XR Women Champion Immersive Tech Advancements at Florida Symposium
This weekend, XR Women, a leading organisation dedicated to fostering innovation and education in immersive technology, is hosting the Thrive in 2025 Symposium. The event, taking place from 7-9 February 2025 at the Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida, serves as a pivotal gathering for professionals in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality sectors.
With four years of expertise in driving progress within the AR/VR/MR industry, XR Women has established a reputation for connecting female professionals globally, ensuring an equitable and forward-thinking trajectory for innovation. The evolving landscape of extended reality is set to undergo transformative developments over the next five years, largely influenced by the contributions of women driving learning, leadership, and technological advancements. The design of Thrive in 2025 aims to acknowledge and strengthen this history of leadership in the field.
The event serves as a milestone celebration, reflecting the progress made in immersive technology and providing an opportunity for attendees to establish new professional connections, gain inspiration, and collaborate on shaping the future of the industry. The symposium also aims to highlight the contributions of the Ringling College of Art & Design and the State College of Florida’s Advanced Technology Centre, as well as exhibitors and workshop leaders presenting at the event.
A Landmark Event for XR Women
Thrive in 2025 marks a significant moment for XR Women as it represents the organisation’s 200th event, spanning both virtual and in-person gatherings. As immersive technologies continue to gain traction globally, public awareness of their capabilities remains essential. Simultaneously, professionals in the field must stay informed about rapid advancements in the industry. Facilitating such education is central to XR Women’s mission, and the organisation is leveraging its partnership with Ringling College of Art & Design, home to its first student chapter, to deliver this landmark symposium.
The multi-day event will feature a diverse range of activities, including an opening networking session, an expansive exhibition area, hands-on demonstrations of XR, VR, and AR technologies, interactive workshops, and dedicated in-depth discussions on key focus topics. A keynote panel, structured networking opportunities, and a guided tour of the State College of Florida Advanced Technology Centre are also scheduled to enhance attendees’ engagement.
The symposium will also talk about important issues like tools for XR development, how to deal with microaggressions in the industry, and why it’s important to set standards for developing XR apps. These discussions are particularly relevant to professionals in digital fashion design, education, healthcare, the arts, and workplace environments.
XR Women has witnessed remarkable growth in its four years of operation, with a membership of approximately 1,200 individuals spanning 60 countries. This international representation shows how deep and wide-reaching extended reality is as a field. It also shows how important it is for projects like Thrive in 2025 to keep pushing forward.
