Annual conferences sometimes have a “been there, done that” feel. However, if the same attendees come to your event each year, they expect to experience something new every time. If you don’t deliver, your conference and brand can feel dated.
A creative conference theme is the key to a memorable experience year after year. And with 75% of B2B event organisers planning to host more or the same level of live events this year, it’s more important than ever to get creative.
The right corporate event ideas will capture attendees’ attention and keep them interested and energised. As a result, you’ll attract more prospects, engage more customers, and build your brand.
Coming up with conference theme ideas isn’t always easy; sometimes, getting started is challenging. At Eventbrite, we help event organisers put on thousands of conferences every year, so we understand that carving out a unique identity for your conference is no small feat. Instead of forcing ideas, explore these innovative conference themes.
One or more of these ideas might unleash your creativity, whether it be leadership conference themes, motivational themes, or something else entirely.
CONFERENCE THEMES
Industry innovation and trends
Leadership and personal development
Diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture
The future of industries and society
Industry innovation and trends
Looking to stay ahead of the curve? Exploring industry innovation and trends will ignite your curiosity and equip your attendees with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate any industry. Here are some hot topics being discussed right now.
1. Embracing Change: Focusing on industry innovations and becoming a leader in an evolving field. This theme emphasises the importance of adaptability and agility in business planning.
2. Welcoming Future Trends: Embracing future consumer or industry trends and paying attention to demographics. Event organiser Fine Prime Media is a great example. They took their virtual conference on media trends to the next level by including a keynote speech by an industry expert, having breakout groups on specific trends and inviting booths from forward-thinking vendors.
3. Keeping Up with Tech: Learning how to maximise social media, automated marketing, and cybersecurity tools. To bring this theme to life, you could invite industry experts to lead hands-on workshops. Or, organise panel discussions and case study presentations to share success stories learned from companies that have effectively utilised these tools to achieve growth and security.
4. Going Digital: Understanding how blockchain, augmented humans, and other technology can help prevent business disruptions. For this conference idea, you could underscore the significance of blockchain technology and its transformative potential in various industries. Check out Blockchain Smart Solutions’ Integrating Blockchain and AI (Artificial Intelligence) | London for some lessons in best practice.
5. AI & Machine Learning: Discuss how AI and Machine Learning are shaping the future of various industries. For instance, the AI in Education Conference invited diverse speakers, offered multi-track sessions and included lots of demos during their conference.
6. Onscreen & In-person: Tips on working with hybrid audiences — virtual and in-person simultaneously. These conferences could discuss the best practices around managing hybrid audiences in today’s professional world. To practise what you preach, make your conference hybrid or virtual, include virtual “booth” demonstrations, and offer networking breakouts.
Leadership and personal development
Ready to help your attendees unlock their full potential? Conversations around leadership and personal development are designed to empower conference-goers with valuable skills, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to enhance their leadership style, nurture their teams, and overcome the challenges that come their way.
7. Celebrate Resilience: Using motivational stories and techniques to highlight how individuals overcome challenges and hardships. This conference theme inspires attendees to recognise and honour the strength and adaptability that comes with overcoming challenges.
8. Leading Through Adversity: Learning how to lead through turbulent times — recession, etc. This theme encourages attendees to navigate the ever-changing landscape of industry innovations with agility and foresight. In a world where change is the only constant, how one navigates through challenges defines true leadership.
9. Build a Strong Team: Improving workplace culture and productivity. Check out Tarnia Gonzo – Consulting Principal’s Creating a Motivated Workforce for some ideas on team-building activities.
10. Prioritising Mental Health: Managing stress through mindfulness — meditation, holistic health, etc. Underscore the importance of mental health in the workplace and encourage mindfulness as a way of managing stress. You could bring in mental health experts and include mindfulness workshops.
11. Changing from “I” to “We”: Bringing individuals together to become part of the solution. Transitioning from individual-centric thinking to a collective mindset is pivotal for collaboration and unity in any organisation. This theme emphasises the power of teamwork and shared goals.
12. Fire Up Your Team: Learn how to get teams excited about their tasks. Igniting passion and motivation within a team is crucial for achieving outstanding results. This theme focuses on energising teams, promoting a spirit of collaboration, and driving peak performance.
