We’ve somehow time-warped to the middle of 2021 (seriously, didn’t I just write Part 1 of this post?) and that means it’s time to take a look at all the podcast events 2021 still has in store.
The latter part of the year is chock-full with events, both in person and online! Get your calendar out, pack your go-bag, or check your Internet connection, then check out all these awesome events the rest of 2021 has lined up!
June
Spark Media Conference
Date: June 22, 2021
Place: Grapevine, Texas
Cost: $29
The Spark Media Conference (taking place during the NRB 2021 Christian Media Conference) is a conference focused on equipping faith-based podcast creators. There are a whole host of live and virtual events, training available from industry leaders, and you’ll have the opportunity to become a part of a thriving community of fellow podcasters, and enjoy consultations designed to bring knowledge, insight, and clarity to the production process.
There are some high profile speakers in this year’s line-up, and you’ll get to network with others from the podcasting, writing, and speaking industries. You can check out the list of speakers as well as the event’s schedule here. And, if that’s not enough, conference add-ons include literary appointments, headshots, podcast consultations, and graphic design appointments!
July
True Crime Podcast Festival
Date: July 2-4, 2021
Place: Kansas City, Missouri
Event type: Virtual and In-person
Cost: General Admission $120, Virtual Attendance $125
The True Crime Podcast Festival is a place for all the True Crime Podcast fans out there! It’s a very special festival where listeners have the opportunity to meet and interact with their favorite true crime podcasters. Although last year’s event had to be canceled due to the pandemic, it’s all steam ahead in preparation for this year’s festival. There are a ton of exciting things to take part in, from live episodes, panel discussions, as well as a gallery of true crime podcasts.
The True Crime Podcast Festival promises to be a not-to-be-missed experience! It provides listeners with the unique opportunity to experience the shows they love like never before. And they will be sure to find some new favorites along the way! Check out the ticket options here.
Podthon ‘21
Date: July 17-18, 2021
Event type: Virtual
Cost: $120
July 17-18, 2021 will see the third annual Podthon virtually taking place. The event is set to feature amazing speakers at all levels of the independent podcasting industry. Podthon is the vision of the Asian American Podcasters Association and Women of Color Podcasters. One mission they aim to achieve with these events is to encourage more people of color to become speakers and to cultivate a platform where their voices can be heard across the stages of the world.
This summit promises to be an inclusive place where podcasters can learn from and connect with thought leaders in the podcasting community. Your Podthon ’21 ticket gets you access to 30+ exclusive presentations and you get to connect with each speaker during the Live Q & A sessions. This all-access pass enables ticket-holders to gain access to the conference sessions even after the event has ended, and includes bonus materials and videos. You can check out the full schedule here.
August
Podcast Movement
Date: August 3-6, 2021
Place: Nashville, Tennessee
Hosted by: Podcast Movement
Event type: In Person
Cost: $180-$480
One of the biggest podcast events to still take place in the later part of this year is Podcast Movement. Each year, this event brings together thousands of passionate podcasters and industry professionals from around the world under one roof to learn, grow professionally, and most importantly, to evolve their skills and hone their talents. In the past, over 3,000 podcasters have come together to share their knowledge and their passion for podcasting. Pretty impressive, right?
In 2020, they had to switch online, and they still managed to pull off a great event! But in August this year, they’re looking forward to getting to host an incredible in-person event. The world-famous expo is also back, which provides great opportunities for podcasters to network and build relationships with others in the industry. They’ll be breakout sessions and panel discussions, and great keynote speakers, so there is something for everyone within the industry. There will also be a number of fun parties taking place over the course of the conference! With all this and more, it’s easy to see why it is the biggest event of its kind and a favorite on the calendar of many in the podcasting industry. Get your tickets here.
Podcast Con
Date: August 20-22
Place: Chicago
Event type:
Cost: $150-$425 (Early-bird prices)
Podcast Con is also all set to take place this August. And this podcast event has something for everyone! If you’re looking to advance your skills, there will be specialized workshops built to elevate your skills, equipment, and brand, all with the focus of helping you become a better podcaster. You’ll be equipped with skills and opportunities to build your network, power your podcast, and see your favorite podcasters like never before with live shows, meetups, games — and more!
There are three different types of tickets available – Industry, Creator, and Community – which include access to all three days of PodcastCon programming, and other perks! Currently, with the early bird specials, the Community Pass (for podcast fans) is $150, the Creator Pass (for podcasters), and the Industry Pass (for the pros) is $425. You can check out all the exciting events, from live shows, workshops, keynotes, meetups, and more here.
