Agenda
Join us on day one for a full day of interactive programming, recognition and networking.
On Day 2, 25 Metaverse/AR/VR/MR/Web 3/AI start-ups pitch in front of a group of judges made up of industry executives, investors and venture capitalists. All those who are selected will be honored and featured as a “Company to watch”.
Schedule is based on Eastern Standard Time.
FREE Educational Sessions with live Q&A
7:00 AM EST: Keynote Session
Keynote Speaker: David S . Rose
David S. Rose knows how the world is changing, and what YOU need to know to keep up with it. As one of the country’s most active early-stage investors, he understands how the latest technology is up-ending every facet of every business. In this special keynote session, the expert who has consulted to everyone from startups to Fortune 500 companies will walk participants through the latest developments and technologies that are redefining business in the 21st century. Based on his renowned work at Singularity University, this mind-expanding keynote is a crash-course in the future, covering topics including the Long Tail, Web 2.0, Globalization, and why hyper-accelerating technology is driving the cost of everything to free.
Transformation Track
8:00 AM EST: Onboarding your Employees in the Metaverse
Speaker: Rrahul Sethi
The metaverse has significant capacity to enhance HR functions and employee on-boarding. This session will highlight its ability to enable new employees to gain a deeper and broader perspective of the companies they’ve joined. Essentially, the metaverse permits those employees to be trained in scenarios and spaces they’ll experience in their job while interacting with virtual representations of people for which they’ll be working.
Strategy Track
8:00 AM EST: Exploring the Frontiers of Immersive Storytelling
Speaker: Athena Demos
Storytelling has been a fundamental part of human expression and culture since the beginning of civilization. With advancements in technology, the way we experience stories has evolved dramatically in recent years. As the world of technology continues to evolve, so does the way we experience and interact with stories. The rise of virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we tell and consume stories, leading to a new era of immersive storytelling. Athena Demos will explore the current state and future potential of immersive storytelling, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in this exciting field. She will share about the cutting-edge technologies and creative approaches driving the next generation of immersive storytelling while diving in to the new innovations by Big Rock Creative, producers of BRCvr, an official virtual Burning Man experience. Join us as we delve into the possibilities and challenges of this rapidly-growing field and discover how technology is shaping the future of storytelling.
Innovation Track
8:00 AM EST: Microsoft Mesh – Revolutionizing Communication and Collaboration
Speaker: Christian Glessner
Picture a digital landscape where boundaries between reality and virtuality dissolve, and communication becomes an immersive experience. Microsoft Mesh brings forth such a shift. In this session, we delve into the Microsoft Mesh, revealing its capacity to reshape how we connect, share, and collaborate.
From meaningful personal connections to cutting-edge cooperative endeavors, we’ll navigate the vast possibilities of this emerging domain.
Discover the future of communication in the metaverse era, emphasizing enterprise security, Microsoft Teams integration, and custom world creation.
Transformation Track
9:00 AM EST: Prospering in the Metaverse: Exploring a Four-Phase Venture into Metaverse Sports and Unveiling the Trailblazing Posh Multiverse, the First Signed Avatar
Speaker: RJ White
An in-depth exploration of sports in the metaverse, focusing on engaging millennials. Discover “Ballin’ in the Metaverse,” a groundbreaking four-phase project reshaping the digital realm. Delve into the complexities of digitizing players, transforming gaming, and crafting compelling content. Uncover the success story of Posh Multiverse, the first metaverse avatar signed to a modeling contract and agency.
Strategy Track
9:00 AM EST: Developing More Robust Urban Metaverse Environments
Moderator: Sara Wray
Panelists: Teppo Rantanen, Miguel Marin, Greg Lindsey
Many diverse opportunities exist for city governments and “smart city development” applications in the metaverse, and a growing number of city governments are increasingly turning to the metaverse to more efficiently deliver certain services, disseminate information about their operations and services, and create new opportunities for citizen participation in government. This session will provide a blueprint for diverse city government and smart city applications in the metaverse, and assess the potential growth of those applications.
9:00 AM EST: Taking New Routes into the Metaverse – the Automotive Industry’s Burgeoning Opportunities in the Metaverse
Moderator: Askia Underwood
Panelists: Albert Thompson, Kristian Kerkhoff, Andy Anderson, Guillaume Vergnas
The metaverse offers special benefits for the automotive sector, including the ability to more effectively market cars to consumers and others, design and prototype cars, and train sales and technical personnel. This session will highlight key uses of the metaverse by various elements of the automotive industry, including car manufacturers and dealers.
Transformation Track
10:00 AM EST: The Industrial Metaverse- Ready for Takeoff?