13. Leadership and Management: Discuss why effective leadership is crucial for the success of any business as BWC Aberdeen did during their Leadership Conference. In a world where change is the only constant, how one navigates through challenges defines true leadership. This theme emphasises the essence of leadership in the face of adversity.
14. Become and Create Stars: Create videos and host speakers to tell their stories to live audiences. This theme focuses on the power of storytelling in personal and professional development. You can offer coaching sessions and storytelling practice for this conference theme. For people who take the theme to heart, offer them the opportunity to produce their own video telling their story.
15. Keep Team Energy Flowing: Learn how to keep employees excited and ready for the business day. Maintaining a high level of energy and enthusiasm within a team is crucial for productivity, creativity, and overall morale. This theme focuses on strategies to invigorate and sustain team momentum.
Marketing and sales
It may feel like every marketing and sales theme has been done, but these themes will provide your attendees with the latest strategies, tactics, and tools to drive results, amplify their brand, and create meaningful connections with their target audience.
From exploring digital technology to battling recession stress, these sessions will equip them to conquer the ever-changing world of customer engagement and revenue generation.
16. Digital Technology Is the Future: In an increasingly digital world, leveraging cutting-edge AI and 5G networks can significantly enhance business operations. This theme explores how these technologies can be integrated to boost sales and streamline deliveries, positioning businesses at the forefront of innovation. Yeovil Chamber of Commerce’s Digital Hub conference seeks to simplify technology for businesses.
17. Marketing Your Brand for Success: Successful brand marketing hinges on utilising a mix of modern tools and techniques to reach and engage target audiences effectively. This theme delves into strategies for harnessing these tools to create a robust and competitive brand presence in a crowded marketplace.
18. Make it About the Customer: Customer experience is paramount in building lasting relationships and fostering brand loyalty. This theme provides actionable tips on enhancing customer service, personalising interactions, and using feedback to continuously improve the customer journey, ensuring a positive and engaging experience at every touchpoint. Check out BGM Ministries Ltd’s International Business Conference on Customer-Centric Growth for some inspiration.
19. Increase Sales Without Cold Calls: Modern digital technologies offer alternative methods to drive sales without resorting to this outdated practice. This theme explores innovative approaches such as leveraging social media, content marketing, and data analytics to identify and engage potential customers.
20. Go Big With Sales: A discussion around how different types of qualified traffic can help scale the sales process. Your conference can discuss strategies for generating and nurturing high-quality traffic through SEO, pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing, and content creation.
21. Strong & Thriving Businesses: How to keep businesses excelling during a recession and other turbulent times. This conference theme covers essential tactics for maintaining business resilience, such as diversifying revenue streams, optimising operational efficiency, and investing in employee well-being.
Diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture
Building a diverse, inclusive, and thriving workplace is more important than ever. That’s why we chose themes that celebrate the power of diversity, explore the benefits of inclusivity, and delve into strategies that foster a positive and supportive work environment for all.
Borrow these conference ideas to learn from inspiring thought leaders, share best practices, and drive meaningful change in your organisation and beyond.
22. Everyone Belongs: Include expert opinions on how to foster inclusion and diversity in the workplace. This theme will explore effective strategies for promoting diversity, such as implementing unbiased hiring practices, providing diversity training, and creating employee resource groups.
23. Women’s Accomplishments: Showcase and highlight the achievements of women in business leadership. This conference theme highlights the success stories of women who have made significant impacts in their industries, sharing their journeys, challenges, and strategies for overcoming obstacles. Check out WOMEN IN SANCTIFIED HOMES INC’s WOMEN OF FIRE & POWER INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE for some lessons in best practice.
24. Workspace Culture: Discuss why having a positive workspace culture can significantly increase team performance and productivity. Discuss key elements of a healthy workplace environment, such as effective communication, mutual respect, and recognition of employee contributions.
25. Beyond Diversity: A discussion and education on the differences between diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Check out Diversity Mark’s Annual Summit EDI 2.0 – From Action to Impact for some great tips. You can delve into the definitions and distinctions of the key concepts, providing a comprehensive framework for fostering a more equitable environment.
