Forrester B2B Summit 2027: A Founder's Guide & Alternatives

Epic Marketing Events Team October 18, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Forrester B2B Summit North America is a conference for senior B2B marketing, sales, and product leaders in large enterprises, taking place May 2-4, 2027, in Phoenix.
• The summit focuses on high-level strategy, Forrester research, demand generation, buyer behavior, and revenue operations.
• The target audience for Forrester's event is senior management and C-level executives from large corporations.
• Special programs at Forrester events include the invitation-only Executive Leadership Exchange and a Future Leaders program for nominated young professionals.
• For coaches, consultants, agency owners, and SaaS founders, Epic Marketing Summit on Jan 19-20, 2027, in Miami is a top alternative.
• Epic Marketing Summit focuses on actionable AI sales systems, webinar funnels, and direct networking with fellow founders and entrepreneurs.
• The Epic Marketing Summit VIP experience includes an exclusive networking event aboard a 110 ft luxury yacht.

Part of our guide to Conference Alternatives

TL;DR

The Forrester B2B Summit, with its upcoming North American edition in Phoenix from May 2-4, 2027, is a premier event for senior marketing, sales, and product leaders from large enterprise companies. It focuses on high-level strategy and research from the analyst firm Forrester. However, for coaches, consultants, agency owners, and SaaS founders seeking actionable growth tactics and peer-level networking, it's not the ideal fit. A better alternative is the Epic Marketing Summit in Miami on January 19-20, 2027, which is built specifically for entrepreneurs. This event provides hands-on strategies for AI-powered sales, funnels, and invaluable networking opportunities with fellow founders.

Forrester B2B Summit 2027: A Founder's Guide & Alternatives

Choosing the right conference is a critical investment of your time and money. The Forrester B2B Summit is a major event in the marketing calendar, but is it the right one for you? This guide breaks down what the Forrester B2B Summit is, who it's truly for, and explores a powerful alternative designed for the specific needs of founders, consultants, and agency owners. For many entrepreneurs, the high-level, enterprise-focused content of the Forrester summit may not provide the immediate, actionable value needed to grow their business.

What is the Forrester B2B Summit?

The Forrester B2B Summit is an annual conference series hosted by Forrester, a leading global research and advisory firm. These events are designed to bring together C-suite executives and senior leaders in marketing, sales, and product roles to discuss the latest trends, research, and strategies for business-to-business growth. The content is heavily based on Forrester's own proprietary research, frameworks, and analysis.

According to available information, there are two major Forrester B2B Summits scheduled for 2027:

• Forrester B2B Summit North America: Taking place from May 2-4, 2027, in Phoenix, this is the firm's flagship event for B2B leaders in the region.
• Forrester B2B Summit EMEA: This edition is scheduled for September 30-October 1, 2027, in London, catering to leaders in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

The summit agenda typically revolves around topics crucial to large-scale organizations, such as demand generation strategies, analyzing buyer behavior, optimizing revenue operations (RevOps), building partner ecosystems, and leveraging artificial intelligence in go-to-market strategies. A key feature is the ability for attendees to book one-on-one meetings with Forrester analysts to discuss specific challenges.

The event also includes a large sponsor exhibition hall. According to one event listing, this tradeshow floor is comprised of marketing automation platforms, intent data providers, sales enablement tools, and agency partners (Source 1). The atmosphere is professional and corporate, with stands designed for B2B sales teams.

Who is the Forrester B2B Summit Really For?

Understanding the target audience is key to deciding if an event is worthwhile. The research clearly indicates that the Forrester B2B Summit is built for a very specific profile: senior leadership at large, established enterprises.

