Conference News: TED’s Countdown Summit; DLD Comes Full Circle; SIC CFP
TED Takes on Climate Change: Ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, TED will host its first-ever climate conference. Dubbed, the Countdown Summit, TED describes this new gathering as “four days of inspiring talks, collaboration, connections and commitments to meaningful action for a better world.” Held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 12 – 15 October, the Countdown Summit will bring together politicians, business leaders, policy makers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, artists, philanthropists, youth activists and others who are fighting for a net-zero future.
Rounding Out DLD’s 2021: A circular economy reduces environmental impact by keeping the materials in a loop – which is not only good for the environment but often for business. To tackle the transformative vision of a circular economy, Digital Life Design will hold a new event – DLD Circular – on 7 September in Munich and online. Running 3.30pm-8.00pm CET to better reach a global audience, DLD Circular will bring together internationally renowned experts from industry, technology, science, art & design to provide unique perspectives on this new economic model. While limited to a small number of live guests, those interested can register to attend virtually for free. As for DLD’s flagship 2022 conference in Munich, the organizers are still considering dates and formats. But they make one promise, and that is to host live events again in the near future.
Speaking Opportunity: The Seattle Interactive Conference spotlights the convergence of technology, creativity, commerce and culture in one of the world’s most innovative cities. SIC brings together thousands of entrepreneurs and online business professionals for in-depth presentations, master classes and networking events. Sessions explore disruptive technologies and business models with visionary thinkers in areas ranging from storytelling, branding, creativity, PR, online commerce and social media, interactive advertising, entertainment, and more. If you have a speaker/topic idea to share, submit via the online form before the 20 August deadline.
Lunchtime learning: Since 1999, NewSchools Venture Fund has hosted the invitation-only NewSchools Summit, bringing 1,000 leaders to a handful of mostly California locations to share ideas on reimagining schools to prepare all students, from every background, for the future. Education innovators, educators, community leaders, funders and policy makers attend each year to tackle critical issues like learning design, racial equity, and supporting student and educator mental health. This year’s virtual sessions were recorded and are available to watch on their website, but you can also check out session videos going back five years – with keynotes and panels from 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 all published.
Coming Up Next Week: Crypto, formerly known as the International Cryptology Conference and one of the largest academic conferences in cryptography and cryptanalysis, gets underway 16 August and runs through Friday as a virtual conference. At the IDG CIO100 Symposium & Awards (17-18 & 24-25 August; Online), programming is spread over four days and across two weeks to accommodate the volume of keynotes, panel sessions, workshops, Q&As, and live discussions planned. Each day will have a specific theme based around the most contemporary challenges and opportunities for CIOs in the year ahead. “Exploring Artificial Intelligence across industry” is the theme of this year’s virtual Ai4 Summit, which will run 17-19 August and feature speakers from JetBlue, Honeywell, IBM, UPS & Walt Disney Imagineering. Held online and focused across several different vertical areas, IoT Slam (19 August) explores the intersection of IoT, Edge, AI, and 5G strategy. Last but not least, HCI’s Hire with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference is scheduled for 18 August and is designed to help talent executives build inclusive employment brands and reduce bias in their hiring processes.