Discover what’s really working for today’s most successful freelancers.

Find out who you'll meet at the CFC and IHMC Matchmaking Happy Hour!

Just because you're self-employed doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Whether you're already running your own solo business or thinking about making the leap into freelancing, you'll find all the resources you need at the Creative Freelancer Conference.

CFC's support team of veteran solopreneurs and expert consultants will help you set realistic goals for your business's future—and give you the confidence to achieve them.

You’ll learn how to beat the “feast-or-famine” cycle, get new business from clients who recognize your value and tame the “business side” of freelancing so you can concentrate on the creative work you love.


Alisa Bonsignore Clarifying Complex Ideas
FEATURED CONFERENCE SESSION

Saving Your Sanity Through Better Client Relations
June 22: 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm

Don’t let work craziness creep over your entire life. Alisa Bonsignore will help you stop apologizing, say no tactfully and help you figure out when you should stop talking and start listening. Her communication tips will not only improve client relations, they’ll also help you avoid the schedule creep that affects the rest of your life.


Explore all the Creative Freelancer Conference sessions.





Ilise Benun
Marketing Mentor 		FEATURED CONFERENCE SPEAKER: Ilise Benun

Founder of Marketing Mentor and Co-founder of CFC

Through both Marketing Mentor and CFC, Ilise works with creative professionals who are serious about growing their business. Ilise will be your host throughout CFC, helping you take advantage of the conference's career-changing ideas and networking opportunities.

See all of the expert speakers.
FEATURED EVENT


Squeeze every drop of value out of your CFC registration by taking advantage of the HOW Design Live Networking Kickoff on June 23! Attendees from all four events will be there, and The Creative Group will provide an easy icebreaking game to help you meet in-house managers, designers, other freelancers and package designers. It’s a great way to make valuable contacts—you never know who you might meet! 


HOW DESIGN LIVE EXHIBIT HALL

Our legendary Exhibit Hall is back, packed wall-to-wall with paper launches, new fonts, time-saving software, printers and stock photography vendors. You can meet representatives from major vendors face-to-face, and get loads of freebies and handouts to take back to the office (seriously, bring an extra suitcase). And don’t forget to watch the constantly-updated HOW Conference program for special technology sessions hosted by our sponsors. 

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Nothing beats face-to-face contact with like-minded people—especially when you get to spend three amazing days hanging out with thousands of people who share your passion for creative work. We’ve set up plenty of facilitated networking events to help you break the ice at CFC, but you’ll also have a ton of unscripted moments to meet and connect with your tribe.


PEER-TO-PEER MENTORING

If you’re taking the redeye home on Monday or sticking around for the HOW Design Conference, you can get personalized peer-to-peer mentoring—in pairs or small groups—with some of today’s top freelancers. You’ll have a chance to take what you’ve learned, brainstorm with your peers and get insights about exactly how to apply it to your own business. You’ll get the validation and reassurance you need to take the next steps in your business. You can’t get guidance like this from experienced pros without paying someone, but it’s available at CFC at no extra cost.