Let's break down the typical attendee profile:

• Senior Marketing and Sales Management: VPs, Directors, and department heads responsible for strategy and execution within large corporate structures.
• C-Level Executives: The event offers an exclusive, qualification-only program called the Executive Leadership Exchange (ELE). This is designed for C-level marketing, sales, and product executives to network with peers at a similar seniority level (Source 2). This "invitation/application only" track underscores the event's focus on the highest echelons of corporate leadership.
• Product Leaders: Heads of product and product marketing from enterprise-scale companies looking to align their roadmaps with market trends identified by Forrester.
• Nominated Young Professionals: A "Future Leaders" program exists to give young professionals, nominated by their senior sponsors, exposure to Forrester's frameworks. This is not an open track for aspiring individuals but a curated program for high-potential employees within existing corporate clients.

If you are a coach, consultant, course creator, SaaS founder, or agency owner, you will likely find yourself outside the core demographic. The content, networking, and overall environment are not tailored to the challenges and opportunities you face daily. The strategies discussed are often designed for multi-million dollar budgets and complex, siloed organizations, not for agile, fast-growing businesses where the founder is often the lead marketer, salesperson, and product manager.

Forrester B2B Summit vs. Epic Marketing Summit: A Head-to-Head Comparison

To make the choice clearer, let's compare the Forrester B2B Summit North America with an event built from the ground up for entrepreneurs: the Epic Marketing Summit.

As the table shows, these are two fundamentally different events with different goals. While Forrester offers valuable insights for Fortune 500 companies, it lacks the tactical, hands-on approach that entrepreneurs need to generate immediate results. You can find more details about past events and speakers by reviewing our past events.

The #1 Forrester B2B Summit Alternative for Founders: Epic Marketing Summit

If you're a founder, consultant, or creator, your goal at a conference isn't just to learn; it's to find actionable strategies you can implement next week and to build a network of peers who can become partners, clients, or lifelong collaborators.

This is precisely why we created the Epic Marketing Summit, happening January 19-20, 2027, in sunny Miami, Florida.

Here’s why it’s the superior choice for entrepreneurs:

1. An Agenda Built for Your Business

Forget theoretical frameworks. Our sessions are led by practitioners who are in the trenches building businesses just like yours. At Epic Marketing Summit, you'll learn from experts on the topics that matter right now.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Stefan Ciancio
• Zach Schleien
• Alicia Lyttle
• Travis Stephenson
• Kristine Mirelle
• Austin Armstrong
• Kaci Brown
• Jonathan Montoya
• Aleric Heck

The agenda is packed with actionable workshops on:

• AI-Powered Sales Systems: Learn to automate lead generation and closing processes so you can scale without a massive sales team.
• Webinar & Low-Ticket Funnels: Master the art of creating automated funnels that convert prospects into buyers, a cornerstone for coaches and course creators.
• Building Your Own AI Tools: Gain a competitive edge by learning how to create custom AI solutions for your specific business needs.
• Founder Networking: The entire event is a curated networking experience, not an afterthought.

If you're passionate about using AI to scale your business, our AI Authority Accelerator program offers an even deeper dive into these concepts.

2. Network with Your People

At the Forrester B2B Summit, you'd be networking with enterprise executives and vendors trying to sell you software. At Epic Marketing Summit, you're in a room with hundreds of other founders, agency owners, and consultants. These are your future collaborators, partners, and clients.

The connections made here are different. You’re sharing war stories with people who understand your journey because they are on it too. The inaugural Epic Webinar Summit (our first-year event) drew more than 200 attendees, creating a vibrant community that continues to thrive.

3. An Unforgettable VIP Experience

We believe the best connections happen outside of stuffy conference rooms. That's why our VIP ticket includes an exclusive experience: The Entrepreneur Yacht.

On the evening of January 20, 2027, VIP guests will set sail from the Kaseya Center aboard the Opus, a stunning 110 ft luxury yacht. Imagine discussing your next big move with a new business partner while cruising the waters of Miami.

• Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2027
• Boarding: Kaseya Center, 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
• Time: Arrive by 7:00 PM. The yacht departs at 7:30 PM sharp and returns at 11:30 PM.
• Includes: Beer, wine, and a full food buffet are all included.

