Is an event missing from this list? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us @BeyondBylines about conferences and events for journalists, bloggers, freelancers, and other content creators.
And make sure to follow our monthly event calendar posts.
Jump to 2026 events in: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Note: We will work to keep this page updated, but please make sure to check individual event websites for the latest changes.
Various Dates
Pinners Conference & Expo
A full slate of these events for DIYers, crafters, photographers, and other creatives is available for 2026. The Pinners Conference schedule will kick off in February in Overland Park, Kansas, and make its way around the country throughout the rest of the year, including stops in Utah, Texas and one TBD “Cool Place, USA.” Check out the full schedule to see which city and date work for you.
January 2026
Jan. 6-9: CES
CES, the one-of-a-kind consumer technology event in Las Vegas, will welcome thousands of exhibitors from all over the world. They will meet with hundreds of media attendees to discuss how their innovations are building a better world. Some of the keynote speakers already lined up include Joe Creed, CEO of Caterpillar, and Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. Expect the latest advancements in fields like AI, digital health, advanced mobility, entertainment, fitness, robotics, space tech and more.
Jan. 7: Leadership Academy for Women (application deadline)
Apply now for this 5-day intensive in-person training from Poynter, which will take place March 23-27 in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Designed for women and nonbinary journalists, this singular program will support you to amplify your managerial strengths; navigate ethical decision making; strategize ahead of difficult conversations and negotiations; manage up, down and across generations; delegate with purpose; and create your unique formula for work-life chemistry.”
Jan. 8: How to Get Published, Land a Book Deal in 2026
Register now for this two-hour webinar from Writer’s Digest University to come away thinking like an insider who knows what it takes to get published, whether it’s fiction, nonfiction or a memoir. Attendees will receive “practical advice and tools to help you develop strong pitch letters and proposal materials for both fiction and nonfiction-plus back-door methods for networking with agents and editors.”
Jan. 9-10: Tastemaker Conference
This popular food blogger event will take place in Los Angeles. Attendees will be treated to meals (of course), swag bags, workshops, panels and food excursions around the vibrant L.A. food scene. Sessions will cover YouTube for food bloggers, tips for succeeding in an AI search landscape, food trends and more.
Jan. 10-11: Adventure Travel Show
After a five-year absence, “off the beaten track” travel specialists and inspiring speakers from around the globe will convene in London for the Adventure Travel Show. Tickets to the 2026 event will also include entry to the Gravel & Adventure Bike Expo, a new boutique show dedicated to adventure cycling. Register now to discover new bucket list experiences and trips for your readers.
Jan. 12-14: Affiliate Summit West
Mass publishers and bloggers alike will head to Las Vegas to attend Affiliate Summit West. Build new partnerships and learn new ways to build traffic to your site. Content & Commerce, Lead Gen, Brand Strategy, and E-commerce are some of the available content tracks. Experts from the Daily Mail, Washington Post, McClatchy, Her Campus Media and Blavity are just a few of the many speakers on the agenda.
Jan. 13-14: Creator Economy Live West
Creator Economy Live will welcome hundreds of brands to hear insights from industry experts to help take their influencer marketing to the next level. The main topics include measurement and ROI, creator relations, social platforms, content strategy, and future tools and trends. It will take place at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
Jan. 21-22: IMM North America 2026
This global networking event connects the travel industry with editors, journalists, broadcasters and content creators. Sessions will cover 2026 travel trends, independent publishing in travel media, wellness tourism, travel editing and more. IMM is free for media attendees and will “provide an unrivaled return on the time invested and help journalists plan a year’s worth of travel.” The event will take place at the Javits Center in New York City.
Jan. 27-29: The Southern C Summit
The Southern C Summit welcomes female entrepreneurs for three days of workshops, mentor sessions, social gatherings, and the ever-popular silent disco, beachside brunch, and swag market. Topics will cover the latest in e-commerce, media, marketing and more. If you’re passionate about blogging, wellness, fashion, food, art or media, this is a great event to check out. Both virtual and in-person ticket options are available. The in-person event will take place in Sea Island, Georgia.
February 2026
Feb. 4: Digging into crime data to inform news coverage across beats
Crime data can factor into news stories across verticals, but reporters must know where to find reliable data and how to use it responsibly. This webinar from The Journalist’s Resource will cover how to use The Trace’s Gun Violence Data Hub, common mistakes when using crime data in reporting, how to find story ideas in the data and how to adapt when the quality of gun violence data changes.
Feb. 6-7: Pinners Conference (Kansas)
The 2026 Pinners Conference schedule kicks off in Overland Park, Kansas. The schedule will feature 100+ classes and workshops for DIYers and craft bloggers, including hands-on sessions for wood burning, candlemaking, resin projects, charcuterie tips, airfryer hacks and much more.
Feb. 10: Covering the Loneliness Epidemic: A Mental Health Reporting Project Webinar
This is a free, one-hour webinar from Poynter. Attendees will dive into the roots of America’s loneliness and isolation epidemic, and will come away with strategies and tactics for effectively covering individuals and communities experiencing these issues.
