Top 15 IoT industry events device manufacturers shouldn’t miss
October 06, 2019 
Adir Ben Yehuda Even in today’s hyper-digital world there are plenty of reasons to get out of the office and shake some hands. For example, you can’t schedule innovation, especially when it comes to a dynamic and rapidly developing industry like IoT. It seems that new trends, technologies, developments and use-cases for the Internet of Things are popping up every day, and industry events are a great place to catch up and stay in the know about all the latest and greatest in the field.
That said, there is no doubt that many of these events can be tedious and underwhelming. This is why the challenge in planning your event schedule often lies in picking the right industry events to attend, and knowing how to make the most out of them. To help you do just that, we’ve prepared this detailed post, based on our own experience and that of our colleagues, to give you an in-depth overview of the best upcoming events for IoT industry professionals.
Before we get to our top 15 recommended events, it’s worth remembering why we bother leaving the comfort of our office in favor of long lines for average food and endless piles of useless conference swag.
“Oh the things you can find, if you don’t stay behind!”
For device manufacturers, sending representatives to IoT industry events is beneficial and sometimes even critical, for obvious reasons. First and foremost, it’s about staying up-to-date on the latest and most interesting developments, and presenting your own products and solutions to the world. However, as there is still no replacement for meeting people face to face and establishing rapport, what makes industry conferences unique is the perfect setting that they provide for initiating relationships with potential partners, distributors and buyers.
Events aren’t just a perfect opportunity for business development and lead generation. They are also a chance to introduce yourself to key industry players and influencers in the IoT arena, and to mingle with decision-makers in major organizations.
It’s also worth noting that professional events are a great way to break the routine without going on vacation, as they give you the rare opportunity to get away from your desk and hang out with like-minded individuals. That in itself is good enough of a reason to pick a few worthwhile events to attend. But which ones are really worth your time and budget?
Our list of 15 must-attend IoT industry events & conferences
There is an IoT-related event happening at pretty much any given time somewhere in the world. On our journey to create the ultimate list, we’ve sifted through dozens of meetups, conferences, exhibitions and conventions on an array of topics including IoT security, IIoT, Enterprise IoT best practices, and smart home gadgets, to name just a few. Based on our own experience and that of our employees, colleagues and partners, we’ve narrowed the list down to the top 15 events scheduled to take place in 2019 and 2020. The list is organized by dates.
Feel free to drop us a note to: [email protected] if we left out any important events!
1. Arm TechCon
Where: San Jose Convention Center, California
When: October 8-10, 2019
Estimated Attendees: ~3,500
Focus: Embedded Systems
As one of the leading manufacturers of embedded systems, arm is eager to educate, learn from and partner with the leaders of the IoT world. This three-day conference offers seven technical tracks including topics like AI & ML, trust & security and embedded software development.
2. Smart Home Summit
Where: The Business Design Centre, London, United Kingdom
When: October 22 – 23, 2019
Estimated Attendees: ~1,500
Focus: Smart Home
Held for the fifth year in a row, Smart Home Summit is co-located with Connected World Summit 2019 and will focus on IoT in the connected home, the role of blockchain in smart homes, cybersecurity, and interoperability.
3. IoT Security Summit
Where: Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia
When:October 31 – November 1, 2019
Estimated Attendees: ~500
Focus: IoT Security, IIoT
Co-located with Industrial IoT World and Smart Cities Summit, this conference is mandatory for anyone manufacturing IoT devices, especially IIoT and critical services. At the IoT Security Summit you’ll get to network with and learn from the leaders in the IIoT security world.
4. IoT tech expo North America
Where: Santa Clara Convention Center, Silicon Valley
When: November 13-14, 2019
Estimated Attendees: ~8,000
Focus: General IoT
One of the largest IoT events in the United States, IoT tech expo North America covers multiple IoT verticals and includes eight conference tracks: Connected Industry, Enterprise IoT Solutions, Smart Transport & Cities, Smart Buildings & Energy, Developing for the IoT, IoT Innovations & Solutions, Data Analytics for AI/IoT, and Enterprise Security. The expo also features a startup innovation incubator for the newest players in the game.
By the way, we will be attending this event. Stop by booth #559 or contact us to set up a meeting during the event.
