AI has truly arrived in business operations, and it’s becoming the go-to tool for everything from data entry to lead generation. I’ve seen some business leaders go all in on AI outreach and carefully designed content to build their brand online. And in many cases, there is some notable benefit from those AI-focused activities.

However, and this might sound counterintuitive, the explosion of AI in the business sector has convinced me that attending in-person events and conferences is more important than ever. AI is very good for a lot of things, but building strong relationships is not one of them. In-person networking is still the best way to connect with peers, founders and experts and have high-trust conversations about trends and opportunities.

But not all conferences are created equal. It’s not enough to just be in a room, any room, with other people. The best business events are the ones that provide entrepreneurs with access to curated communities and individuals that can provide benefits long after the event is over. Whether you’re looking for leadership development, opportunities to enter entrepreneurship ecosystems, or the latest information from notable figures in your industry, selecting the best event is key.

If you’re like me, you probably have limited time available for conferences and want to choose only a handpicked few each year. These events are the ones I’ve found to consistently provide the best networking opportunities and actionable advice that can be executed for real results.

Conferences to Look Forward to in 2026

1. Baby Bathwater Institute: August 17-20, Boulder, CO; November 9-12, Burnet, TX

I know the name is weird. But Baby Bathwater Institute has been running boutique founder events since 2014 and has since built a year-round membership around them. It’s one of the only gatherings where people consistently tell me "it's completely different" without being able to explain why. After going, I get it.

Many events set up the space and leave the rest up to you when speaking to the audience. Baby Bathwater actually curates a list of people you should meet and sets up introductions before you arrive. The format is ‘choose your own adventure.’ You have the option to sit in on peer-led sessions, skip everything and talk shop by the water or mix it up. No specific meeting type is mandatory, and all content is professionally recorded for you. You simply arrive at the airport, and the team takes over from there. This way, you get to take the four days at your own pace. The revenue requirements are serious, but the vetting goes much deeper. They care more about who you are and where you're headed than the size of your exit.

People end up in hours-long conversations and realize they never asked what the other person does for work. That's why the connections outlast the event by years . Typically, events can sell out, but there is a wait list that people can join if needed.

2. The Gathering Festival: October 21-24, Banff, Alberta, Canada

If you ever thought you might like to network while playing out your dreams of living like a vampire in a mountain-backed castle, then The Gathering Festival is the conference for you. While that might sound a tad dramatic, the event is genuinely located in a majestic 19th-century hotel right in the Canadian Rockies.

But, a great venue aside, this conference is a high-energy event focused on bringing creators, founders and operators together in a community atmosphere. They offer a variety of group formats in order to provide multiple ways for people to network and open up conversations.

Numerous business keynote speakers are scheduled to speak in large group settings for lecture-style presentations and also small group inner sanctum sessions for more personable and in-depth conversations. There are also supper club and speed networking sessions to encourage relationship building among attendees.

The festival culminates in an awards gala. This includes the Brand Hall of Fame to celebrate notable brands and leaders. There is also a presentation of the Canada Effie Awards to recognize the most influential marketing campaigns of the year.

3. EY Entrepreneur of the Year/Strategic Growth Forum: November 16-19, Palm Springs, CA

For many entrepreneurs and executives, the EY Strategic Growth Forum is one of the most meaningful business gatherings of the year. In terms of top-tier executive networking, it’s a unique opportunity to be in rooms with some of the most influential business leaders. Every year, attendees include a distinguished group of CEOs, global executives, rapidly scaling entrepreneurs and investors from a wide range of industries. I was previously an EY award winner and I was humbled by the caliber of leaders around me.

Depending on attendees’ preferences, there are hands-on workshops focused on solving day-to-day business challenges, as well as sessions centered on broader topics such as innovation, leadership and growth acceleration. There are also opportunities for private meetings to explore potential partnerships, board placements and other beneficial relationships.

EY’s entrepreneur-focused networks can open doors for those who join. These include Entrepreneur Of The Year, Entrepreneurs Access Network and Entrepreneurial Winning Women. I’ve personally received a great deal of value from the mentorship, collaboration and peer connections those communities can provide.

The Forum concludes with the Entrepreneur of the Year US National Awards celebration, which spotlights business success stories and honors outstanding entrepreneurs. Overall, the conference brings together the best and the brightest across business sectors, creating a uniquely collaborative and immersive experience.

