The UK will stage a series of prominent social media marketing conferences throughout 2025, offering professionals numerous opportunities for networking, learning, and career growth. From London to Brighton, these events attract global brands and industry leaders, aiming to keep marketers abreast of evolving trends and strategies.
These conferences provide platforms for marketers to engage with peers, gain insights from expert speakers, and explore innovations shaping the social media landscape. Below is an overview of the top 11 conferences scheduled in the UK this year.
Major Social Media Marketing Conferences in the UK
The UK’s conference calendar for 2025 includes a variety of events targeting digital marketing and social media professionals. These are organized chronologically:
SocialDay:Held over three days in May in London, SocialDay is a key event for social media marketers. Featuring global brand participation, the conference includes speeches, lightning talks, and networking sessions. This year, Sprout Social’s director Rachael Goulet shared insights on measuring ROI across campaigns, creators, and colleagues.
SXSW London:An extension of the famous Austin-based festival, SXSW London took place in early June across 28 venues. The event is recognized for its focus on technology and creativity, making it essential for professionals in these sectors. SXSW’s marketing efforts were highlighted in Sprout’s “Social Bio” podcast.
Digital Marketing World Forum (DMWF):Running since 2011, DMWF Global attracts digital marketers worldwide. The 2025 London summit, held in late June at Olympia, featured over 150 speakers focusing on marketing technology. Sprout Social serves as a global sponsor.
MAD Fest:The Marketing/Advertising/Disruption festival convenes in July at London’s Truman Brewery. Headlined by comedian and novelist Richard Ayoade, it hosts speakers from brands like LEGO, Disney, and IKEA. MAD Fest also organizes regional events under MAD//Up North.
DigiMarCon UK:Taking place near Heathrow in August, DigiMarCon is one of the largest digital marketing conference series worldwide. Attendees explore UK-specific social media trends, with a focus on internet, mobile, adtech, martech, and SaaS solutions.
Digital Travel Marketing Conference:Scheduled for October in London, this event gathers leaders from companies like Skyscanner, Uber, Booking.com, and TUI. It offers deep insights into travel influencer strategies and tourism marketing tools.
Marketing Festival:Also in October, this London-based festival spotlights key trends and strategies to stay competitive. It features celebrity speakers, interactive sessions, and dedicated networking lounges.
PI Live Europe:Focused on performance marketing, PI Live Europe happens in late October with over 2,500 participants. It targets brands, agencies, martech providers, and influencers, making it ideal for UK-based content creators.
CreatorFest Europe:This influencer-centered event in late October aims to connect brands, creators, agencies, and tech leaders across Europe. It supports new partnerships and is favored by talent agencies and marketing tech companies.
BrightonSEO:As the UK’s largest SEO and search marketing conference, BrightonSEO breaks from the London trend. Taking place in Brighton in October, it attracts professionals involved in social and broader digital marketing strategies.
B2B Marketing Live:In November, B2B Marketing Live returns to London’s ExCeL center. The event hosts over 120 speakers and 100 exhibitors, catering to executives, creative directors, and content marketers involved in B2B strategies.
Noteworthy Global Social Media Conferences
For professionals working with global brands, attending international conferences is valuable. Some key events to consider include:
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (June, France):Renowned for creativity and marketing innovation, this festival draws industry heavyweights such as Serena Williams and Tor Myhren.
Content Entrepreneurs Expo (CEX) (August, USA):Focused on content marketing, CEX helps creators monetize and scale their operations.
Digital Olympus (September, Netherlands):This event features top European marketers and emphasizes disruptive marketing approaches.
DMEXCO (September, Germany):Europe’s largest digital marketing conference, offering affordable tickets and a broad exhibitor list including Disney Advertising.
Why Attend Social Media Marketing Conferences?
Attending these conferences benefits personal career development by providing access to thought leadership and networking opportunities. They inspire new marketing ideas and can help build your brand as an industry expert.
For businesses, these events are ideal for finding partners, nurturing sales leads, and expanding influence domestically and internationally.
Tips to Maximize Conference Experiences
Making the most of marketing conferences requires planning beyond purchasing tickets:
Choose Relevant Events:Select conferences that align with your industry, goals, and brand for more meaningful takeaways.
Set Clear Objectives:Know whether your focus is learning, networking, sales, or branding, and assign team roles if applicable.
Plan Your Schedule:With multiple sessions, map out key talks and social activities to avoid missing important opportunities.
Develop Networking Skills:Practice starting and ending conversations, identify key contacts, and approach socializing at your own pace.
Create Follow-Up Plans:Organize contacts and tailor follow-ups depending on potential collaborations, sales leads, or information gathering.
Transforming Live Events into Social Engagement
Although attending in-person events can be overwhelming, remember to enjoy the experience. Capture photos, take notes, and organize ideas to create content for personal and company social channels, amplifying your investment beyond the event itself.
Keep an eye on future editions of these annual or more frequent conferences, as attending multiple times can compound the benefits for your professional growth and marketing efforts.
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