More than 70,000 attendees tuned into talks and contests at this years DEF CON 33that, as usual, convened at the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall—an extraordinary signal of how big and influential this cybersecurity scene has become. And no, DEFCON was not cancelled!
We frame this gathering as the definitive cybersecurity conference where security professionals and researchers meet in Las Vegas to trade practical insights and drive real-world impact.
Our approach maps that fast-paced experience into clear outcomes—lead quality, session engagement, and measurable post-event response. We translate the theme “Access Everywhere,” online registration tiers, and DCTV live streams into an activation plan that respects the culture and rhythm of the place.
As your guide, we help you get def con momentum from pre-registration through on-site execution and follow-up. We clarify what belongs at a vegas convention center-scale activation versus village-level community work—so your presence becomes part of a long-term program, not a one-off part of the calendar.
Our approach aligns marketing, partnerships, and on-site activity to real practitioner needs. We map pre-published listings, session schedules, and partner calendars so sponsors and vendors can act well ahead of time.
We architect go-to-market plans that fit the culture—value-first sessions, credible demos, and authentic community engagement. That combination opens real opportunity for teams and respects attendee expectations.
We design activations that earn attention without gimmicks: live threat hunting, hands-on labs, and micro-briefings timed to session windows. Measurement focuses on quality conversations, opt-in engagement, and timely post-show response.
We connect you to the right villages, contests, and training providers to boost practitioner credibility and pipeline quality. Booth teams get messaging, talk tracks, and decision trees so curiosity from professionals becomes next-step commitment.
We lay out the core schedule and venue details so teams can lock travel and staffing around the event. Clear timing keeps logistics tidy and prevents last-minute conflicts.
Dates: August 7-10, 2025 — immediately following Black Hat USA (August 2-7). Aligning calendars across the week reduces downtime and maximizes outreach.
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall. We use the West Hall footprint to plan wayfinding, queue flow, and nearby village tie-ins for organic traffic and demos.
Access options included in-person sessions and DCTV live streams on YouTube and Twitch, extending reach when rooms fill.
| Item | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Dates (Aug 7–10, 2025) | Confirm travel & staffing | Reduced scheduling conflicts |
| Venue (West Hall) | Map team stations near villages | Higher organic engagement |
| DCTV streams | Coordinate live social cues | Extended audience reach |
The room at West Hall draws a distinct mix of practitioners and curious minds from across the world. We profile who shows up so your messaging and demos meet actual needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NARJrwX_KFY
Who attends: security professionals, academic researchers, students, media, and government representatives—including federal cybersecurity teams. That mix creates quick validation cycles and high-value conversations.
We map roles to buying committees and influence paths so information flows convert curiosity into commitment after the event. Speakers get coaching to use live examples and clear data that resonate with both practitioners and press.
We also prepare spokespeople for on- and off-the-record media interactions and align messages to the vegas convention center environment—high signal, minimal fluff—so your presence reads as native, not corporate.
Our programming mixes short, focused talks with deep labs and high-stakes contests. That combination creates a balanced learning and competitive experience for attendees.
Workshops sell out quickly. We recommend pre-registration notices, backup runs, and concise learning objectives so your session converts interest into participation.
Specialized villages—lockpicking, hardware, biohacking—drive authentic engagement. Align demos to those communities and bring repos and lab notes for follow-up.
Support contests by contributing tools or datasets, not pitches. Earning a Black badge is high prestige; respectful sponsorship builds long-term credibility.
The def con CTF is an elite attack/defense event. Position your team for live Q&A, provide code snippets, and measure success by depth—questions asked and repos forked.
| Format | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Talks | Concise scope, original research | Immediate takeaways |
| Workshops | Pre-registration & backups | Higher attendance |
| Villages & Contests | Hands-on demos, tool contributions | Community trust |
Training week in Las Vegas now includes new four-day immersives and compact two-day options that focus on practical outcomes.
