How Do Conferences Impact Your ROI? 10 Conference Marketing Stats You Can't Ignore

Attending conferences can feel like a MONUMENTAL task, right?  

Things you are often doing at a conference include: 

• Networking, 

• Closing sales, 

• Collecting swag, 

• Learning new things, 

• Trying to make a lasting impression, and  

• Juggling a million things at once. 

When you’re doing so much on the floor, it’s easy to wonder—are conferences really worth it?  

Spoiler alert: It actually depends! The trick is knowing how to make them work for you, especially when it comes to getting a solid return on investment (ROI) from conferences. 

Whether you're a small business owner or part of a marketing team, the right conferences offer an amazing opportunity to grow your brand, meet new clients, and show off your products or services.  

Here are 10 conference marketing stats you simply can’t ignore if you're serious about boosting your ROI.

1. What Do Experts Say About Conference ROI?

Experts agree: Conferences are a powerful tool for driving ROI, but only if approached with a strategic mindset. According to EventMB, 87% of marketers believe conferences significantly boost their ROI when compared to other marketing channels, such as earned media or content marketing.  

Conferences allow for face-to-face engagement with target audiences, a key factor often missing from digital channels like social media marketing. This helps them build trust and relationships faster. 

Experts suggest combining your in-conference activities with tools like a social media plan template or conference marketing strategy for even greater results.

2. How Are Companies Measuring ROI from Conferences?

One of the challenges of conference marketing is tracking and quantifying your return. While businesses often use CRM tools to monitor their success, 30% of companies still struggle to measure the long-term impact of conferences.  

However, those using email marketing companies or a friendly CRM report that they’re able to generate more accurate data. 

Pairing your conference efforts with digital tools such as social media marketing platforms or email marketing automation allows for better ROI tracking. By integrating your conference data with these tools, you can track not just lead generation but also post-event engagement, which is crucial for accurate ROI measurement. 

3. How Much Do Companies Invest in Conferences?

Conferences require significant financial investments, but they often yield substantial rewards. On average, businesses spend 22% of their annual marketing budget on conferences, including costs for conference centers, travel, and marketing materials like flyers or booth designs. 

For businesses attending events like the Big Ten Conference or the Mountain West Conference, the potential return can be massive if they play their cards right. To ensure ROI, make the most of your conference room by having meetings, pitching your products or services, and utilizing tools like free conference calls for follow-ups. 

4. What Conference Strategies Drive the Most ROI?

A conference is not just about attending; it’s about planning. Businesses that take a strategic approach to conference marketing, focusing on pre-event and post-event activities, see a 35% higher ROI.  

For example, businesses that invest in content planning before the event—like setting up a content calendar or planning their social media posts in advance—are better positioned to succeed. 

For those that also leverage social media management agencies, this ROI can jump even higher. These agencies help craft the right social media content, target the right audiences, and use social media marketing tools to ensure maximum engagement during and after the event. 

This is where Market Me More comes in! We specialize in helping businesses develop conference marketing strategies, from pre-event buzz to post-event follow-ups.  

Our team can handle everything—from creating engaging social media content to designing eye-catching booths, so you can focus on connecting with your audience and driving results. With Market Me More by your side, you’ll not only boost your conference ROI, but you'll also stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression. 

5. How Does Conference Engagement Translate to Sales?

Here’s where the efforts meet the results: sales. Conferences are known to drive post-event sales, but it’s not automatic. According to recent studies, 49% of companies report a significant increase in sales when they focus on engagement during the event. This includes everything from using conference apps for easy lead capture to creating interactive experiences at your booth, such as demos or personalized product tours. 

The key is combining physical engagement with digital follow-ups. By using email marketing strategies post-conference, businesses can nurture leads and move them through the sales funnel more effectively. Similarly, a well-executed social media content plan that follows up on conference engagements can dramatically improve conversion rates. 

6. How Can Conference Centers and Rooms Impact Your ROI?

Your choice of conference center or conference room can also affect ROI. Studies show that 48% of conference attendees judge the success of a conference based on the quality and atmosphere of the conference space, including booths and meeting rooms. Pairing this with eye-catching materials—created with the help of a social media content creator—can further increase engagement. 

