Hello everyone! Miyanaga from GP here.

Google, the search engine that gave birth to the term “Googling.” Apple, the creator of beautiful, world-class digital devices. Facebook (now Meta), the provider of the world’s largest social media platform. Amazon, the world’s leading shopping service. Microsoft, the developer of the most widely used OS and software.

This time, I’d like to introduce the big-name conference events hosted by these five major IT giants from the United States, known throughout the world. 

Global leaders: Understanding GAFAM trends

The five largest companies, GAFAM, are leading the world in this era of technology. Their presence is, needless to say, overwhelmingly significant, and every move they make can shift the momentum with which new innovations emerge.

In other words, understanding their strategies and the latest trends pertaining to them is crucial, as they have an enormous impact on all businesses and projects. This is why keeping a close watch on them is always essential. One of the key ways to track their movements is through conference events, which serve as platforms for policy announcements and valuable discussions. These events are critical for understanding the direction they will take, as well as the future of technology as a whole. 

GAFAM’s big conference events

GAFAM continues to host a wide variety of events throughout the year, each offering unique perspectives of their own. This time, we’ll focus on their biggest conference events, providing an overview of the content, while also highlighting the atmosphere and experiences at the venues.

Google’s Google I/O: The world’s most powerful search engine

First up is Google I/O, the major event hosted by Google, the creator of the world’s most powerful search engine. 

This is Google’s annual developer conference, a massive event that features announcements about emerging technologies, products, and tools, as well as technical sessions and exhibitions. It’s the ultimate platform for sharing Google’s latest innovations with the world.

The venue was in San Francisco, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre—close to Google’s headquarters, the Googleplex. Taking place within Google’s expansive domain, the event is an all-encompassing Google-centric experience!

The venue is typically divided into several areas: the main stage for keynote presentations and major announcements, category-specific areas dedicated to individual topics, a lunch area for relaxation, an AI Sandbox showcasing AI-related innovations, a community area for networking and discussions, and a partner area featuring collaborations and partner showcases.

This year, the event was centered around the Google Keynote, highlighting updates on the latest technologies like Gemini 1.5, as well as applications of AI through Project Astra and Veo, along with advancements in mobile development. Furthermore, there were sessions and workshops focusing on various areas, held in their respective category areas, offering attendees the opportunity to gain deeper insights and more information.

In addition, there are usually plenty of opportunities to interact directly with Google employees, referred to as Googlers, through “office hour,” where attendees can ask questions and seek advice. The numerous workshops also allow participants to gain hands-on experience with Google’s technologies, all while receiving lectures and explanations.

This combination of gaining knowledge and experiencing it firsthand makes Google I/O a place where participants can practically immerse themselves in Google’s philosophy and its latest features. It truly stands out as an event that embodies the essence of Google.

The venue also hosted a Google Store, where attendees could purchase newly-launched services at special prices. Various food and drink stations allowed participants to grab a quick snack, making it feel like a high-tech outdoor festival or fair.

Participants also received exciting Google-themed giveaways such as bags, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and water bottles—functional and charming souvenirs that would make anyone happy!

Beautiful and functional; Apple’s WWDC

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is a developer-focused event held annually in June. 

Commonly referred to as “WWDC,” it not only attracts developers, but also garners significant attention from Apple fans worldwide, as it showcases the latest features for platforms like iOS and watchOS.

Every June, Apple’s announcements about new product features and updates are widely covered by various media outlets. This emphasizes how WWDC serves as a treasure trove of topics that pique the curiosity of tech enthusiasts.

The content presented at this event varies by session. While major announcements focus on OS updates and new services, there are also numerous sessions providing detailed explanations of technological updates across different services and features. Impressively, there are approximately 200 highly-specialized sessions, delivering an overwhelming amount of information that leaves attendees in awe.

These sessions can be reviewed on the official website, allowing attendees and fans to revisit the announcements at their leisure. This accessibility makes it easy for the media and general enthusiasts to track the latest technologies, which contributes to the rapid spread of information. The design of such accessibility is both smart and sensible, embodying the innovative spirit of companies like Apple.

Now, you might be thinking, “Why not just watch it online?” Of course, online participation offers ample opportunities to stay informed. However, attending in-person provides an irreplaceable and immersive experience.

