Staying ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of digital marketing and SEO requires a commitment to lifelong learning and a willingness to adapt to new technologies and techniques. One effective way to stay informed and connected with the industry’s digital marketing best practices is by attending industry conferences, which offer a unique opportunity to learn from experts, exchange ideas with peers, and gain valuable insights from thought leaders.
Local conferences can benefit businesses and digital marketing professionals in Chicago and other Midwestern states, as they allow them to stay up-to-date on the latest digital marketing and SEO developments in the rapidly evolving digital world while also making valuable connections within the local industry.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the top digital marketing and SEO conferences in Chicago and other Midwestern states in 2024, providing a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of your conference experience.
2024 Chicago SEO and Digital Marketing Conferences to Visit
Digital Summit Chicago 2024
Date: Wed, Apr 3 – Thur, Apr 4, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: TBA
Source: Digital Summit Chicago 2024
About: With events taking place in various cities across the US, Digital Summit Chicago is a go-to resource for staying updated on the latest trends and best practices in the ever-evolving digital ecosystem. Digital Summit is known for its extensive program, featuring over 1,200+ sessions, workshops, and seminars annually. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, providing attendees with valuable insights and practical tactics to enhance their digital marketing strategies.
The conference offers a two-day live event and webinar, providing attendees with multiple opportunities to engage with industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow professionals. One of the highlights of Digital Summit Chicago 2024 is the sponsorship by leading MarTech vendors. These vendors showcase their solutions across various areas such as social media, email marketing, advertising, hosting, content management, analytics, branding, design, and more.
B2B Online Chicago
Date: Mon, May 6 – Wed, May 8, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: Marriott Chicago Downtown, IL
Cost: $1,649 for Manufacturers and Distributors and $3,699 for Solution Providers
Source: B2B Online Chicago
About: B2B Online Chicago is a must-attend conference for manufacturers and distributors looking to enhance their digital marketing strategies and improve their online customer engagement. It brings together industry leaders and innovators to share their insights and strategies for building businesses and boosting profits. The conference is designed with one goal in mind: to build your business and enhance your profits.
TECHSPO Chicago 2024 Technology Expo (AdTech ~ MarTech)
Date: Wed, May 22 – Thur, May 23, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago, IL
Cost: From $17 – $497 (super early bird rate)
About: As part of the larger Techspo series taking place across 12 cities in the United States, the Chicago edition event brings together the best and brightest minds in the industry, featuring top developers, companies, marketers, technology suppliers, designers, and innovators. At TECHSPO Chicago, you’ll have the chance to hear from expert speakers from the media, advertising, and digital marketing sectors, who will share their knowledge and insights on the latest Internet, mobile, AdTech, MarTech, SaaS, and technology developments.
But that’s not all! TECHSPO Chicago also features an expo hall where exhibitors can showcase their businesses to potential customers, investors, media, and tech enthusiasts.
DigiMarCon Chicago 2024
Date: Fri, May 3 – Sat, May 4, 2024
Format: In-person and virtual
Location: Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago, IL
Cost: $197 (for online), $547 – $1,097 (for in-person)
Source: DigiMarCon Chicago 2024
About: DigiMarCon Chicago 2024 is a must-attend conference for anyone looking to enhance their digital marketing and advertising skills. The two-day marketing and advertising conference will provide informative presentations, engaging speakers, and valuable networking opportunities. Gifted speakers will take the stage, delivering presentations designed to enrich your knowledge and empower your business.
The conference covers a wide range of topics, including content marketing, data science, email marketing, inbound and outbound marketing, influencer marketing, mobile marketing, paid search marketing, sales and marketing automation, search engine optimization, social media marketing, UI/UX design, user-generated content, video marketing, and web experience management.
Retail Innovation Conference & Expo
Date: Tue, Jun 4 – Thur, Jun 6, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: McCormick Place, Chicago
Cost: $25 – $995
About: At #RICE24, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of retail. This year, the conference has been improved with simplified programming featuring three content tracks: Content, Community, and Commerce. This means you’ll have more time to focus on the topics that matter most to you and your business.
Furthermore, #RICE24 is designed to help you collaborate, ideate, and uncover new business possibilities. You’ll have the chance to attend strategic sessions, intimate C-level panels, and meaningful offsite networking events. You’ll also have access to innovative technology case studies presented in the Expo Hall and the best part? Conference and Expo Hall sessions won’t overlap, so you can easily experience and digest all available content.
Chicago Small Business Expo 2024
Date: Thu, June 13, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum, 725 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL
Cost: $0 – $500
Source: Chicago Small Business Expo 2024
About: The Chicago Small Business Expo is the largest professional network for small business owners and entrepreneurs across various industries. This premier event brings thousands of like-minded individuals together to network, get inspired, and explore new growth opportunities.
But that’s not all – the Chicago Small Business Expo also offers a unique tiered badge system, allowing you to customize your experience based on your business needs and budget. From the entry-level Green badge to the exclusive Elite badge, each tier offers a range of benefits and perks, including access to exclusive networking events, workshops, and marketing opportunities.
6th Annual Digital Marketing for Financial Services Midwest Summit
Date: Tue, Oct 1 – Wed, Oct 2, 2024
Format: In-person and Virtual
Location: Chicago
Cost: N/A
About: The 6th Annual Digital Marketing for Financial Services Midwest Summit brings together marketing experts from leading innovative brands. This summit offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, strategies, and best practices that can drive business growth in the digital marketing landscape.
