Top 10 Conferences for PR Pros in 2018

As PR pros, it can be difficult for us to step away from our inboxes and voicemails for time dedicated solely to professional development. It’s easy to put client needs in front of the latest webinar or online course, especially when your time is billable and there are deadlines at every turn. But public relations is a profession and an industry that’s constantly evolving and, in order to serve our clients effectively, we must keep up or risk falling behind. As 2017 has closed, let’s make it a priority to put our professional growth higher up on our (extremely long) list of priorities.

Here’s a list of the top 10 PR conferences Three Box has an eye on for 2018. Put your professional development first.

Social Media Strategies Conference
Feb. 6-8, 2018 | San Francisco, CA
The Social Media Strategies Conference (SMSS) is a top conference choice for social media, digital marketing and communications professionals across industries. Attendees will meet a mix of experienced in-house brand leaders, influencers and award-winning agencies to get a 360° view on what it takes to execute a successful social strategy. Confirmed speakers include:
• Diego Norris, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation, Campbell Soup Company
• Machu Latorre, Vice President of Social Care Business Strategy and Innovation, Wells Fargo
• Miri Rodriguez, Storyteller, Microsoft

The P World’s Rome PR Retreat
Feb. 15-17, 2018 | Rome, Italy
The P World’s Rome PR Retreat offers attendees the unique opportunity to pop the bubbles they may find themselves in, connect with professionals with a range of PR skills and explore creative solutions to some of the most important challenges in today’s ever-changing PR world. Professionals in attendance will spend three days surrounded by some of the most forward-thinking people in the world – the instant cure to a creative burnout. Confirmed retreat leaders include:
• Patrick Jephson, Former Chief of Staff to Princess Diana, International Reputation Expert, New York Times Bestselling Author
• Mary Jo Jacobi, Former Executive Vice President, BP America
• Donald Steel, Former Chief Communications Advisor, BBC

PR News: The DigiComm Summit
Feb. 22-23, 2018 | Huntington Beach Resort, CA
PR News has programmed the 2018 DigiComm Summit to give attendees deep dives AND a wide breadth of subjects, led by the smartest and most generous communicators out there. Activities will include case-study presentations, fun networking opportunities, hands-on workshops, practical advice and how-to’s and golden Pacific Ocean sunsets. DigiComm Summit attendees will walk away from these two days with next-level thinking in topics like paid social, SEO, PR measurement, visual storytelling, crisis communications, artificial intelligence, video and so much more. Confirmed speakers include:
• Ashley Dos Santos, Director of Communications, Ticketmaster
• Ben White, Senior Vice President, Edelman
• Adrianna Hosford, Senior Vice President, Ketchum

#DMWF Expo Global
April 16-17, 2018 | London, UK
#DMWF Conference & Expo Global 2018 will equip attendees with the skills and knowledge needed to understand and address future challenges across digital marketing and social media. Presented in a series of inspirational keynotes and panel discussions delivered by the industry’s most disruptive thought-leaders, #DMWF features sessions covering digital strategy, brand recognition, influencer marketing, content marketing and more across three conference tracks. Confirmed speakers include:
• William Bonaddio, Social Media Editor-in-Chief, McDonald’s UK
• Debarshi Pandit, Head of Multicultural, Sky

World Public Relations Forum
April 22-24, 2018 | Oslo, Norway
The World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) gathers together the global communication community to discuss communication’s impact in a digital and ever-changing world. Attendees will be invited to explore these changes from three main perspectives: truth, profit and intelligence. WPRF 2018 will inspire communicators to address modern communication challenges and opportunities. Confirmed speakers include:
• Tim Sutton, Chairman, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Weber Shandwick
• Berit Svendsen, Head of Telenor Scandinavia

Content Marketing Conference
May 2-4, 2018 | Boston, MA
Content marketing is changing. Communicators are learning that we don’t need a heavier hammer for success; we need sharper nails. The art of content creation must be mastered to engage customers with high-quality content and valuable information. The science of marketing performance must be perfected in multiple channels, to catch customers orbiting at high speeds. That’s where the Content Marketing Conference comes in, showcasing the latest tactics, methodology and technology to take content marketing to the next level, and way beyond. Confirmed speakers include:
• Tim Ash, CEO and Founder, Site Tuners
• Andy Crestodina, Co-Founder, Orbit Media Studios, Inc.
• Vesselin Popov, Business Development Director, Cambridge University

9th National Summit on Strategic Communications
May 8-9, 2018 | Washington, D.C.
The National Summit on Strategic Communications offers a diverse group of high-level speakers and attendees from corporations, the military, government and NGOs. The objectives are twofold: to identify strategies that enhance engagement and to share methods to increase the value and improve the practice of strategic communications in corporations, the military and government entities. Confirmed speakers include:
• Admiral Paul Zukunft, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
• Brandie Claborn, Chief Communications Officer, McAfee
• Brent Colburn, Vice President for Communications, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

INBOUND 2018
Sept. 4-7, 2018 | Boston, MA
INBOUND’s purpose is to provide the inspiration, education and connections professionals need to grow and transform their business. Through inspiring keynotes, innovative talks, educational breakouts, hands-on lessons and tons of networking, attendees will learn how the INBOUND experience is truly remarkable.

Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity
Sept. 26, 2018 | Singapore
Spikes Asia provides the Asia-Pacific region’s creative communications industry with a platform to network and exchange ideas by bringing together the finest creative thinkers from around the world. The festival offers an engaging program of seminars and workshops focusing on creativity and learning. In addition, there are exhibitions of creative work from across Asia, evening networking events and the exciting Spikes Asia Awards Ceremony which celebrates and rewards creative excellence in communications.

MarketingProfs’ B2B Marketing Forum
Nov. 13-16, 2018 | San Francisco, CA
MarketingProfs’ B2B Marketing Forum is more than just a conference. It’s the place where leaders, innovators and people who make things happen gather to learn about the latest in B2B marketing and share the secrets to success.

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