4. Main Street Summit: September 15-17, Columbia, MO

The Main Street Summit festival-style event is unique in that it brings together owners, operators and investors specifically for small- and medium-sized businesses. In a no-fluff environment, top-notch experts and professionals host breakout sessions to provide entrepreneurs with the answers they’re seeking and give them pointers for taking their business to the next level.

It’s also a great opportunity for these smaller businesses to get introductions with potential investors. Whether the business is looking to sell in the future or is seeking investors to expand operations, investors can give their honest feedback of areas in which the business is attractive and areas where it needs to make improvements.

5. Lifestyle Investor Live: September 27-30, Austin, TX

For high-net-worth individuals focused on ensuring their money provides lifestyle freedom and overall quality of life, the Lifestyle Investor Mastermind is worth a look. Members are provided with highly vetted investment opportunities, tax strategy, wealth-retaining strategies and direct relationships with other elite investors and operators.

What sets this apart from other high-wealth groups is that it's a true community emphasizing how money can be attained and used to provide the most life satisfaction. Other groups focus solely on attaining more wealth without considering the cost in time, energy and the relationships that matter most.

With this commitment in mind, members meet annually in Austin, TX and in select global locations throughout the year. This September, the theme is one of the most important shifts happening in private wealth right now: the emergence of the family office. It's the model the wealthiest families have quietly used for generations to coordinate investments, tax, estate and deal flow under one roof. For the first time, it's becoming accessible to a much wider tier of investors. The event itself is two full days of content from the people actually shaping the wealth industry behind the scenes. So, these are not the names you see on magazine covers, but rather, they are the operators, allocators and advisors quietly living this life and building the structures the ultra-wealthy rely on.

6. Flow Mastermind: June 18-20, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

Few events emphasize community and relationship building more than Flow Mastermind . This event brings together impressive business minds for the purpose of connecting with referral partners and providing years of joint venture opportunities.

The 2.5-day conference offers outings and activities that encourage deeper connections than sterile workshops and speaker events. Also, attendees receive valuable, “Shark Tank-like” feedback on their business and advice on how to create a personalized 5X business plan for the future.

7. Web Summit: November 9-12, Lisbon, Portugal

While there are many occasions where smaller, more focused events make the most sense, sometimes a massive conference can put you in rooms with people you’d meet no other way. With more than 71,000 attendees. Web Summit can get you access to whatever you need to accelerate your success. Whether you’re looking for information on upcoming industry trends, seeking investors or hoping to find collaborators, Web Summit has many attendees who fit the bill.

In fact, with so many attendees, Web Summit has onboarded an AI-powered recommendation system to help you identify individuals who are strong matches for meaningful business connections. This system gives you an opening to approach individuals you might not otherwise have known about.

Web Summit can be a great opportunity for those with promising startups to show off what they’ve created. Historically, the event has been a launching pad for some of the most recognized brands around the world. For example, brands such as Uber, Stripe, Canva and Cloudflare were in their early stages when they showcased their businesses at Web Summit. In addition, other notable companies such as ElevenLabs, Revolut and Wayve all participated in the Web Summit startup program. In 2024 alone, over 5,000 startups had exhibits at various Web Summit events.

8. Money 20/20: October 18-21, Las Vegas, NV

The Money20/20 conference has become one of the more influential gatherings in the financial technology industry, bringing together executives, founders, investors, bank representatives, payment providers and emerging startups from around the globe. For fintech companies and executives, Money20/20 offers resources beyond networking; it provides direct access to insights regarding the future of fintech and how to remain relevant as those changes arrive.

One of the best things about attending is the opportunity to build valuable relationships in a specialized environment. Attendees include representatives from major financial institutions, venture capital firms, established and upcoming tech providers and regulatory organizations. This makes it easier to establish strategic partnerships, explore investment opportunities and strategize with other professionals experiencing similar challenges.

Money20/20 also serves as a key platform for staying on top of rapidly evolving technology trends. Top-of-mind subjects such as embedded finance, AI-driven banking, digital payments, blockchain infrastructure, cybersecurity and open banking are addressed through keynote presentations, panel discussions and hands-on demonstrations. These sessions allow fintech leaders to see the road ahead and better navigate and adapt to oncoming obstacles.

9. ChiefX Wealth & Power: October 6, New York, NY

This is one that I haven’t personally attended but I recommend to women in my peer group. Chief is a women’s only leadership group. It’s can be a good organization for those who are involved in multiple roles or industries and want to meet up with other women who experience the challenges that come with wearing multiple hats.