Registration opened with dozens of courses and a $200 early-bird bonus. We help you select four-day or two-day tracks that map to team priorities.
Course focus covers red team, blue team, AI, and forensics. We align selections to skill gaps and program objectives so participants return with usable skills.
| Format | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive | 4 day | Deep skill development |
| Intensive | 2 day | Team upskilling |
| Short labs | 1 day | Targeted practice |
We coordinate with instructors to align examples to your use cases and capture testimonials to justify next-year budgets. For teams attending def con and those who use def con training, we package outcomes into enablement materials and measurable skill gains.
We treated "Access Everywhere" as a design brief: make learning immediate, repeatable, and shareable across formats and teams.
Inclusive access, sunlight over walled gardens.
We prioritize clear signage, multi-format handouts, and captioned media so visitors find value fast. Sessions emphasize reproducibility—code, methods, and step-by-step artifacts that the world can adopt.
"We measure success by adoption—downloads, forks, and re-uses—not by raw traffic."
We coach spokespeople to link openness to better defenses and turn def con insights into practical, shareable outcomes for the wider world.
Smooth operations hinge on clear badge flows, accurate streaming, and timely on-site updates. We prepare layered plans so a shipment delay won't stop access or damage attendee experience.
When some attendees received delayed badges, the team issued paper badges and used socials plus Hacker Tracker for status updates. We build contingencies—paper backups, QR check-ins, and clear signage—to keep lines moving.
Staff get daily briefings on entry rules and escalation paths so problems don't bottleneck at doors or booths.
DCTV streamed on YouTube and Twitch at dctv.defcon.org. We link session times to shareable watch guides and post-stream recaps for hybrid audiences.
For workshops that fill, we route attendees to alternate sessions or recordings and surface quick-scan materials so people can get def details fast.
"Clear owners and quick updates keep crowds calm and operations predictable."
| Owner | Action | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Badge lead | Paper backups & QR check-ins | Pre-show & daily |
| Stream lead | Schedule DCTV links & recaps | Per session |
| Comms | Team huddles & shared channel updates | As needed today |
Getting teams and attendees to West Hall requires simple, tested routing and clear last-mile coordination. We publish a practical travel list so planners and travelers know pick-up options, rideshare staging, and shuttle timing before arrival.
We recommend the monorail for predictable transit. The line has seven stops—MGM Grand, Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo, Harrah’s/The LINQ, Las Vegas Convention Center, Westgate, and Sahara—positioning riders close to West Hall.
Use Sahara, Westgate, and Las Vegas Convention Center stops for the shortest walks. Factor 10–20 minutes of walking time into meeting schedules.
Airport options include Uber/Lyft/Taxi, rental cars, airport shuttles, and luxury car services. Pre-book larger rideshare windows for team moves and equipment transfers to the convention center.
We set a ground comms channel for last-mile coordination—driver details, pickup pins, and lobby landmarks—to reduce friction and avoid missed pickups.
Operational tips: schedule buffer time around peak periods, stage a small logistics desk near your footprint, and use annotated maps marking the vegas convention center entrances for quick routing. Capture lessons learned to update your travel SOP for the next def con cycle.
| Need | Recommended action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Team equipment move | Pre-book larger rideshare window | Reliable load/unload near West Hall |
| Predictable transit | Use monorail stops (Sahara, Westgate, LV Convention Center) | Shorter walks, on-time arrivals |
| Last-mile coordination | Ground comms channel & lobby pickup pins | Fewer missed pickups, faster meetups |
| On-site wayfinding | Logistics desk + annotated maps | Quick support and reprints |
Picking the right hotel makes transitions between sessions, demos, and evening meetups far easier. We publish a vetted list so your team can book near your primary footprint and reduce last-mile friction.
Luxury picks: The Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn/Encore, Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Four Seasons. These properties suit client hospitality and high-profile meetings.
