Important Conferences and Events to Attend in 2018: June – December 2018

2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the classic movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. After 50 years is Hal finally here with Artificial Intelligence and Big Data? Who can forget that computerized voice saying, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t do that Dave”? The movie fiction is not far from the facts regarding Artificial Intelligence and its dangers being written about and discussed at conferences today. Consumers in Motion Group attended major industry events around the world in 2016 and 2017 to learn about the technologies and consumer trends that are shaping our future. We have curated these events based on the quality of their content, exhibitors and attendees and have listed the top events to attend in 2018. A word on our methodology: We ranked the events by three key criteria: 1) Distinct, value-added programming that highlights the direction our industry is going; 2) A diverse, high-caliber attendee list of marketing leaders, and 3) An environment and format that supports learning, networking and community building.  

2018 Top Event Preview

 

CeBit: Hanover, Germany, June 11–15

CeBIT is the largest and most internationally represented computer expo. The event is held in Hanover, Germany. It is considered a barometer of current trends and a measure of the state of information technology. The conferences provide a 360-degree overview of the digital industry’s four core markets: IT, Telecommunications, Digital Media and IOT.

Highlights: The event will focus on the following business areas: Big Data and Business Intelligence, Business Electronics and Equipment, Business Security, Communication Networks, Data Center Infrastructure, ECM, Input/output Solutions, ERP and HR Solutions, IOT, Marketing and Sales Solutions, POS and Banking Solutions, Research and Innovation, Unmanned Systems and Solutions, VR and AR.

 

Cannes Lions, France, June 15–24

Cannes Lions is an eight-day program of creative inspiration, celebration, education and networking held in June. Over 15,000 delegates from around 100 countries attend the Festival, making it the only truly global meeting place for branded communications professionals to connect, share and discover.

Highlights: The Cannes Lions Festival features Health, Entertainment and Innovation as three distinct conferences within Cannes Lions. Lions Health challenges the industry’s norms and motivates it to change the course of healthcare communications – and explores the ways talent and storytelling can elevate content into the cultural mainstream. Lions Innovation is an exploration of data and tech as catalysts for creativity. Over two days it showcases the new and kick-started collaboration. It brings together the start-ups with game-changing products and services, the investors who back them, the brands who work with them and the storytellers who can bring it all to life.

 

MWC: Shanghai, China, June 27-30

The Conference at MWC Shanghai (The Human Element) features thought-provoking presentations from some of the mobile industry’s most influential executives, who will share their visions of the mobile industry while providing essential insights on current and future trends.

Highlights: MWC Shanghai focuses on how mobile technology – from connected cars and wearable tech to IOT and smarter cities – is revolutionizing every aspect of individuals’ lives and creating a personalized experience. The three-day conference is the largest in the Asian marketplace and attracts the key players in the mobile ecosystem held in July.

 

MWCA: Los Angeles, September 12–14

The GSMA and CTIA created a new mobile industry event in the United States. CTIA and the GSMA are equal partners in the joint event with the GSMA leading the event’s production and management.

Highlights: MWC Americas showcases how mobile is creating the connected life, transforming how individuals, businesses and entire industries communicate, interact and innovate. Mobile World Congress Americas is set to become the leading mobile industry event in the Americas.

 

dMexco: Cologne, Germany, September 12–13

dMexco is the world’s leading exhibition and conference for the digital industry and stands for innovative and future-oriented developments and trends in the center of a new digital economy: The digiconomy. Within the two days of dMexco, a top-notch lineup of speakers and a unique presentation of diverse themes will put the crucial trends and business potential in the limelight.

Highlights: The program for 2018 will include more than 550 speakers from all over the world who will hold presentations on 15 different stages. The speakers will include digital stars, top executives, newcomers and trendsetters, who will hold outstanding keynote speeches, engage in exciting discussions and present visionary demonstrations.

 

IOT Solutions World Congress: Barcelona, Spain, October 2-4

The world’s leading Industry IoT congress, where over 250 of the most innovative and influential Industry IoT thinkers will gather together to share knowledge, present visions and explain how IoT is affecting many industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, energy and utilities, connected transport, buildings and infrastructure, retail, agriculture, mining, hospitality and more.