1. C.E.S.
Las Vegas
More than 175,000 attendees showed up at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 2019 edition of C.E.S., the largest technology trade show on the planet. Organized by the Consumer Technology Association, the four-day event showcased technological innovations in fields as varied as robotics, skincare, and artificial intelligence. Amazon, Google, and Samsung were among the tech giants to unveil new products, but the show’s Best of the Best award went to newcomer Impossible Foods, which took home the top honors for its plant-based Impossible Burger 2.0. The 2020 edition will include a Travel and Tourism marketplace highlighting how technology is shaping the consumer experience around the globe. Next: January 7-10, 2020
See more: C.E.S. 2019: 17 Buzzy Highlights From the Show Floor and Other Activations
More than 175,000 attendees showed up at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 2019 edition of C.E.S., the largest technology trade show on the planet. Organized by the Consumer Technology Association, the four-day event showcased technological innovations in fields as varied as robotics, skincare, and artificial intelligence. Amazon, Google, and Samsung were among the tech giants to unveil new products, but the show’s Best of the Best award went to newcomer Impossible Foods, which took home the top honors for its plant-based Impossible Burger 2.0. The 2020 edition will include a Travel and Tourism marketplace highlighting how technology is shaping the consumer experience around the globe. Next: January 7-10, 2020
See more: C.E.S. 2019: 17 Buzzy Highlights From the Show Floor and Other Activations
Photo: Courtesy of Oscar and Associates for Consumer Technology Association
2. Dreamforce
San Francisco
Downtown San Francisco sets the stage for Dreamforce, the annual Salesforce conference that last year drew more than 170,000 attendees and 13.5 million online viewers from 103 countries. In 2018, innovation was at the forefront of this fun-filled event, which featured more than 2,700 sessions covering everything from the future of ice cream to the future of government. Organizers even flew in 24 monks from France to lead mindfulness and meditation sessions, and Metallica and Janet Jackson gave crowd-pleasing performances. Next: November 19-22, 2019
Downtown San Francisco sets the stage for Dreamforce, the annual Salesforce conference that last year drew more than 170,000 attendees and 13.5 million online viewers from 103 countries. In 2018, innovation was at the forefront of this fun-filled event, which featured more than 2,700 sessions covering everything from the future of ice cream to the future of government. Organizers even flew in 24 monks from France to lead mindfulness and meditation sessions, and Metallica and Janet Jackson gave crowd-pleasing performances. Next: November 19-22, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Dreamforce
3. E3
Los Angeles
The Entertainment Software Association’s annual E3 event sets the gold standard for gaming. In 2019, more than 60,000 people made their way to the Los Angeles Convention Center to see what’s new and what’s next in the industry. More than 100 new games were introduced at the show, including nostalgia-inducing products like Nintendo’s Legends of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Konami’s Contra Rogue Corps. While the event is geared toward gamers and industry insiders, this year’s show reached larger audiences thanks to a viral moment when Keanu Reeves introduced CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077, the “breathtaking” game in which he stars. Next: June 9-11, 2020
See more: E3 2019: Check Out the Coolest Booths, Parties, and Brand Activations
The Entertainment Software Association’s annual E3 event sets the gold standard for gaming. In 2019, more than 60,000 people made their way to the Los Angeles Convention Center to see what’s new and what’s next in the industry. More than 100 new games were introduced at the show, including nostalgia-inducing products like Nintendo’s Legends of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Konami’s Contra Rogue Corps. While the event is geared toward gamers and industry insiders, this year’s show reached larger audiences thanks to a viral moment when Keanu Reeves introduced CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077, the “breathtaking” game in which he stars. Next: June 9-11, 2020
See more: E3 2019: Check Out the Coolest Booths, Parties, and Brand Activations
Photo: Courtesy of FGPG
4. Oracle OpenWorld
Up from #5
San Francisco
Tech giant Oracle’s four-day conference drew roughly 60,000 tech professionals to San Francisco for four days of cloud-centric programming. Headquartered at the Moscone Center, the event included more than 2,000 sessions, 250 exhibitors, and speakers from more than 90 countries. Highlights included performances from John Mayer and Flo Rida, a screening of Mission Impossible—Fallout at Oracle Park, behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium, and a “Paws and Relax” puppy playtime area. Next: September 2020
San Francisco
Tech giant Oracle’s four-day conference drew roughly 60,000 tech professionals to San Francisco for four days of cloud-centric programming. Headquartered at the Moscone Center, the event included more than 2,000 sessions, 250 exhibitors, and speakers from more than 90 countries. Highlights included performances from John Mayer and Flo Rida, a screening of Mission Impossible—Fallout at Oracle Park, behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium, and a “Paws and Relax” puppy playtime area. Next: September 2020
Photo: Hartmann Studios Inc./Oracle
5. Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
Up from #6
San Jose
In 2019, Apple welcomed more than 6,000 developers from around the world to the San Jose Convention Center for its conference, which began with a keynote address from C.E.O. Tim Cook. From there, the four-day event went on to wow the crowd with announcements of several new updates and products to enhance the Apple user experience, including iOS 13 for iPhone, iPadOS, watchOS 6, macOS Catalina, and Pro Display XDR, a 32-inch Retina 6K display. Along with official parties and social gatherings, non-Apple brands hosted events all over town. Next: June 2020
San Jose
In 2019, Apple welcomed more than 6,000 developers from around the world to the San Jose Convention Center for its conference, which began with a keynote address from C.E.O. Tim Cook. From there, the four-day event went on to wow the crowd with announcements of several new updates and products to enhance the Apple user experience, including iOS 13 for iPhone, iPadOS, watchOS 6, macOS Catalina, and Pro Display XDR, a 32-inch Retina 6K display. Along with official parties and social gatherings, non-Apple brands hosted events all over town. Next: June 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Apple
6. Google I/O
San Francisco
The Shoreline Amphitheater set the scene for the 2019 Google I/O conference, where developers from around the world participated in talks, hands-on learning experiences, and previews of the company’s newest products. After the sessions, attendees participated in after-dark entertainment like arcade games, DJ sets, and a performance from the Flaming Lips. Next: May 2020
The Shoreline Amphitheater set the scene for the 2019 Google I/O conference, where developers from around the world participated in talks, hands-on learning experiences, and previews of the company’s newest products. After the sessions, attendees participated in after-dark entertainment like arcade games, DJ sets, and a performance from the Flaming Lips. Next: May 2020
Photo: Josh Franta
7. Code Conference
New to the list
Scottsdale, Arizona
This invitation-only conference from Vox Media’s Recode tech news site moved from Southern California to the Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, this year, where 800 attendees from around the world gathered for candid discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. This year’s event included conversations about political issues like immigration and elections, as well as more lighthearted activities like ukulele lessons with a YouTube star and a live demonstration of a jet pack. High-profile speakers included politician Stacey Abrams, Delta Airlines C.E.O. Ed Bastian, and New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger. Next: Summer 2020
Scottsdale, Arizona
This invitation-only conference from Vox Media’s Recode tech news site moved from Southern California to the Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, this year, where 800 attendees from around the world gathered for candid discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. This year’s event included conversations about political issues like immigration and elections, as well as more lighthearted activities like ukulele lessons with a YouTube star and a live demonstration of a jet pack. High-profile speakers included politician Stacey Abrams, Delta Airlines C.E.O. Ed Bastian, and New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger. Next: Summer 2020
Photo: Asa Mathat for Vox Media