Throughout the summit, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from over 40 senior marketing executives representing top banks, credit unions, insurers, investment banks, and fintech companies. These industry leaders will share their best practices, success stories, and insights, providing valuable knowledge and inspiration. The 2024 Summit will feature in-person sessions, fostering interactive discussions and providing attendees valuable face-to-face networking opportunities.
2024 Midwest SEO and Digital Marketing Conferences to Visit
Minneapolis eCommerce Summit
Date: Wed, Mar 6, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: The Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
Cost: $200 – $1,500
Source: Minneapolis eCommerce Summit
About: The Minneapolis chapter of the eCommerce Summit is a unique conference that brings together local eCommerce experts, decision-makers, retailers, brands, merchants, and solutions providers in a boutique-style setting.
The summit aims to create a high-impact experience, fostering idea-sharing, education, and networking among industry professionals. The program is carefully curated to cover a wide range of topics, ensuring attendees gain valuable insights across various aspects of eCommerce.
Attendees can expect engaging panel discussions, informative presentations, and one-on-one meetings throughout the day. These sessions cover various areas, including eCommerce strategy, marketing, operations, customer experience, payment solutions, shipping logistics, loyalty programs, and more.
Midwest Digital Marketing Conference (MDMC24)
Date: Mon, May 13 – Wed, May 15, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri, St. Louis (UMSL) campus.
Cost: N/A
About: The Midwest Digital Marketing Conference (MDMC24) in Chicago is one of the must-attend SEO and digital marketing conferences of 2024. This conference spans three enriching days, offering an immersive experience for digital marketers and industry professionals.
On Day 1, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in deep-dive workshops. Days 2 and 3 are packed with valuable content featuring two prominent keynote speakers who will share their insights and expertise. Additionally, there will be over 40 breakout sessions led by industry experts, covering various topics, including digital marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, data and analytics, and more.
DigiMarCon Great Lakes 2024
Date: Thur, Jun 6 – Fri, Jun 7, 2024
Format: In-person and online
Location: Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Hotel in Detroit, Michigan
Cost: $447 – $897
Source: DigiMarCon Great Lakes 2024
About: DigiMarCon Great Lakes 2024 brings together professionals in the digital marketing, media, and advertising industry to share their expertise and knowledge. The conference aims to equip attendees with the skills and insights needed to enhance their companies by leveraging the most recent digital marketing strategies. You can expect to be inspired, engaged, informed, and motivated to work more effectively through thought-provoking keynote speakers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of digital marketing strategies and solutions, including success stories from companies that have successfully implemented them. These real-world examples will provide valuable insights into achieving results and driving business success.
DigiMarCon Great Lakes 2024 covers an extensive range of topics to cater to diverse interests and needs. Some of the key topics that will be discussed include account-based marketing, behavioral and neuromarketing, content marketing, conversational marketing, conversion rate optimization, data science and big data, email marketing, and more.
Social Media Week Lima 2024
Date: Wed, Jun 19 – Thur, Jun 20, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: UNOH Event Center, Lima, Ohio USA
Cost: $50 – $250
Source: Social Media Week Lima 2024
About: #SMWL24 offers a wealth of invaluable knowledge, exciting keynotes, engaging panel discussions, and interactive table talks that inspire and equip you to navigate the ever-changing social media landscape. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your professional network by connecting with like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators passionate about building authentic connections.
The premier digital marketing conference also offers the chance to network with industry giants — established leaders and experts in social media and digital marketing. In addition to the networking opportunities, #SMWL24 provides a platform to explore cutting-edge tools and technologies shaping the social media landscape.
Midwest E-com Conference 2024
Date: Wed, July 19 – Fri, July 21, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: Minneapolis
Cost: N/A
About: The Midwest e-Com Conference was developed by business owners for business owners. This event educates sellers on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other platforms about changes in the e-commerce industry, emerging strategies, guidelines for selling on these many platforms, and how to expand their businesses. It attracts vendors with a wide variety of experience, from newcomers to experienced ones. You can network with retailers, vendors, specialists, and more by attending the Midwest e-Com conference!
Digital Summit Minneapolis 2024
Date: Wed, Aug 14 – Thur, Aug 15, 2024
Format: In-person
Location: TBA
Cost: TBA
About:
Digital Summit Minneapolis 2024 is a must-attend conference for marketers looking to enhance their careers and elevate their marketing strategies. Developed with marketers in mind, this conference attracts seasoned professionals from Fortune 1000 companies and other top businesses, making it a valuable networking opportunity.
One of the key features of Digital Summit conferences is their comprehensive program, which includes a variety of engaging sessions and activities designed to provide in-depth insights and practical solutions. Attendees can expect deep dives into specific topics, 1:1 mentoring opportunities to receive personalized guidance, 30- to 45-minute breakout sessions covering various subjects, roundtable conversations led by fellow attendees, and fireside chats with industry experts.
The Bottom Line
These conferences are a valuable investment for your professional growth and provide a platform to network with industry experts, gain insights into the latest innovative technologies, and explore cutting-edge strategies. And if you can’t make it to Chicago, don’t worry – there are plenty of other great conferences happening in the Midwest that you can attend.
If you’re looking for a trusted marketing strategist to help with your digital marketing needs, look no further than Comrade Digital Marketing Agency. Our team of experts offers a range of full-service solutions, including SEO, PPC, and web design, to help you achieve your business goals. Contact us today to learn more and take the first step towards digital marketing success.