Happy-medium: MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Westin, Renaissance, Marriott’s Grand Chateau, Caesars Palace. Balanced cost and proximity to the West Hall.
Wallet-friendly: Hyatt Place, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Vacation Club Desert Retreat, Homewood Suites, New York-New York. Good for extended teams and tighter budgets.
Book early to secure negotiated rates around peak dates. Fontainebleau is sold out; Sahara and Venetian are filling up. We monitor official room blocks and surface alternatives when blocks close.
| Need | Recommended action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Team proximity | Book near vegas convention footprint | Less transit, more prep time |
| Negotiated rates | Secure room block early | Cost control during vegas 2025 |
| Speaker prep | Choose quiet property | Reliable recordings and rest |
"A slightly higher rate near the venue often saves hours across the event."
We map the week across both events so teams convert learning into action without downtime.
Black Hat USA runs August 2–7 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Trainings run Aug 2–5, Summit Day is Aug 5, and briefings plus the Business Hall fall on Aug 6–7.
Then, on Aug 7–10, teams move to the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall for def con activities. That day-to-day flow creates a rare window to engage the same audience across two venues.
We recommend using Black Hat training and Summit Day for deep education, then switching to hands-on demos and hacking-focused community events at DEF CON.
Plan evening events to avoid headliner talks and to meet the professionals you most want to reach. Use Mandalay Bay footprint for press briefings and the vegas convention center for native activations.
"Announce research at Black Hat, then open-source tools at DEF CON to drive adoption."
As a bonus playbook, keep a roster of guest slots and invite-only roundtables for last-minute opportunities. We schedule executive availability so stage time and meetings both deliver clear ROI.
Long-term impact comes when attendees find clear ways to stay engaged and contribute between events. We convert one-off visibility into a steady network by linking chapters, online hubs, and project pipelines.
We map local chapters around the world and help your experts present, host labs, or mentor today. Chapter-ready packs include slides, demos, and hands-on exercises so teams can plug in quickly.
Program supports: volunteers and ambassadors who sustain work beyond the main show; villages-aligned projects that chapters adopt and maintain.
"We measure success by chapter talks given, repos forked, and labs delivered."
We keep an open channel for sharing new information and opportunities with community leaders and capture impact metrics to inform next year’s plan.
Regional activations in the Gulf and Southeast Asia give teams fresh places to test labs, recruit talent, and build local trust.
Bahrain (Nov 3–6, 2025): We will run exclusive 2-day def con training on Nov 3–4, then join AICS at Exhibition World Bahrain Nov 5–6. Villages, workshops, and contests will be free to AICS attendees—an efficient place to book expert time and reach regional practitioners.
Singapore (Apr 26–30, 2026): DEF CON SG at Marina Bay Sands includes a 2-day training Apr 26–27 and villages, contests, and music Apr 28–30. This place is ideal for hands-on outreach and talent pipeline work in APAC.
How we help: we design localized go‑to‑market plans, recommend which villages to deploy experts to, and align def con training enrollment with talent-development budgets.
| Location | Dates | Key Offerings |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | Nov 3–6, 2025 | 2-day training, AICS villages/workshops/contests |
| Singapore | Apr 26–30, 2026 | 2-day training, villages, contests, live events |
We build a clear playbook so speaker content, booth activity, and follow-up actions link to real outcomes.
We draft session abstracts that meet event standards—original research, practical tools, and community alignment.
We coach speakers to deliver demo-first talks with code and artifacts attendees can copy and test.
Listings go live weeks ahead; we use that window to amplify reach and lock partner slots.
We operationalize booth runbooks and demo scripts so teams run smooth, respectful activations.
Lead capture is opt-in only—QR flows, content magnets, and short forms that earn permission for follow-up.
We stage micro-content—micro-recaps, code drops, and social posts—so professionals see value in real time.
We compile a concise insights report and run response playbooks with SLA tiers to route technical questions fast.
MQL/SQL handoffs include context—sessions attended, code cloned, and questions asked—to boost conversion.
