The Best Paid Ads Conferences for 2026 & 2027

Epic Marketing Events Team June 24, 2026

Key Takeaways

• The best paid ads conference for founders and agency owners looking for an AI-focused curriculum is the Epic Marketing Summit in January 2027.
• Essential criteria for a valuable paid ads conference include an expert-led curriculum, actionable strategies, and curated networking opportunities.
• For agency leaders, the Agency Hackers Ibiza Summit in September 2026 offers a unique networking environment outside of a traditional conference setting.
• Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing paid advertising, making it crucial to attend events with a strong focus on AI-driven strategies and tools.
• As of mid-2026, many major marketing conference series like DigiMarCon have not yet announced specific paid-ads-focused dates for late 2026 or 2027.
• To choose the right conference, evaluate your primary goals (learning vs. networking), budget, and whether the attendee profile aligns with your own.
• Our top recommendation is the Epic Marketing Summit for its intimate, founder-focused environment and advanced AI curriculum you can plan for now.

Part of our guide to Marketing Conferences

TL;DR

As of mid-2026, many marketing events have not confirmed their schedules for late 2026 or 2027. We've cut through the noise to focus only on confirmed, high-value events. For agency owners, consultants, and SaaS founders looking to master paid media, the premier event on the horizon is the Epic Marketing Summit in January 2027. It offers an intimate, AI-focused curriculum designed for serious growth. For a unique networking experience later this year, the Agency Hackers Ibiza Summit in September 2026 is a standout choice for agency leaders.

Finding the right paid ads conference can be the single most impactful investment you make in your business all year. The right event delivers cutting-edge strategies, connects you with industry-defining leaders, and provides the inspiration to scale your growth. But in a sea of options, how do you choose?

Many so-called "ultimate lists" are cluttered with out-of-date information or events that are too broad to be truly useful. We're taking a different approach. As of June 2026, many event organizers are still finalizing their calendars. So, instead of giving you a long list of maybes, we're focusing exclusively on the best paid ads conferences with confirmed dates that you can actually plan for.

This is a highly curated list designed for a specific audience: ambitious coaches, consultants, agency owners, course creators, and SaaS founders who see paid advertising not just as a marketing channel, but as a primary driver of business growth.

What Defines a Truly Great Paid Ads Conference?

Before we jump into our top picks, let's establish the criteria. A conference ticket is an investment of time and money, and it needs to deliver a clear return. The best paid ads conferences aren't just about flashy keynotes; they're about tangible transformation. They deliver on our three core pillars: Learn, Connect, and Grow.

Pillar 1: Learn - An Advanced, Actionable Curriculum

A great conference goes beyond the basics. The sessions should be led by current practitioners, the people who are in the trenches managing seven-figure ad spends, not just talking about them. Look for:

• Deep Dives: Specific workshops on topics like advanced bidding strategies for Google Ads, building AI-powered creative workflows for Facebook ads, or scaling campaigns on emerging platforms like TikTok.
• Real-World Case Studies: Transparent breakdowns of successful (and unsuccessful) campaigns, complete with data and methodology.
• Future-Facing Content: A curriculum that heavily features the impact of AI, privacy changes, and new attribution models on the paid media landscape.

Pillar 2: Connect - Curated, High-Caliber Networking

Let's be honest: some of the most valuable insights come from conversations in the hallway, not the ballroom. The best events facilitate meaningful connections, not just handing you a lanyard and wishing you luck.

• The Right Audience: You want to be in a room with your peers and your future mentors, other founders, agency owners, and senior-level marketers who understand your challenges.
• Facilitated Networking: Look for events with smaller cohorts, dedicated mastermind sessions, and social events that encourage real conversation.
• Access to Speakers: The best conferences create opportunities to interact with speakers beyond the stage Q&A.

Pillar 3: Grow - A Focus on Business Application

Attending a conference should directly translate to business growth. This means the content and connections must be applicable to your bottom line.

• ROI-Focused Sessions: Every talk should tie back to improving performance, increasing efficiency, or scaling revenue.
• Actionable Takeaways: You should leave with a notebook full of specific, implementable tactics you can apply the moment you're back in the office.
• Inspiration & Motivation: The right event will reignite your passion for marketing and give you a clear vision for the year ahead.

Our 2026-2027 Paid Ads Conference Recommendations

Based on the criteria above, and with a strict filter for events with confirmed future dates, here is our definitive list.

1. Epic Marketing Summit

• Date: January 2027
• Location: To Be Announced (Previous events in Austin, TX)
• Format: In-Person, Limited Cohort
• Best For: SaaS Founders, Agency Owners, Coaches, Course Creators
• Price Range: Premium (investment in C-suite level education)

Verdict: The Epic Marketing Summit is the single best investment for founders and senior marketing leaders who want to master paid ads in the age of AI. It's not a conference; it's a business accelerator.

