The XR space is driven by innovative people and companies. While the AR/VR/MR industry moves quickly, keeping tabs on the vast opportunities in this emerging market can be tough.
Luckily, there are a range of XR-focused events that keep avid technology experts’ ears to the ground and keep them in touch with the leaders defining the XR space and, in turn, the future of work.
But its own right, the number of relevent XR events are also growing, with the techboogy reaching far and wide. This event can have immense value for anyone involved in the XR space, from new players to veterans.
Gatherings focused on XR technologies play a vital role in fostering innovation within the industry. They provide a wealth of cutting-edge insights, valuable networking opportunities, and practical experiences that can significantly enhance an organization’s AR, VR, or MR strategy. Participating in these events is not just advantageous; it is essential for any business aiming to leverage immersive technologies effectively and stay ahead of the competition.
Top XR Events in 2025
There are many leading XR events that go on across the year and across the globe. Of the events mentioned by our XR All Stars, AWE stood out with its events that take place in the US, EU, and Asia were noted by Wesley Pabis, Founder / CEO, Augmento, Sören Syrbe, CRO, Create Worlds, Dezmond Blair, Adjunct Faculty, Henry Ford College, Yacine Achiakh, Co-Founder & CEO, Wisear, Lord Alan Smithson, Founder, METAVRSE, Mads Troelsgaard, CEO & Co-founder, SynergyXR, and Julien Castet Head of Research Immersion.
Lida Liberopoulou, Founder of ArchaeoXR, also added, “I’m really looking forward to AWE USA 2025. I’ve been following AWE for years, and it consistently showcases exciting new stuff.”
Moreover, Aditi Rajagopal, Head of Experience Design at Atlantic Productions, noted that AWE and SXSW are key 2025 events. Sergiu Ardelean, CEO and Co-Founder of Artivive, also echoes the importance of SXSW. Meanwhile, David Moreno, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer of Virtualware, highlights “Industrial Immersive Week and AWE US.”
Speaking on the importance of AWE Lucky Lance K Gobindram, President, Kinemeric explained:
In 2025, we’re most looking forward to AWE as a key event for driving innovation and collaboration in XR. As the industry evolves, AWE continues to be a hub for cutting-edge advancements in spatial computing, AI-driven XR solutions, and enterprise adoption. It’s an invaluable opportunity to connect with industry leaders, showcase emerging technologies, and explore the future of immersive experiences.
Nick Day, VP of Sales & Marketing at Roundtable Learning, said that both AWE and AES “are always great shows to attend to not only catch up with familiar faces and meet new people but also to explore what is new in the space.”
Other highlighted events from the XR All Stars include Laval 2025, noted by Amir Bozorgzadeh, CEO of Virtuleap; Digital Construction Week, mentioned by Gary Cowan, Head of Digital Construction, Kane Group; Venice Immersive, mentioned by Alex Ruhl, Head of Emerging Tech, PwC; and The VRARA Education Summit 2025, said Carlos J. Ochoa Fernandez, Founder and Advisor, ONE Digital Consulting.
“There are many!” stated Taimoor Nawab, CEO of Arvizio, who also noted, “There will be a lot of announcements in the space by some very important players in the industry in 2025 (Google, XREAL, Samsung, Meta, etc…). Equally important are our discussions with customers and how they plan, or want, to use XR in their environments.”
Timothy E. Bates, Fractional CTO, added:
In 2025, I’m most looking forward to the Immersive Technology Summits, or similar events that bring XR into its prime, amplified by the creative and analytical power of Generative AI. Why These Event Stands Out: Immersive + Generative AI Revolution: The convergence of XR and Gen AI is a game-changer. It’s not just about creating stunning visuals or immersive environments but leveraging AI to fuel creativity, streamline workflows, and enable new ways of learning and interacting with real-world data. Imagine AI crafting dynamic, real-time immersive experiences tailored to users’ needs—whether it’s for training, collaboration, or entertainment. A New Era of Learning: XR-driven learning environments will break the barriers of traditional education and corporate training.
Julie Smithson, CEO of METAVRSE, highlights the XR Women Symposium in Sarasota, Florida, which took place earlier this month and celebrated the host’s 200th event.
