it’s time to think about how to jumpstart your professional growth in 2017. For those in the social media stratosphere attending social media conferences is one of the best ways to grow your network and yourself.
Social media marketing conferences are not only a great way to learn about innovative digital marketing trends, but they also provide opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing. Want to get started and attend a conference without ever having to leave your house? Check out Connect via Hootsuite.
With so many quality events out there in addition to CvH, it can be hard to decide what social media conferences are worth attending. To save you the trouble, we’ve rounded up some of the top social media conferences of 2017.

March 22-24, 2017
San Diego, California
Social Media Examiner is a notable resource for social media marketing news and information, and their annual conference is no different. The world’s top experts will be sharing their expertise with more than 4,000 marketers from over 50 countries. Attendees will also have plenty of opportunities to connect face-to-face with these global marketing leaders when they’re not on the stage.
Social Media Marketing World also boasts expert-led workshops as well as a brand new Creator Series for bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and live video producers.

Various dates and locations
While we wish every week was Social Media Week, we’ll settle for the numerous events put on by the leading news platform of the same name. Social Media Week is a worldwide conference that “curates and shares the best ideas, innovations, and insights into how social media and technology are changing business, society, and culture around the world.”
With conferences on six continents, over 70,000 physical attendees, 5,000 speakers, and more than 1 million people joining through social and mobile, Social Media Week is a top source of digital marketing information.
The global theme for their 2017 conferences is “Language and the Machine: Algorithms and the Future of Communication.” If you’re wondering exactly what this means, consider the various ways we use digital media to communicate (think emoji, voice commands, chatbots, and GIFs). Find out what these new languages mean for businesses worldwide.
The next Social Media Week conferences take place in New York, Hamburg, and Lagos beginning February 27. There will be conversations and knowledge-sharing surrounding the intersection of human communication and social technology, with keynote addresses, panels, presentations, demos, and workshops.

The top social media conferences of 2017

Social Media Marketing World 2017

Social Media Week

CMX Summit

Dates and location to be announced

While not many details have emerged regarding the 2017 version of the CMX Summit, last year’s event, which was held in San Francisco in November, suggests there’s much to look forward to. The event bills itself as “the premier conference for community professionals, founders, and organizations.” If community is your game, this conference is calling your name.

Learn from over a dozen leaders from companies big and small, attend valuable workshops, get inspired by insightful keynotes, and of course, multiple networking opportunities. CMX Summit will give you the tools to bring the power of collaboration and community to your business.

Content Marketing World

September 5-8, 2017

Cleveland, Ohio

Social media is an important piece of any content marketing plan. To help you discover the big picture, the Content Marketing World Conference and Expo is back for 2017.

Last year Content Marketing World hosted 3,600 marketers from over 50 countries who were treated to speakers that included award-winning actor Mark Hamill and Lego’s global director of social media and search marketing Lars Silberbauer.

In 2017, Content Marketing World attendees will enjoy over 80 sessions and workshops with leading brand marketers, covering strategy, integration, measurement, and more. Learn from 225 speakers, 550 companies representing various industries, and experience over 123 hours of keynote speeches, networking events, knowledge-building sessions, and entertainment.

Unbounce Call to Action Conference

June 25-27, 2017

Vancouver, Canada

The legendary Unbounce CTA Conference is one not to miss. The conference has carefully curated speakers and content to teach you valuable and actionable marketing tactics you can put to use immediately.

At the CTA Conference, you’ll learn from top marketing experts who will cover a number of topics including landing page optimization, copywriting, email marketing, analytics, content marketing, and proven conversion techniques. Speakers include top experts such as Moz’s Rand Fishkin, copywriting gurus Joanna Wiebe and Amy Harrison, and Seer Interactive’s Wil Reynolds.

Not only will you get top-of-the-class learning opportunities, but also a truly unique networking experience facilitated by the friendly people at Unbounce.

