Conference News: What I learned this week – June 28, 2019
Moving to their Own Beat: beatvyne, a live music marketplace “that connects fans with artists in unique music spaces” debuted their Music x Tech Experience at Dublin Tech Summit in April 2019. The gathering was so popular that they have decided to host it as an independent event from 11 – 12 October at the RDS Dublin. The Music x Tech Experience two-day festival will gather 2500 leaders and innovators from the music, tech and multimedia industries as well as connected ecosystems to discuss the future of the entertainment industry. Tracks will include: The Psychology of sound, Voice control and spatial audio, New legislation in the digital age, AI, Blockchain, Vinyl resurgence, 5G & extended reality, Virtual instruments, New live experiences, Circular economies and smart production, and Space matters.
First-time Fun Fest: C3 Presents, which organizes Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza, has partnered with Esports Hospitality Concepts to host the Metarama Festival in Vegas this fall. The event is self-described as “a first-of-its kind festival experience where the worlds of gaming, eSports, live music, comedy, streaming, cosplay and more collide.” It will take place from 19 – 20 October at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Not much info is yet available, but you may sign up to receive updates here.
Staying Put: The world’s premier event for computer and video games and related products, E3, just wrapped its 2019 edition a few weeks ago. As was their custom, the ESA, which runs E3, immediately announced the 2020 dates: 9 – 11 June. The organizers did not initially announce the 2020 location, however. Back in 2017 the ESA’s CEO said the organization might consider other venues if its current home, the LA Convention Center, wasn’t modernized. Lack of floor space was one issue. So… speculation ensued when the dates were not immediately posted on the 2020 site. But the ESA has since announced that E3 will return to the LA Convention Center in 2020. I guess “there’s no place like home.”
Speaking Opportunity: Parks Associates Future of Video began in 2018, created in large part because Parks’ flagship event (Connections) is increasingly focused on connected home technology. It became clear that their content and entertainment attendees needed a venue of their own. Experts in OTT, distribution models, and digital media can submit now to speak at this year’s Future of Video conference (9-11 December; Marina del Ray). Would-be speakers must align their topic to one of the conference themes, including, for example “Data and decision making in video services” or “Future role of broadcast TV.” Add this to your summer to-do list, because submissions close 2 August!
Lunchtime Learning: Self-described as “the premier global business forum for content buyers, producers, and distributors across all platforms” the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) always draws an impressive crowd to its conferences in Miami and Budapest each year. While many attend for the networking and content-shaping deals, the conference panels and keynotes are valuable in providing a glimpse at what topics are trending across the tracks, which highlight platforms, content, stations and international brands. Nothing is more ironic than watching video featuring speakers who are talking about the future of video! So tune in here.
Coming Up Next Week: What’s coming up this week? Mostly picnics and fireworks — at least stateside! On a serious note, North American conferences largely take a break with the July 4th and Canada Day holidays. But looking ahead to the following week… Web Summit’s sister-event RISE Conference will be held in Hong Kong (8-11 July) and feature this organizer’s signature program tracks, including FullSTK, MoneyConf, SaaSMonster, and creatiff. In Anaheim, Vidcon is held 10-13 July and spotlights online video creators doing what they do best. VentureBeat Transform runs 10-11 July in San Francisco. This year’s theme is all around AI and how businesses must adapt to and implement AI within their organizations. Last – but certainly not least – the super secretive, super exclusive Allen & Co Sun Valley Conference is held this time of year in Sun Valley, ID. Though they don’t publicly announce the dates, you’ll know if you were invited!