In spite of aggressive growth across the tech landscape, the natural power of good old-fashioned face-to-face networking is still very much alive fuelling our businesses with connections, ideas and knowledge.
There’s no denying that some large-scale events are fading into insignificance, with some even shuffling off their mortal coils for good. But there are some stalwarts on the technology event scene which will not be moved not now and not in the foreseeable. And to make darn sure they stay at the top of your must-attend hotlist, the organisers are pulling out all the stops to regenerate, re-energise and revamp their respective platforms.
Answering your demands for sharper focus, quenching your thirst for knowledge and satiating your desire for buzzing atmosphere, this year’s line-up of tech events promise more hustle and bustle than you can shake a selfie-stick at.
Whether you’re a startup, a corporate, a creative mind or tech enthusiast, there’s a rainbow of conferences, trade shows and summits to choose from on the calendar, the question is, which one is for you? To help you see the woods for the trees, we’ve cherry-picked just a few from the mighty flagships to shiny newcomers that we think will pique your interest and deliver some of the hottest tech moments for you this year.
Dates For Your Diary: Top Tech Conferences
Mobile World Congress
In brief: In brief: MWC is hailed as the world’s largest gathering for the mobile industry. It’s a veritable who’s who on the mobile scene. Past themes have included ‘Intelligent Connectivity’ – a term they’ve coined to describe the mix of flexible, high-speed 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data.
Twitter: @GSMA #MWC
Cisco Live
In brief: Cisco Live has been designed to deliver education, connection and inspiration to technology enthusiasts across the world. According to the organisers, ‘Cisco Live will inspire you, the champion of digital transformation, to make anything possible. This event presents a unique opportunity to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills on the technologies you already use, and those you will rely on in the future’.
Twitter: @CiscoLiveMel #CLMel
Wearable Technology Show Europe
In brief: The Wearable Technology Show Europe is one of the biggest business and prosumer events for wearables, AR & VR, and connected technology. With more over 6,000 delegates, 200 speakers and 300 press representatives gathered under one roof, and running in conjunction with the AVR360 Show and Digital Healthcare Show, WTS offers outstanding breadth and depth of content.
Twitter: @Wearabletecshow #WTS
I-COM Global Summit
In brief: I-COM Global Summit positions itself as the leading Marketing Data & Measurement Strategy event in the world, ‘where the marketing data elite meet’. The summit provides an ideal platform for companies and individuals to gain recognition and exposure on an international scale, but it is a ‘premium’ invitation-only gathering.
Twitter: @icomglobal #icom
AI Expo Global
In brief: The AI Expo Global Conference & Exhibition, held at Olympia, is a showcase of next-gen technologies and strategies from the world of AI and Big Data. Attendees consist of IT decision makers, developers and designers, heads of innovation, brand managers, data analysts, startups and VCs. This Expo is co-hosted alongside the IOT Tech Expo.
Twitter: @ai_expo #AIExpo
IOT Tech Expo Global
In brief: IOT Tech Expo Global brings together key industries and dynamic practitioners from across the globe for two days of top-level content and discussion. More than 12k attendees will discover the latest in IOT advancements for a spread of sectors including manufacturing, transport, health, logistics, energy, automotive and government.
Twitter: @iottechexpo #IoTTechExpo
Retail Business Technology Expo
In brief: One of Europe’s leading events for the retail industry, Retail Expo is a must-attend expo for retail and hospitality professionals who are searching for the right tools, solutions, innovations and advice on how best to run their business. There’s a host of dynamic conference sessions for enhanced learning and discussion, a comprehensive spread of solutions from more than 400 suppliers, and interactive features including the co-located Retail Design Expo and Retail Digital Signage Expo.
Twitter: @TheRetailEXPO #RetailEXPO
TNW Conference
In brief: Bringing together great content and even greater people in an incredible setting and festival format, the Next Web Conference‘s unrivalled feeling of intimacy guarantees amazing business learnings and an awesome time. This year, The Next Web Conference boasts 11 tracks of pure inspirational content designed to cater to a huge range of different specialists, from the art of tech to the future of work.
Twitter: @tnwevents #TNW
London Tech Week
In brief: A festival to beat all festivals on our home turf, LTW consists of exciting live events that are dotted across the city, showcasing and celebrating the best of tech whilst providing networking, learning and business opportunities. Attracting over 55k attendees, LTW brings together global innovators, tech enthusiasts, start-ups, corporates and creative minds to help shape tomorrow’s world.
Twitter: @LDNTechWeek #LTW
The AI Summit
In brief: The AI Summit explores the practical implications of AI for enterprise organisations in its own unique way. A quality programme brings exclusive, inspirational presentations to the fore from acclaimed C-suite speakers who represent the world’s leading enterprises. The summit aims to help the business leader, data scientist, and engineer to successfully implement their AI projects.
Twitter: @Business_AI #AISummitLondon
RISE
In brief: Forbes remarked that RISE is the largest and most exciting tech conference in Asia and who are we to argue? People from the world’s biggest companies and most exciting startups come to Hong Kong to share their stories and experiences at RISE. 15k attendees from over 100 countries will convene with hundreds of investors for some legendary learning and networking.
Twitter: @RISEConfHQ #RISEConf
Festival of Marketing
In brief: The Festival of Marketing is a unique experience where ambitious marketers can discover, learn, celebrate and shape the future together. With more than 200 speakers, an array of workshops, awards, experience rooms and training, it’s recognised as a key event that reflects the creative, strategic and tactical job that marketers do.
Twitter: @FestofMarketing #FoM
World Summit AI
In brief: World Summit AI will guarantee fast-paced innovation and safe progress in machine and deep learning while sparking new partnerships, investment projects, and tech collaborations.
Twitter: @WorldSummitAI #WSAI