8 May 2024
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Sam Sprigg
What’s Happening at AWE USA: Key Highlight's For 2024's AR/VR Event
AWE USA 2024
We’re little over a month away from AWE USA 2024 and this year, as we celebrate AWE’s 15th anniversary, we’ll have an incredible offering of on-site events and activities, engaging AR activations, and innovative apps for attendees to enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned tech guru or a curious newcomer to the XR scene, this year’s event in Long Beach will be your gateway to exploring the cutting edge of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.
Fascinating Talks, Pioneering Speakers
This year, AWE USA 2024 spotlights an amazing lineup of thought leaders, technology innovators and XR pioneers who will be taking to the stage to share their thoughts and speak on a range of topics from across the spatial computing spectrum. From emerging trends to technology breakthroughs or real-world applications that are shaping the next wave of digital interaction, there is bound to be a topic that piques your interest from across our 14 agenda tracks. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to glean insights on all that the AR and VR industry has to offer, whilst also reflecting on XR's past to gain inspiration to build the future – a key theme at AWE USA this year.
Speakers with expertise across a broad spectrum of industry verticals will be in attendance, from companies including The Coca-Cola Company, ExxonMobil, General Motors, IKEA, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Lockheed Martin, Netflix, Pfizer, Rolls-Royce, Southwest Airlines, T-Mobile, The Boeing Company, The Hershey Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Walmart, and many more.
The Expo Floor
What would the Augmented World Expo be without the Expo? Every year we pack our Expo Floor with the most exciting companies from across the XR space, all of whom are showcasing the latest augmented, virtual and mixed reality hardware, software and solutions. Exhibitors at this year's event include names such as AWS, Deloitte, HTC Viverse, Lenovo, Meta, Microsoft Mesh, NASA, Niantic, NVIDIA, Philips, Pico, Qualcomm Technologies, Sightful, Sony, Unity, Varjo, XREAL, Zappar, and many more.
As well as being the best place to discover the most impressive selection of XR tech on the planet, the conference space offers attendees the absolute best opportunity to connect with their fellow immersive technology professionals.
This year’s Expo Floor is definitely going to be one that you don’t want to miss too – with a brand new venue at the Long Beach Convention Center, AWE USA 2024 will once again be the home of XR, we just had to expand the space for this 15th anniversary year in order to accommodate our growing community.
The AWE Playground
The Playground at AWE USA makes up a key part of the exhibition space every year, offering attendees the chance to experience brand new, never-before-seen XR demos and world firsts in a dynamic, hands-on environment. This interactive area is designed for testing, playing, and learning, making it a perfect spot for both new enthusiasts and seasoned AR/VR professionals who are looking to explore the fun side of VR, whether through the latest gadgets, or the freshest XR applications.
From virtual reality games to augmented reality demos, the Playground will feature a variety of engaging activities that showcase the practical and entertaining aspects of XR technology. From full-body VR experiences, immersive XR exhibits, and some truly out of this world demos from some incredible world-renowned organizations, this year’s Playground has another stellar lineup of exhibitors.
Learn More About the AWE Playground
The XR Hall of Fame
This year, AWE USA introduces the inaugural XR Hall of Fame, an exciting new addition that honors the trailblazers who have made significant contributions to the XR community. This hall of fame will celebrate the achievements of individuals whose work has had a profound impact on the industry, preserving the legacy of innovation and inspiring future generations. There will even be a special Snap AR Lens that will share more details about the Hall of Famers on the very first AWE “Walk of Fame.”
The XR Hall of Fame is an ongoing effort by AWE to not only acknowledge the past contributions of several individuals from across the spatial computing industry, but also symbolizes the ongoing evolution of this dynamic field, and poses an opportunity for induction to any member of the wider XR community.
XR History Museum
In a similar vein to the AWE Playground, we’ll be putting together a masterfully curated XR History Museum, which will feature over 80 vintage AR and VR prototypes and devices from the past 50 years – many of which are actually on loan from several of the pioneers themselves from the XR Hall of Fame. The first ever AWE XR History Museum is being sponsored by the AR Alliance this year.
Devices featured will include the 1990 Xybernaut, the 1992 Virtuality Viset 1 (one of the first commercial VR headsets), plus, the XR History Museum will also feature immersive experiences of Ivan Sutherland's first Head Mounted Display from 1968, and Morton Heilig's Sensorama - the first multisensory experience.
15th Annual Auggie Awards
The prestigious Auggie Awards return at AWE USA 2024, continuing their tradition of recognizing excellence across the augmented and virtual reality industries. Celebrating innovation and excellence, the Auggie Awards shine a spotlight on the best XR applications, technologies, and creators. As always, the competition will be fierce, with awards given across a record 19 categories this year to honor those driving the industry forward.
The ceremony promises to be a highlight of the event, celebrating the achievements that have pushed the boundaries of what's possible in XR. Voting is also now open, so make sure that you cast your votes for your favorite AR, VR and MR nominations.
Start-up Pitch Competition
AWE USA 2024 will once again host the Start-up Pitch Competition, providing a platform for emerging companies and start-ups to showcase their innovations to a panel of industry experts and investors. This competition is a highlight for start-ups seeking visibility and support, offering them the chance to demonstrate their solutions, receive feedback, and potentially secure investment.
Afterparties and Networking Events
No AWE event would be complete without the chance to unwind and network after the day's activities, and AWE USA 2024 is no exception. This year’s on-site parties and networking events—from the main AWE Afterparty to the VIP Reception, Welcome Party, and various meetups throughout the course of the three day conference—will provide ample opportunities for attendees to mingle with peers, meet new contacts, and discuss the day’s learnings in a relaxed, informal setting.
Whether you’re looking to forge new partnerships over a drink or simply kick back and enjoy the company of fellow XR enthusiasts in a safe and welcoming environment, we’re certain that one of our many on-site gatherings will provide the perfect setting.
Vision Workshop
With Apple Vision Pro launching at the start of this year, we are anticipating that AWE USA 2024 will be the setting for the highest concentration of Vision Pro devices ever in a single public location since the headset’s release.
With the huge hype around the device, we are putting on the AWE Vision Workshop, a full day workshop for Apple Vision Pro hosted by Raven Zachary and Dom Sagolla from VisionDevCamp.
The workshop will provide an in-depth look at the capabilities of Apple's Vision Pro hardware and visionOS. Participants will learn from leading experts about the best practices in app development across visionOS, Unity, and web platforms, explore real-world case studies, and get hands-on experience with the Apple Vision Pro. Seats are limited, and attendance to the AWE Vision Workshop can be purchased as an add-on to your conference ticket.
So what are you waiting for? AWE USA 2024 is shaping up to be a great space to explore, learn, and connect, with an array of activities tailored for every level of interest in the XR field. If you’re interested in seeing the latest developments in augmented and virtual reality, consider this your invite to discover what’s new, and maybe meet some people who are just as curious as you are. Secure your spot and join us in Long Beach in June.
