Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the XR Association convened its annual All-Member Meeting at Samsung HQ in Washington, D.C. This gathering of XRA member companies brought together key players in the immersive technology industry to share insights and chart the course for the future of immersive technology. This all-day event featured discussions on youth safety regulations, tech policy journalism, insights on our current political environment, and global competition within the XR sector.
Samsung’s Vice President for Public Affairs and Head of Semiconductor Policy, Gene Irisari, stopped by to welcome XRA members.
The meeting kicked off with opening remarks by XRA’s CEO, Liz Hyman, who provided updates on the association’s initiatives for the year. Members then engaged in a presentation by the Glen Echo Group’s Brad Williamson on the state of tech and policy journalism. Williamson shared insights into how the journalism industry has changed over the last year, where audiences are gathering their news, and what companies are doing to ensure the right stories are getting noticed.
Members also heard from industry leaders on the current policy environment around Youth Safety and Privacy, and what lawmakers are focusing on in the upcoming year regarding content moderation, parental guidance, and youth safety online. The session was led by Stephanie Montgomery, XRA’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development, who was joined by experts from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). Montgomery also shared insights from XRA’s newest report, “Empowering Young People in Immersive Experiences” as well as the organization’s forthcoming Developers’ Guide.
XRA’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Joan O’Hara, also moderated a panel on the emerging technology ecosystem, global competition and XR alongside policy researchers from the American Enterprise Institute and Center for New American Security. Members heard about the current state of play in international competition for technology dominance and how other governments are thinking about emerging technology policy and governance.
The meeting wrapped up with a final session on Washington’s evolving political landscape and its impact on the tech industry presented by Avoq. Throughout the day, the full-member sessions provided an intimate, engaging platform for members to ask questions and hear about what the next 6-12 months could hold for tech policy and its impact on immersive tech narratives.
Following the all-day event, members were also given an exclusive tour of the Library of Congress, followed by cocktails and a dinner reception in the foyer. The evening provided a perfect blend of history and networking, allowing members to reflect on the day’s discussions while taking in the beauty of one of D.C.’s most iconic landmarks.
As a leading industry convener, XRA’s All-Member Meeting is intended to create meaningful connections and facilitate knowledge exchange among leading industry players essential for driving the continued growth and development of the XR ecosystem.
To learn more about XRA’s membership please reach out to info@xra.org.
