MAU is having a moment, and Angela Harar is a big reason why. It’s also an amazing and increasingly massive event, which is exactly why this conversation matters. If you’re heading to MAU, or even thinking about it, this is the podcast to help you understand what’s changing, where the energy is and how to get the most out of the week. In this episode of MobileGroove, I speak with Angela Harar, VP of Strategy & Growth at MAU Vegas, about what it really takes to build an event that does more than attract a crowd. It has to create momentum, spark real conversations and keep evolving with the industry it serves. And right now, that momentum is impossible to miss. Angela shares that MAU was up 30% last year and is already tracking 34% ahead again this year, with investor attendance climbing from 47 to 72. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from listening closely, moving fast and designing an experience that gives people a reason to show up, connect and come back. What I like about this conversation is that it isn’t just about event logistics. It’s about Angela’s instinct for where mobile is heading and how to build around what people actually need, not what organizers assume they want. In this conversation, we get into: Why MAU has become more than a UA event and now reflects the full mobile ecosystemWhat Angela is seeing across founders, product teams, CRM leaders, creatives, developers and investorsWhy she believes the best events create the conditions for organic conversations instead of overprogramming every minuteHow BrainDates, Mic Drops, meetups and kickoff summits are helping people shape the experience for themselvesWhy MAU is leaning into “mobile audiences unlocked,” not just apps or channelsWhat it means to build a serious learning event that still feels energetic, open and humanHow Angela thinks about community, growth and the details that turn a good event into a category-defining one Angela also talks candidly about the pressure, the curiosity and the constant push behind the scenes, including the moment last year when she realized MAU had become something people didn’t want to leave. As someone on the advisory board, I can say this conversation captures what makes Angela so effective. She’s strategic, restless, thoughtful and deeply tuned in to what this industry is worried about, building toward and excited to explore next. If MAU is on your calendar, this will get you even more ready for the week ahead. And if it isn’t, this episode makes a strong case for why it should be. Subscribe to MobileGroove for conversations with the people shaping what comes next in marketing, growth and mobile. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Vision for MAU Vegas 01:17 - Explosive Growth and Record Engagement 06:43 - Attendee Profiles and Influence 09:36 - Expanded Tuesday Kickoff and Orientation 11:51 - High-Energy Side Events and Networking 13:55 - Specialized App Growth and Gaming Summits 17:04 - Brain Dates: Flipping the Stage for Peer Content 20:48 - Fast-Paced Mic Drops and Themed Meetups 26:30 - Evolving the Conference Format for Connection 31:22 - Celebrating 10 Years and Announcing the Future Subscribe for More ⚡On Point Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7020756661006925824 ⚡Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5yFF2InbeIgkIRcxvDy3jm ⚡Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-groove/id1585861460 Let's Connect ⚡ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggyannesalz ⚡ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/peggyannesalz ⚡Website - https://www.mobilegrove.com