Additionally, Luis Bravo Martins, Vice-President, XR safety Intelligence – Europe, said they would like to see how “the European Virtual Worlds Partnership Association will play out,” and Dan Melly, Business Development Manager, TD Synnex, noted excitement towards “the events TD Synnex will be hosting with our community of partners.”
Arome Ibrahim, Founder & Programs Director, of Immersive Tech Africa, said:
I’m particularly excited about the Augmented World Expo, Laval Virtual Paris, XR Innovation Summit, and the New Images Festival in 2025 AWE highlights the convergence of enterprise innovation and ethical, AI-driven XR, providing a space where scalable solutions for emerging markets can achieve global recognition. Laval Virtual Paris emphasizes technical standards and infrastructure, offering a platform to promote interoperability frameworks that address unique XR infrastructural challenges while attracting investment. The XR Innovation Summit, Africa’s premier XR virtual conference is a platform that showcases and engages XR creators and developers building the future of immersive experiences in Africa. The New Images Festival, on the other hand, celebrates the intersection of culture, art, and technology, amplifying underrepresented voices and projects that aim to preserve heritage through immersive storytelling. These events align with my vision for a connected and equitable XR ecosystem one in which innovations in education, cultural preservation, and infrastructure shape global standards and foster the development of an immersive future.
The XR events space is very fast-moving, with many events occurring each month. Kevin O’Donovan, Technology Evangelist, noted that “CES 2025 was excellent, but as it has already come and gone,” showing how fast industry innovation is; he also said the top events “I’m looking forward to now are NVIDIA’s GTC in mid-March and then Hannover Messe the first week of April.”
2025 Market Opportunities
The XR industry continues to grow, and with lessons learned from previous years’ successes and failures, the space and its leaders will help drive home tangible impacts on businesses.
Lida Liberopoulou, Founder of ArchaeoXR, said, “My main ambition for my XR project in 2025 is to make something that can exist and thrive independent of hosting platforms. This is a hard lesson I learned after AltspaceVR was shut down.”
Amir Bozorgzadeh, CEO of, Virtuleap said top ambitions include a move to grow a US office and “launch a new project,” Julie Smithson, CEO, METAVRSE aims to “learn more AI Tools & increase efficiencies in business” in 2025, and Alex Ruhl, Head of Emerging Tech, PwC said they want to “explore how AI-powered AR glasses will impact key industries we service.”
There is a wealth of opportunities ahead, with a large pool of innovation to understand and deploy in the workplace. Timothy E. Bates, Fractional CTO, noted that AI-powered XR environments “will adapt to learners in real time, offering personalized feedback and accelerating skill acquisition,” explaining that this will “redefine ROI for training investments across industries.”
Bates also added:
XR infused with AI can optimize processes in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. Events like this will highlight how businesses can use immersive simulations, digital twins, and interactive models to achieve measurable results like cost savings, efficiency improvements, and enhanced customer experiences. – These events will showcase how XR + AI is fostering human-centered design, bridging physical and digital worlds seamlessly. From smart cities to retail innovation, the potential to harness real-world data for actionable insights will be transformative. – Events like this will reveal tangible ROI models, proving that immersive technologies are not just a novelty but an operational and strategic necessity. Whether it’s decreasing time-to-market with AI-assisted prototyping or revolutionizing remote collaboration through virtual and augmented spaces, the potential to drive profitability and creativity simultaneously is immense. 2025 marks the dawn of a new chapter where immersive technology, fueled by generative AI, not only enhances creativity but solidifies its role as a cornerstone of industry-wide innovation and growth. It’s an electrifying prospect, and the world is ready to embrace it.
There is a lot of potential in the enterprise space. David Moreno, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer of Virtualware, understands this. Their firm is moving forward to seize the market potential and “establish global partnerships to accelerate the adoption of 3D-powered solutions, including XR and digital twins, in industrial companies and educational institutions.”
Carlos J. Ochoa Fernandez, Founder and Advisor of ONE Digital Consulting, also added that “my personal ambitions/goals related to XR for 2025 are to continue growing and bring these experiences to as many people in the world as possible, for their use and enjoyment—trying to change the superficial mentality of the new generations, with stories about the values of democracy, the environment, music, the beauty of nature and life.”