One such feature is the in-person labs, where participants can directly interact with Apple employees, including expert engineers and designers, to ask questions and engage in insightful discussions. This offers a rare and invaluable opportunity for attendees to gain deeper insights and make meaningful connections.

The event takes place at the Apple Infinite Loop Campus, a location wrapped in mystery and exclusivity. During the conference, attendees have some degree of freedom in exploring the Apple office, making the experience of being on-site incredibly special. Even just walking through such an iconic space feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Reports from past participants zero in on the exciting atmosphere of the event. Courtyard parties, elaborate monument displays, and networking opportunities with industry professionals over light snacks and drinks create a sophisticated yet lively environment. Adding to the ambiance, DJs play energetic music, showcasing Apple’s strong connection to music culture. The entire setting reflects Apple’s innovative spirit and unique philosophies.

All-in-all, the event itself is organized into four main components. The keynote features announcements of next-generation OS updates, services, and devices, often delivered by iconic figures such as the late Steve Jobs or current CEO Tim Cook. The Platforms State of the Union session provides an in-depth look at new platform features and improvements from a developer’s perspective through detailed video presentations. The in-person labs offer attendees the chance to engage directly with expert Apple engineers, allowing for detailed questions and in-depth discussions. Lastly, there are developer-exclusive special sessions that delve deeply into technical innovations, providing valuable insights for those in attendance.

Apple’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that the event is not just informative, but also deeply inspiring and immersive, embodying the company’s creative vision at every level.

The world’s largest social media platform: Facebook’s F8 and Meta’s Meta Connect

The tech conference F8, held annually in Silicon Valley, was a key event hosted by Facebook. This conference served as a platform where CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself took the stage to share the latest updates and announcements. It played a significant role as a social hub of the tech scene, bringing together top engineers and startup members from around the world.

What set F8 apart was the presence of not just engineers, but also startup founders. The event featured DJ performances and elaborate dinners, as well as booths representing startups and organizations affiliated with Facebook. There were also recruitment booths and a variety of other engaging content, making it a lively gathering for the tech community.

The structure of F8 primarily consisted of three main elements: the keynote, detailed sessions on specific features, and hackathons. Among these, the keynote, delivered by Mark Zuckerberg himself, held particular importance.

The keynote kickstarted the event and unveiled the latest updates, highlighting the areas Facebook planned to focus on in the coming year. It was a presentation that often set the tone for global IT trends, making it a critical event that drew worldwide attention and shaped the future of the tech industry.

On October 28, 2021, Facebook rebranded itself as Meta, signaling a shift in focus from social media to the metaverse and newly-emerging technologies. This change brought a new direction to its events. F8 was replaced with Meta Connect, a conference centered around virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse.

The content of Meta Connect reflects Meta’s new vision, focusing on building the metaverse. Unlike the developer-oriented F8, this conference is geared toward announcements related to technologies and products for VR, AR, and the metaverse.

Meta Connect is primarily accessible online, allowing participants from around the globe to join, regardless of nationality. The physical venue is Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, where demonstrations are conducted and simultaneously live-streamed worldwide. This structure emphasizes global reach and inclusivity, while showcasing the advancements Meta has made. 

Meta Connect is one of the most critical events in the extended reality (XR) industry, attracting attention from professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Though still in its early stages, it promises unique experiences and exclusive content that can only be fully appreciated by attending in-person. As the event evolves, it remains a must-watch event for the tech world.

AWS Summit by the world’s leading shopping service, Amazon

The AWS Summit, hosted by Amazon, the world’s largest shopping service provider, is an event indispensable to understanding modern technology. Unlike the other conferences introduced so far, this event is held in various countries worldwide. In Japan, it is known as AWS Summit Japan, allowing local participants to attend and experience the event firsthand—a notable point for those eager to join in-person.

For those that are unfamiliar with the term, AWS stands for Amazon Web Services, Amazon’s cloud computing service. The AWS Summit is a conference designed to help participants learn about and utilize AWS more effectively. It attracts AWS users and partner companies alike, making it a significant networking and knowledge-sharing platform.