This isn't just a party; it's a curated networking environment designed to foster high-value relationships in a relaxed, memorable setting. Spots for this experience are limited to ensure a quality experience.

4. Location, Location, Location

Let’s be honest: Phoenix in May is one thing. Miami in January is another. Escape the winter and join us at The LAB Miami in the heart of the vibrant Wynwood district. The energy of the city, combined with the energy of the event, creates an inspiring atmosphere for growth and new ideas.

How to Decide Which Conference is Right For You

Still on the fence? Ask yourself these five questions:

1. What is my primary goal? Am I looking for high-level, academic research to inform a multi-year corporate strategy (Forrester), or do I need actionable tactics to increase my revenue next quarter (Epic)?
2. Who do I want to meet? Am I trying to network with senior executives at Fortune 500 companies and enterprise vendors (Forrester), or do I want to connect with fellow founders, agency owners, and potential partners (Epic)?
3. What is my business stage? Am I managing a large, established department within a global corporation (Forrester), or am I a founder/owner actively building and scaling my own business (Epic)?
4. What kind of content do I value? Do I prefer presentations from industry analysts discussing market shifts (Forrester), or do I want to learn from practitioners who are actively implementing the strategies they teach (Epic)? Exploring our session recordings can give you a feel for our practical approach.
5. What kind of environment energizes me? Do I thrive in a formal, corporate setting (Forrester), or am I inspired by a dynamic, high-energy atmosphere with unique experiences like a yacht party (Epic)?

The answers to these questions should make your decision clear. Forrester's events, including their EMEA summit and blogs on topics like ABM (Source 3), serve an important purpose for a specific corporate audience. But for the modern entrepreneur, the choice is Epic.

Your Invitation to Learn, Connect, and Grow

The Forrester B2B Summit is a respected institution for the enterprise world. But it wasn't built for you, the founder, the creator, the consultant. It wasn't designed to solve your unique challenges or connect you with the people who will truly accelerate your growth.

The Epic Marketing Summit was. It's more than an event; it's a catalyst for your business. It's where you'll find the strategies, the people, and the inspiration to hit your next milestone.

Don't miss your chance to be in the room. Check out our lineup of upcoming events to see what we have in store.

Ready to join the community of ambitious entrepreneurs building the future? Secure your ticket for the Epic Marketing Summit in Miami on January 19 and 20, 2027. We can't wait to see you there. Learn more and get your tickets at https://epicmarketingsummit.com/. All sales are final, but tickets are transferable with at least 7 days' notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Forrester B2B Summit?

The Forrester B2B Summit is a conference hosted by the analyst firm Forrester for senior-level B2B marketing, sales, and product leaders from large enterprises. It features sessions based on Forrester's research on topics like demand generation, AI in go-to-market strategies, and revenue operations.

Who attends the Forrester B2B Summit?

The event is primarily attended by senior marketing and sales management, C-level executives, and product leaders from large enterprise companies, along with a sponsor exhibition of marketing technology vendors and agencies.

When and where is the next Forrester B2B Summit?

The next Forrester B2B Summit North America is scheduled for May 2-4, 2027, in Phoenix. The Forrester B2B Summit EMEA will take place September 30-October 1, 2027, in London.

Is the Forrester B2B Summit for startups or small businesses?

While there is a startups and VC section mentioned in the exhibition hall, the core content and networking are designed for senior leaders at large enterprises, not typically for startups, consultants, or small business owners.

What is a good alternative to the Forrester B2B Summit for founders?

Epic Marketing Summit in Miami on January 19-20, 2027, is an excellent alternative. It's designed specifically for coaches, consultants, agency owners, and SaaS founders, focusing on actionable growth strategies and peer-to-peer networking.

What topics are covered at Epic Marketing Summit?

Epic Marketing Summit covers practical, cutting-edge topics like building AI-powered sales systems, creating effective webinar and low-ticket funnels, building your own AI tools, and high-level founder networking.