Project Description
TechXchange 2024 is IBM’s flagship technical conference and one of its most significant events of the year, dedicated to propelling innovation, learning, and community building within the tech ecosystem. Held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from October 21-24, this monumental gathering brings together over 6,000 industry leaders. Engineered for technologists by technologists, TechXchange features IBM’s latest advancements across AI, automation, hybrid cloud, and data—empowering attendees to dive into hands-on labs, cutting-edge technology roadmaps, expert AMAs, and certification testing across IBM’s product suite.

Building on last year’s success, which brought together 3,000 attendees with only two months of preparation, TechXchange 2024 has expanded exponentially, with an extended eight-month production timeline and an array of new experiences tailored to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Spanning the entirety of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, this year’s event delivers an unmatched breadth and depth of content, including over 1,500 labs and sessions spread across 20 rooms, 13 comprehensive technology tracks, 13 IBM demo booths, and five unique activations—each meticulously crafted to enhance learning and inspire innovation. As a central feature, the Sandbox has been elevated into a full-scale, interactive environment where attendees explore 12 tech communities, engage on four tech byte stages, and network in an atmosphere buzzing with creativity and expertise.

Each evening, TechXchange takes networking to the next level with an array of immersive gatherings, including a high-energy Block Party, the unforgettable Beachbox Party on Tuesday, and a send-off celebration Wednesday, all infused with interactive elements, VR games, live entertainment, and exciting surprises that keep attendees engaged long after the day’s sessions.

As the senior designer on this unprecedented project, I led the creative vision for both the Sandbox and wayfinding experience, balancing IBM’s bold event identity with an intuitive, high-impact design language. The scope of my work included developing over 3,396 graphics and 613 files for the Sandbox alone, spanning a massive 26,638 square feet, and an additional 1,749 wayfinding graphics across 4,576 square feet. These visuals not only guided and engaged the attendees but also transformed the space into a dynamic, visually cohesive environment reflecting IBM’s innovation-first ethos.

Executing this design strategy on such a large scale, with precision and agility, has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. From concept to final installation, I was responsible for every visual aspect, ensuring each element elevated the attendee experience and underscored the significance of TechXchange as IBM’s premier event. This role demanded a balance of creativity, strategic insight, and adaptability, allowing me to help shape the event into IBM’s most impactful, immersive, and forward-thinking conference of the year.