At Market Me More, we specialize in making sure your booth or conference space is not only visually stunning but also optimized for maximum interaction. From design to setup, we take care of everything to ensure your space stands out.  

Our creative team designs booths that attract attention, and we handle all the details—from signage to digital displays—so you can focus on building those valuable connections. Let us help you turn your conference room into a lead-generation powerhouse! 

Even the small details, like selecting a conference table where private meetings can take place, play a role in maximizing your conference investment.

7. The Role of Social Media and Digital Tools in Conference Success

It’s no secret that conferences are no longer just in-person events. Companies that incorporate social media marketing tools and digital strategies are able to drive 37% more engagement than those that don’t. For example, using tools like a social media plan template to pre-schedule posts, or offering live updates from the conference floor, can drive significant traffic both at the event and online. 

Additionally, offering free conference calls to recap event takeaways or arrange follow-up meetings with prospects strengthens relationships, helping your business stand out.

8. Leveraging Earned Media and Partnerships

One often overlooked strategy is utilizing earned media through partnerships or collaborations at conferences.

Aligning yourself with other businesses—perhaps a social media management agency or even a tech provider at the same event—can dramatically increase your reach and help you tap into new audiences. As a result, 62% of businesses that leverage partnerships at conferences see better ROI. 

These partnerships often lead to co-hosted free conference calls or webinars post-event, driving even more leads and exposure. 

9. Content Is Still King at Conferences

Don’t underestimate the power of good content at a conference. In fact, 68% of conference attendees say that the quality of the content presented at an event influences their decision to return the following year.  

Pieces of content like blogs, articles, and videos shared during and after the conference can extend your ROI long after the event is over. Marketing blogs detailing your conference experience, case studies, and even content ideas generated from the event can continue to drive traffic and leads to your business. 

Ensure your editorial calendar and content marketing strategy are aligned with conference activities for maximum impact. 

10. Post-Conference Follow-Ups: The Final Step to Securing ROI

All the hard work at the conference can go to waste without a solid post-event follow-up strategy. Businesses that follow up promptly after a conference—especially using automated email marketing campaigns—see up to 70% higher lead conversion rates.  

Whether it's a personalized email or a series of email marketing strategies targeting different segments of your audience, timely communication is key to locking in that ROI.

At Market Me More, we know that the real magic happens after the event. Our team specializes in creating targeted follow-up campaigns that keep your brand top of mind with your new contacts.  

From customized email sequences to post-event social media engagement, we make sure your conference momentum continues long after the event is over. Our approach helps you nurture leads, build relationships, and convert those hard-earned connections into loyal clients. 

Also, consider setting up free conference calls to nurture leads and build rapport, which can significantly impact your post-conference success. 

Conclusion: Are Conferences Still Worth the Investment? 

With the right conference marketing strategy, they can be a goldmine for ROI. Your success depends on how well you leverage conference centers, digital tools, and follow-up strategies like social media marketing and email marketing campaigns. 

Key Stats to Remember: 

1. 87% of marketers believe conferences significantly boost their ROI. (Source: EventMB) 
2. 30% of companies still struggle to measure long-term ROI from conferences. (Source: Bizzabo) 
3. On average, businesses spend 22% of their annual marketing budget on conferences. (Source: Bizzabo) 
4. Companies that implement comprehensive pre- and post-conference strategies see a 35% higher ROI. (Source: Bizzabo) 
5. 49% of companies report a significant increase in post-event sales when they utilize targeted in-conference engagement tools. (Source: Statista) 
6. 48% of conference attendees judge the success of a conference based on the quality of the conference space. (Source: Statista) 
7. Businesses using digital tools like social media marketing platforms experience 37% more engagement at conferences. (Source: EventMB) 
8. 62% of businesses that leverage partnerships at conferences see better ROI. (Source: EventMB) 
9. 68% of conference attendees say content quality influences their decision to return to the event. (Source: Statista) 
10. Post-conference follow-ups lead to 70% higher lead conversion rates. (Source: HubSpot) 

The stats don’t lie: conferences are still one of the most effective ways to engage audiences, drive sales, and build lasting relationships. Is your business ready to take full advantage? 

By incorporating these strategies into your conference marketing plan, you can ensure that your next event delivers maximum ROI. Let’s connect—fill out this contact form if you’re ready to transform your conference game!