26. Mental Heath Inclusivity: Tips from experts on how to create a working environment that is mindful of the mental health struggles many people face. You could include topics like implementing mental health resources, promoting work-life balance, and fostering a culture of openness and support.
The future of industries and society
Step into the realm of tomorrow and explore the possibilities that lie ahead! Discussing the future of different industries and society at large will ignite the imagination as attendees delve into emerging technologies, societal shifts, and environmental sustainability.
From shaping the industries of the future to envisioning a better society, these sessions will provide valuable insights and spark discussions that shape our collective destiny.
27. Healthcare in the Future: Learn the latest changes and technology that will shape the future of the healthcare industry. This conference theme could explore cutting-edge developments such as telemedicine, personalised medicine, and AI in diagnostics and treatment.
28. Energy & Sustainability: Bring climate experts to discuss climate change and what companies can do to foster sustainability. Participants will learn actionable strategies to incorporate sustainability into their operations, helping to mitigate environmental impact while promoting long-term economic resilience. BizClik Media Group’s Sustainability LIVE London is a great example of a conference that connects sustainability leaders.
29. Data Science and Analytics: Learn how data science and analytics are being used across the industry and how it’s helping with decision-making. Attendees will discover how leveraging data can enhance operational efficiency, customer experiences, and strategic planning, ultimately leading to more competitive and agile organisations.
30. Social Responsibility: Learn how social responsibility is a key part of business and society and how your company can be more responsible. This conference theme can explore the importance of corporate social responsibility in fostering positive social and environmental impact. Discussions can include examples of successful initiatives, the benefits of ethical business practices, and practical steps for integrating social responsibility into business operations.
31. Managing Time: How to streamline efficiency in the workplace using technology and advanced time management techniques. Offers insights into advanced time management techniques and the latest technological tools designed to streamline workflows. Participants will learn how to prioritise tasks, reduce distractions, and optimise their schedules.
32. Go Global: Covering topics from the worldwide economy to trade wars, competition, and climate change (plus how it affects any given industry). You could cover a range of global issues, including economic trends, trade policies, competitive strategies, or the impacts of climate change.
Risk management and security
Safeguarding your organisation against risks and threats is paramount in today’s interconnected world. Choose a conference idea that will equip your attendees with the knowledge, insights, and actionable tips to fortify their organisations’ defences and protect their assets.
Hire industry experts and thought leaders to share best practices, discuss cutting-edge security measures, and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of risk management.
33. Flexible Planning for Success: Experts explore different scenarios and highlight strategies for short-term security planning. Discussions can include various scenarios that businesses might face, such as market fluctuations, economic downturns, and unexpected disruptions.
34. Getting in Front of Risks: Exploring strategies and scenarios that highlight cybersecurity and supply chain risks and introducing tools to mitigate potential risks. Experts can share effective strategies and advanced tools for risk mitigation, helping businesses protect their assets, maintain operational continuity, and build resilience against future threats. CRA’s Annual CRA Risk & Safety Forum’s
35. Finance & Investment: Bring together financial experts to discuss how businesses and individuals can seek financial success. Attendees will gain valuable insights into managing finances, optimising investment portfolios, and leveraging financial instruments to achieve both personal and business financial goals. Future Forums’ World Finance Forum London is a great example. It invited industry leaders to convene and discuss cutting-edge advancements in the financial industry.
Why are conference themes important?
All too often, conference organisers play it safe with branding. To protect their business, they use conference titles that are bland, trite or don’t fit. But branding is a great way to differentiate your conference from all the other business events out there. Once you figure out what you want to be known for or associated with, you can work on choosing a creative theme.
Use your business’s brand values for inspiration, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and take your brand a step further for your conference theme. Why not make yours more interactive or offer more opportunities for small-group networking?
Revisit your business goals
Once you have the perfect theme, tie it to your conference’s goals and your brand values. Then, start promoting your theme to get attendees excited and offer them a unique conference experience.
For more tips on trends and challenges in planning a conference, read The Conference Organiser’s Guide to Branding. When you’re ready to plan your own, use Eventbrite’s advanced marketing tools to help you get the word out!