5. CES
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
When: January 7-10, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~180,000
Focus: Consumer Technologies
The annual Consumer Electronic Show (CES) needs no introduction – it has earned an almost legendary status among early adopters, startups and tech investors. The biggest tech show in the world is crowded with thousands of guests from all over the globe, and the most cutting edge products and companies in IoT, mobile, consumer technology, and all things tech.
6. Internet of Things Evolution Expo
Where: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
When: February 11-14, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~4,000
Focus: IoT
Co-located with no less than 10 other expos and conferences, Internet of Things Evolution Expo promises to attract MSPs, telcos and enterprises in the IoT industry. This year, the expo will focus on edge computing, machine learning and AI, and their impact on industrial IoT and enterprise IoT applications.
7. Bosch Connected World
Where: STATION-Berlin, Berlin, Germany
When: February 19-20, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~5,000
Focus: IoT, IIoT
Another event organized by a manufacturer is the Bosch Connected World. A two-day conference in Berlin focused primarily on industrial IoT applications in verticals like construction, logistics and smart cities, this event also boasts an IoT exhibition and five-track hackathon.
8. Industry of Things World USA
Where: Paradise Point Resort & Spa, San Diego, CA
When: March 12 – 13, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~500
Focus: Industrial IoT (IIoT)
Held annually for the fifth year in a row, Industry of Things World USA is a three-day event exploring the impact of industrial IoT on businesses, processes and operations across all major industries. Among the focal points for the upcoming events are topics like automation, M2M communication, interoperability, new business models, predictive maintenance, industrial data analytics and cognitive manufacturing.
9. International Home and Housewares Show
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago
When: March 14 – 17, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~8,000
Focus: Smart Home
Smart home products and technologies are no longer exclusive to tech conferences and events. Shows and expos for home design and innovative houseware, such as the International Home and Housewares Show, are a great opportunity to see the technology that will be entering our homes in the upcoming years.
10. Smart Home For Assisted Living Expo
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
When: March 17-18, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~5,000
Focus: Smart Home
The main focus of this event is assisted living and the role of IoT in it. It offers a broad selection of tracks and topics with no less than 150 seminars, 250 exhibitors and its own innovation awards.
11. IoT Tech Expo Global
Where: Olympia Grand, London, United Kingdom
When: March 17-18, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~12,000
Focus: IoT
One of the biggest and most significant IoT industry events in Europe, IoT Tech Expo Global reaches IoT professionals and technologists across most verticals. With more than 300 exhibitors and 500 speakers, this event covers an immense number of topics including IIoT, building automation, smart cities, future of manufacturing, connectivity solutions, connected vehicles, asset monitoring, device management and more.
12. Internet of Things World
Where: San Jose Convention Center, CA, USA
When: April 6 – 9, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~13,500
Focus: IoT
This conference seems to have something for everyone: a track for developers, an expo, and a startup pitchoff. The multitude of panels, presentations and keynotes cover topics including IoT security, smart cities, edge computing and connected & autonomous vehicles.
13. CONNECTIONS US: The Premier Connected Home Conference
Where: Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport
When: May 19-21, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~600
Focus: Smart Home
Event organizer Parks Associates, has been running the annual CONNECTIONS™: The Premier Connected Home Conference for over 20 years, bringing together a unique audience. At this event you will meet seasoned smart home industry experts, start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, venture capitalists, public relations, and media companies.
14. CES Asia
Where: Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and the Kerry Hotel in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
When: June 10-12, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~46,000
Focus: Consumer Technologies
The Asian twin of the American CES, this event attracts the innovators from the East, with the majority hailing from China. If you’re looking to connect with manufacturers and partners in China, this is the place to be.
15. Security of things world
Where: Maritim Pro Arte Hotel Berlin, Germany
When: June 29 – 30, 2020
Estimated Attendees: ~100
Focus: IoT Security
With IoT device vulnerabilities making headlines on an almost weekly basis, security experts in the IoT industry are working hard to stay ahead of the curve. This event is where you can catch up with 100 of the best IoT security experts and meet the latest innovators in both consumer and enterprise IoT security.
In conclusion
Don’t forget to further research every event you find interesting enough, and smartly choose the ones you feel are most relevant to your skill set and interests.Taking a research-based approach to planning your industry events calendar may seem like a daunting task. However, our list of top 15 IoT industry events (with all the information neatly organized), along with a thoroughly prepared “packing list” of goals for each event, is bound to ensure you make the most of each day spent away at a conference.
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