Network makes the dream work. Or was it teamwork…? The point is, it’s no less true. In today’s business landscape, connections are the hottest currency. They could lead to a foot in the door for a new job, a seat at the table for a new project, an introduction to a potential client/business partner. But where exactly can you forge this illustrious connections, especially when it comes to the loyalty industry?
In today’s article we’ve collected the crème de la crème of customer retention summits, and global customer loyalty conferences you should put in your calendar right away. No less than 12 loyalty events, offering invaluable opportunities for networking, exchanging ideas, connecting with brands and solution providers through workshops, panel discussions and even after-hour events and parties.
If you run into some compelling loyalty technology vendors, but don’t know how to rank or compare them, then look no further! Our comparison worksheet provides you with the necessary blueprint to help you make an informed decision.
#1. International Leaders In Loyalty Summit 2024
- Date: 11-12 September 2024 (2 days)
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Loyalty event website
The International Leaders in Loyalty Summit 2024 will be a 2-day event held in Cape Town, South Africa. Attendees will have an amazing opportunity to enrich their knowledge in all things loyalty from a lineup of esteemed international speakers during this in-person experience. They will also be the first to get the latest scoop on which brands are leading the loyalty industry in South Africa.
The event will feature:
- Leading loyalty insights from these International Loyalty Awards winners
- A cocktail event where the South African Loyalty Awards winners will be announced
- Panels moderated by experts, like Paula Thomas, Founder & CEO of Let’s Talk Loyalty and Loyalty TV
#2. Loyalty Summit Americas
- Date: 17-18 September 2024 (2 days)
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
- Loyalty event website
This year’s Loyalty Summit Americas promises to be an exceptional experience for everyone interested in the latest technological advancements. The event’s theme is The AI Revolution: Harnessing AI to Drive the Future of Customer Loyalty. It will highlight the newest innovative solutions regarding personalization, customer insights, and engagement.
The event will feature:
- High focus on AI tools, strategies, and technology in loyalty
- Expert Insights, case studies, and practical approaches from 40+ speakers
- The speaker lineup includes: Ben Lipsey, SVP Customer Loyalty, Head of Flying Blue at Air France-KLM, and Simon Tavernier, Founder & CEO at Stampix
#3. Exclusive Loyalty Club Event – In Partnership With Acxiom
- Date: 01 October 2024 (1 day)
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Loyalty event website
We are happy to announce the next upcoming event in our exclusive registration-only Loyalty Event Series, where we partner up with Antavo’s key strategic partners – this time with Acxiom – to bring attendees the latest insights on platform-specific innovations, the challenges currently faced by the loyalty industry, and the most impactful loyalty trends of the near future.
The event will feature:
- Practical strategies, best practices, and real-world case studies
- Presentations and discussions hosted by experts from Antavo and Acxiom
- Interactive panels with plenty of time for audience questions
#4. The BIG Handshake Loyalty
- Date: 15-16 October 2024 (2 days)
- Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Loyalty event website
Welcoming brands, retailers, and solution providers alike, the BIG Handshake Loyalty offers a one-of-a-kind experience featuring workshops, expert panel discussions, and keynote presentations. Loyalty and marketing professionals will provide in-depth insights on the latest innovations in terms of AI usage, consumer behavior, and payment initiatives.
The event will feature:
- Topics include micro-segmentation, digital engagement, and bridging loyalty across generations.
- 17 sessions, live workshops, and networking opportunities
- 30+ expert speakers, including Martin Villanueva, Global Customer Engagement Director at IKEA, and our Chief Strategy Officer & Co-Founder Zsuzsa Kecsmar, who’ll be holding a keynote speech – as we are keynote sponsors of the event
#5. Shoptalk Fall
- Date: 16-18 October 2024 (3 days)
- Location: Chicago, IL, USA
- Loyalty event website
We all know Shoptalk as the largest-ever gathering of retailers, brands, and solution providers, hosting 10,000+ top executives, hundreds of speakers, and one-of-a-kind networking programs. Their newest show: Shoptalk Fall will feature a brand new agenda format and 150+ expert speakers. It’s an unmissable experience for everyone invested in retail, from stores and merchandising, to supply chain/operations.
The event will feature:
- The now-famous Meetup networking program (currently sitting at a whopping 90% satisfaction rate), and the new Meetup for Women program
- A variety of engaging events, including parties, receptions, and dinners
- Key speakers, including Marisa Runyon, U.S. Head of Creative Content at SHEIN, and James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO at ThredUP
#6. MadTech 2024
- Date: 17 October 2024 (1 day)
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
During this free-to-attend event, visitors will be able to explore the latest innovations in MarTech, AdTech, and Data. Curated to experts from multiple business territories – including Performance Marketing, Customer Experience & CRM, and Customer Loyalty – the summit’s keynote speakers will provide insight on topics like data optimization and multichannel strategies. Antavo will also exhibit on this event, so if you are nearby, make sure to drop by for a little networking.
