Conference News: IFA Reworked; Virtual Versions; CES CFP
IFA Offers Options: The IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin is one of the oldest trade shows in Germany. Like most events focused on consumer electronics, its conference component has expanded to include more of our connected world in recent years. Due to the pandemic, IFA will move forward with a reworked concept when it returns from 3 – 5 September: Four physical live-events, alongside a virtual extension. The event organizers are hoping that this model highlights IFA’s core functions of supporting brands and manufacturers, retailers, innovators and the media.
Virtually There: Parks Associates will debut CONNECTIONS™ Community, a virtual networking and conference experience focused on home security, smart home, connected health, and entertainment industries on 10-12 November 2020. Chicago Ideas Week ‘Virtual Edition’ will be 26-30 October 2020. The team in the Windy City notes that they are “embracing this unique opportunity to experiment, disrupt, and innovate within an entirely online edition of our flagship event.” Edinburgh TV Festival 2020 will ‘be broadcast’ at least via internet since a physical event is not in the cards this year.
Speaking opportunity: While they are fully planning an in-person event in Las Vegas, CES will also expand the show’s digital reach when it runs 6-9 January 2021. They are currently accepting speaker proposals for the consumer tech tradeshow’s thought leadership programs and are calling on the tech industry to help ensure a “full representation and a diversity of voices on the CES 2021 stage.” If you have a topic to address related to one of the tracks – Future of Work, Innovation for All, Resilience/Sustainability & Privacy/Security – submit before the 22 July deadline.
Lunchtime Learning: World Forum Disrupt has created a global platform that enables professionals to develop their knowledge and advance their careers. Their international conferences have always offered their community an opportunity to connect, discuss their own challenges, develop conversations, succeed through shared stories and experiences while taking away actionable tactics. Since we are not able to gather physically right now, the World Forum Disrupt team has developed WFD TV: an on-demand platform that provides access to top-rated talks from all their events! Simply choose a channel and plug into the presentations and panel discussions available. Channels include: The Strategy & Innovation Channel; The Programmatic & Publishing Channel; The Digital Strategy Channel; The Growth Channel; The Empowerment & Culture Channel; and The Product Channel.
Coming Up Next Week: Techonomy Virtual: Reset + Restore offers an in-depth look at ongoing transformations in business, technology, social life, ethics, health, and global relations when it gets underway 13 July. For the first time, registration for the Games for Change (G4C) will be free when the festival moves to a virtual format 14-16 July. The goal of the G4C is to empower game creators and social innovators to drive real-world change using games. The first two dates for the Women in Tech virtual summit series will be held next week, examining the topics “Innovating Your Career” (14 July) and “Trends in Technology” (16 July). VentureBeat Transform is focused this year applied enterprise AI and will run 15-17 July for invited VP- and C-level executives. Another event in this space, MIT AI Conference moves online from SF next week and will explore the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its impact on business and society. And on 15 July, RSA Conference/APJ kicks off its virtual program, complete with closed captioning available in English and Japanese.