During this pandemic, I’ve learned that many of the things I’m accustomed to doing in-person can just as easily be done online. I can buy my groceries online, meet with colleagues, attend happy hours with friends, and even watch a concert. And while the experience isn’t quite the same, I’m still able to get exactly what I need: entertainment, companionship, collaboration, and...groceries.

In 2020, many companies have had to move their live events online, and they’ve learned what I learned about virtual grocery shopping—it’s not so bad. In fact, it has some pretty great benefits. Setup costs are lower, and you can attract a much broader audience. For these reasons, we expect to see more virtual conferences in the coming months and years, even once it’s safe to gather in public again. 

If you’re a content marketer lamenting over the lack of industry get-togethers this year, this roundup should help. We’ve searched far and wide to compile a list of great virtual content marketing conferences that are worth your attention. 

Here are the content marketing conferences you can’t miss in the second half of 2020.

Pros & Content Connect

Like many other brands, Knotch’s plans for our second annual Pros & Content Conference were derailed earlier this year with the outbreak of COVID-19. As we watched the upheaval brought on by the pandemic, as well as the pain and anger brought on by the killing of George Floyd, we realized it was still very important for all of us to commune and connect during this tumultuous time.

The result is Pros & Content Connect, a live digital event co-organized with Salesforce, where we invite CMOs, CEOs, Chief Communication Officers, Chief Diversity Officers, and SMBs to take the stage and share stories of inspiration, resilience and unity. Attendees will learn how to stay aligned to what’s happening in the world through effective storytelling, and of course how to create great content. We’ll also discuss COVID-19’s impact on marketing for the remainder of the year, and how brands should weigh in on issues of social justice including the Black Lives Matter movement and Pride.

Our speaker lineup includes Leslie Gillin (CMO, JPMorgan Chase), Gwyneth Paltrow (CEO, Goop), Sarah Kate Ellis (CEO, GLAAD), Tariq Hassan (CMO, Petco), Naveen Agarwal (CMO & Chief Customer Officer, Prudential), Carla Hassan (Chief Brand Officer, Citi), Stephanie Buscemi (CMO, Salesforce), Glenn Jackson (Chief Diversity Officer, M&T Bank), and many others.

And in the spirit of unity, Pros & Content Connect is free for all to attend.

MozCon

SEO software company Moz has arranged for their conference to take place virtually on July 14th & 15th. MozCon aims to provide marketers with advice on search marketing, SEO best practices, conversion optimization, and more. Attendees typically include SEO professionals, agency leaders, and content marketers. 

Speakers lined up for this year’s event include Brian Dean (Founder, Backlinko), Alexis Sanders (CEO, Merkle), and Michael King (Managing Director, iPullRank). 

If you’re looking to hone your SEO skills (as all content marketers should), MozCon is a great place to do it. A two-day ticket costs $129. Moz will also make a charitable donation for every ticket sold.

CommerceNext

CommerceNext is a conference for marketers who work with retail, ecommerce, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. This year’s conference has been reframed around COVID-19. Topics of discussion include the “Post Pandemic Consumer,” “Marketing to Cash-Strapped Consumers,” and “Balancing Brand and Performance Marketing on Half the Budget.”

Speakers include Joe Megibow (CEO, Purple), Charlie Cole (CEO, FTD), and Gail Tifford (CMO, WW). The conference is perfect for any and all marketers working in the retail and ecommerce space.

ContentTECH Summit

This conference, hosted by the Content Marketing Institute, showcases how technology can help marketers strategize, create, and scale their content marketing efforts and deliver better experiences to their audience.

The conference is attended primarily by content marketers who want to learn from practitioners and experts in content technology and marketing strategy. This year’s speakers include Christoper Penn (Chief Data Scientist, Trust Insights), Alan Zweibel (Author), and Robert Rose (Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute).

A virtual pass costs $799 and provides access to all speakers, breakout groups, and meet-ups. There’s also a $999 pass that gives you access to special workshops.