Digital Marketing Innovation Summit

March 21-22, 2017

New York, New York

The Digital Marketing Innovation Summit is a conference with a purpose. The event invites commercial leaders to come together and find real solutions to challenges they face.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include:

• Creating a holistic brand and seamless brand experience—online and offline
• Monetizing your social media presence
• Personalizing your multi-channel engagement levels and exploring digital fingerprints
• Content marketing and moving beyond simple native advertising
• Using SEO and search analytics to understand tracking and attribution

While at the conference, attendees can also check out the Mobile Innovation Summit, the Women in Strategy Summit, and the Digital Strategy Innovation Summit.

Social Media Strategies Summit

February 7-9, 2017: San Francisco, California

April 26-28, 2017: Chicago, Illinois

October 2017, 2017: New York, New York

The Social Media Strategies Summit is the longest running social media conference in the United States. If you’re a digital marketing or communications professional, this is one you’ll want to have on your radar.

The SMS Summit’s agenda is full of experts ready to share insights and tips to help you find success on social media and beyond. Speakers promise to bring real-world knowledge to get you thinking of fresh ideas, campaigns, and strategies.

While the focus is on social media, the SMS Summit will also show participants how social fits into their broader digital content strategy..

Corporate Social Media Summit

Dates and location to be announced

The move towards digital everything has meant rapid change for businesses. The Corporate Social Media Summit offers a unique opportunity for brands to learn how to embed social and digital technology across their businesses.

As an attendee, you will have the opportunity for one-on-one interactions with customers and potential customers. There will also be learning opportunities with innovative speakers, and interactive panels. And the CSM Awards Show evening will recognize leaders in the industry—or maybe you’ll receive recognition yourself!

Social Shake Up

May 22-24, 2017

Atlanta, Georgia

This three-day social media conference promises to take your strategy to the next level. The Social Shake Up is designed specially for digital, social, marketing, public relations, and communications professionals who are looking for “new innovative ways to keep integrating social media into their overall business strategy.”

Whether you’re looking for Snapchat inspiration, SEO tips, or the ins and outs of livestreaming, the Social Shake Up has something for you. Expert speakers from brands such as Slate, Google, Coca-Cola, and Oracle will be on hand to share their knowledge and answer your questions.

With more than 30 years of conference programming under their belt, organizers of the Social Shake Up know which topics are most important to digital leaders. You’ll discover ideas to help move your business forward, with interactive sessions, panel discussions, fireside chats, clinics, and more.

ad:tech

March 9-10, 2017: New Delhi, India

March 14-15, 2017: Sydney, Australia

March 30-31, 2017: Shanghai, China

May 10-11, 2017: San Diego, California

ad: tech is an established name in the social media conference game, celebrating over 20 years of successful events. Their global network reaches far across the U.S., U.K., and Asia.

Regardless of which event you attend, you’ll get access to networking and business matching opportunities, both in structured and informal formats. You’ll have the chance to chat, learn, and share with the biggest brands, agencies, and companies in the world. It’s all facilitated by the Business Connect directory within ad:tech’s own app.

The exhibition floor at ad:tech will showcase the latest in advertising and marketing technology, making sure you and your brand stay ahead of the curve.

South by Southwest

March 10-19, 2017

Austin, Texas

South by Southwest (SXSW) celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Since 1987, SXSW has dedicated itself to being the “premier destination for discovery,” —an essential event for innovators and creators around the world.

The conferences and festivals of SXSW feature sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a plethora of networking opportunities. While not specifically a social media conference, SXSW is a dynamic arena for innovative technology discovery and digital inspiration. If you ever have a chance to attend SXSW, don’t pass it up.

The social media conference landscape can often feel cluttered and overwhelming, but hopefully the above options can help you start narrowing down your options. There are, of course, other great events worth attending this year so get searching for what’s on near you.

Watch and learn from innovators and industry experts at our biggest online social media conference, Connect via Hootsuite.

Experience it now.