The Augmented World Expo (AWE) returns to Silicon Valley with the latest and greatest in extended reality (XR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) hardware and software innovations. Games, are, of course, a big part of the XR landscape and will be well-represented again at AWE 2023. The main event, so to speak, will be hosted in Santa Clara from May 31 to June 2. But the conference itself isn’t the only game in town.
There are a few other XR, AR, and VR events and meetups, which are included in the following party list. In keeping with past lists we’ve curated, with one exception, only public events within and adjacent to AWE’s event window (between Wed., May 31 and Fri, June 2) are included. All official parties are added with titles marked in red. If you’d like to further plan around the official conference agenda and parties, take a look at the official AWE 2023 USA agenda summary or the full agenda here.
Have you seen an event posting we should add here, or are you a host of an event you’d like to share with the community? Events for Gamers’ AWE 2023 USA party list may be updated with new events or updated statuses with events until AWE is underway.
Friday, May 26
Event: AWE LA Pre-pARty (Past)
Time: 7:00PM-11:00PM
Cost:Â Free
Tickets available:Â Yes
Location: Museum of Flying 3100 Airport Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90405
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/xr-innovators-party-presented-by-nreal-tickets-640402580357
Description: A demo-focused party taking place a few days ahead of AWE 2023 and a few hundred miles to the south, taking place in the Los Angeles area.
Tuesday, May 30:
Event: XR Innovators Party presented by XREAL (formerly nreal)
Time: 5:00PM-10:00PM
Cost:Â Free
Tickets available:Â Yes
Location: Plug and Play Tech Center 440 North Wolfe Road Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/xr-innovators-party-presented-by-xreal-formerly-nreal-tickets-640402580357
Description: The day before AWE officially kicks off, several companies, led by XREAL, are hosting a large get-together in the heart of Silicon Valley. The party features networking, food and drink, opportunities to demo or pitch hardware or software, and more. If interested in participating beyond attendance alone, be sure to read the entire Eventbrite post for details how to participate in different ways!
Event: The Pulse of AI & XR 2023
Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM
Cost:Â Free
Tickets available:Â Yes
Location: 55 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Link: https://partiful.com/e/NHk8eAwPcW1g2ah29w6V
Description: Also held the evening before AWE 2023 commences, this meetup, which includes demos and discussions, will be held in San Francisco and also touches on AI:
“This event will bring together leading experts, enthusiasts, & business pros to showcase the latest innovations, trends, applications of AI & XR. Whether you’re a developer, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of technology, AI in XR is an opportunity to learn, network, & have fun.”
Wednesday, May 31:
Event: TikTok Effect House x Bare Tree Media AR Mixer
Time: 5:00PM-7:00PM
Cost:Â Free
Tickets available: Yes
Location: TikTok San Jose Office 1193 Coleman Avenue San Jose, CA 95110
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tiktok-effect-house-x-bare-tree-media-ar-mixer-tickets-636040362847
Description: “Come meet other developers (designs, creators, and enthusiasts), mingle with the TikTok AR team, and at 5:45pm, catch a fireside chat from Effect House community lead Greg Feingold (TikTok) and Effect House designer Vedika Bhasin (AR Manager, Bare Tree Media).”
Event: Welcome Party sponsored by Zappar
Time: 6:00PM-8:00PM
Cost: Included with AWE 2023 ticket
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara 5101 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Link: https://awexr.com/usa-2023/agenda/3600-welcome-party-sponsored-by-zappar
Description: From “6:00 – 8:00pm at the Hyatt Santa Clara Ballroom, Cypress Room & Mezzanine, wind down after a busy first day and enjoy a ‘Zappar-ol Spritz’ and light snacks” at the AWE 2023 welcome party.
Thursday, June 1:
Event: WebXR Meetup @ AWE Santa Clara
Time: 1:30PM-3:00PM
Cost: $15
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Hilton Santa Clara 4949 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webxr-meetup-awe-santa-clara-tickets-636403288367
Description: Wonderland invites folks to the “third on-site WebXR Meetup, held alongside AWE Santa Clara. We invite you to meet new people in the WebXR space or just learn about its many advantages. A food truck will serve lunch on the terrace of the Hilton, included with the event ticket.”
Event: Happy Hour
Time: 8:00PM-11:00PM
Cost: Included with AWE 2023 ticket
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Santa Clara Convention Center 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Link: https://awexr.com/usa-2023/agenda/3607-happy-hour
Description: From 5:30 – 6:45 pm in the Mission City Ballroom (Main Stage), Lobby & Patio Area, “network and enjoy the spectacular experiences provided by some AWE-some XR companies. Enjoy a cocktail and some light snacks too.”
Event: Official AWE Afterparty
Time: 6:00PM-8:00PM
Cost: Included with AWE 2023 ticket
Tickets available: Yes
Location: Hilton Santa Clara 4949 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054
Link: https://awexr.com/usa-2023/agenda/3599-official-awe-afterparty
Description: Following the Auggie Awards and XR Prize ceremony, AWE attendees can congregate at a tailgate-style party at the Hilton. While there, “discover your potential as we delve into the world of tomorrow, brought to you by the visionary Immersive producer, Michael Ronen. Network with fellow attendees, as you envision where your company, product, and career might be in just a few years.”
UPDATE 1 (5/28/22): The AWE 2023 party list has been updated with a changed event status and a new event.
UPDATE 2 (5/29/22): The AWE 2023 party list has been updated with the addition of official parties and happy hour events.
Events for Gamers will continue to keep an eye out for new events in and around AWE 2023 whether they turn up or are sent to us. So you may want to watch this party list as well!
