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Learning never stops. While many of us have mastered various skills and best practices for business success, we can never lose sight of the value of professional development. According to the Harvard Business Review, there are three main forms of professional development: learning, connecting, and creating. No matter your career path, there is a professional development opportunity waiting for you—either in the form of a conference, a webinar, or expert-led course.
An important aspect of growing professionally includes networking. What better way to learn, than with people who share your interests and excitement for staying one step ahead of the status quo? We've compiled a list of our favorite professional development events and a few we hope to attend someday soon:
1. AdAge Next: A two-day digital conference for the forward-thinking marketer interested in the intersection of media, science, and tech.
2. Social Media Week: Media, marketing, and technology professionals have an opportunity to gain new insights and ideas on the importance of social media in every aspect of business and entrepreneurship.
3. Afro Tech: Founders and employees of color engage in meaningful conversations on topics ranging from raising venture funding to user design and growth hacking.
4. Niche Digital Marketing Conference: Print, digital, events, and data professionals gather in some of the largest cities in the U.S. for tips from industry leaders and develop actionable strategies for digital marketing success.
5. Dreamforce: Sponsored by the CRM software giant, Salesforce, Dreamforce not only offers an opportunity to network with industry professionals but offers inspiration for career and customer success.
6. Inbound: The annual conference hosted by Hubspot gathers each year discuss innovation in content, marketing, and provide hands-on educational workshops on best practices for business growth.
7. Adobe Summit: Adobe wants to give your content, marketing, and analytics a boost. The Adobe Summit offers tracks in advertising, design-led customer experiences, email & campaign marketing, and more.
8. BEA: Digital best practices also exist in academia. The Broadcast Education Association offers panel discussions, and research presentations for students and educators with a passion for sharing and learning innovative ways to enhance the classroom experience and education overall.
9. FWD: For Women and Diversity Collective: The FWD Collective offers fun and engaging summits and workshops specifically women, people of color, and under-represented groups.
10. Fear Paradox Women's Summit: This annual three-day event is hosted by the founders of Ms.Tech and The SimplyBe Agency.
11. NABJ: The National Association of Black Journalists meet yearly to engage and empower media and journalism professionals of color through professional development, an employment fair, and panel discussions on industry-specific topics.