The event will feature:
- Free attendance
- Heavy focus on marketing technology and AI
- Four topic-specialized tracks, including “Personalization paradigm – Navigating the 1-2-1 revolution”
#7. Loyalty & Awards 2024
- Date: 28-30 October 2024 (2,5 days)
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand
- Loyalty event website
The Loyalty & Awards 2024 represents a very special and niche segment of loyalty conferences, geared specifically towards the travel sector. Featuring travel loyalty experts and decision-makers, the Conference enables both networking and information-gathering, in terms of everything travel from innovations to booking platforms and suppliers. It’s also closely followed by the Golden Loyalty Awards ceremony.
The event will feature:
- Loyalty insight specifically about the travel industry
- 200+ attendees, including representatives of the 3 major airline alliances
- Networking opportunities between all the major players of the travel industry
#8. eTail Nordic
- Date: 05-06 November 2024 (2 days)
- Location: Malmo, Sweden
- Loyalty event website
As an event, dedicated to bringing the latest insights on Retail and eCommerce, eTail Nordic provides an outstanding opportunity for leading brands and retailers alike. This year’s expert speakers will share wisdom on topics like Implementing innovative AI technologies, Leveraging first-party data, and harnessing the power of brick-and-mortar stores.
The event will feature:
- Small working discussion groups for a more immersive experience
- Insights on omnichannel strategies, and personalizing communications across all touchpoints
- The speaker lineup includes: Andre Luiz Rebelato Filomeno, SVP of Customer and Digital at Flying Tiger Copenhagen, and Aaron Mitchell, Vice President at Lego
#9. Advanced Customer Loyalty & Retention
- Date: 7th November 2024 (1 day)
- Location: London, UK
- Loyalty event website
This year’s Advanced Customer Loyalty & Retention Conference will bring a spectacular speaker line-up, with no less, than 23 brands speaking during the 1-day event. This atmosphere creates a special insider look into cost-effective, engaging loyalty and retention strategies, AI, and automation tools used by industry leaders across multiple verticals.
The event will feature:
- 80+% brand-side audience and overall 13 industries represented, including Retail, Travel, Financial Services
- A brand new feature will be introduced: Speed Networking
- The speaker lineup includes: James Edwards, Group Head of CRM at PureGym, and Claire Burley, Senior Manager CRM & Loyalty at Heathrow
#10. Antavo’s Annual Global Customer Loyalty Report Webinar
- Date: 14 January 2025
- Location: online
- Registration for the webinar is now open
While technically not an in-person event or a live conference broadcast, it’s most definitely an industry staple. Every year, our team at Antavo works hard on gathering, organizing, and presenting the latest, and most accurate insights about the state of loyalty programs and the loyalty industry in general.
We present our findings in a downloadable digital format, and also a webinar, starring top loyalty experts who contributed to the report. The 2024 version of the webinar has reached a staggering 1,500+ registered attendees, and the 2024 Report itself has been is now in the hands of more than 5,000 marketing professionals. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback, and extremely high number of registrations, I feel like we can safely count the Report Launch Webinar among the most illustrious loyalty events of the year.
#11. Shoptalk Spring 2025
- Date: 24-27 March 2025 (4 days)
- Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Loyalty event website
As the ultimate cornerstone of retail conferences, Shoptalk’s reputation definitely precedes the event. Connecting high-level executives from top retailers, brands, and solution providers, the conference offers a special focus on current pain points, challenges, future trends, and technological advancements that retailers are facing across all verticals.
The event will feature:
- The New Market: A brand new immersive experience within Shoptalk Spring
- Meetup: The ultimate networking tool
- Exclusive lineup of industry expert
#12. Loyalty Connect Dubai 2025
- Date: 13-14 May 2025 (2 days)
- Location: Dubai
- Loyalty event website
Loyalty Connect Global is an extraordinary event featuring thought leaders and top loyalty industry experts, connecting MarTech, SaaS companies, and marketing agencies across the globe. Get ready to hear about the current industry pipeline, the newest tech solutions, and future loyalty program trends straight from experts and executives working on moving the loyalty industry forward every single day.
The event will feature:
- 8 Interactive Breakout Sessions across the two days
- Masterclasses and roundtable discussions with top industry experts and vendors
- A unique approach to networking through the Event App
Let’s Meet Up!
I hope I managed to showcase at least one customer loyalty conference that’s close to your location. If not, let me know! We can give you advice on other channels as well. We organize webinars all year long. So, if you are in learning mode and wish to know more about loyalty and customer retention here are some ebooks and case studies on topics related to customer loyalty programs.
Also if you’re thinking about launching or revamping a loyalty program and require assistance, our experts are more than happy to discuss your options with you. Just book a demo or include us in your RFP.
And if you ever find yourself in a need to compare loyalty program providers, then make sure to let our handy worksheet guide your work!
Zsuzsanna is a Loyalty Specialist with years of experience in digital marketing and e-commerce. Zsuzsanna is known for having an analytic approach and high-level communication skills, helping her deliver engaging content. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1 and listening to endless Taylor Swift playlists.