Moderator: Jack Boreham
Panelists: Michael Inouye, Dave Copps, Neil Trevett, Mike Giresi
Industrial applications have long been considered some of the most promising applications of the metaverse, but the infrastructure for the industrial metaverse seemed hobbled by the lack of certain key infrastructure elements. Now, various aspects of the metaverse seem to be converging, including the emergence of robust new platforms geared to the industrial metaverse and the integration of such technologies as AI, VR, AR, and IoT in the industrial metaverse. This session will highlight prime industrial uses of the metaverse for manufacturing, prototyping, simulation, training, and other purposes.
10:00 AM EST: New Metaverse Frontiers for National Governments
Moderator: Richard Johnstone
Panelists: Magnus Jones, Michal Ptacnik, Stephanie Borg Psaila, Michael Mascioni
Although relatively few nations have established a presence in the metaverse, the metaverse has significant potential uses for national governments. A handful of nations are utilizing or exploring the use of the metaverse to deliver such services as taxation services, diplomatic services, economic development assistance, and other services, including Norway and Barbados. These nations are leveraging the metaverse to better educate their citizens about their services and foster greater citizen involvement in public policy, especially among young, tech-savvy citizens. For a few countries, Web3 is key to their operations. For example, voting and other functions of the micronation Liberland areexecuted through the use of blockchain. This session will assess the impact of and prospects for metaverse use by national governments.
Innovation Track
10:00 AM EST: Expanding Opportunities for Financial Institutions in the Metaverse
Moderator: Ed Haravon
Panelists: Apurv Suri, Marc Nichols, Caroline Hughes
The metaverse has become increasingly attractive to banks, insurance companies, and other facets of the financial industry, especially as banks seek new ways of reaching and delivering services to their customers more cost effectively. Virtual banks in the metaverse have been sprouting up worldwide. But financial institutions are also utilizing the metaverse for such applications as training, recruiting, and collaborative work. This session will examine the effectiveness of and prospects for a full range of financial applications in the metaverse, and highlight design techniques that are particularly well suited to financial applications in the metaverse.
Transformation Track
11:00 AM EST: Harnessing the Metaverse in Development of a Virtual Prototype Fusion Energy Plant
Moderator: Sean Guerre
Panelists: Lee Margetts, Richelle Elberg, Brad Nelson
As the industrial metaverse heats up, and as digital energy networks grow in importance, the energy industry is taking an increasing interest and role in utilizing the metaverse to advance various objectives, including promoting sustainability. Energy applications in the metaverse extend to virtual power plant, prototyping, and decarbonization applications. They are increasingly being utilized for such new energy sources as hydrogen, wind, and fusion energy. This session will highlight effective uses of the metaverse in the energy sector.
Strategy Track
11:00 AM EST: Hitting the Experiential Marketing Sweet Spot in the Metaverse
Moderator: Ginger Shimp
Panelists: Kim Currier, Max Pinas, Jordan Robinson, David Polinchock
The metaverse affords myriad new opportunities for powerful experiential marketing experiences and campaigns. This session will examine the most effective ways of harnessing the metaverse to create impactful experiential marketing experiences/campaigns that are well aligned with overall brand marketing strategies. It will devote particular attention to gamified marketing experiences in the metaverse and hybrid experiences blending metaverse marketing and live marketing elements.
Innovation Track
11:00 AM EST: Extending Location-Based Entertainment into the Metaverse
Moderator: Kevin Williams
Panelists: Jason Ambler, Juliana Barbieri, Sebastien Borget
As real and virtual experiences continue to converge in such leisure facilities as amusement parks, location-based entertainment centers, and museums, and as those facilities seek new ways of exploiting and promoting their intellectual property, the metaverse has become alluring to those facilities. Although metaverse use in the out-of-home entertainment market is still limited, an increasing number of companies in that sector are enjoying success with such metaverse applications as gamified attractions. This session will help highlight best metaverse uses in the out-of-home entertainment market.
Transformation Track
1:00 PM EST: Driving Spatial Engagement in the Metaverse
Speaker: Josh Rush
Spatial data is powering virtual environments from global businesses and brands—driving tangible benefits and practical utility for both enterprise and consumer applications. Metrics illustrate that immersive, virtual worlds can yield stickier, more engaging, and more spatial data-rich experiences than IRL activations—without the physical restrictions of cost, location or carbon footprint. However, creating an immersive, effective, and agile spatial experience requires a flywheel formula for eliciting engagement strong enough to make the metaverse matter to employees, clients and consumers alike. Leveraging real world examples from his firm’s work with Emirates Airline, in this presentation, SURREAL Co-Founder and CEO, Josh Rush will explore the factors to consider in successfully bringing engaging virtual experiences to life.
Strategy Track
1:00 PM EST: New Marketing Horizons in the Metaverse
Moderator: Lisa Peyton
Panelists: Neal Sivadas, Olivier Moingeon, Catherine Oaks
Metaverse use in marketing is expanding and diversifying, as an increasing number of companies tap into the technology to afford more immersive experiential marketing, reach new markets, increase brand engagement, and open new avenues for e-commerce. This session will examine the application of the metaverse in gamified marketing, pop-up marketing, out-of-home marketing, and hybrid real/virtual marketing applications. It will also discuss AI’s growing role in powering marketing applications of the metaverse.