SaaStr Annual

SaaStr is the world’s largest conference for SaaS businesses. Attendees receive actionable advice and strategies on how to start, scale, and market their SaaS business. This year’s event will feature over 250 speakers and hundreds of 1-on-1s, Ask Me Anythings, and mentoring sessions.

The event is frequently attended by founders, executives, VCs, marketers, and business development strategists. This year’s speakers include Aaron Levie (CEO, Box), Erica Brescia (COO, GitHub), Jean-Michel Lemieux (CTO, Shopify), Eric Yuan (CEO, Zoom), Howie Lu (CEO, AirTable), among others.

SaaStr is currently offering two different types of tickets. Their “VIP + Networking” ticket costs $229 and provides access to all live content and 1-on-1 networking sessions. The “Investor” ticket offers attendees the opportunity to meet with founders seeking financing.

HubSpot INBOUND

For the first time in its nine-year history, HubSpot INBOUND will take place entirely online. The Boston-based conference is typically one of the largest annual conferences for marketers, and attracts leaders and creatives from across the business world. Last year’s speakers included Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and famed journalist Katie Couric. 

Despite being online, the conference organizers say they are working hard to make INBOUND 2020 unique.

“We believe that events should create a shared moment in time that unites a community and create space for uplifting energy to percolate, enabling conversation and connection, allowing everyone to feel part of something bigger, something that’s worth getting excited about and rallying around, no matter the medium,” it reads on the conference website. “That’s the secret sauce that has always made INBOUND special and as we think about how we are going to deliver INBOUND via this new, online, immersive experience, creating a way for this to happen is top of mind for us.”

Two-day passes to INBOUND are currently available for free online. There are also premium passes that offer additional perks for $49 per day.

Non-Virtual Content Marketing Conferences

Believe it or not, there are some content marketing conferences scheduled for later this year that are happening in person. Given the ongoing health crisis, this is subject to change. But if it’s safe to attend, here are some content marketing conferences you should consider:

Content Marketing World

  • Dates: October 13 - 16, 2020
  • Location: Cleveland, Ohio
  • Price: $899 - $2,599
  • Register here

Content Marketing World is another conference run by the Content Marketing Institute. This conference is all about learning how to be a better content marketer by learning from some of the best content creators in the business.

CMI says this year’s conference will feature 225 different speakers, 550 companies, and over 125 workshops and sessions. Confirmed speakers include Melanie Deziel (Founder, StoryFuel), Jay Baer (Founder, Convince & Convert), and Chris Write (Senior Content Strategist, Capital One).

CMI is currently offering an “Early Bird” price of $1,299 until 7/31. After that the price jumps up to $1,399, or $1,599 if you purchase your ticket on-site. You can also pay extra for access to additional events. Note that CMI is also offering virtual passes for $899.

2020 ANA Masters of Marketing Conference

  • Dates: October 20 - 23, 2020
  • Location: Orlando, FL
  • Price: $999 - $3,049
  • Register here

The ANA Masters of Marketing Conference is another live event that can also be attended virtually. This conference will focus on the challenges the marketing and advertising industry is currently facing. CMOs from leading brands will share their strategies and approaches to help brands navigate through these difficult times.

Agenda tracks include “Brand Innovation, Creativity, and Media,” “Data, Technology, and Measurement,” “Talent and Marketing Organization,” and “Society and Sustainability.” A speaker list has yet to be revealed.

Virtual registration costs $999 for ANA members and up to $1,499 for nonmembers. In-person registration costs $2,049 for members and $3,049 for nonmembers.

Which Content Marketing Conferences Will You Attend?

As you can see, brands are giving it their all to make sure their virtual conferences are memorable experiences that provide value to all attendees. As a content marketer, attending one of these conferences can provide you with networking opportunities, inspiration, and helpful advice on how better to apply your craft.

Best of all, you can attend all of them from the comfort of your own home. 

What content marketing conferences will you attend?