Is INBOUND 2025 Worth $1,000? A Review for Small Businesses

As INBOUND 2025 moves to San Francisco with a focus on AI and new technologies, is it worth attending? Or, should your team save yourself the extra dollars from the big price hike this year?

We're Ambs Call Center and we're a B2B company providing answering services across the US since 1932. I, in particular, was stoked for INBOUND 2024 as it was my first time attending the event!

Firstly though, INBOUND is a huge conference that CRM giant HubSpot puts on annually showcasing their latest features and tech updates along with talks from speakers offering great industry insight. Also, we should say that this blog is not sponsored by HubSpot or INBOUND and we are not affiliated with them. Now that that's out of the way, I can't wait for you to read some of our biggest takeaways from INBOUND '24 and read our recommendation on whether INBOUND '25 will be worth your marketing dollars.

So, without further ado, let's get into it:

The Takeaways from INBOUND 2024

INBOUND 2024 was a groundbreaking event, heavily centered around AI and automation, particularly within HubSpot's marketing, sales, and HR platforms. The conference showcased AI-powered features that are changing marketing automation, sales processes, and customer service for the better. For instance, HubSpot's new AI, Breeze Intelligence, used for lead scoring and content creation were standout highlights.

To me, it showed two things: One, HubSpot is dedicated to the AI hype (that they don't believe AI's a hype anymore was also addressed in their keynote speech). And two, how we're all going to be freed up to carry out core activities, letting AI handle the rest.

Waiting in line at one of fifteen gourmet food trucks at INBOUND 2024

AI wasn’t just a buzzword. It was front and center with tools like Breeze, which aim to help streamline lead scoring and content creation. For any business wanting to improve their operations using AI (who isn't?), these tools may turn out to be serious game changers.

Another standout feature? HubSpot’s move to make CRM-driven case studies easier to create. It was clear they were listening to content marketers, like us, who are always looking for ways to make case studies both efficient and impactful.

But INBOUND wasn’t just about tech. It was also about building connections. I found the networking to be great, but your milage may vary depending on your comfort level. That being said, it didn't only happen on the expo floor, there were plenty of opportunities to meet peers, industry leaders, and future partners. If you went in looking to expand your network, you likely walked away with solid new contacts.

What to Expect at INBOUND 2025: New Location, New Experiences

So, 2025 is bringing some major changes—starting with the location. For the first time, INBOUND will be in San Francisco. You guessed it! Along with this comes a price increase: Early bird tickets are now starting at $800, up from $675 last year, and as of today are already sold out! Unless you get the early bird discount tickets on Cyber Monday the ticket prices are going to climb *quickly*. 

Now, we can't tell you what INBOUND 2025 is going to cost you because we simply do not know yet—the prices aren't out. But, based on last year's pricing structure we can hazard a good guess which we've outlined in the table below:

So, what does San Francisco have to offer that would justify this price increase? For starters, it’s likely to feature a more tech-forward vibe. Also, HubSpot will probably continue to personalize the attendee experience, using AI and data to give you tailored recommendations based on your interests.

One thing we hope to see? Better virtual options. Last year, only the Main Stage events were streamed, which left virtual attendees missing out on a lot of valuable content from the breakout sessions. Let’s hope INBOUND 2025 addresses this and offers a more complete digital experience.

Will INBOUND 2025 Continue Talking About the AI Revolution?

Absolutely—AI isn’t going anywhere. In fact, if 2024 was any indication, INBOUND 2025 will likely push AI conversations even further. You should expect to see more about how businesses are using AI to streamline not just marketing, but also customer support, sales, and even HR.

INBOUND's Personalized Name Tags

If your business is already using AI or you’re looking to dive deeper into how AI can optimize workflows, INBOUND 2025 is the place to be. HubSpot’s focus on practical AI applications was evident in 2024, and they’re sure to keep building on that momentum. If your business is already well acquainted with the latest AI tools or if you're not looking to implement AI in your organization...well...keep reading!

Is it Worth Attending In-Person or Should I Stream it At Home?

Here’s the thing—if you attended INBOUND 2024 in person, you know the value of being there. The networking opportunities alone made the trip worthwhile. Whether it was a chat with an industry peer or an impromptu conversation with a potential partner, those moments are hard to recreate virtually.

That being said, the virtual experience last year felt a bit lacking. Again, only Main Stage events were streamed, which meant that if you weren’t physically there, you missed out on all the breakout sessions and workshops. If HubSpot expands their virtual offerings in 2025, it could become a solid alternative for those who can’t make the trip.

But if networking and hands-on learning are important for your business, attending in person will still give you the richest experience. Just be prepared to budget for that San Francisco price tag.

Is INBOUND 2025 Right for Your Business?

So, should you attend? It depends. INBOUND is perfect for businesses that are looking to scale through inbound marketing, automation, and AI-driven strategies. If your team is focused on refining marketing and sales processes, this is where you want to be. The tools, insights, and networking can lead to some serious ROI.

However, if AI and inbound marketing aren’t priorities for your business, you might not get as much value out of the sessions. For those more focused on traditional marketing strategies or industries that don’t rely heavily on HubSpot's latest and greatest AI tools, the event might feel a bit AI-heavy.

But if you’re looking to optimize your operations—especially with AI—then attending INBOUND 2025 could be a key move for your business. And if you are going, connect with me and maybe we'll see each other in sunny California!