AWE USA 2025 Unveils Iconic Speaker Lineup And New Features For XR Innovators

AWE USA 2025, the world’s leading AR+VR conference, will feature an iconic speaker lineup, including Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel and Atari founder Nolan Bushnell. The event will introduce the AWE Builders Nexus to empower XR creators and innovators. Attendees can expect cutting-edge demonstrations, networking opportunities, and expert insights from 400+ industry leaders.

AWE (Augmented World Expo) USA 2025, the leading global conference for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), has announced a highly anticipated speaker lineup for its 16th edition, which will take place from June 10 to 12, 2025, in Long Beach, California. 

The event will feature some of the most renowned names in the XR industry, including Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snapchat; Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari; and many other influential leaders. With over 6,000 attendees, 400 speakers, and 300 expected exhibitors, AWE USA 2025 promises to be an extraordinary gathering of innovators and creators dedicated to pushing the boundaries of immersive technologies.

Alongside the star-studded speaker roster, AWE USA 2025 introduces new features designed to empower XR builders, including the AWE Builders Nexus and the AWE Gaming Hub. These initiatives aim to accelerate the growth of XR startups, creators, and developers, providing resources, networking opportunities, and exposure to foster the next wave of immersive experiences.

Legendary speakers at AWE USA 2025

AWE USA 2025 will welcome some of the most influential figures in the XR world. Notably, Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap, will take to the stage for his first-ever keynote at AWE. Since the launch of Snapchat in 2011, Spiegel has led the company’s efforts to transform how people connect and communicate through AR. In his keynote, Evan will focus on Snap’s latest advancements in AR technology, including the next generation of Spectacles and their intuitive Snap OS platform. Attendees will have the chance to experience these cutting-edge technologies firsthand, try out Snap’s AR Lenses, and meet with the Snap team.

Another highlight of the speaker lineup is Nolan Bushnell, the visionary behind Atari and Chuck E. Cheese. Nolan, accompanied by five of his children, will share their insights into the evolution of gaming, from the golden age of arcades to today’s immersive virtual worlds and theme parks. This unique family talk promises to offer a fascinating look at how XR is shaping the future of gaming.

Other prominent speakers include:

• Palmer Luckey, Founder of Oculus and Anduril
• Vicki Dobbs Beck, VP of Immersive Content Innovation at Lucasfilm & ILM Immersive
• Ziad Asghar, Senior VP and GM of XR at Qualcomm
• Brian McClendon, CTO at Niantic Spatial, Inc.
• Jason Rubin, VP of Metaverse Experiences at Meta
• Hugo Swart, Senior Director of XR Ecosystem Strategy and Technology at Google
• Jacqui Bransky, VP of Web3 & Innovation at Warner Records
• Chi Xu, CEO and Founder of XREAL
• Dr. Helen Papagiannis, AR Pioneer and XR Hall of Famer
• Tom Furness, Founder of Virtual World Society and the "Grandfather of VR"

These, alongside 400+ other industry leaders, will cover a wide range of topics, offering expert insights into the current state and future of XR technologies.

AWE builders nexus: Empowering XR creators

A major addition to AWE USA 2025 is the launch of the AWE Builders Nexus. This new program is designed for both new and seasoned XR creators, providing them with the necessary tools, advice, and funding to succeed. Whether you are a developer, startup founder, designer, or business leader, the AWE Builders Nexus aims to connect you with the right resources to accelerate your growth in the XR space.

The program offers various pathways to success, from speed networking and matchmaking to industry recognition and potential partnerships. Through these initiatives, AWE seeks to support the next generation of XR builders in creating innovative content and experiences that will drive XR into the mainstream.

Ori Inbar, co-founder and CEO of AWE, shared his enthusiasm about the program: “The XR revolution is ready to conquer the mainstream - but to get there, we all need to create head-turning content that MUST be experienced. That’s why we created the AWE Builders Nexus, an all-encompassing program for XR builders designed to connect and empower them to succeed.”

New developments: AWE USA 2025 

In addition to the Builders Nexus, AWE USA 2025 introduces the AWE Gaming Hub, a dedicated space for XR game creators and developers. This new hub will feature top content creators such as Naysy, one of the world’s leading VR content creators. 

The hub aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the XR gaming community, providing a platform for networking, showcasing new games, and accelerating the development of immersive gaming experiences.

AWE USA 2025 is expected to have more than 6,000 attendees, will be the largest XR event of its kind. It offers a unique opportunity for professionals across various industries to connect, learn, and experience firsthand the latest advancements in XR technologies. The event will feature over 350 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge products and solutions alongside 400+ speakers sharing their insights across 14 tracks.

AWE USA 2025 will also include pre-conference workshops, community meetups, and ample networking opportunities, giving attendees numerous ways to engage with the XR community and grow their businesses.