Seattle Interactive Conference Announces Agenda

Posted Oct 4, 2011

SEATTLE, Oct 04, 2011 -- Seattle Interactive Conference, a major two-day event celebrating the convergence of online technology, creativity, and emerging trends in one of the world's most innovative cities, today announced its agenda, along with a series of powerful programming alliances and details for its "Battle of the Geek Bands" event.

Set for November 2-3 at The Conference Center at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle, Seattle Interactive Conference (SIC) will feature more than 50 visionary speakers in areas ranging from online commerce and social media to gaming, interactive advertising, entertainment, and more. Some of the many highlights include: "Transforming the Digital Music Frontier," a lunchtime keynote featuring Sir Mix-a-Lot, Death Cab for Cutie bassist Nick Harmer, KEXP's Aaron Starkey and Tim Bierman, manager of Pearl Jam's immensely popular online fan club; "The Transformation of News Media," examining how interactive technology continues to affect the business of news media daily; a presentation by Molly Norris, head of interactive for The World Bank; and Online gaming visionary Ed Fries of Halo 2600. SIC will also include a packed schedule of business networking opportunities and distinctly Seattle-flavored social events.

"We developed the Seattle Interactive Conference with the singular purpose of bringing a world-class interactive technology event to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest," said Brian Rauschenbach, SIC curator. "With more than 50 interactive industry luminaries and thought leaders set to present, powerful additional programming partnerships and an array of uniquely Seattle social and networking events, such as Battle of the Geek Bands, we are thrilled to soon be opening our doors to attendees from throughout the US and beyond."

Events, alliances and other highlights include:

-- "Battle of the Geek Bands" and SIC Opening Party on Tuesday evening, November 1 featuring a special concert by The Presidents of the United States of America: Sponsored by FILTER and set for 8:00 pm (doors at 7:00), in Seattle's Showbox SoDo, Battle of the Geek Bands was developed to showcase the many great musicians who happen to work throughout the vibrant online technology sector. Five qualifying bands will get to perform on-stage at The Showbox SoDo that evening. The performances will be judged by a celebrity panel of music industry luminaries and geek VIPs including the iconic Sir Mix-a-Lot, along with Jason Finn and Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America and John Cook, co-founder of GeekWire. The evening's emcee will be John Roderick, lead singer/guitarist for the Long Winters and an entertainment media veteran. Winners get an SIC trophy, bragging rights and a cash prize. For more information on how bands can enter: http://bit.ly/pBkKHv . Following the contest, The Presidents of the United States of America will perform a special set for all SIC attendees.

-- Windows Azure (Microsoft) will provide SIC attendees with two days of technical sessions and access to product and technical experts. The Cloud Experience track is for experienced developers who want to learn how to leverage the cloud for mobile, social and Web application scenarios. No matter what platform or technology involved, these sessions will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of cloud architecture, back-end services and business models to scale for user demand and business growth. Cloud Experience sessions and the expert-staffed lab are open to all registered attendees of SIC.

-- Gnomedex: This event is now coming out of retirement, if only for a day on November 2, to join the SIC experience and further engender this community's spirit. For ten years, Gnomedex brought to the stage hundreds of thought leaders and many influencers before they were influential. Innovation, inspiration, and ideation are still very much alive, and Gnomedex festivities will once again kindle excitement around these values. As has been true for every one of its past events, every Gnomedex participant will be treated like a VIP.

-- Biznik: The overall theme for SIC is transformations, and the entrepreneurs on the Biznik Entrepreneurial Stage get what it takes to move businesses from here to there. A transformation from an old way of doing things to a new way requires the right mix of innovation and risk. Throughout the day of November 3, the presenters on the Biznik Stage will examine that risk; what transformations take place in employees, products, and cultures when true innovation changes how the game is played.

-- TechStars Demo Day - On November 3rd, SIC is co-producing TechStars Demo Day, which targets the investment community and which will unveil ten exciting new companies from the TechStars class of 2011. Held at Seattle's Showbox SoDo, Demo Day will give each company six-minute presentation windows during which they can highlight their respective businesses and investment opportunities. The style is fun and entertaining - it's a different kind of pitch event that includes amazing opportunities for networking. TechStar's after-party will merge with SIC's Closing Party at Showbox SoDo that evening for a powerful and fun night of networking and socializing.

-- SIC://City: This is far more than a standard exhibit hall. SIC://City is a showplace of truly unique spaces, not standard booths, but "blank canvases" companies can transform into a space all their own for use throughout the conference's duration. Exhibiting companies will have the opportunity to get creative, have meaningful interactions, and leave powerful impressions. SIC://City provides a venue at which companies can demo, showcase and sell their offerings, or just create an experience to spread the word while providing potential customers and partners a unique place to meet, greet and experience each businesses first-hand. More information: http://bit.ly/qT8ZLL .

-- AdReady: This leading demand-side online display advertising platform will run its own annual partners' program on November 3 at the SIC venue and is encouraging its customers to participate directly in SIC. "As a sponsor, we want to see the conference succeed, as participants, we want to be a part of the conversation, but as a company we want to have our partners help shape the future of online advertising," said Karl Siebrecht, CEO, AdReady. "Whether for agencies, advertisers or publishers, that future is beyond search, more than a banner and even more than can be found in the social media."

OTHER SIC EVENTS

Other SIC social events open to all Full Conference and Flex Pass holders include:

-- An after-party featuring another exclusive, only-for-SIC concert by Shabazz Palaces and a Vinyl vs. Analog DJ set by Fourcolorzack in Showbox at the Market on Wednesday evening, November 2: Doors at 7:00 pm, show starts at 8:00;

-- Closing Party featuring special musical guests on the evening of Thursday, November 3 at Showbox SoDo: Doors at 7:00 pm, show starts at 8:00;

-- Meet-ups and other targeted business networking opportunities throughout the event.