interactive sessions, nightly parties, comedy shows, and happy hours. If you miss the fun times of being at content marketing industry events, this one shines brightest.
When: September 5–8, 2023
Where: Boston, MA
Cost: Registration opens soon
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: There will be a digital pass offering that includes livestream access.
CMC 2023
The new kid on the content marketing block, the Content Marketing Conference, has seen explosive growth over the handful of years they’ve been putting events together. Where they shine is enterprise content, sharing insights with content marketers on how to leverage top industry tools to really make a dent in their social media and content planning, creation, distribution, optimization, and measurement. Last year’s entire menu of presentations is available on demand, and the fee doesn’t just give you access to conference resources—it also gives you a great crack at getting their incredibly valuable Content Strategy Certification with support from true masters in the field.
When: 2023 TBD, 2022 conference currently available on-demand
Where: Virtual
Cost: Registration opens soon
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: The event is fully virtual, and recordings are available for a certain time after the event.
POSSIBLE 2023
If you want to be immersed in the future of marketing, culture, communications, and technology, you want to be at POSSIBLE 2023. This year's conference will feature over 200 speakers across more than 130 sessions from leading automotive, consumer, media, and fintech brands. Expect to have your perspective on marketing challenged as you consider bold questions and new possibilities in marketing innovation.
When: April 17–19, 2023
Where: Miami, FL
Cost: Early bird pricing from $809; regular pricing from $899
How They’re Adapting to the Pandemic: The POSSIBLE team encourages attendees to follow all current CDC guidelines for health and safety measures.
Need help building a content strategy based on competitive insights and a growth mindset? We can help—reach out to set up a free consultation.