The last two years were a challenge for everyone, including the thriving XR community. All events had to take place online – which technically is where most immersive reality experiences happen. But nothing replaces the meaningful interaction with your peers and the inspirational leaders you admire. Also, testing new gadgets is one of the main reasons people attend XR events – both consumers and experts in various fields.
Here is the good news: in-person XR events are back. As restrictions to traveling and attending indoor or outdoor events are being rolled back, the most important organizations in the XR industry are bringing back the most popular events.
In-Person XR Events to Attend
Here’s a list of some of the most interesting in-person XR events you may wish to attend.
1. SIGGRAPH
When: August 8-11 2022
Where: Vancouver, Canada
SIGGRAPH, the popular computer graphics and interactive techniques conference, is back. Even though its focus is on new computer graphics technology, it covers many other relevant XR topics, such as privacy and safety in AR and VR, rapid prototyping of XR experiences, haptics, and digital twins.
If you enjoy XR events where you can discover and test the latest developments in immersive graphic design, animations and interactions, SIGGRAPH is the right place to be. The VR Theater will certainly be packed with like-minded people, so you can enjoy the experiences and network at the same time.
2. Industrial XR Global Summit
When: August 29-31, 2022
Where: Houston, Texas, USA
After going up north for SIGGRAPH, you can book your flight south to Houston, TX, and attend one of the more tech-focused XR events. Industrial XR Global Summit will bring together specialists, new developments, and workshops in the following fields:
- AR/VR, digital reality, spatial computing;
- Cloud computing;
- IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), 5G, connectivity;
- Blockchain, cybersecurity;
- 3D, 360°, reality capture.
This is an event that would be interesting for specialists, content creators, and developers focusing on enterprise solutions and the answer to key issues, from decreasing costs to enhancing safety and quality of information.
3. TECHSPO Expo Series 2022
When and Where: September 1-2, 2022, in London, UK; September 8-9, 2022y, in Amsterdam, Netherlands
TECHEXPO is back with a popular consumer expo show. With 27 cities across 11 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Singapore, and Australia, the TECHSPO series are excellent XR events for companies to showcase their gadgets and solutions and for enthusiasts to experience the latest immersive technologies.
The upcoming events include the one in London and Amsterdam, both in September.
Some of the previous TECHSPO attendees include Microsoft, Meta, IBM, Twitter, and Verizon.
4. Augmented Enterprise Summit (AES)
When: October 18-20, 2022
Where: San Diego, California, the US
As the weather turns cold elsewhere, the sun never stops shining in San Diego, CA. This and the AES 2022 event are two great reasons to book a flight to sunny California. Here are some key reasons why you must add this to your bucket list of XR events for 2022.
First of all, some of the speakers and exhibitors who will be present at AES 2022 include TeamworkAR by CGS, Epson, Vuzix, Holo-Light, and RealWear.
Featured discussion panels will cover topics such as:
- The impact XR has in enterprise;
- Design and visualization;
- Successful adoption of XR;
- Remote support and augmented work instructions;
- IT and data security relating to enterprise XR/wearables.
As AES 2022 media partners, with the discount code ARPOST15, ARPost readers get 15% discount on their tickets.
5. AWE EU 2022
When: October 20-21, 2022
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
An XR event list wouldn’t be complete without AWE, of course. After the fantastic USA event this June, AWE comes to Europe in October. With 11 distinct tracks, over 200 speakers, more than 100 exhibitors, and 2500 attendees, AWE EU 2022 conference and expo is an XR event that shouldn’t be missed.
6. Immerse Global Summit
When: December 5-7, 2022
Where: Miami, Florida, the US
We will end our list of XR events with a must-attend summit for stakeholders in the immersive industry. VRARA’s Immerse Global Summit brings together C-suite executives and professionals and presents an immense opportunity to network with over 500 companies and 300 top-level speakers, as well as thousands of attendees in your field.
The Immerse Global Summit will cover a very wide range of topics, such as augmented and virtual reality, WebAR and WebVR, enterprise tech, artificial intelligence, NFTs, edge computing, crypto, digital storytelling, Web3, and gaming.
