We are entering the busiest time of year for marketing events in Australia. With so many options across so many different aspects of marketing, it can be difficult to determine which events you should put your pennies towards.
If you work in content production or marketing, the following events are where you need to be. They provide invaluable networking opportunities and are one of the best ways to learn about the most successful businesses and people in the industry.
These events take place around Australia, predominately in Melbourne and Sydney (plus a few outstanding overseas additions).
February
Brand Forum
When: February 22-23
Where: Sydney
As Australia’s only executive-level event dedicated purely to brand marketing, the forum tackles the complexities of brand marketing in an era defined by digital media, content, data, analytics, startups and innovation. There will be keynotes from 35+ speakers and networking opportunities for marketing executives from all sectors.
March
Adtech
When: March 14-15
Where: Sydney
This is an annual gathering of marketing, technology and media communities. Adtech’s global network means there is always speakers from global brands. The two-day conference also helps marketers make sense of the vast pool of technologies out there to engage with consumers.
May
Search Marketing Summit
When: May 1-2
Where: Sydney
If you have intermediate to advanced levels of search marketing experience, this is Australia’s only dedicated search engine marketing conference. Packed with practical insights from 40+ sessions and keynotes, the event lets you learn from international and local experts to improve SEM, SEO and social media techniques.
B2B Marketing Leaders Forum APAC
When: May 16-18
Where: Sydney
Dedicated to B2B marketing, the event returns for the second time this year along with around 250 attendees. Speaker line-up includes senior executives from top global and Australian brands. There’s also a Content Marketing Workshop with the Content Marketing Institute’s Robert Rose with limited seats.
Adobe Symposium
When: May 23-24
Where: Sydney
With pre-conference training, keynotes and breakout sessions, the event has a focus on digital elements.
Millenials Marketing Conference
When: May 25
Where: Melbourne
As Australia’s only platform for mastering engagement with the largest and most influential generation of consumers ever, the conference discusses insights, trends and marketing secrets by leading experts in the fast-paced world of millennial marketing.
World Business Forum
When: May 31 – June 1
Where: Sydney
The fourth edition of this event is expected to host 2,000+ business leaders from around the world. This year’s theme is around being agile and adapting to change in a world where new technologies emerge at pace.
Speaker line-up and topics include:
- Arianna Huffington – New Management
- Daniel Goleman – Emotional Intelligence
- Jimmy Wales – Technology
- Rosabeth Moss Canter – Strategy
- Mohanbir Sawhney – Innovation
- Randi Zuckerberg – Digital Transformation
- Ken Segall – Marketing
- Ian Williamson – Leadership
June
Mumbrella 360
When: June 6-8
Where: Sydney
Awarded Australia’s best conference in 2016, this three-day event is back with international and national top speakers in media and marketing. Nearly 2,000 people attend the conference, described as a mixture of “rock concert” and “university lectures.” There’re also formal and informal networking sessions.
July
Digital Summit
When: July 19 and July 21
Where: Melbourne and Brisbane
The event is suitable for digital marketers from entry to experienced levels of expertise and features case studies, content and strategies from a range of industries. There will be two international keynotes as well as local speakers.
August
CXO Leaders
When: August 9-10
Where: Sydney
This invitation-only event spans over two days and targets Australia’s most senior marketing & customer experience leaders. Some past and present high-profile speakers include those from global brands such as Google, Uber and Facebook.
ADMA Global Forum
When: August 24-26
Where: Sydney
Spanning over two days, this is the region’s only conference that brings together 60+ global and local influencers in data-driven
September
iMedia Brand Summit
When: September 11-13
Where: Gold Coast
This is an invitation-only event for up to 125 senior brand marketers around Australia to discuss major strategic issues they face. There is also a nice balance between marketers and suppliers to “have meaningful dialogue.” iMedia has run similar annual summits around the world.
Content Marketing World
When: September 8-11
Where: Ohio, US
Content Marketing World, established by the Content Marketing Institute, is the biggest content marketing event of the year. Here you can learn from the biggest and brightest in the industry.
October
Annual Brand Leadership Summit
When: October 6 & 7
Where: California, USA
The Annual Brand Leadership Summit is all about brands that are influencing culture as we know it. Working with the world’s top brand marketers who reveal their real-world learning and insights, you’ll discover how to harness the power of strategic storytelling, community architecture, and the latest social and mobile technologies to lead business, shape culture and better our world.
November
BeFest
When: November 5
Where: Sydney
Australia’s only branded content and entertainment festival, BeFEest will bring you the best branded content of the year. Learn about the brands or agencies who created it, and why they were successful.
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