From tech to marketing to leadership, these are the best in-person and virtual events to pencil into your calendar this year

This past year, we entered a realm of relative normalcy (whatever that means), with in-person events taking place again as the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns eased. As we enter 2023, we are hopeful that things won’t be disrupted again (and, if they are, some of these conferences offer online alternatives).

 

Here, we highlight some of the best conferences – across a range of industries from tech to marketing to leadership, and more – to have on your radar, providing a space to learn from some of the most brilliant minds shaping the world today. And as some of our Nichers can attest, whether you can attend some or all, the insights learned, and connections made will benefit your business.

 

1.     Adobe Summit (March 21-23, 2023), Las Vegas and Virtual

 

The Adobe Summit is brought to you by the computer software company, Adobe, whose “innovations are redefining the possibilities of digital experiences.” The event promises to “expand your skillset, spark inspiration, and build connections that empower you to make the digital economy personal.” Fuel your creativity and learn from industry-leading brands and Experience Makers exploring the latest trends, innovations, and insights across 200+ sessions, hands-on labs, and networking activities.

 

Learn more: https://summit.adobe.com/na

 

2.     Future of Work Canada (March 27-28, 2023), Toronto

 

Launched in 2019, the Future of Work Series focuses “on the latest trends and strategies within the Future of Work landscape including frontline workers, workplace transformation, HR technology, culture, employee engagement, digital workplace,” and more. It is the leading meeting place for senior executives to learn how to become a leader in connecting workplace and employee engagement for 2023 and beyond.

 

Learn more: https://futureworkseries.com/canada-2023/#

 

3.     Ad World (March 29-30, 2023), Virtual

 

Touted as the world’s largest advertising event for digital marketers, this two-day event brings together “20,000+ of the world’s brightest minds in advertising to learn, share secrets and connect online.”

 

Learn more: https://adworldconference.com

 

4.     Running Remote (April 25-26, 2023), Lisbon and Virtual

 

Remote work is here to stay, and this conference – now in its sixth year – “offers remote-first founders and hybrid-team leaders access to the knowledge and connections to help build and lead remote teams to excellence”.

 

Learn more: https://runningremote.com

 

5.     Adweek’s Social Media Week (May 2023), New York and Virtual

 

A property of Adweek, Social Media Week brings together a “network of forward-thinking leaders, social media practitioners and platforms to gain actionable insights into how brands are navigating new opportunities in social and what’s next for the industry.”

 

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XHHJbQ

 

6.     DesignThinkers (May 30-31, 2023), Vancouver and Virtual; (November 2-3, 2023), Toronto

 

DesignThinkers is the design conference questioning anything and everything. Brought to you by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), the event takes place in both Vancouver and Toronto – with the theme of the first, ‘Question Tomorrow’, exploring topics that include “the democratization of tools, constantly-evolving technologies, A.I.-generated content,” and more.

Learn more: https://pheedloop.com/dtvan23/site

 

7.     Change Leadership Experience (May 31, 2023), Toronto and Virtual

 

What’s new, what’s changing? That’s the question Canada’s premier learning and networking event explores. Here, you’ll hear from industry leaders and experts on leading change across workplace disruption, mental health and wellness, the future of change, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and more.

 

Visit: https://thechangeleadership.com

 

8.     Whose Accountability Revolution? Priorities, Incentive Structures, Organization Cultures (June 22-23, 2023), Toronto and Virtual

 

The Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations Research Network (by Common Ground), was created from “a shared interest in human differences and diversity, and their varied manifestations in organizations, communities, and nations”. The 23rd International Conference – Whose Accountability Revolution? – will focus on four major themes: identity and belonging, education and learning in worlds of differences, organizational diversity, and community diversity and governance.

 

Learn more: https://ondiversity.com/2023-conference

 

9.     Collision (June 26-29, 2023), Toronto

 

Collision, North America’s fastest-growing tech conference, was created by the team behind Web Summit and brings together “the people and the companies redefining the global tech industry” to learn and network across a range of tracks.

 

Learn more: https://collisionconf.com

 

10.     Elevate Festival (September 26-28, 2023), Toronto

 

Elevate is Canada’s largest festival at the intersection of arts and tech, “featuring world-class speakers, arts and culture events, opportunities to grow your business, and a space to find your people”. The festival provides a platform to “explore how creativity, innovation, and technology can help you thrive in a hyperconnected and hypercompetitive world”.

 

Learn more: https://elevatefestival.ca

 

11.  Web Summit (November 13-16, 2023), Lisbon

 

As Europe’s largest tech conference, Web Summit is “where the tech world meets” – bringing over 70,000 people together to discuss and learn from the companies redefining the tech industry.

 

Learn more: https://websummit.com