Google I/O
Google I/O was host to over 6000 visitors at the conference itself, but over 1,000,000 people followed Google's presentations over the internet. They made some incredible announcements (1,000,000 new Android devices being activated every day, Nexus 7 tablet, Nexus Q) that dwarfed last year's event.Google pull all their punches in the press leading up to this event, and rain a hailstorm of release information and news down upon anybody lucky enough to attend. Next year is already being anticipated because there will have to be a rival to the new iPhone.
Image by spiritquest
Apple WWDC
Apple's reply is a Californian conference which has sold out every year since 2008, capping at roughly 5,000 attendees. Great focus is placed on the years which will showcase Apple's latest foray into the telecommunications market. Unlike Google's I/O, the WWDC (World Wide Developer's Conference) can trace its history back to the boom years of the early 90s.The conference is also accompanied by a 'bash' which is a concert played by the likes of OK GO and The Barenaked Ladies. Notable announcements at the WWDC are synonymous with technological advancement; tThe first iPhone, the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro, every iPhone since... It's not hard to guess what is coming up in 2013.
International CES
The Consumer Electronics Show is a private technology conference hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada. Members of the public aren't privy to the ticket sales of this event and although the name doesn't roll from the tongue as easily as the glitz of Apple or Google, some huge hitters have been introduced at the CES. The VCR was first announced here, along with the Nes, Tetris, HDTV and 3D viewing technology. CES 2013 is expected to pack a punch in the televisual market, with interactive and computerised home systems taking a large role.Gamescom
Gamescom is the largest games event, hosted in Cologne in Germany. It is largely overshadowed by the E3 conference but dwarfs their numbers with 275,000 visitors over 140,000 square meters. Whilst E3 tends to follow suit with huge announcements of next gen consoles, Gamescon is designed to cater to the more hardcore gamers who want to find out about the next best game, rather than the best selling games.A lot of money is invested into the theatrics of the presentations, with dancers, fire-breathers and cosplay becoming huge features in recent years since its birth in 2009. Gamescom also has a spin-off for developers, held alongside the main event, called Game Developers Conference Europe.
SXSW
South by South West is a set of conferences, encompassing more than just technology. It also has carnations addressing music, art and film; all taking places in Texas in March. SXSW is unique in focusing on emerging technologies and prototypes rather than the releases from established conglomerates like Apple, Google and Microsoft.The technology festival has earned a reputation as an intuitive meeting ground for like-minded inventors and a lot of great partnerships have begun at South by South West. Their most recent show focused on social technology such as Glancee and Kismet, names relatively unknown to those out of the loop. South by South West is the place to be if you're looking to invest in a promising company, and the 90 venue music festival doesn't hurt either...
Guest ArticleAbout the Guest Article:
This article was written on behalf of De Vere Venues who has one of the biggest selections of London conference venues in the UK and is (unsurprisingly) a supporter of all types of business and conference events!