6 Tech Conferences You Want to Make Sure You’re Handing Your Business Cards Out at This Year

Saleh Stevens
If you are in the tech space, you need to attend conferences. The technology industry evolves fast; if you miss out on the information that leaders share at conferences, you’ll soon find yourself running at the back of the pack. Stay in the front where you belong by attending — and networking throughout — at least two conferences per year. Here are the top tech conferences, in my opinion, that we’ll see in the next year.

Google I/O Conference
When it comes to technology, Google is well-regarded as one of the most innovative, progressive companies existing in the world today. In recent years, the Google I/O (which stands for input/output) conference has focused on the development of Chrome, Chrome OS, and the App Engine. This annual developer’s conference first started in 2008. This year, it will take place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California from May 8th to the 10th.

Worldwide Developers Conference
An annual event hosted by the executives at Apple, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) draws together some of the world’s top mind in tech. Traditionally, this event is software focused. We can expect that this year’s speakers will reveal the cutting-edge developments in macOS, as well as the latest on the Apple TV digital media player (tvOS). This is an excellent conference for those interested specifically in Apple products. But you don’t have to be interested in Apple exclusively. By going to this conference, you are sure to interact with leaders in the tech industry, because Apple is such a top-tier brand. Take advantage of this by being ready to engage with brilliant minds. You may want to research Apple’s latest innovations before you go so that you have a talking point to start out with.

MobileBeat 
The MobileBeat conference is an annual event that dives into the tech that supports the mobile world. This year, there’s going to be a heavy focus on AI, which is infiltrating mobile phone design and affects the way that consumers and marketers relate to phones. This years event will take place in Las Vagas, from March 12th to 15th.

Collision
The Collision Conference is America’s fastest growing tech conference, for good reason. This powerhouse of an event attracts investors, CEOs, tech innovators, and media professionals from more than five thousand different companies. It has an international audience, so attendees can connect with professionals from over 100 different countries. The conference started just two years ago, and the growth is a testament to the value that it offers to guests. Speakers scheduled for this year’s conference include Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, and Marc Mathieu, CMO of Samsung Electronics. The 2018 conferences will take place in New Orleans. Tech experts such as Saleh Stevens highly recommend this event.

TechCruch Disrupt
At TechCruch Disrupt, attendees will have the opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs and innovators. This conference has a reputation for specializing in tech startups. Early stage startup companies that participate in the conference compete for a fifty thousand dollar prize that comes along with a good deal of publicity. Because of this, the conference draws many start-up companies as well as investors — which can mean new partnerships in the making! If you have a tech start-up, this might be a great place to meet potential investors as well as fellow inventors, businessmen, and entrepreneurs.

Future Festival
Jeremy Gutsche, New York Times best-selling author and CEO of Trend Hunter, says that Future Fest is “a place for the world’s top innovators to prototype their future”. Just going to this conference will change the way you view yourself and your tech skills. When you associate with the forward-thinkers of the world, you gain a new perspective. Saleh Stevens states that this is one of the most life-changing tech events that he has attended. One CEO attendant raved that the conference “created opportunities for our team and expanded our people’s thinking.” If that sounds like something you are interested in for you and your team, be sure to book tickets to one of Future Festivals events this year. There are several, so you can choose the date and location that works best for you.

Saleh Stevens recommends that when you attend a conference, make sure to go out of your way to introduce yourself to the people around you. Don’t hide away in your hotel room after the lectures are over. Interact and take full advantage of each scheduled activity. Be sure to pack plenty of business cards for handing out. You never know who you might connect with in this way.