📍 Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas

📅 Dates: August 2–7, 2025

 

📲Download the Black Hat Events App

This app will help you:

  1. Build and manage your personal schedule
  2. Connect with other attendees
  3. Navigate the venue with maps
  4. Browse sponsor profiles
  5. Discover extra event info like networking, Bookstore hours, Meet & Greet sessions, and more

 

 

🧭Understanding the Layout

 

  • Level 1 – Bayside Halls A–F
    Main Exhibit Halls for the Business Hall and Arsenal Demos.
  • Level 2 – Shoreline + Ballrooms
    Trainings, Summit Day, and mid-size Briefings. Includes:
    Shoreline Exhibit Hall, Mandalay Bay Ballroom, Reef, Breakers, Surf, Lagoon.
  • Level 3 – Keynote & Large Sessions
    Big briefings and receptions in South Seas, Jasmine, and Banyan Ballrooms.
  • Standalone Spaces (North Convention Wing & Others)
    Used for check-ins, sponsor sessions, or private meetings. Includes:
    South Pacific, Islander, Tropics, Coral, Tradewinds, Marines, Captain’s & Magellan Boardrooms.

 

 

 

🗓️ Must-Do Highlights for First-Timers

 

  1. Cybersecurity Trainings (August 2–5)

If you’re coming in early, take advantage of four full days of hands on, instructor led training, with courses available for every skill level. Seats fill fast, so lock in your session early.

👉View the full training schedule here.

 

  1. Summit Day (Tuesday, August 5)

This is a one day series of focused talks and programs perfect for diving into a specific cybersecurity domain before the chaos of the main event begins.

👉 Explore the Summit Day agenda

 

  1. The Main Briefings (August 6–7)

The heart of Black Hat. With over 100 technical selected Briefings, these talks cover real world threats, exploits, research breakthroughs, and defensive strategies from global experts. Bookmark a few ahead of time using the app. Find the schedule here.

👉 Browse the Briefings schedule here

 

  1. Black Hat Arsenal

A fan favorite for good reason. Arsenal is where researchers and developers give live, hands on demos of open source tools. You will see cutting edge projects in action and have the chance to ask questions directly to the creators.

👉See the list of Arsenal tools and sessions

 

  1. The Business Hall

Meet vendors big and small from major players to innovative startups. Expect tech demos, swag, networking areas, and topic focused Theater Sessions. Great place to discover solutions or scout job leads.

👉 Check out the Business Hall map and exhibitor list

 

  1. Networking & Social Events

From casual chats in lounges to spontaneous meetups near the briefing rooms, or even hallway run ins with researchers you’ve followed for years, this is your chance to build your security tribe. Bring business cards or have your LinkedIn QR ready.

 

🧳Tips for First Timers

 

  1. Wear walking shoes. The venue covers over 2 million sq ft. Expect 10–15 min walks between distant rooms like Shoreline and Bayside.
  2. Use the official Black Hat app + venue map. The building is multi-level and split into North, South, and Bayside halls.
  3. Add a 15-minute buffer between sessions. Some sessions will be back-to-back in different halls.
  4. Charge overnight and carry a 10K+ mAh power bank. Wall plugs are limited and charging hubs get swarmed.
  5. Wi-Fi works on Levels 1–3, but avoid relying on it during keynotes or packed Arsenal demos as signal slows down in dense areas.
  6. Bring a refillable bottle (500ml–1L). Water stations are placed but not always close.
  7. Grab coffee before 9:00 AM, most nearby outlets (like Starbucks or convention coffee bars) have 20–30 min lines right before keynotes.
  8. Identify your “base zone” for the day. If your sessions are mostly in South Pacific rooms, don’t waste time across to Shoreline or Bayside.
  9. Line up 15–20 mins early for top Briefings or Arsenal demos. Popular sessions hit capacity before start time.
  10. Carry a lightweight bag. You will collect swag, snacks, notes, and water.