12 May 2025 | AWE Team
Greatness is Built in Hard Times - Seize Your Moment at AWE USA 2025
AWE USA 2025 Virtual Reality Augmented Reality

History’s greatest breakthroughs have been born in challenging times. With 5,000 XR professionals, 400+ speakers, and 250+ exhibitors, and the sharpest minds in Spatial Computing, AWE USA 2025 is not to be missed.

XR is going mainstream — and so is AWE. With accessible pricing and a wide range of programming essential to both newcomers and veterans.

The central theme of AWE 2025 is the AI + XR imperative — echoed throughout the agenda in keynotes, panels, and deeply integrated into hundreds of products across the expo floor. It’s set to be the defining conversation of the show.

Special audience-specific programs featured this year:

Greatness starts with action — here are 10 ways to own your moment:

1. Get Inspired by The Brightest Minds in XR

Get ready for three days packed with big ideas, bold perspectives, and real-world use cases from the most influential names in spatial computing. Top speakers joining us this year include:

  • Evan Spiegel, Snap CEO
  • Nolan Bushnell, Atari Founder
  • Naysy, top VR content creator
  • Palmer Luckey – Founder of Oculus and Anduril
  • Vicki Dobbs Beck – VP, Immersive Content Innovation, Lucasfilm & ILM Immersive
  • Ziad Asghar – SVP and GM XR, Qualcomm
  • Brian McClendon – CTO, Niantic Spatial, Inc.
  • Jason Rubin – VP, Metaverse Experiences, Meta
  • Hugo Swart, Sr. Director of XR Strategy, Google
  • Jacqui Bransky – VP Web3 & Innovation, Warner Records
  • Chi Xu – CEO & Founder, XREAL
  • Dr. Helen Papagiannis – AR Pioneer and XR Hall of Famer
  • Tom Furness – Grandfather of VR, Founder of Virtual World Society
  • ...plus 400 more XR industry leaders.

Top Sponsors Must See Talks:

Expert Panels and Keynotes:

Additional Agenda Highlights


Influential Enterprises Speaking at AWE



Check out the agenda here.

2. Dig into a Massive Expo

This year’s expo floor is packed with cutting-edge tech, hands-on demos, and exclusive previews. Many companies will unveil new products and show off prototypes not yet available to the public. Some of the standout exhibitors include Qualcomm, Snap, Inc., Google, Niantic Spatial, Auki Labs, XREAL, 3 x Korean pavilions (K-Metaverse Pavilion by NIPA, the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) Pavilion, The Gyeonggi Housing & Urban Development Corporation (GH) Pavilion), Lenovo, and Sony XYN. Whether you're shopping for solutions, seeking partnerships, or scouting what’s next, the expo is your place.

Exhibitors by category:

3. The Biggest Playground Ever

A collection of 22+ experiences you won’t find anywhere else but at this year’s Playground — our most expansive yet. It’s the best place to experience immersive XR activations, installations, and interactions firsthand. You’ll definitely want to carve out time for this. See here who’s confirmed so far.

4. XR Games Pavilion & Stage


AWE USA 2025 features a dedicated Games Pavilion with playable demos from leading studios, and hands-on stations dedicated entirely to immersive gaming. An adjacent Gaming Stage features nonstop live talks, demos, interviews, and creative sessions — from real-world XR game development to creative insights and gameplay.

 

5. The Builders Nexus Stage

Hundreds of XR builders will take the Builders Nexus expo stage, showcasing winning projects from hackathons like MIT Reality Hack, Stanford XR, Harvard XR, and XR Bootcamp. From prototypes to deployable apps, this is where XR’s future is built.

The Builders Nexus experience includes lightning talks, Innovators Hour on the expo floor, and speed networking sessions to spark meaningful connections.

6. Start-up Pitch Competition

Watch rising XR start-up founders pitch to a panel of seasoned investors for a shot at the “Start-up to Watch” Auggie Award. This competition gives you a front-row seat to the boldest ideas shaping the future of XR.

7. The Iconic Auggie Awards

With a record 460+ submissions across 19 categories — from gaming to AI and societal impact — the Auggies are XR’s most prestigious celebration. Don’t forget to vote for your favorites here and join us at the live ceremony to celebrate the winners.

8. Enterprise VIP Program

Tailored for professionals scaling XR in verticals like Manufacturing, Aerospace, Retail, Pharma, Healthcare, and Education. Expect a white-glove treatment with curated roundtables, custom expo tours, strategic insights, and matchmaking — all based in a lounge that’s 100% sales-free.

See the Enterprise VIP agenda here

9. XR Hall of Fame

This year’s XR Hall of Fame welcomes 10 new inductees (announced May 21), celebrating pioneers who shaped the immersive industry. Join fellow Hall of Famers during the Auggie Awards and throughout the conference to honor their legacy.

10. The Ultimate XR Meetup

Described by attendees as the annual reunion of the XR industry, AWE is more than a conference — it’s a global gathering point. Enjoy:

  • Welcome networking party
  • Community meetups and dinners
  • Book signings
  • Branded lounges from SnapAR and Niantic Spatial
  • Wellbeing walks
  • Fun Filters
  • Live auction by Virtual World Society
  • Live podcasts like This Week in XR & TechMagic
  • Full real-time translation powered by XRAI

Check out a full list of activities and activations here

Ready to Own Your Moment?

Secure your spot now and make sure you’re not on the sidelines when the entire XR ecosystem reunites in Long Beach.


Register Now

 

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