Top 10 iOS Conferences in 2016

3) RWDevCon

Full disclosure: our team runs RWDevCon, so we’re not impartial about the matter. However, the conference did very well on the poll, is quite different from the other options, and has sold out for two years straight, so I felt its spot on the list is warranted.

RWDevCon is different than the other iOS conferences, because instead of just listening to a talk, you participate.

RWDevCon has three simultaneous tracks of hands-on programming tutorials – all highly coordinated as a team, with tech editors and multiple rounds of practice. This way, you know the end result is the high quality style you know and love from our site!

“RWDevCon offers a unique mix of hands on tutorial style sessions and insightful ‘inspiration’ talks that really do inspire. There is something for everyone, with three tracks targeting different levels of expertise in a wide range of iOS topics that really stick thanks to the tutorial format of the talks. I was able to wet my feet with game development while also exploring advanced topics relevant to my work as an enterprise developer. Due to the more intimate setting, smaller size, and amazing inspiration talks, I made a lot of great friends and truly came home feeling inspired and excited to employ what I’d learned.” –Jeff Rames

“As a speaker, I saw firsthand how much preparation went into RWDevCon presentations: A whole, whole lot. What I was really impressed by as an attendee was how much that came through in the finished product – the tutorial sessions were thorough, every effort was made to make them easy for attendees to follow, and I was able to work through problems and ask questions of the speaker during the lab. The opportunity to meet many people I’d been following through the site for years in person was also really great.” –Ellen Shapiro

“This was a great way of actually learning a lot about a whole host of iOS-related topics, arranged into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced tracks. In each tutorial, we worked through a topic and coded working examples along with the presenter – making it a really great way to learn. All the attendees stayed at or near the conference hotel so we generally stayed together over the 2 days. Lunch was provided on both days and the party held at the end of the first day (with food and drinks provided) was a fantastic way of getting to know everyone. Worth every penny.” –Adrian Strahan

• When: March 11-12, 2016
• Where: Alexandria, VA, USA
• Number of Attendees: 265
• Number of Tracks: 3
• Team members planning to attend: Jawwad Ahmad, Jerry Beers, Ryan Nystrom, Erik Kerber, Scott Berrevoets, Owen Brown, René Cacheaux, Eric Cerney, Robert Chen, Tammy Coron, Sam Davies, Aaron Douglas, Darren Ferguson, Alexis Gallagher, Matt Galloway, Joshua Greene, Jacob Gundersen, Greg Heo, Michael Katz, Todd Kerpelman, Kelvin Lau, Matt Luedke, Tim Mitra, Brian Moakley, Bill Morefield, Vincent V Ngo, James Nocentini, Andrew Obusek, Mic Pringle, Ryan Poolos, Jeff Rames, Pietro Rea, Cesare Rocchi, Ed Sasena, Derek Selander, Ellen Shapiro, Adrian Strahan, Christine Sweigart, Audrey Tam, Richard Turton, Ray Wenderlich, Vicki Wenderlich, Jack Wu
• Websites: RWDevCon

4) CocoaLove

CocoaLove is another unique conference. Rather than focusing on technical talks, CocoaLove focuses on the people behind the tech.

Specifically, this means a lot of inspiration-style non-technical talks, along with some unique activities designed to help conference attendees get to know each other. If you’re looking for something a little bit different, consider giving CocoaLove a shot!

“CocoaLove is held in Philadelphia, and I *love* attending because there’s plenty of time to meet the speakers and chat in-between sessions. Talks are high quality, and there’s extra-curricular activities involved – last time a fabulous brewery tour and night-ride on a double-decker bus. The year before it was cheese steaks, a carousel and mini-golf. You’ll meet some fab indie developers here.” –Gemma Barlow

“I have attended a lot of iOS conferences over the last three years. My absolute favorite conference was CocoaLove. The CocoaLove team went above and beyond to create a unique experience and showcase the venue in downtown Philadelphia. CocoaLove focuses on the iOS community as a whole more than the technology we use in our day to day lives. This created a wonderful atmosphere of friendship and acceptance where you could meet a lot of people you didn’t know initially and make friends. By focusing on the people CocoaLove created one of the most unique conference experiences I have ever had.” –Janie Clayton

“You can get the latest information about developing for iOS from books, online, and from WWDC Videos. CocoaLove is a completely different experience. The presenters are top developers but they’re talking about issues we all face without presenting any code walkthroughs. It’s a friendly, intimate conference in a great setting.” –Daniel Steinberg

• When: Oct 14-16, 2016
• Where: Philadelphia, PA, USA
• Number of Attendees: 120
• Number of Tracks: 1
• Team members planning to attend: Gemma Barlow, Marin Todorov
• Websites: CocoaLove

5) CocoaConf

The big selling point behind CocoaConf is they run multiple events each year, at cities all around the US – so chances are you can find one close to you. Be sure to check it out if one is nearby!

“I got my start in conference speaking at CocoaConf. The CocoaConf Tour has given me a great opportunity to travel around the US meeting a lot of awesome developers. I would not have a career if the Kleins were not doing this conference. They made it accessible for people living in places that weren’t the Bay Area to be able to afford to attend a conference. They bring top notch speakers to you so that you don’t have to travel all the way out to the West Coast to get a chance to meet awesome people like Daniel Steinberg and Jaimee Newberry. These conferences feel like family and it’s a great way to get some quality time with a prominent member of the programming community.” –Janie Clayton

“CocoaConf is a great affordable iOS and Mac circuit conference managed by Dave Klein and his family. This conference comes to at least eight locations throughout the year and is something every Mac and iOS developer should try to attend. Year to year some of the presenters haven’t changed but the content is fresh and the people are fun to be with.” –Aaron Douglas

“CocoaConf is a great traveling conference which allows you to learn a lot without having to travel too far from home. It’s a great way to meet other devs from your area and your region as well. I enjoyed attending for the first time in 2014 so much that I asked if I could put a talk together. Two years later, I’ve now spoken at five CocoaConfs and am about to speak at my sixth.” –Ellen Shapiro

• When: Many times, see website.
• Where: Many places in the USA, see website.
• Number of Attendees: 90
• Number of Tracks: 3
• Team members planning to attend: Tony Dahbura, Aaron Douglas, Jeff Rames, Ellen Shapiro
• Websites: CocoaConf