Google I/O: A guide for Product Managers

Breaking in to the conference that’s not just for developers.

Kate Bennet
Product Coalition
Published in
5 min readAug 9, 2017

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Google I/O is billed as being by developers, for developers. However, with some forethought the event can also be a great opportunity for Product Managers.

Hunt for the PM sessions

Tip: Read the agenda carefully and reserve your place in advance.

Google I/O takes place over 3 days. Of the 150+ sessions, many are very technical and developer focused. If you read the session descriptions carefully, however, you’ll find talks that are very relevant for Product Managers. I easily filled up every hour and had a list of presentations to watch later.

My schedule included:

Warning: most talks were fully booked well in advance. Reserve your sessions as soon as the booking system opens.

Get out of your comfort zone

Tip: Select a few sessions where you expect to be confused by the content.

You could fill your I/O schedule with User Acquisition and Design sessions. If you did so you would miss out on some fascinating talks on exciting, cutting-edge topics.

Don’t be afraid to go to presentations you don’t expect to understand. You’ll learn something- and even if you don’t, you’ll come away with interesting questions.

This year I saw how Android is being used in cars and heard how to build an app for the Google Assistant. A few weeks later, using what I had learnt, I released my first Google Assistant app.

Connect with a community before I/O

Tip: Join a community with a Google I/O presence.

Google I/O isn’t about networking. Many people stick with their work colleagues, which can make it a lonely experience if you go solo.

There are global communities who have a big presence at Google I/O, however. Join them beforehand, get involved with the group during the year, and meet in person at I/O.

I was a part of Google-led Women Techmakers . Throughout the conference the group:

  • Shared tips on where to go and what to do before and during I/O
  • Met up to chat and exchange notes during lunch breaks
  • Arranged ride shares

They also held an awesome Day Zero party and are an incredibly supportive group outside of I/O.

Other groups with a presence include Systers and Google Developer Groups.

Try new tech

Tip: Head to the demo tents during breaks.

Use session breaks to get your hands on the latest Google hardware and software. This year I posed with an augmented reality lion, tasted a Google Assistant mocktail and played Virtual Virtual Reality wearing a VR headset.

As Product Managers we can fall into the trap of focusing only on our area of interest. Staying abreast of broader developments sparks new ideas- and can inspire future career changes.

Talk to the PM experts

Tip: There are no stupid questions.

Surrounded by developers, it would be easy to feel a touch of imposter syndrome at Google I/O. In short: don’t.

Although most of the I/O attendees are developers, a lot of the speakers are Product Managers. If you’ve been wondering about VR’s potential or why Android has an odd quirk, this is your chance to speak to the people deciding their future.

Don’t forget the parties

Tip: Get tasty food and free swag at Day Zero parties.

I/O is run by Google but they’re not the only ones vying for your attention. Other tech companies such as Netflix and Intel hold Day Zero parties with food, drink and free t-shirts.

Most parties require that you reserve a place in advance. Keep your ear to the ground to find out when signup opens.

Enjoy it!

There are very few events in the world where you’re surrounded by 8,000 people, exciting tech, and world experts on anything from self driving to AR. Challenge yourself, learn from the sessions, and enjoy being immersed in the Google bubble.

Photo courtesy of Riggaroo.

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Product consultant and chaos organizer. Currently at Lab Zero, formerly Product Management at Imgur, Mindjet and Spigit.