September
Independent Podcast Conference
Date: September 11, 2021
Place: Swedesboro, New Jersey
Hosted By: Mid-Atlantic Podcast
Event Type: In Person
Cost: Plus Ticket $199
The Independent Podcast Conference (ICON) is an event by Indie Podcasters for Indie podcasters. And this year introduces the brand new Independent Podcast Conference, which was previously the Mid-Atlantic Podcast Conference.
And this inaugural event promises to be one not to be missed! If you’re an indie podcaster, you want to make sure that your name is on the list of attendees. You’ll learn from others who’ve traveled the same path that you’re on in a really intimate set-up, ensuring that you’re able to soak up all the value being dished up.
And because there is only on track, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with some truly great veteran podcasters who have heaps of wisdom to share. Get your ticket here.
International Podcast Day
Date: September 30, 2021
Event: Virtual
Every year on the 30th of September, podcasters and podcast enthusiasts from all over the world will come together to celebrate International Podcast Day!
The year 2014 saw the inception of National Podcast Day, where the day was celebrated with six hours of podcast broadcasting. But the power of podcasting was too large for just a national day, and so come 2015, with a little rebranding magic, the first official International Podcast Day had its debut. And it’s grown from strength to strength with every passing year! The core purpose of the day is to celebrate the power of podcasts, and ever since that inaugural event, hundreds of hours of audio have been broadcasted in celebration, by podcasters from nearly 70 countries, from every corner of the globe.
No details have been released regarding this year’s celebration, but head over to the website to check out all the fun that was had at the 2020 celebration. Then be sure to block out September 30th on your calendar this year so you don’t miss out!
October
She Podcasts Live 2021
Date: October 14-17, 2021
Place: Scottsdale, Arizona
Event type: In Person
Price: $199 – $559
The powerhouse team behind the She Podcasts Live had to make the hard, but necessary, decision last year to postpone their annual event as Arizona’s COVID-19 cases had spiked considerably as the date of their event drew near. But they’re looking forward to once again hosting the largest in-person gathering of women and non-binary podcasters, audio content creators, storytellers, and more.
She Podcasts Live offers women audio creators a chance to learn and experience community in an environment created just for them. Through their Facebook group, they’ve created a vibrant, thriving community, and this live event gives their members the opportunity to connect in the flesh. These conferences, as well as the online group, are a safe space for women to ask questions and learn and grow from each other and is a really empowering environment for women audio creators. This year’s line-up features 6 different conference tracks, so there is definitely something for everyone, no matter what your podcasting journey looks like. You can see all the tracks, as well as complete your registration on the event’s website here.
November
Podfest2021
Date: November 10-14, 2021
Place: Orlando, Florida
Hosted by: Podfest
Event type: In Person
Cost: $247 – $745
If you’re longing for an in-person podcast event, this year’s in-person Podfest will be your ticket! As with their virtual events, the goal remains to bring together as many within the podcast industry as possible, and enable and empower them to share knowledge, and learn and grow from each other. This hub is well-loved for being the place for passionate podcasters who love the audio and video mediums, and who are driven to use these platforms to share their message and let their voices be heard.
As this is their first live, in-person event since the start of the pandemic, you know the team is hard at work to make this the best Podfest yet! And to prove it, they’re promising all the latest on all things podcasting and new media. You’re able to customize your daily agenda, making sure that you get all the information you need for your show. Check out their website for more information on all the amazing tracks that are available, and start planning your Podfest today!
Closing Thoughts
Podcasting tends to be a solo endeavor and can get a little lonely at times. You can feel isolated or out of touch with all that is actually taking place around the globe in terms of the industry, particularly with all that’s happened these past two years. And that’s why podcasting events are such a special part of the podcaster’s calendar – now more than ever! They are a fantastic way to make and strengthen connections, garner inspiration, and just be a part of all that is taking place in the podcasting industry the world over.
There really is nothing quite like interactions with like-minded people – whether that be in-person, or face-to-face via the power of technology and the Internet. Being able to talk to others who face the same challenges gives us the courage to keep fighting, and the opportunity to encourage others in their journey. Not to mention all the fantastic networking opportunities!
So whether you’re able to attend in-person or via a virtual ticket, podcast events are an incredible way to keep connected to others in the industry and to keep learning and growing from the greats in the field. So mark those calendars with the above dates and get ready for a boost to your podcasting goals.
