Ready to level up your data engineering game in 2025? As the tech stack keeps evolving, nothing beats hands-on learning from those in the trenches. We've rounded up the top conferences where you can master new tools, dive into technical deep dives, and connect with fellow engineers building the future of data infrastructure. From pipeline optimization to real-time architectures, these events will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Data Day Texas 

Date: January 25, 2025 

Location: Austin, Texas

Data Day Texas remains one of the first and largest NoSQL/Big Data conferences in the region. Known for highlighting the latest tools, techniques, and projects in the data space, this conference continues to be the largest independent data-centric event held within 1000 miles of Texas.

Data Council 

Date: April 22-24, 2025 

Location: SF Bay Area

The self-described "no bullsh*t data conference" returns for another year. This vendor-neutral conference brings together 100+ speakers and nearly 1000 attendees for deeply technical talks that go beyond white paper-level details. A unique feature remains their free workshops for attendees, providing hands-on training from tool builders themselves.

MDS Fest 3.0 

Date: April-May 2025 (exact date TBA) 

Location: Virtual

Born from the community and now in its third year, Secoda's MDS Fest continues its mission of amplifying voices in the data community. The conference maintains its commitment to being free and accessible to all, focusing on practical insights and first-time speakers. This year's program aligns with key trends in modern data engineering, with special emphasis on data quality and governance—exploring how engineering teams are building trust through scalable quality frameworks, implementing proactive monitoring, and developing data platforms that enable self-service analytics.

ODSC East 

Date: May 13-15, 2025 

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

ODSC East stands as the premier gathering for AI and data science practitioners in the Northeast region. The conference delivers three intensive days of cutting-edge content, from deep technical workshops to strategic AI implementation insights. With tracks spanning machine learning, MLOps, and data engineering fundamentals, attendees can expect hands-on training sessions, practical case studies, and invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders. Whether you're building AI pipelines, scaling data infrastructure, or transforming your organization's AI capabilities, ODSC offers a comprehensive learning experience for all skill levels.

Snowflake Data Cloud Summit 

Date: June 2-5, 2025 

Location: San Francisco, California

Snowflake Summit remains one of the industry's largest gatherings, featuring multiple days of intensive learning across numerous tracks. With AI and machine learning continuing to reshape the data landscape, expect deep dives into the latest Snowflake innovations, hands-on labs, and expert-led sessions on modern data architecture, governance, and compliance.

Data + AI Summit by Databricks 

Date: June 9-12, 2025 

Location: San Francisco, California and virtual

The Data + AI Summit continues to be a cornerstone event for the global data community. Join thousands of data professionals and experts from around the world to explore the latest in data and AI innovation. With hundreds of breakout sessions and collaborative opportunities, it's an ideal place to connect with peers and learn from industry leaders.

DataConnect 

Date: October 2-3, 2025 

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Building on its evolution from the Women in Analytics Conference, DataConnect brings together industry leaders, technical experts, and entrepreneurs to explore data's latest trends and innovations. With a speaker lineup reserved exclusively for women, the conference welcomes data professionals of all technical skill levels and continues to provide visibility to women making an impact in the analytics space.

dbt Coalesce 

Date: October 2025 (exact date TBA) 

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by dbt Labs, Coalesce remains the premier gathering for the analytics engineering community. The conference continues to advance the practice of analytics engineering, bringing together thousands of attendees from around the world to share knowledge, techniques, and best practices.

Ready to level up your data engineering game in 2025?

Conferences offer a unique blend of learning, networking, and inspiration that you simply can't get from online courses or webinars alone. They're your chance to connect with the brightest minds in data engineering, discover emerging technologies and architectures before they hit mainstream, and bring fresh perspectives back to your team.

Here's your next step: Pick one conference from this list that best aligns with your technical goals and start building your case to attend. Focus on the unique value that particular conference brings – whether it's hands-on workshops with cutting-edge tools, face time with engineering leaders, or specific sessions that address your organization's architectural challenges.

Remember, investing in your engineering expertise isn't just about personal development – it's about bringing enhanced technical capabilities back to your organization and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving data infrastructure landscape.

Pro tip: MDS Fest is still free to attend and virtual, making it a no-brainer for teams looking to upgrade their technical toolkit!