1. C.E.S.
Las Vegas
#1 Technology Industry Event
More than 184,000 attendees and some 4,000 exhibitors descended upon Las Vegas for this year’s massive tech event. The 51st edition faced criticism for its lack of women speakers, as well as a major power outage, but still offered a hub for high-profile brands to show off their latest products and innovations. Brands including Spotify, Humanscale, and Polaroid showcased visual, interactive booths on the trade show floor, while highlights outside of venues included Intel’s drone light show over the Fountains of Bellagio and the deployment of Lyft and Aptiv’s first-ever self driving cars. The event also set a record with 63,784 international attendees—more than a third of the entire show attendance. Next: January 6-11, 2019
#1 Technology Industry Event
More than 184,000 attendees and some 4,000 exhibitors descended upon Las Vegas for this year’s massive tech event. The 51st edition faced criticism for its lack of women speakers, as well as a major power outage, but still offered a hub for high-profile brands to show off their latest products and innovations. Brands including Spotify, Humanscale, and Polaroid showcased visual, interactive booths on the trade show floor, while highlights outside of venues included Intel’s drone light show over the Fountains of Bellagio and the deployment of Lyft and Aptiv’s first-ever self driving cars. The event also set a record with 63,784 international attendees—more than a third of the entire show attendance. Next: January 6-11, 2019
Photo: Tim Causa
2. Dreamforce
San Francisco
#2 Technology Industry Event
Salesforce’s annual tech conference drew more than 171,000 attendees from 91 countries, as well as 10 million online viewers for four days of keynotes, sessions, and trainings. Former first lady Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker of the event, which also featured discussions with Natalie Portman, Will.i.am, and Marc Benioff and Google Cloud C.E.O. Diane Greene. The conference also raised $10 million for U.C.S.F. Benioff Children’s hospital and filled 1,500 backpacks for hurricane-affected communities. Next: September 25-28, 2018
#2 Technology Industry Event
Salesforce’s annual tech conference drew more than 171,000 attendees from 91 countries, as well as 10 million online viewers for four days of keynotes, sessions, and trainings. Former first lady Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker of the event, which also featured discussions with Natalie Portman, Will.i.am, and Marc Benioff and Google Cloud C.E.O. Diane Greene. The conference also raised $10 million for U.C.S.F. Benioff Children’s hospital and filled 1,500 backpacks for hurricane-affected communities. Next: September 25-28, 2018
Photo: Jakub Mosur Photography
3. E3
Los Angeles
#3 Technology Industry Event
The Entertainment Software Association drew more than 69,000 video-game-industry professionals from 100 countries to the three-day expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as 3,250 products and video games from more than 200 exhibitors. For the second consecutive year, the sold-out event welcomed 15,000 fans for panels and presentations at Novo at L.A. Live. New to the show this year was the 7,500-square-foot E3 ESL Arena Stage, which held a live esports competition inside the convention center, highlighting the increasing popularity of esports. The event showcased eye-catching booths from Epic Games, Nintentdo, Bethesda, and more. Next: June 11-13, 2019
#3 Technology Industry Event
The Entertainment Software Association drew more than 69,000 video-game-industry professionals from 100 countries to the three-day expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as 3,250 products and video games from more than 200 exhibitors. For the second consecutive year, the sold-out event welcomed 15,000 fans for panels and presentations at Novo at L.A. Live. New to the show this year was the 7,500-square-foot E3 ESL Arena Stage, which held a live esports competition inside the convention center, highlighting the increasing popularity of esports. The event showcased eye-catching booths from Epic Games, Nintentdo, Bethesda, and more. Next: June 11-13, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of E3
4. Google I/O
San Francisco
#4 Technology Industry Event
Google’s 12th annual three-day developer conference drew more than 9,000 attendees each day to the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and continues to expand its innovative experiences and Instagrammable photo ops. This year, the conference added a ninth stage and incorporated more information-sharing—attendees could scan their badges at any session to receive more information on the particular topic. New programming included educational “inspiration sessions,” which included a panel featuring Black Panther producer Hannah Beachler, who discussed designing for inclusion. Next: May 2019
