013. The Best Podcast Conferences of 2023

Written By Guest User

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Being a podcaster can be lonely. That’s why we at The Wave are creating LOTS of ways to find community no matter where you are on your podcasting journey or where you are in the world. From our weekly digital Pomodoro-inspired co-working sessions led by our Community Manager to our free community platform as a place to connect from wherever you have wifi, we have got you covered.

One of my favorite ways to connect with other podcasters is by attending one of the many podcasting conferences available across the globe. 2023 is our year to get back to it! With the worst of the pandemic behind us, let’s take this chance to meet up in person. At last! I cannot wait to put a face and a hug to the voice behind some of my favorite shows.

Be sure to stick around until the end of this episode, where I will share an opportunity just for my listeners! It may involve a chance to meet me and a bonus surprise…

I am going to list my top 15 podcast conferences and give you the low down on each of them so you can best pick where you want to go this year. Get your calendar and carry-on ready — let’s plan our conference vacations!

As you may know, there are many benefits of attending a podcast conference. Not only are they the perfect place to meet other podcasters just like you, but they will also help you:

  • Uplevel your podcasting skills

  • Lock in guest appearances or ad swaps with other podcasters 

  • Meet your podcasting heroes

  • Get inspired to create something truly incredible in 2023 (And beyond! Hello longevity!)

So here — in no particular order because they are all brilliant — is a curated-for-you list of conferences you should seriously consider attending this year!

Podcast Movement Evolutions - Las Vegas, March 7-10

Podcast Movement brings together podcasters and podcast industry professionals to grow their shows, the podcast community, and the podcast industry. They see 10,000+ attendees each year, so… they must be doing something right, right? Not to mention their stacked and star-studded speaker list! They pride themselves in making sure all bases are covered, and there is something for every podcaster.

VO Atlanta Voiceover Conference - Atlanta, March 23-26

2023 is their 10th anniversary, so you can expect it to be amazing! There are different ticketing options and bundles to suit your budget, schedule, and needs, as well as virtual and video replay options too. They even have a kid’s program — cute! VO provides industry-leading voice-over training and discussions, so attending means you gain access to knowledge and experience not found anywhere else.

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The Podcast Show - London, May 24-25

In its second year and boasting to be even bigger than year one, this is an international event focused on the business of podcasting. By day, they will host events, panels, and conversations for independent podcasters as well as industry professionals. By night, they will present a week-long lineup of live podcasts, bringing some of your favorite voices and shows to life in theatres across London.

She Podcasts LIVE - Washington, June 19-22

This is the place to be if you are “loud-mouthed, charming, opinionated, sharp, hilarious, or honest to a fault.” Every speaker is a woman or marginalized gender and a current podcaster. The event aims to book people of color or LGBTQIA+ folks for at least 50% of its speakers. This is a great event for networking, especially if that word makes you nervous. There is no hierarchy — the speakers, sponsors, and attendees all mingle together regardless of where they are as a podcaster or their level of success.

Podcast Movement - Denver, August 21-24

Can’t make Vegas in March? Podcast Movement has another event in Denver in August! This event promises the best education, networking, and… parties! In fact, there will be over 150 of them! Plus — they will be hosting podcasting's biggest and best expo and trade show. For this event, there are three different pass types to suit your needs, as well as group discounts if you want to assemble your pod pals.

Afros and Audio - Baltimore, October 21-22

This conference is the first for and by Black independent podcast creatives and audio professionals, and 2023 is their fifth anniversary! This two-day event promises powerful talks and a commitment to community and collaboration. Part of the primary mission of Afros and Audio is to transform the current landscape of the industry with a greater representation of Black podcast professionals. They offer in-person and virtual options for attendance, and they are currently open for speaker submissions. So if you have something to say, head on over to their website and apply!

Radio Days Europe - Prague, March 26-28

Have you been searching for an excuse to jet set to Prague? Look no further! This event is the meeting point and one-stop-shop for radio, podcast, and audio. Over three days, they plan to bring together 1500 attendees from over 65 countries. The event includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, interactive sessions, summits, workshops, and networking events. They offer multiple options for attending outside of the full conference, including the Podcast Summit, the Youth Summit, and the Audiodata Summit.

Audio Intelligence Summit - New York, February 15

Celebrating the power of audio, this half-day event brings brands, agencies, and publishers together to discuss audio and audio advertising. The programming will explore metrics, trends, and best practices that are powering successful strategies in the audio and podcast space. They are also accepting applications for speakers, so if you have something to contribute, apply via their website!

True Crime Podcast Festival - Austin, August 25-27

This one is more of a niche, but let’s be real, is it really a niche when it is one of the most popular podcast genres? As a true crime podcaster, this is a great place to interact with your fellow true crime babes and network. As a true crime podcaster, this is a great place to connect with your listeners and fan base as it focuses on giving opportunities to meet with podcasters and content creators. As well as panels and the podcast gallery, there will be live podcast recordings which will include crossover episodes. FUN!

Indie Pod Con 8 - Philadelphia, September 8-9

This one is for our indie podcasters. We love you! If you are driven and passionate about empowering and leading the world, this is an event catered to you. From technology to technique, all bases are covered. Passes also include filmed video archives for one year following the event, which is really neat.

Blk Pod Festival - Atlanta, September 30 - October 1

With a focus on showcasing and connecting Black audio creatives and held over two days, this event incorporates over 80 sessions and 120 speakers. Their goal is to educate attendees while cultivating relationships and experiences. Applications for speakers open in May, so if you want to share your experience or expand your reach, be sure to apply!

NZ Pod Summit - Auckland, May 13

This annual day-long event focuses on collaboration, education, sharing, and networking. Featuring comedians, authors, journalists, and industry experts, it holds a wide range of really cool speakers, and the nice thing is none of them overlap, so you don’t have to choose between what cool part of the schedule you want to prioritize. Plus! It’s super affordable to attend!

On Air Fest - Brooklyn, February 23-25

This whole event is jam-packed with awesome guests and scheduling. But the stand out of this whole conference is The Podcast Experience. What is it? It’s a fan experience! With multiple rooms taken over by podcasts and their creators, each space is designed to put guests into the world of a podcast to “spark imagination, delight, and discovery.” Honestly, I am feeling like they just made Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for podcasters! So cool!

NAB Show - Las Vegas, April 15-19

Woah, they’re celebrating 100 years of innovation through television and radio broadcasting. That is pretty impressive. Organizers say this milestone event will be the place to experience the power of possibility. Go along to find out what the next 100 years may bring!

Want one more? Of course, you do!

Podstock - New Jersey, April 29

This one-day conference is focused on all things podcasting and how it is always evolving. They feature a wide array of topics and attendees of many levels with a lineup of professionals and experts. This one is accepting speaker submissions, too, so get on it!

✦ Bonus!

As promised, I have one more bonus bit of news for you! If you attend Podcast Movement Evolutions this year (Vegas, baby!), you will be able to meet ME! Any listener of the pod who gets in touch at the event will get a special little surprise from me. So sign up with this link and stay in touch! I cannot wait to see you there!

Is your calendar for 2023 full of podcasting plans now? Are you going to submit to speak or get the first spot in line to meet a fellow podcaster that you admire? Whatever you hope to achieve from these events, be sure to let us know in our podcasting community. You never know who in our fun and the supportive group will also be there to meet you.

Guest User
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