What is
The Next Evolution
What is
Virtual Reality
Immersive technologies represent the interface to the world’s next phase of communication. Communication methods have evolved over time from verbal histories to drawings, then the written word, spread widely by printing presses, transmitted over telegraph, teletype, and then telephone, then over the air using radio waves, adding motion pictures with television, and on to the internet and mobile computing. Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, and Augmented Reality – immersive technologies – allow people to view and interact with digital information presented within spatial context. They are The Next Evolution.
It’s a lot to grasp, and these technologies are already changing the way we work, play, learn, and live. The Next Evolution provides resources to help our community learn how to make use of these technologies at their jobs, in school, for fun, and for socializing or relaxing.
mission and impact
100
Events
400
Expert Presenters
4500
In-Person Attendees
10000
Video Views
The Next Evolution is dedicated to providing free public education on immersive technology and the economic development benefits they it can provide to Chicago, Illinois, The Midwest and beyond.
Each month, we convene panels, live demonstrations, and professional networking opportunities, all 100% free to attend.
Originally “VRAR Chicago Meet Up” when it was founded in March of 2017, the event series has been operating monthly since August 2017, and rebranded to “The Next Evolution” in January 2018.
While VRAR Chicago continues as our production partner, ownership of The Next Evolution event series transferred to Big High 5, NFP in 2022 under a fiscal sponsorship agreement, while we complete the necessary steps to become an independent 501(c)3 organization.
Following the pandemic, when we returned to a hybrid in-person / virtual format, we partnered with Augmented World Expo to co-brand the monthly events as “AWE Nite Chicago.”
For over 8 years we have been producing monthly events that provide free public access to the experts who are leading the development and growth of the virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality industry.
Get Involved
Present / Demonstrate
Request an opportunity to join our expert panel and/or demonstrate your technology at a The Next Evolution event.
Sponsor Series or an Event
The Next Evolution events have been and always will be free to attend (but they are not free to produce). Help us continue to offer free programming.
Volunteer
Gain hands-on experience and network with the world’s leaders in immersive technology by helping set up, operate, or clean up after events.
What are the ways in which you have used the technology?
What are the ways in which you think the tech should be used?
What companies are creating the buzz that gets you excited about the future?
To help ensure we are creating the programs you want to see, please send us a note.
What industry would you like for us to focus on for a program?
What companies would be great to learn from?
What industry leaders could we feature on our stage?
We want to hear your input!
LET US KNOW
GET INVOLVED
sponsorships and partnerships
We look for innovative companies and organizations to sponsor individual programs and our event series. We are also continually developing relationships with our partners to continue our growth and to allow us to continue providing this programming at no cost to our audience. We have the support in our efforts of leading corporations, industry associations, fellow entrepreneurs, business accelerators and technology incubators. Are you looking to cultivate your own exposure and growth in this expanding community?
thank you to our sponsors
thank you to our partners