The Wealth & Power event specifically focuses on helping members identify opportunity and capitalize on it in order to achieve long-term goals. With 44% of Chief members qualifying as C-suite executives, the networking and mentorship potential is phenomenal for attendees.

10. Silicon Y’all Technology Summit: October 5-7, Birmingham, AL

Silicon Y’all and Baby Bathwater might be neck and neck for the most unique conference name. With registration limited to only 90 participants and 25 of the top tech private equity groups, attendees receive a great deal of individual attention.

The event is structured to facilitate honest and in-depth dialogue between private equity firms and business founders. And with the participant list so low, it is hand-curated to be the best blend of personalities for engagement and meaningful connection. To attend, potential participants need to join the waitlist, which is open now.

Conferences to Look Forward to in 2027

1. YPO Edge: 2027, Sydney, Australia

The YPO Edge conference is among the premier gatherings for senior executives and entrepreneurs seeking to connect and be challenged to achieve greater innovation and growth. This event, which is exclusively available to members of Young Presidents' Organization, creates an energetic environment in which business leaders engage with peers who understand the challenges and opportunities that come with leading organizations.

Globally, YPO has individual chapters in more than 150 countries. YPO Edge gathers members from hundreds of chapters for immersive discussions on branding, economic trends, innovation, company culture and overall business strategy. Attendees have access to keynote presentations and interactive sessions led by renowned experts.

In addition to the educational value, its networking opportunities offer another notable benefit. Members can build authentic, meaningful relationships with other leaders from a diverse range of industries. Needless to say, this connection often leads to collaboration, mentorship opportunities and mutually beneficial partnerships. The member-only structure fosters open dialogue and trusted conversations, which is what makes YPO Edge a valuable experience for leaders focused on personal growth and organizational success.

2. Montgomery Summit: March 9-10, 2027, Santa Monica, CA

Bringing together elite entrepreneurs, investors and senior-level executives in the tech space, The Montgomery Summit presented by March Capital is a powerhouse of opportunity. It offers panels, speakers and interviews with tech professionals from around the world along with networking sessions.

By putting together a session schedule of topics ranging from raw technology to investing outlooks, those in tech-related fields can address current pain points and look toward innovation coming in the near future. This is an invitation-only event, so invitation requests should go out soon since registration begins in September.

3. Content Jam: 2027, Chicago, IL

AI has turned the marketing industry on its head, and leaders and executives are looking for answers. Content Jam by Orbit Media has created a marketing event to help provide those answers during a valuable two-day event.

Attendees can get the latest updates from industry experts who normally speak at larger conferences. For networking, the event easily facilitates those looking to build long-lasting connections through one-on-one meetings or educational breakout sessions.

Once the event is over, attendees have access to valuable materials such as video recordings from the event and other informational documents. The conference is open to anyone in the online marketing industry.

4. Agency Management Institute (Build a Better Agency Summit): May 24-26, 2027, Denver, CO

Something I love about the Build a Better Agency (BABA) conference is the target audience. This isn’t a general event made to appeal to all business leaders of all levels (therefore, oftentimes providing real help to no one). Instead this is an event specifically designed for small- and mid-sized agency owners.

All activities and speakers at BABA are there to help owners and senior leaders with one thing: build and protect their businesses for the next three to five years. It’s a hyperfocus on “future proofing,” where attendees come up with specific, actionable plans that they can execute along predetermined time frames.

This is the conference for those who are sick of general advice like “think outside the box” or “play to your strengths.” This gets into the actual, day-to-day nitty-gritties of finance, staffing structure and forecasting. Group sessions allow people to share what’s actually working or not working in reality instead of theory. After three days, attendees should go away with a 12-month action plan along with a five-year lens toward the future.

Selecting What Works for You

This year and 2027 offer a wide range of opportunities for industry leaders, entrepreneurs and executives to connect, learn and grow. However, it’s important to prioritize the events that are more likely to yield the results you want. Even the most exclusive conference isn’t worth your time if it’s not aligned with your goals . The real value comes from being intentional and selective by choosing events that directly match your business priorities, stage of growth and strategic needs.

Whether your focus is scaling operations, building meaningful relationships, or staying ahead of emerging trends, the right conference can supercharge progress in ways that online networking cannot.