Five Top Tech Conferences to Attend

Top Tech Conferences to Attend

• TechCrunch Disrupt
• TechWeek
• SXSW
• Collision Conference
• WSJ.D Live

If you’re looking to explore a career in the information technology field or an industry linked with cutting edge technology, tech conferences are an absolute must. Tech conferences give aspiring professionals exposure to some of the newest ideas in the field, and allow access to some of the biggest names in the field. In 2017, more than 200 conferences connected with the field of technology were held, obviously far too many to attend unless it was your full-time job. But not all tech conferences are created equal. Here are five of the most prestigious and important tech conferences being held each year, and why it might be a good idea to attend:

1. TechCrunch Disrupt

Many industry insiders agree that TechCrunch Disrupt is the hottest tech conference around. The conference is geared toward startup companies with new and exciting technologies, and features a number of talks from the leading tech innovators. TechCrunch hosts a variety of parties, meet-ups, hack-a-thons and events, but their TechCrunch Disrupt NYC conference is arguably the crown jewel. Much of the tech world gathers at this event, making it a temporary hub for the tech world. TechCrunch also hosts a major conference in San Francisco, if you’re located closer to the West Coast than East.

2. TechWeek

TechWeek travels to a variety of major cities over the course of the year, offering what they describe as an ‘innovation ecosystem,’ bringing together many tech-based industries and fields to mingle and share knowledge. TechWeek functions as a hiring fair, so newcomers to the field will have the opportunity to make connections with those in the industry looking to add to their teams. Additionally, a number of speakers and startups will be presenting new products and concepts within the tech world.

3. SXSW

SXSW, which stands for South by Southwest, is a conference held in Texas each year. SXSW spans beyond the world of technology, delving into the fields of film, music and culture as well as tech, which is one of its great strengths. If you’re someone interested in the fusion of tech and other fields, especially artistic ones, SXSW may be the conference for you. The idea behind SXSW is that the fusion of unrelated fields and topic can produce groundbreaking discoveries. At SXSW, industry leaders in these fields network, speak, and present products and concepts to attendees.

4. Collision Conference

Collision Conference, set in New Orleans each year, is a conference strongly geared toward startups. At Collision Conference, a host of emerging and up-and-coming companies more than 4,500 companies and 11,000 attendees last year will present their ideas and products to a gathered audience of many of the big names in technology, according to Forbes. Each year, a handful of hot new startups emerge, and Collision Conference is a great place to look for the next one. And its New Orleans setting means that Collision Conference can serve double duty as a wonderful vacation, especially if you plan a slightly extended trip to see the city itself in addition to the conference.

5. WSJ.D Live

The Wall Street Journal hosts this conference in both California and Hong Kong each year, bringing together some of the top technology experts from all over the world. WSJ.D Live features roundtables, interviews, and a variety of other interactive events. Access to the conference may prove difficult, as you need an invite to attend. I you can manage to wrangle an invite, you’ll be treated to access to the leading lights in the tech world discussing some of the biggest and most pressing topics the future is presenting.

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These conferences are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the tech world. Depending on your individual niche or needs, others might be more suited to you. However, these five tech conferences are some of the biggest and most important events in the tech world, and likely have some relevance or application if you’re interested in technology today.