While other events cater to thousands, the Epic Marketing Summit is intentionally intimate. We believe that true transformation happens in a smaller, more focused environment. Here’s what sets it apart:

• An AI-First Curriculum: We don't just have one or two sessions on AI. Our entire curriculum is built around how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing paid media strategy, from creative production and audience targeting on Facebook to advanced bidding and attribution on Google Ads. If you want to get ahead of the AI curve, this is where you need to be. You can explore some of our initial thinking in our AI Authority Accelerator program.
• Founder-Level Networking: You won't be lost in a crowd. You'll be connecting directly with other successful founders and agency owners in curated mastermind sessions, workshops, and private dinners. These are connections that lead to six-figure partnerships and lifelong collaborations.
• Strictly No Fluff: Every session is led by a vetted practitioner who will share actionable strategies backed by real data. We record all sessions for attendees, so you can revisit the material, much like our public recordings page.

If your goal is to not just learn about the future of paid ads but to actively build it for your business, the Epic Marketing Summit is your event. Explore our past events to get a feel for the quality we deliver at /past-events.

2. Agency Hackers Ibiza Summit

• Date: Late September 2026 (likely 23 to 24 September)
• Location: Ibiza, Spain
• Format: In-Person, Agency-Focused
• Best For: UK-based Agency Owners and Leaders
• Price Range: Mid-Range to Premium

Verdict: A perfect choice for agency leaders who want to combine high-level networking with a refreshing escape from the typical conference circuit.

As noted in a roundup by The Marketing Meetup, most marketing conferences take place in generic hotels. Agency Hackers breaks that mold with their Ibiza Summit. While not strictly a "paid ads" conference, its agency-owner focus means topics of client acquisition, profitability, and scaling service delivery (where paid ads are key) will be front and center.

The unique location is the main draw, designed to foster more relaxed and authentic connections than a sterile convention center ever could. If you're an agency owner looking to connect with peers and talk shop in a beautiful setting, this is a can't-miss event for your late 2026 calendar.

Conference Comparison Table

A Note on Other Marketing Conferences

You might be wondering about other large-scale events like the DigiMarCon series or Social Media Marketing World. Many of these are excellent and have historically offered valuable content on paid search and social ads.

However, as of this article's publication (June 2026), most have not yet announced specific, confirmed dates for their late-2026 or 2027 editions with a clear focus on paid advertising. For example, the DigiMarCon upcoming conferences page lists a wide variety of topics, including Paid Search Marketing, but their full global schedule for the coming year is still rolling out.

Our promise is to provide you with a list of events you can confidently book today. We recommend keeping an eye on those larger series as they announce their schedules, but for now, our recommendations above represent the best confirmed opportunities on the calendar.

How to Maximize Your Conference ROI

Attending a conference is more than just showing up. To truly get your money's worth, you need a plan.

1. Before You Go:

   • Define Your Goal: Are you there to learn a specific skill, find a co-founder, or land three new clients? Get specific.
   • Study the Agenda: Identify your must-see sessions and speakers. Reach out to speakers or attendees you want to meet beforehand.
   • Book Meetings: Don't leave networking to chance. Schedule coffee meetings or dinners in advance.

2. While You're There:

   • Be Present: It's tempting to check emails. Don't. Engage in the session. Talk to the person next to you.
   • Take Smart Notes: Don't just transcribe the slides. Write down your

Tickets for Epic Marketing Summit, January 19 and 20, 2027 at The LAB Miami are available now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best paid ads conference in 2026?

Based on confirmed dates and focus, the Agency Hackers Ibiza Summit in September 2026 is a notable event for agency leaders, while the upcoming Epic Marketing Summit in January 2027 is the premier choice for a comprehensive, AI-focused curriculum.

Are there any dedicated Google Ads conferences in 2026?

While many general marketing conferences cover Google Ads, most have not announced specific late-2026 dates. The Epic Marketing Summit in January 2027 will feature dedicated workshops on advanced Google Ads strategies in the context of AI.

What should I look for in a paid ads conference?

You should look for conferences with sessions led by current practitioners, real-world case studies, dedicated networking time with peers, and a focus on emerging technologies like AI in advertising.

Is attending a paid ads conference worth it for my business?

Yes, attending a top-tier paid ads conference provides immense value through direct access to experts, insights into the latest platform changes, and networking opportunities that can lead to high-value partnerships and business growth.

How can I prepare for a marketing conference?

To best prepare for a marketing conference, you should first define your goals, research the speakers and agenda, schedule key sessions and meetings in advance, and prepare your networking pitch or digital contact card.

Why are there so few confirmed paid ads conferences for late 2026 on this list?

This list is highly curated to only include events with confirmed dates as of June 2026. Many event organizers are still finalizing their schedules for the latter half of the year and for 2027, so we've focused on events you can book with certainty.

What makes the Epic Marketing Summit different from other events?

The Epic Marketing Summit is intentionally designed for a small cohort of founders and leaders to ensure high-quality networking, and its curriculum is exclusively focused on advanced, AI-driven strategies for paid media and business growth.