1. C.E.S.
Las Vegas
The Consumer Technology Association's annual trade show drew more than 170,000 attendees, and 4,400 companies took over 2.9 million net square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels in early January 2020. New programming centered around the travel and tourism industry, while the "Innovation for All" track discussed ways to promote diversity and inclusivity in both products and on teams. In 2021, the 54-year-old trade show showed off its own tech wizardry with an all-digital version. For this year’s event, CTA partnered with Microsoft to build a virtual venue where at-home attendees viewed presentations, listened to keynotes, watched live entertainment including a performance by Billie Eilish and explored more than 100 hours of conference programming with sessions on topics such as privacy, the future of AI and health care, autonomous transportation, retail and tech policy. Next: Jan. 5-8, 2022
See more: How CES Traded In Vegas for Virtual This Year
The Consumer Technology Association's annual trade show drew more than 170,000 attendees, and 4,400 companies took over 2.9 million net square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels in early January 2020. New programming centered around the travel and tourism industry, while the "Innovation for All" track discussed ways to promote diversity and inclusivity in both products and on teams. In 2021, the 54-year-old trade show showed off its own tech wizardry with an all-digital version. For this year’s event, CTA partnered with Microsoft to build a virtual venue where at-home attendees viewed presentations, listened to keynotes, watched live entertainment including a performance by Billie Eilish and explored more than 100 hours of conference programming with sessions on topics such as privacy, the future of AI and health care, autonomous transportation, retail and tech policy. Next: Jan. 5-8, 2022
See more: How CES Traded In Vegas for Virtual This Year
Photo: Courtesy of CES
2. Dreamforce
San Francisco
After going completely virtual in 2020—and setting a record for all-time stream views on Twitter—Salesforce decided to go hybrid for its annual conference that included a live event at the Moscone Center in San Francisco in September in tandem with a digital experience. On-site, more than 1,000 invite-only attendees gathered for two and a half days of educational programming, as well as live performances from The Foo Fighters and Lionel Richie. Online, remote attendees from 177 different countries were able to access more than 125 hours of original on-demand content and interact with other attendees, subject matter experts, product leaders and speakers via Salesforce+, a new, free online streaming platform for live experiences and original on-demand content series from the tech company. Salesforce also built out a new technology called Dreampass, which in-person attendees and all staff used to upload and verify their vaccination status. Next: Nov. 19-22, 2022
See more: Salesforce Understood the Assignment With Its Dreamforce 2021 Hybrid Experience
After going completely virtual in 2020—and setting a record for all-time stream views on Twitter—Salesforce decided to go hybrid for its annual conference that included a live event at the Moscone Center in San Francisco in September in tandem with a digital experience. On-site, more than 1,000 invite-only attendees gathered for two and a half days of educational programming, as well as live performances from The Foo Fighters and Lionel Richie. Online, remote attendees from 177 different countries were able to access more than 125 hours of original on-demand content and interact with other attendees, subject matter experts, product leaders and speakers via Salesforce+, a new, free online streaming platform for live experiences and original on-demand content series from the tech company. Salesforce also built out a new technology called Dreampass, which in-person attendees and all staff used to upload and verify their vaccination status. Next: Nov. 19-22, 2022
See more: Salesforce Understood the Assignment With Its Dreamforce 2021 Hybrid Experience
Photo: Courtesy of Salesforce
3. E3
Los Angeles
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, celebrates and showcases the global video game industry with eye-catching exhibits and interactive show floors. Held annually in Los Angeles, E3 attracts thousands of attendees and exhibitors. In 2020, the Entertainment Software Association canceled its event for the first time since 1995 due to the pandemic. This year’s 26th edition ran as an online-only event in June, with programming that included keynote sessions from major publishers, which were broadcast from a stage in Los Angeles, an award show and a preview night, plus Nintendo and Microsoft held conferences as part of the event. To reflect the virtual format, the event was also rebranded as Electronic Entertainment Experience 2021. Next: June 2022
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, celebrates and showcases the global video game industry with eye-catching exhibits and interactive show floors. Held annually in Los Angeles, E3 attracts thousands of attendees and exhibitors. In 2020, the Entertainment Software Association canceled its event for the first time since 1995 due to the pandemic. This year’s 26th edition ran as an online-only event in June, with programming that included keynote sessions from major publishers, which were broadcast from a stage in Los Angeles, an award show and a preview night, plus Nintendo and Microsoft held conferences as part of the event. To reflect the virtual format, the event was also rebranded as Electronic Entertainment Experience 2021. Next: June 2022
Photo: e3expo/Instagram
4. Oracle OpenWorld
Las Vegas
Due to the pandemic, Oracle OpenWorld 2020 was reimagined as a series of online events called Oracle Live. Based on attendee feedback, the four-day annual conference had planned to relocate to Caesars Forum in Las Vegas for the 2020 event. But instead it was held in the digital realm the last two years. Next: TBD
Due to the pandemic, Oracle OpenWorld 2020 was reimagined as a series of online events called Oracle Live. Based on attendee feedback, the four-day annual conference had planned to relocate to Caesars Forum in Las Vegas for the 2020 event. But instead it was held in the digital realm the last two years. Next: TBD
5. Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
San Jose
WWDC 2020 took on an entirely online format with content for consumers, press and developers, offering attendees early access to the newest software. Apple also committed $1 million to local San Jose organizations to offset the revenue loss as a result of the in-person event’s cancellation. The event footage was recorded at Apple Park in Cupertino, Calif., and generated over 22 million views across roughly 72 hours of content. Once again, WWDC 2021 was held virtually and included the official introduction of iOS 15. To support the local economy, Apple committed $1 million to SJ Aspires, an education and equity initiative launched by the city of San José. Next: June 2022
WWDC 2020 took on an entirely online format with content for consumers, press and developers, offering attendees early access to the newest software. Apple also committed $1 million to local San Jose organizations to offset the revenue loss as a result of the in-person event’s cancellation. The event footage was recorded at Apple Park in Cupertino, Calif., and generated over 22 million views across roughly 72 hours of content. Once again, WWDC 2021 was held virtually and included the official introduction of iOS 15. To support the local economy, Apple committed $1 million to SJ Aspires, an education and equity initiative launched by the city of San José. Next: June 2022
Screenshot: Courtesy of Apple