So, what exactly happens at the AWS Summit? Well, the event features sessions on various initiatives and services powered by AWS, opportunities for guests to share insights beneficial to business, and exhibition booths showcasing multiple products and services. With over 30,000 participants annually, it is a massive-scale conference event that continues to grow in prominence.

The venue in Japan, Makuhari Messe, hosts over 180 booths, creating an impressive space for exploration. The event begins with a 90-minute keynote, setting the tone for the summit.

The keynote is divided into several segments, covering topics such as the value of AWS beyond IT infrastructure, strategies for utilizing data effectively, and the latest AWS technologies supporting various applications. These insights are delivered by industry leaders, providing a comprehensive overview of AWS’s developments and potential. 

After the keynote, participants are free to attend sessions or explore the exhibition booths. Over the course of two days, more than 150 sessions are held, allowing attendees to select topics of interest and deepen their knowledge. With such a variety of content, the summit offers countless opportunities for learning and discovery.

With over 150 sessions, the AWS Summit offers a wide range of opportunities for learning and interaction. In addition to sessions and booths, there are dedicated areas for AWS adoption and technical consultations, providing valuable support to participants.

For developers in particular, the summit includes rather unique and engaging features. One highlight is the AWS DeepRacer League, the world’s first global autonomous racing league, which offers an exciting way to learn about machine learning and AI. Another standout is AWS GameDay, a hands-on program where participants tackle real-world technical challenges.

Attendees can also unwind and network in the Developer Lounge, a space designed to let participants relax while exploring various exhibits. The combination of interactive programs and playful elements makes the AWS Summit an educational yet enjoyable event. 

Microsoft Ignite by Microsoft, the OS/software giant with the largest market share

Hosted annually by Microsoft’s headquarters in the United States, Microsoft Ignite is the company’s largest technical conference. It showcases the latest updates, new services, and future visions of Microsoft. Each year, this event attracts global attention from tech enthusiasts and the media. 

Microsoft Ignite primarily takes place at the Seattle Convention Center, attracting IT professionals and developers from around the world. Additionally, the event features regional editions called Microsoft Ignite Spotlight, held in various countries. For example, in 2022, Tokyo Midtown hosted a Japan-specific Spotlight event filled with localized content.

If you’re lucky with timing and location, attending these onsite events may be an option in your region.

Returning to the Seattle Convention Center, where the main Microsoft Ignite event is held—the in-person attendance alone exceeds 4,000 participants, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Additionally, the event is available online, allowing countless others to join remotely, making the total reach truly enormous.

The keynote serves as a central highlight of the event, featuring announcements on updates and new services in areas such as AI, cloud infrastructure, and data management. These presentations set the stage for the latest innovations, and provide valuable insights into Microsoft’s future pursuits. 

As you step into the sunlit Seattle Convention Center, the first thing you’ll notice is the spacious registration area welcoming attendees to the event. On the second floor lies the keynote hall, which, according to attendees, is enormous—reportedly about 1.5 times the size of Tokyo Big Sight’s exhibition halls. This vast space sets the stage for impactful presentations.

From the third to the fifth floor, wide staircases and open areas serve as free spaces where attendees can relax, chat, and recharge. These areas create a comfortable atmosphere, functioning as casual gathering spots for participants to connect and share ideas throughout the event.

During lunch, attendees can head to the aforementioned floors to pick up meals, with options including chicken, beef, vegan, and vegetarian dishes, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

For a more leisurely break, the basement level offers a space to relax, where participants can pick up event-exclusive T-shirts, snacks, and light refreshments. Meanwhile, the fifth floor houses booths for business partners, areas where attendees can directly interact with experts to ask questions, and spaces for demo sessions. This floor seems to function as a networking hub, where professionals can engage in meaningful exchanges and collaborations.

Conclusion

The five U.S. tech giants—GAFAM—that dominate the world stage hold equally monumental conference events. These events are massive in every sense, reflecting the scale of their influence. However, the sheer curiosity of engineers, and the unprecedented business opportunities buzzing at these venues can only be truly appreciated by those who actually attend. The energy and excitement flowing through the crowd are experiences that cannot be fully conveyed without being there in person.

My goal now is to attend one of GAFAM’s conferences myself, witness the scene firsthand, and share the experience with all of you! With that aspiration in mind, I’ll wrap up this research article. See you next time!