#4 Technology Industry Event
Google’s 12th annual three-day developer conference drew more than 9,000 attendees each day to the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and continues to expand its innovative experiences and Instagrammable photo ops. This year, the conference added a ninth stage and incorporated more information-sharing—attendees could scan their badges at any session to receive more information on the particular topic. New programming included educational “inspiration sessions,” which included a panel featuring Black Panther producer Hannah Beachler, who discussed designing for inclusion. Next: May 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Google
5. Oracle OpenWorld
San Francisco
#5 Technology Industry Event (up from #6)
The 21st edition of the user conference drew more than 60,000 customers and partners from 175 countries, as well as 18 million live-stream viewers. The event unveiled a new series of session formats developed in collaboration with Stanford University, as well as a redesigned exhibition hall. The event also highlighted work with the community and for the environment, including Oracle Academy’s JavaOne4Kids and Plant a Billion Trees. Speakers included Joseph Gordon-Levitt, former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, and Los Angeles Clippers executive consultant Jerry West, while the Chainsmokers and Ellie Goulding headlined the Oracle CloudFest. Next: October 22-25, 2018
#5 Technology Industry Event (up from #6)
The 21st edition of the user conference drew more than 60,000 customers and partners from 175 countries, as well as 18 million live-stream viewers. The event unveiled a new series of session formats developed in collaboration with Stanford University, as well as a redesigned exhibition hall. The event also highlighted work with the community and for the environment, including Oracle Academy’s JavaOne4Kids and Plant a Billion Trees. Speakers included Joseph Gordon-Levitt, former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, and Los Angeles Clippers executive consultant Jerry West, while the Chainsmokers and Ellie Goulding headlined the Oracle CloudFest. Next: October 22-25, 2018
Photo: Charlotte Fiorito/CompassPhotograpers
6. Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
San Jose
#6 Technology Industry Event
The 29th edition of Apple’s annual developers conference once again featured a keynote led by C.E.O. Tim Cook, where he introduced the latest updates for iOS 12 and the new MacOS. The conference drew 6,000 attendees from 77 countries. The event took place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, but was also accompanied by satellite developer events and adjacent parties in San Jose, including NextDoor developers conference at the Hilton San Jose, the design-focused Layers conference at Montgomery Theater, and the annual Loop Bash party at the Ritz. Next: June 2019
#6 Technology Industry Event
The 29th edition of Apple’s annual developers conference once again featured a keynote led by C.E.O. Tim Cook, where he introduced the latest updates for iOS 12 and the new MacOS. The conference drew 6,000 attendees from 77 countries. The event took place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, but was also accompanied by satellite developer events and adjacent parties in San Jose, including NextDoor developers conference at the Hilton San Jose, the design-focused Layers conference at Montgomery Theater, and the annual Loop Bash party at the Ritz. Next: June 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Apple
7. JPMorgan Technology, Media and Communications Conference
Boston
#7 Technology Industry Event
Formerly known as the “T.M.T.” conference, JPMorgan’s “T.M.C.” conference drew around 1,200 attendees to Boston this year. The conference is the key JPMorgan investor event for technology, media, and communications industries featuring sectors including hardware, semiconductors, media, and Internet. The 46th annual event had keynotes from Twitter and Square C.E.O. Jack Dorsey, Discovery Inc., C.E.O. David Zaslav, and Nvidia Corporation C.F.O. Colette Kress. Next: May 14-16, 2019
#7 Technology Industry Event
Formerly known as the “T.M.T.” conference, JPMorgan’s “T.M.C.” conference drew around 1,200 attendees to Boston this year. The conference is the key JPMorgan investor event for technology, media, and communications industries featuring sectors including hardware, semiconductors, media, and Internet. The 46th annual event had keynotes from Twitter and Square C.E.O. Jack Dorsey, Discovery Inc., C.E.O. David Zaslav, and Nvidia Corporation C.F.O. Colette Kress. Next: May 14-16, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of JPMorgan