Feb. 10: Journalist safety in the US: Protecting data and devices
This timely roundtable discussion will feature panelists from Freedom of the Press Foundation and Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. They will provide “essential tips on safeguarding your data, protecting sources, and your legal rights during searches and seizures.” The session will not be recorded for security reasons, so block the time off on your calendar.
Feb. 16: Lead with Influence (application deadline)
This is the application deadline for the popular career/leadership development program from Poynter, which will run from March 3 to April 7. Through the six-session course, attendees will learn about different leadership styles, how to give and receive feedback, how to advocate for themselves, and more.
Feb. 18: Beyond the Byline: Leveraging Events to Forge Community and Strengthen News
This session from The Online News Association will be led by Jake Hylton, Executive Director of queer news site LOOKOUT. During the hour-long webinar, “attendees will gain practical insights and inspiration for designing and executing a diverse range of events that prioritize connection and engagement, learning how to measure their success in building a more resilient and connected audience that actively supports their news organization.”
Feb. 19: Mastering qualitative audience insights with Ariel Zirulnick
This free virtual series from the Lenfest Audience Community will be led by Audience and Product Strategist Ariel Zirulnick. The series begins on Feb. 19 with “Designing actionable research,” a session that will guide attendees in setting research goals, aligning stakeholders and designing research. Later sessions will cover how to extract insights from the research, secure buy-in from all levels of the newsroom and evaluate the research’s impact.
Feb. 19: AI & Copyright Licensing – A New Frontier
Hosted by The National Press Foundation, this webinar will help journalists better understand what “AI licensing” really means, how some deals are turning into revenue-sharing systems, and how recent deals between media and AI companies could shift the conversation. Come away from the one-hour session with real-world examples, plain-language explanations and story angles to help your audience understand the AI licensing landscape.
Feb. 26: Beat Academy: The midterms, data and America’s safety net
This one-hour webinar from Poynter will cover the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and help journalists track data at the county and state levels to determine the bill’s effects on their community. Webinar guests include former U.S. chief data scientist Denice Ross, Colleen Heflin, professor of Public Administration at Syracuse University, Paul Overberg, reporter for The Wall Street Journal data team, and Elvia Malagón, a health reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times.
March 2026
March 5-6: IIJ 2026 Freelance Journalism Conference
This virtual conference for independent journalists and creators will offer 12 live sessions, Q&A videos and bonus editor panels. Learn what top editors want in pitches, how to land a fellowship and connect with fellow creators. “Each workshop is by journalists, for journalists, so speakers stay on topic and offer clear takeaways and actionable advice,” the site explains.
March 5-7: ACP Spring National College Media Conference
The Associated College Press (ACP) is heading to San Francisco for its Spring National College Media Conference. The event provides collegiate journalists and advisers with helpful sessions on key skills, mental health, AI and responsible reporting. Other topics include advertising, leadership, editing, yearbook planning and more. On-site media critiques will provide attendees with common-sense suggestions for improvement.
March 5-8: NICAR 2026
The 2026 data journalism conference will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana. The deadline for submitting lightning talk ideas is Feb. 8, 2026. The schedule includes sessions on AI, data visualization, data analysis, mapping, public records and more. Networking events will be available for students, international reporters, journalists of color, women journalists and LGBTQ+ reporters.
March 10: How to Have (Better) Difficult Conversations
Journalists have to have a variety of tough conversations, including sharing negative editing feedback, providing tough performance evaluations or even firing someone. This session from ONA will help reporters come to these types of conversations more confident and prepared. Learn what makes these conversations difficult, how to identify your conflict management style and the tactics that make for better conversations.
March 12: Beat Academy: Facing a Tough News Audience
This free session from Poynter will “unpack findings from the Pew-Knight Initiative about how the public is drifting away from news, how they come across it, and what they do to check what they see.” Ask questions live and come away with a better understanding of what moves the needle for news consumers.
March 15-17: Sunshine Fest
Journalists, record custodians, policy makers, historians, state FOI coalitions, librarians and others will head to Washington, D.C., for Sunshine Week, hosted by the University of Florida Brechner Freedom of Information Project, MuckRock and the National Freedom of Information Coalition. The second annual in-person conference aims to “find solutions to pressing problems in freedom of information across all disciplinary and geographic boundaries – local, state, federal and global.” The event is currently sold out, but a wait list is available.
March 18: Quick Hits and Deep Dives: Consumer Investigations Any Newsroom Can Do
This session from the Online News Association will be led by veteran Chicago consumer reporters Stephanie Zimmermannof the Chicago Sun-Times and Jason Knowles of ABC7Chicago. They’ll cover a range of consumer stories that can be replicated for various markets and share ways to set up consumer coverage even without a dedicated beat reporter.
March 20: National Press Club 2026 Career Day
If you’re a journalist or communicator navigating the challenging job market, this career event is for you. Meet with news recruiters, update your resume and portfolio site, connect with peers, and more. Whether you’re looking to move up or pivot, have recently been laid off, or are an early-career journalist, the 2026 Career Day will have something for you.
