Top 10 Events for Event Professionals in Q2 2026

The second quarter of 2026 shifts from strategic planning to tactical execution. As event professionals move from foundation-building to implementation, choosing the right Q2 conferences becomes essential for developing practical skills, building supplier relationships, and adopting technologies that drive results.

This guide covers the must-attend Q2 conferences organized by month, helping you identify which events deliver the connections and knowledge your program needs. From international trade shows to specialized executive forums, this event planning conference schedule for the second quarter addresses the tactical challenges event professionals face during peak planning season.

What are the Top Conferences for Event Professionals in April 2026?

1. PCMA Convening APAC 2026

When: April 12-14, 2026

Where: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Why Attend:

• Access Asia-Pacific's premier business events conference with executive-level programming
• Network with regional and global event leaders across the APAC market
• Learn strategies for navigating cultural nuances and APAC market challenges

Best For: Event professionals focused on Asia-Pacific markets, international planners expanding into APAC, corporate meeting planners managing regional programs, and association executives with Asian chapters.

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2. Google Cloud Next 2026

When: April 22-24, 2026

Where: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, USA

Why Attend:

• Explore AI innovations and cloud technologies reshaping event operations
• Learn how leading companies leverage Google Cloud for registration, data analytics, and personalization
• Discover practical applications of generative AI for event content, marketing, and attendee engagement
  

Best For: Event technology directors, digital innovation leaders, data-driven event marketers, and professionals seeking to leverage AI and cloud solutions for event programs.

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3. National Planning Conference 2026

When: April 25-28, 2026
Where: Huntington Place Convention Center, Detroit, USA

Why Attend:

• Access industry experts shaping the future of event planning
• Explore climate change adaptation and emerging technologies
• Learn inclusive planning strategies for social change

Best For: Urban planners, conference organizers, community event professionals, and planners focused on sustainable event development.

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4. Northwest Event Show 2026

When: April 28-30, 2026
Where: Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, USA

Why Attend:

• Explore 300+ exhibitor booths showcasing regional destinations and suppliers
• Network with 4,000+ event professionals
• Discover sustainable and outdoor event solutions 

Best For: Pacific Northwest event professionals, regional planners, West Coast venue seekers, and those interested in sustainable and outdoor event solutions.

Recommended Reading:

Struggling to retain key insights from these dense Q2 sessions?
The forgetting curve shows why even strong sessions lose value when insights aren’t captured for future reference. 

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What are the Top Conferences for Event Professionals in May 2026?

1. IMEX Frankfurt 2026

When: May 19-21, 2026
Where: Messe Frankfurt, Germany

Why Attend:

• Access Europe's largest global trade show for meetings, events, and incentive travel
• Participate in pre-scheduled hosted buyer appointments with international suppliers
• Gain European market intelligence and a global perspective on industry trends
• Attend education sessions on sustainability, technology integration, and attendee experience innovation

Best For: International meeting planners, European event professionals, incentive travel buyers, association planners, corporate event managers, and anyone seekingEuropean market insights.

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2. Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF)

When: May 27, 2026
Where: Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington DC, USA

Why Attend:

• Experience event technology demos and C-level sessions in one day
• Participate in live Q&As, receptions, and networking lunches
• Gain actionable ideas and valuable high-level contacts

Best For: Association executives, independent show organizers, trade show managers, C-level event decision-makers, and convention professionals seeking strategic connections.

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What are the Top Conferences for Event Professionals in June 2026?

1. MPI World Education Congress (WEC)

When: June 2-4, 2026
Where: Henry B. González Convention Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

Why Attend:

• Experience MPI's signature event with elite speakers and unmatched content organized into festival-inspired tracks
• Participate in interactive sessions where attendees shape the energy and outcomes rather than passively listening
• Network through structured activities, attendee meals, and unique San Antonio experiences blending business with leisure
• Access coaching opportunities and professional development resources designed for meeting professionals

Best For: Meeting professionals, event managers, hospitality professionals, destination marketers, venue managers, and anyone seeking transformative, interactive professional development in the events industry.

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2. HPE Discover Las Vegas 2026

When: June 15-18, 2026
Where: Venetian Convention and Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Why Attend:

• Explore enterprise technology innovations in AI, edge computing, and hybrid cloud relevant to event infrastructure
• Learn how major venues and event companies leverage HPE technology for operations and data management
• Network with IT decision-makers and technology providers serving the hospitality and events sector
• Discover scalable solutions for managing event data, security, and digital experiences

Best For: Event technology managers, venue IT directors, convention center technology teams, and event professionals responsible for infrastructure, data management, and technology partnerships.

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3. Esports Travel Summit

When: June 23-26, 2026
Where: Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Why Attend:

• Join the world's largest gathering of esports tournament and video game event organizers
• Learn travel and tourism strategies specific to the rapidly growing esports events sector
• Connect with sports commissions, venues, and destinations pursuing esports event business
• Understand unique logistics, audience demographics, and operational requirements for esports events

Best For: Esports event organizers, sports tourism professionals, CVB sports sales teams, venue managers targeting gaming events, and event professionals entering the esports market.

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4. The Meetings Show

When: June 24-25, 2026
Where: ExCeL London, London, England, UK

Why Attend:

• Meet hundreds of UK hotels, destination managing companies, conference centers, and venues
• Connect with technology suppliers and service providers
• Gain inspiration from industry leaders across multiple sessions
• Focus on direct supplier connections and practical sourcing

Best For: UK event professionals, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry planners, European meeting managers, venue seekers, and technology buyers focused on the UK and European markets.

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How to Maximize Q2 Conference Value?

Q2 is where planning turns into execution. When selecting from this event planning conference list, prioritize events that help you secure suppliers, sharpen operational skills, and apply technology that improves delivery in real time.

IMEX Frankfurt and MPI WEC offer a broad industry perspective and peer learning, while focused events like HPE Discover and Esports Travel Summit support deeper exploration of specific operational and technology needs. Google Cloud Next adds forward-looking insight into AI and data-driven event operations.

Choose your Q2 calendar based on what you need to execute now, so your programs run smoother, scale better, and stay adaptable through the rest of the year.

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Organizing a Conference This Year? Don’t Let 70% of Its Value Disappear in 24 Hours

You invest deeply in every conference, content, speakers, production, and experience. But once the event wraps up, much of that impact quickly fades. Attendees forget key sessions, sponsors lose visibility, and ROI measurement becomes an uphill task. Rozie Synopsis helps you change that. With AI-powered content capture, instant insights, and a branded knowledge hub, it keeps your event working long after it’s over, fueling continued learning,

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FAQs

Q1. Where can event professionals learn about AI and cloud technology applications?
Google Cloud Next in April showcases AI innovations, generative AI applications, and cloud technologies specifically applicable to event operations, personalization, and attendee experiences.

Q2. What's the premier event for esports and gaming event professionals?
EsportsTravel Summit in Cincinnati is the world's largest gathering dedicated to esports tournament organization, travel logistics, and venue strategies for the gaming events sector.

Q3. Which Q2 conferences serve event technology and IT decision-makers?
HPE Discover addresses enterprise technology for event infrastructure and operations, while Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF) features event technology demos and C-level technology discussions.

Q4. How can organizers help attendees retain insights from Q2 conference sessions?
Many organizers use platforms like Rozie Synopsis to capture live session content and surface real-time insights on screens during talks. These insights are available live and also  feed into post-event knowledge hubs, allowing attendees to revisit missed sessions and key takeaways during, and after the event. Talk to the Rozie Synopsis team to learn more about how to retain insights from Q2 conference sessions.