Visiting a tech convention is an excellent opportunity to see all the new developments in technology for the year. Whether you’re a business owner, an entrepreneur, or just really into tech, tech conventions can introduce you to the technology that will make your life a little easier, make you work a little more efficiently, and make your day run a little more smoothly.
Tech conferences are hosted all over the world, and if you’re fortunate enough to visit a conference in another country, you could be introduced to forms of technology you didn’t even know existed. Every conference will offer you a unique focus and fresh perspective on the technology at our fingertips.
Here are six of the 2016’s top technology conferences from across the globe that you can’t afford to miss.
Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
January 6-9 2016; Las Vegas, NV
One of the biggest tech conventions every year is the Consumer Electronics Show, also known as CES. With 2016 keynote speeches by C-suite executives of today’s top companies like Intel, Netflix, IBM, Samsung, and YouTube, a ticket to CES will give you an inside look at what is coming up in the year ahead.
With over 48,000 international attendees, CES pulls in everyone from startups to government professionals and senior-level executives to take over the Las Vegas strip and talk tech. The convention provides everything from exhibits and experiences to speeches and super sessions. CES will put you in awe of where technology has come.
Editor’s note: You can browse our CES 2016 coverage here.
SXSW Interactive
March 11-19, 2016; Austin, TX
Located in the heart of Texas during the infamous South by South West convention is SXSW Interactive. While keynote speakers are still being added, the opening keynote will be given by co-founder and CEO of MBAs Across America Casey Gerald.
SXSW is for the dreamers and the creatives, setting the stage to talk about what will be coming for the future of technology and pushing technology developers to come up with something new. SXSW is the place where today’s top apps, including Twitter and Foursquare, gained their initial traction. Who knows what will come out of 2016 SXSW Interactive.
The Next Web Conference
May 26 & 27, 2016; Amsterdam
TNW Conference is for the “crazy ones.” With over 20,000 attendees, TNW Conference promises some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including C-suite executives of companies like Amazon, Reddit, Bitly, VSCO and Vimeo.
The conference hosts seven different stages, focusing on everything from “Fast Money” to “Growth Acceleration” and “Disruptive Machines.” A ticket to The Next Web Conference will give you a fresh perspective on what is coming, what is already here, and how to take advantage of the technology all around us. TNW Conference can also give you an opportunity to present your startup during the conference.
Mobile World Congress
February 22-25, 2016; Barcelona
Mobile World Congress is for those in the mobile world or looking to make connections in the mobile world. With today’s reliance on all things mobile, almost any entrepreneur or tech enthusiast can benefit from the connections made at Mobile World Congress.
Mobile World Congress brings together over 94,000 attendees and over 2,000 exhibitors from all over the world to discuss advancements in the mobile world. Last year, big names from Facebook, MasterCard, AT&T, and Wikipedia were in attendance and expected to make a return visit.
IFA-Berlin
September 2-7, 2016; Berlin
Showing off the world’s newest, most cutting-edge electronic devices and home appliances, IFA generates consumer demand from visitors from all across the world. IFA-Berlin is renowned for being what is perhaps, the world’s most eclectic electronics show. IFA reported that over 6,000 journalists from 70 different countries published stories about various 2015 ground breaking electronics.
On top of releasing unprecedented tech, IFA-Berlin brings keynote speakers worth name dropping. In 2015, CEO and president of LG Display, Sang-Beom Han, delivered a powerful presentation about transcending the limits of conventional design. If history repeats itself, 2016 should prove to offer a very phenomenal experience at IFA-Berlin.
ad:tech Tokyo
Date TBD; Tokyo
Because ad:tech Tokyo was just held in December 2015, the 2016 conference is still in the process of planning. But, it is one that can’t be missed if working in Asia or on a Japan tour.
All over the globe, ad:tech hosts conventions bringing together communications and technology to tackle industry changes from all sides, and the conference in Tokyo is no different. The 2015 conference brought names from Yahoo! Japan, DENTSU Inc., Shiseido Japan, and Eureka, Inc. just to name a few. The same is expected from the 2016 ad:tech Tokyo conference, so stay tuned for announcements of the new year’s plans.
Regardless of where you’re located in the world, be sure to look into attending one of these tech conferences for the latest advancements for this year. With technology constantly changing and new programs being developed every day, you and your company can’t afford to be left behind using last year’s advancements.