"Fast, contextual response turns event interest into measurable pipeline."
| Phase | Primary deliverable | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-event | Positioning, abstracts, speaker coaching | Stronger sessions and higher relevance |
| During event | Booth ops, demos, opt-in capture | Authentic engagement and usable leads |
| Post-event | Insights report, response playbook, MQL/SQL handoff | Faster follow-up and better conversions |
We close by turning DEF CON 33’s momentum (Aug 10, 2025) into a clear set of next steps for teams and communities.
Act fast: publish artifacts, lock training slots, and route attendee follow-up while time is on your side. DCTV and Discord keep access open for a global audience.
Translate the hands-on experience into repeatable programs—labs, repos, and village partnerships that support ongoing hacking, contests, and skill growth.
We commit to las vegas 2025 and to regional stops in Bahrain and Singapore as places to scale impact. Thank you to the attendees, contributors, and groups who made this world-class cybersecurity moment possible.
The main event runs August 7–10, 2025, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center — West Hall. It follows Black Hat USA, so plan travel and accommodations accordingly.
We recommend a go-to-market plan that aligns messaging with the event theme, schedules on-site activations and measurable brand experiences, and uses partner matchmaking to connect sponsors with villages, contests, and training providers.
Effective activations combine demo stations, lead capture workflows, session tie-ins, and follow-up content. We track booth traffic, engagement rates, content downloads, and MQL/SQL handoffs to show ROI.
Reach out early to village organizers and contest leads for co-branded activities. Offer sponsorships for hands-on tracks and provide logistical support for training providers to secure slots and materials.
The audience includes security professionals, researchers, students, media, and government representatives. Expect a mix of technical practitioners and decision-makers across red team, blue team, and research specialties.
Workshops have limited seats and often sell quickly. Early-bird registration and advance promotion are essential to secure spots for both attendees and sponsored workshops.
Villages cover hardware, embedded systems, IoT, biohacking, lockpicking, social engineering, and more. They provide practical, interactive learning and are excellent partner touchpoints.
High-profile contests attract top talent and media attention. Sponsoring or hosting a contest boosts brand visibility and positions organizations as supporters of elite competition and community recognition.
Training runs in four-day and two-day formats with early-bird incentives. Tracks focus on red team, blue team, AI security, and forensic techniques to match varying skill levels.
Plan logistics, demos, staffing schedules, and lead capture systems. Coordinate shipping and badge access ahead of time and prepare content assets for rapid distribution on-site.
Monitor shipment updates closely, follow entry requirements listed by organizers, and confirm badge pickup locations and times to avoid delays during peak entry periods.
Live coverage typically streams on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Organizers also publish recorded talks for hybrid engagement and broader reach.
Options include rideshare (Uber/Lyft), taxis, shuttles, or rental cars. The Las Vegas Monorail and nearby stops (Sahara, Westgate) help with hotel-to-venue transfers.
Book early and use official room blocks when available. Options range from luxury to budget picks; align choices to your staff size and proximity needs to minimize transit time.
Black Hat runs August 2–7 at Mandalay Bay. Plan trainings, briefings, and evening events to maximize presence across both events and protect team availability.
Engage DEF CON Groups, Discord communities, and regional chapters for pre- and post-event programming, meetups, and content distribution to keep momentum and build pipelines for future recruitment.
Yes — regional events like Bahrain and Singapore expand reach. Bahrain hosts AICS-related activities and trainings in November 2025; Singapore has shows and two-day training in April 2026.
Prioritize positioning, session abstracts, speaker coaching, and listings. These services sharpen messaging and increase the chance of inclusion in key program slots and search results.
Support for booth ops, demos, lead capture, content creation, and evening engagements ensures consistent presence and amplifies networking opportunities.
Post-event insights, response playbooks, MQL/SQL handoffs, and partnership follow-ups turn engagement into measurable outcomes and future collaborations.