This year’s best conferences and events for military spouses

Discovering your own career path as a military spouse doesn’t have to be impossible.

In fact, thousands of military spouses gather each year at military events and conferences to encourage one another in professional and personal development.

If you’re looking for career inspiration as a military spouse, then attending a military conference in 2020 is for you. Conferences are a great way to network, learn, and connect with other individuals going through the unique journey that is the military lifestyle.

This roundup covers conferences happening across the country, including virtual military events you can attend from the comfort of your own living room.

Is 2020 the year you focus on your personal and professional aspirations?

If so, here are six military events and conferences in 2020 to consider attending:

Military Women’s Conference

February 2-4
Tampa, Florida

This event brings female veterans, military spouses, and mothers of service members together for education, networking, and bonding! Three tracks are available including Tech Track, Career in Transition, and Non-Profits and Advocacy.

Highlights:

Keynote speaker Dr. Sonja Stribling

Breakout sessions

Rosie Tampa chapter launch party

Hear from speakers like Eddie Smith (Black Label Advertising), Kimber Hill (VirtForce), Geriann Wiesbrook (Military Mama), and other top-notch speakers!

Learn more about the conference here.

Dimensions of Strength Summit

March 2-7, 2020
Virtual

This event is exclusively for military spouses to focus on putting themselves first. This fifth annual InDependent Wellness Summit is all about self-care and wellness. Even if you can’t listen live, the podcasts will head right to your inbox afterward. Ten experts will offer insight into leaning into your personal strengths. The podcasts will be available until March 13, 2020, for general admission ticket holders. Lifetime access is included for those with an all-access pass.

Highlights:

Attend when you want

Access to a Digital Legacy Magazine issue

Access to a free Thrive Market membership

Hear from speakers like Chef Andre Rush, Dr. Angela Duckworth, Amy Bushatz, Chris Bailey, and others.

Learn more about the summit here.

“Keeping a Career on the Move®” Military Spouse Symposia

Throughout 2020
Various cities

These one-day personal and professional development events are for military spouses looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. It’s also for military spouses interested in taking the next leap in their careers.

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and Hiring Our Heroes partnership developed these military events as a way to help military spouses keep their careers in motion no matter how many times they may have to PCS.

Highlights:

Résumé development

Panel discussions

Networking best practices

LinkedIn techniques for milspouses

2020 Events and Locations:

Feb. 24: Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan (Register here)

Feb. 26: Kadena Air Base, Kadena, Japan (Register here)

July (date TBD): England

July (date TBD): Ramstein Air Base, Germany

July (date TBD): USAG Bavaria, Vilseck, Germany

October (date TBD): MCB Twentynine Palms, Calif.

October (date TBD): Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Learn more about the events here.

Veteran EDGE Conference

March 5-8, 2020
Dallas, Texas

Head to the Lone Star state for this three-and-a-half-day educational conference designed solely for veteran and military spouse business owners. This event connects veteran and military spouse business owners with the resources to engage, develop, and grow their businesses. The conference includes breakout sessions, access to business experts, and networking opportunities.

Highlights:

Panel discussions

Networking opportunities

$10,000 challenge for company grant funding

Submit your application here for the conference.

Military Influencer Conference

September 23-26, 2020
San Antonio, Texas

Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and influencers…this one’s for you. Founded back in 2016, the Military Influencer Conference (MIC) is a three-day event that begins with a series of workshops and continues with a schedule of keynotes, breakout sessions, and interactive experiences. MIC brings together influencers, creatives, leaders, and executives who love the military community.

Highlights:

Network with serial entrepreneurs

70+ exhibitors on site

Open networking and parties

Hear from speakers Carol Eggert (Comcast), Kathy Roth-Douquet (Blue Star Families), Pat Flynn (Smart Passive Income blog), and others who will be on site.

Learn more about the conference here.

Hiring Our Heroes

Throughout 2020
Various cities

The best part of Hiring Our Heroes is this U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program specifically helps service members, vets, and military spouses. Whether you’re looking for a hiring expo, career summit, or employment symposium, Hiring Our Heroes offers regional events throughout the year in cities across the U.S.

All of the career summits and symposium events are free and open to active duty service members, National Guard members, military reservists, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers.

Highlights:

Mock interviews

Networking

Interactive workshops

LinkedIn profile reviews

Free professional headshots

See the monthly event calendar here to register for an event near you.

Military Events Can Advance Your Career and Life

(Unsplash/Ian Schneider)

Military events and conferences are not only a great opportunity to meet others in the military community, but it’s a perfect chance to work on your personal aspirations.

It may only take meeting one person, attending a certain session, or even learning about a new field that can change your trajectory and life.

Conferences offer inspiration, motivation, insight, and connections that you can’t find just by staying in your same old comfort zone.

If you’re interested in shaking up your 2020, you can start by attending one of these conferences. Bring along friends from your base, too. Then you’ll have an accountability partner to keep you motivated long after the event has ended.

You don’t always need to travel far for personal or professional development, either. As you can see from above, some events are both free and virtual, making it easy to attend from anywhere. Additionally, always check in with your career services office at your current military installation, too.

What military events or conferences do you plan to attend this year? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

Curious about what resources are available to milspouses for employment and career advancement? Check out our post 5 Military Spouse Employment Resources Every Milspouse Should Use !