March 20-21: Pinners Conference & Expo (Utah)
Do you cover home decor, cooking, or fashion? Head to the Dixie Convention Center in St. George, Utah, for a full slate of DIY workshops, exhibits and plenty of shopping to see what’s trending in the space and try your hand at the latest crafts.
March 23-25: Digiday Publishing Summit
At this event, decision-makers from across the media and tech industries will gather to address the biggest issues in publishing. The summit will take place in Vail, Colo. Each day will focus on a separate topic: AI Visibility & Audience Strategy, Publishers & Creators and AI-Driven Revenue.
March 26: Extracting and communicating research insights
This is the second session in the “Mastering qualitative audience insights” series from the Lenfest Institute. This session will focus on “separating the signal from the noise when you’re done with the research.”
March 30-April 1: ONA26
The Online News Association’s annual event focuses on the future of digital media and will be held in Chicago. Attendees range from digital media audience and analytics professionals to news product, strategy, and business executives and entrepreneurs. “Bringing Readers Back: Real-World Tactics for Combating News Fatigue,” “5 Questions To Ask Before Your Team Starts A Podcast,” and “Understanding Audiences and Algorithms in 2026: An Overview in the Age of AI” are just a few of the many interesting sessions on the schedule.
March 30-April 1: America’s Newspapers Mega-Conference
Newspaper executives and industry partners will come together to “dig into the strategies, technologies, and market forces shaping the future of news and media.” The fast-paced conference will cover various topics like AI licensing, audience psychology, vertical video strategies, new obituary models, sports journalism and much more. The event will take place in Austin, Texas.
April 2026
April 8-10: Niche Media Conference
More than 25 interactive sessions and 30 top speakers fill the calendar for this event, taking place in Orlando, Florida. The five tracks include sessions for publisher strategy, digital strategy, ad sales, audience and marketing growth, and editorial.
April 13-May 11: Edit to Elevate: Essentials for New Editors
This five-week course features 90-minute sessions each Monday. Industry experts will share tools for coaching inexperienced reporters and guiding reporters to develop stories that elevate their beat coverage. The course from Poynter is designed to help new editors “focus on the mission, mindset and roadmap required to make them indispensable to their newsrooms.”
April 15-18: International Journalism Festival
Perugia, Italy, will again host the International Journalism Festival, the largest annual media event in Europe. The schedule includes sessions covering AI, conflict reporting, creator journalism, press freedom, audience trust and more.
May 2026
May 7-9: SABEW Annual Conference
The annual conference for the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) will be held in Philadelphia. “Whether you are a newsroom leader, early/mid-career journalist, academic, student, or PR pro, SABEW’s annual conference is an excellent opportunity to take home new ideas to use in your stories, newsrooms, or classrooms,” the site explains.
May 18-22: Essential Skills for New Managers
During this five-day, in-person workshop from Poynter, first-time managers or those on the path to becoming one will learn how to establish credibility, manage former peers, and provide effective feedback to help their team improve. Attendees will receive personalized feedback from colleagues and leave with greater self-awareness and actionable tools they can use right away.
May 29-31: WITS (Women in Travel Summit)
Creative entrepreneurs, influencers and travel experts will head to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for WITS 2026. They will “discuss future innovations, build dynamic collaborations, and change travel worldwide, all while supporting and empowering a diverse community.” Discussions will center around elevating women and underrepresented creators as well as current issues in travel. All genders are welcome to attend. If you’re new to travel blogging, check out the Beginner Bootcamp add-on for an extra half-day of programming. The schedule features speakers from Marriott, Wanderful, Girls Who Travel, Pinterest and much more.
June 2026
June 10-13: Craft + Commerce
Boise, Idaho, will host the event where “top online creators gather to help grow their businesses.” Inspiring keynotes, intimate workshops and plenty of networking opportunities will round out the schedule. Topics like SEO, design, photography, newsletters and more have been featured in previous years; the full 2026 schedule is still being finalized.
June 23-26: TBEX North America
Travel content creators will attend TBEX to boost their writing, photography and video skills; network with other creators, travel experts and tourist boards; and more. Dozens of workshops, sessions and forums will fill the schedule. TBEX North America 2026 will take place in Richmond, Virginia, which was CNN Travel’s #1 town in America to visit in 2024.
July 2026
TBD
August 2026
TBD
September 2026
September: Podcast Movement
Exact dates are TBD, but we know Podcast Movement will be taking place in New York City in 2026. Thousands of podcasters and industry pros will attend the event, which includes educational sessions and workshops, networking events and parties, and a podcasting expo and trade show.
October 2026
TBD
November 2026
Nov. 9-12: Web Summit
Although it’s nearly a year away, you can already start prepping for Web Summit 2026. The “world’s premier tech conference” will again take place in Lisbon, Portugal. Educational masterclasses and roundtables will be available at the event, which will bring together experts from some of the world’s top companies to define “what’s next, offering deep insights, practical skills, and a clear path forward.”
December 2026
TBD: Global Investigative Journalism Conference
GIJC26, the world’s largest international gathering of investigative reporters and editors, is likely to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026. It will feature training on the latest investigative tools and techniques, cutting-edge workshops, and extensive networking and brainstorming sessions.
