As the digital nomad movement flourishes, so too does the variety of conferences tailored to this ever-growing community.

Over the past 12 months, I’ve had the unique opportunity to participate in several digital nomad events, both as a full-time digital nomad for years myself and in my professional capacity as an insurance broker with NOMADS.insure.

These experiences have revealed two major dimensions that define these gatherings: location—whether the event is hosted in an established nomad hub or an emerging destination—and audience—whether it’s designed for digital nomads themselves or the industry players who support them.

Let’s have a closer look at some key events worth attending, comparing how they differ in terms of both geography and purpose and what that means for attendees.

1. Bansko Nomad Fest

One of the largest and most renowned gatherings is Bansko Nomad Fest, held annually in Bansko, Bulgaria. In 2024, the event sold over 700 tickets, cementing its position as the biggest event for digital nomads.

Bansko’s success as a destination for digital nomads is built on its solid infrastructure, reliable high-speed internet, numerous coworking spaces, affordable accommodation, and fantastic outdoor activities. The event itself is a celebration of this vibrant community, offering a space for nomads to connect and collaborate in a stunning mountain setting.

The Unconference Pitch Session at Bansko Nomad Fest

2. Nomad Summit

Equally legendary is the Nomad Summit in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which is set to make a comeback in January 2025 after a hiatus.

Having first been launched in 2015, this event is the oldest and most prestigious digital nomad summit. This event provides a platform for you to meet like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring speakers, and be part of a community that thrives on connection and mutual support. And with no other major nomad events happening globally at this time of the year, this is your chance to join an unparalleled gathering of digital nomads in the world’s most iconic remote work destination.

Chiang Mai’s blend of excellent coworking spaces, a rich coffee culture, beautiful surrounding nature, and affordability make it a magnet for thousands of nomads who flock there each winter. There’s simply no better place to experience the heartbeat of the global nomad community.

💡

The Nomad Summit is back with a fresh and upgraded concept in January 2025! Mark your calendars to make sure you don't miss out!

3. Costa Brava Hub Conference

On the other end of the spectrum, we have events like the Costa Brava Hub Conference, held in Lloret de Mar, Spain, which has little presence on the digital nomad map. Known more as a party destination for young tourists, Lloret de Mar is not the obvious choice for remote workers.

However, this small, exclusive gathering of not many more than 30 participants was designed to foster deep industry connections, particularly among those involved in coliving spaces. Though the destination may not yet be a nomad hub, the event itself is part of a growing effort to develop new, unexpected locations.

4. Running Remote

Running Remote, held in April in Lisbon, is another key event on the business-focused end of the spectrum. Known for its strong emphasis on remote team management, it targets HR professionals and managers overseeing distributed teams. With its clear industry focus, Running Remote offers a specialized platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among those who build and manage the infrastructure of remote work.

Lisbon, already an established digital nomad hub with excellent connectivity, coworking spaces, and cultural appeal, provides the ideal backdrop for this business-oriented event.

The more corporate conference style of Running Remote in Lisbon in 2024

5. The Nomad World

Similarly, The Nomad World, held in Albufeira on the Portuguese Algarve, focuses on creating a platform for service providers rather than nomads themselves.

Albufeira, known for its party and beach tourists, lacks the infrastructure typically sought by digital nomads—there are few coworking spaces, and most accommodation caters to short-term visitors. However, the week-long event offers invaluable insights for those building communities and coliving spaces.

In 2024, the event introduced the Nomad World Awards, honoring outstanding service providers such as the best coliving spaces—a smart way to raise the profile of the industry behind nomadism.

Sergio Sala talking about his nomad journey, showing a picture of his talk at the Nomad Summit in Cancun in 2019

6. Athens Nomad Fest

Finally, Athens Nomad Fest is another emerging event held in September in Athens. Though Greece's capital isn’t yet a top-tier nomad destination, it offers everything remote workers need: excellent food, culture, infrastructure, and affordability.

The event was organized by founders who met at Bansko Nomad Fest, and its two-day program was filled with inspiring talks aimed directly at nomads and those aspiring to live a location-independent lifestyle.

*Philipp, Co-Owner of the Bansko Nomad Fest (right) with Christoph and Kai of the Nomad Summit at the Athens Nomad Fest*

Events for Digital Nomads vs. Industry Player Conferences

While all of these events may carry the label of “digital nomad events”, they vary greatly in terms of their target audience. Some are created primarily for digital nomads, while others are geared toward industry providers serving nomads.

Take NomadCruise, for example. I embarked on this remarkable journey last December from Tenerife to Brazil, where a ship full of digital nomads gathered for inspiring talks and networking opportunities. The cruise’s audience is squarely focused on nomads themselves, providing an incredible environment to meet like-minded individuals while crossing the Atlantic. Since the event takes place on the open sea, it doesn’t promote any specific destination but rather brings the global nomad community together in a uniquely mobile way.

Likewise, Bansko Nomad Fest and Athens Nomad Fest are designed primarily for the nomad community, featuring talks and workshops that help digital nomads at all stages—whether you’re just starting out or already living the lifestyle.

In contrast, The Nomad World and Costa Brava Hub Conference cater more to industry professionals. These events focus on those running communities, coliving spaces, and other businesses that serve the nomad lifestyle. At The Nomad World, for instance, participants dove deep into how to create and sustain the infrastructure that supports nomads around the globe, making it a must-attend event for service providers.

How Can You Find the Right Digital Nomad Conference and Event for You?

Digital nomad events can either take place in established hubs that are already well-known within the community or in destinations that have an agenda to attract remote workers, often set by local politicians.

To better illustrate the differences across these events, I’ve plotted them on a graph below, showing where they fall on the two key dimensions: location (emerging to established) and audience (industry players to digital nomads).

To find your next event to attend, you need to ask yourself two basic questions:

Where do I want to go?

Do you intend to just go for the event to a location that otherwise is not so much of a digital nomad and remote worker hotspot? Then the left side of the graph shows you those.

If you would rather spend more time around the event in a vibrant destination with infrastructure and a digital nomad community, then look on the right side.

Who do I want to meet?

Do you want to connect with industry leaders and service providers for remote work and a digital nomad lifestyle? Then look at the lower half of the graph.

Are you rather looking to connect with other nomads? Do you wish to find inspiration in the nomadic lifestyle, see how others are organizing themselves, grow their location-independent business, or even raise a nomadic family and educate their kids while traveling the world? Then look in the upper half.

Ready to Attend Your Next Digital Nomad Conference?

Check out the latest digital nomad events and conferences and don't forget to sign up to our community hub to discover places, find useful resources and connect with other digital nomads.

Join our global
digital nomad community

Join us for free

Christoph Huebner

Articles by Christoph Huebner

I went to tens of digital nomad events and conferences. This is what I learned