With TechXchange 2025 right around the corner, it’s time to get ready for an unforgettable week of learning, connection, and exploration. With twelve specialized technical tracks, hundreds of sessions, labs, and certifications led by experts from across IBM and the broader tech ecosystem, it pays to have a plan so you can make the most of every moment.

Here are my Top 10 Tips to know before you go:

1. Sandbox 3.0 – At nearly 1,000,000 square feet, the latest "version" of this remarkable technical playground is the heart and hub of TechXchange. It’s far more than just another expo. It has lounges, clubs, a portrait studio, hands-on challenges, certification testing, wellness spaces, games, and much more all waiting for you to discover and enjoy. Translation: comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.
2. Opening Night Block Party – Kick things off with an unforgettable celebration in the Sandbox. Meet experts, connect with peers, enjoy music, food, games, and explore the space before diving into 3.5 packed days of community, learning, and fun. And don’t forget to pack one or two of those tech books you have gathering dust in your office so you can bring them to the Technical Book Swap in our Professional Development Area (booth #220) where you can “take a book or leave a book!” 
3. IBM Events App – This is your conference compass. Build your agenda, navigate the Orange County Convention Center and Hilton, connect with peers, and stay in the loop with real-time push notifications. 
4. Selfies & Social Sharing – The Sandbox is built for moments worth capturing: photo walls, retro tech exhibits, a dazzling new Lytebox centerpiece, and roaming characters. Keep your lenses clean, share with #IBMTechXchange, and don’t hesitate to pull Jojo and me into a shot—we love selfies as much as you do.
5. Conference Collectibles – This year you’ll receive a custom water bottle designed for sticker collecting throughout the Sandbox. Fill it and you could unlock additional “not so secret” secret prizes. Yes, friendship bracelets are back (though they are harder to find this year), and the IBM Logostore is stocked with latest merch you’ll want to show off.
6. Gaming & Play Zones – Between deep-dive sessions and labs, recharge at the Sandbox Arcade, GO/Chill stations, and play areas throughout the hall. Work hard, play hard—that’s always been the spirit of TechXchange.
7. Student Dev Day – Tuesday is for the next generation of innovators. Take a moment to welcome students, share advice, and help them feel part of the community as they take their first big steps into tech. Speaking of Tuesday, make sure you swing by the Z & LinuxONE community at 12PM as we unbox a z17 as part of #HugYourMainframeDay! This is a great place show a student what incredible infrastructure really looks like. 
8. You Be You – We have a very relaxed dress code which we used to refer to as “coder casual.” All that really means is that you can wear whatever you want (as long as it’s not political or offensive.) Jeans, hoodies, layers—it’s all good. And if theater seating isn’t your thing, multiple satellite viewing options are available for general sessions. We know not everyone wants to sit in the theater style seating so make sure you feel comfortable at all times.
9. Networking Features – The Events App now makes peer-to-peer connections easier than ever. Message, favorite, and schedule meetups at designated tables in the Meeting Zone. Expand your network—you never know which connection could change your career.
10. Closing Ceremonies – Don’t skip out early. Thursday’s TechXchange Awards & Closing Celebration will send you off inspired. And remember: this isn’t goodbye—it’s “see you in Atlanta for 2026.”

Check out what the sandbox will look like below!

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As you will see in just a few days, TechXchange is a living, breathing community where knowledge meets creativity, and where peers become partners, collaborators, and friends. Every conversation, every lab, every game in the Sandbox adds to the collective energy that makes this event so unique. As you pack your bag, lace up those comfy shoes, and download the app, get ready to immerse yourself in an experience that will explore new ideas, build your skills, and launch your network in ways that will last long after Orlando.

Your mission is simple: arrive curious, engage fully, share generously, and leave with both the knowledge and connections that will power your next big breakthrough.

See you in the Sandbox at TechXchange 2025!