Innovation Track
1:00 PM EST: New Opportunities for Events in the Metaverse
Moderator: Jamie Hayes Jones
Panelists: Natalie Taylor, Robin Raskin, David Adler, Alex Howard, Ph.D
The metaverse enables the creation of deeper, more interactive business events with greater impact, especially with the integration of such technologies as AI, VR, and AR. Metaverse events allow for greater audience participation and collaboration, as well as the delivery of a wider array of event experiences. This session will examine a range of new opportunities and techniques for events in the metaverse, and assess the factors that are central to successful metaverse business events.
2:00 PM EST: Building a More Robust Infrastructure for the Metaverse
Moderator: Alex Lawrence
Panelists: Maximilian Nikolaus Schmidt, Subroto Mukherjee, Thair Alfararjeh
As the metaverse’s scope expands, the demand for higher speed, lower latency service grows enormously. This session will examine the increasingly important roles such technologies as 5G, cloud computing, edge computing, and quantum computing will play in supporting the next-generation metaverse, especially as such immersive media as AR become a more significant part of the metaverse. These technologies will afford higher bandwidth, greater connectivity, and increased access to the metaverse via more diverse devices.
Strategy Track
2:00 PM EST: Guarding the Security and Privacy of Business Metaverse Applications
Speaker: Lisa Sotto
The development of the business metaverse has been significantly hindered by rising concerns about the security of data and privacy in business metaverse applications. This session will examine key new techniques used to protect the security of data and privacy in business metaverse applications.
Innovation Track
2:30 PM EST: Interview with Joe Ferencz
Pesach Lattin interviews Joe Forencz
This insightful interview will delve into the current state of the metaverse and its impact on businesses. We will address the question that has been on everyone’s mind: why is the metaverse being proclaimed as dying? We will explore the rising metaverse platforms that are garnering attention and discuss their potential for success.
Discover the exciting opportunities that await brands on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite. Learn how these immersive gaming environments have become a playground for brand activations and engagement. We will provide real-life examples of how brands are leveraging Roblox and Fortnite to create unique experiences for their audiences.
Uncover the motivations behind Cirque du Soleil’s decision to venture into the metaverse realm. Understand why they sought to create a metaverse experience and what they hope to achieve through it. Gain valuable insights into the potential benefits and outcomes of such endeavors.
Look into the future as we envision where Roblox and Fortnite might be in 5 to 10 years. Explore the possibilities of these platforms as they continue to evolve and shape the digital landscape. Discover how they might transform and revolutionize the way we interact, play, and do business.
Lastly, we will address the question of whether every brand needs a metaverse strategy. Gain a deeper understanding of the considerations and implications for brands in embracing the metaverse. Explore the potential advantages of having a metaverse strategy and what it means for your brand’s future success.
Transformation Track
3:00 PM EST: Real Insights, Real Case Studies, Real brands, Using Emerging Technologies
Speaker: Dan Ferguson
With all the buzz and attention about Emerging Technologies (AR, VR, AI), where does it fit in today’s business world? Dan Ferguson has worked with world-class brands like AT&T, American Airlines, Corona, General Mills, McDonald’s, and Toyota on their digital strategies. While many people share second-hand knowledge or anecdotal info about these technologies, very few are delivering. Dan will bring REAL insights and case studies on how brands leverage emerging tech to connect with today’s digital-first audience.
Strategy Track
3:00 PM EST: Web3 Revolution: Unlocking Value Across Industries – Music, Real Estate, Fashion, and
Beyond
Moderator: Malik Stout (AKA G)
Panelists:
Web3 technology, driven by blockchain and decentralized systems, has the potential to
revolutionize numerous industries beyond just cryptocurrency. In this panel discussion,
we will explore how web3 can provide significant value to a diverse range of sectors,
including the music industry, real estate, fashion, and other emerging technologies. Our
panelists will delve into the innovative ways in which blockchain, NFTs (Non-Fungible
Tokens), smart contracts, and decentralized applications are reshaping business
models, enhancing security, fostering trust, and driving creativity in these sectors. Join
us as we unravel the web3 opportunities that are changing the game for traditional and
emerging industries alike.
Innovation Track
3:00 PM EST: Mainstreaming the Future of Phygital: Simplifying Interactive Personalized Commerce
Moderator: Ray Khan
Panelists: Anastasia Ly, Tommaso Di Bartolo, Erika Lang, Diana Sheehan
Mainstream adoption of digital items connected to physical products has been limited by the complexity and high costs of the digital ecosystem. Stated simply, the large majority of consumers do not trust or understand the complex process of obtaining/managing/transferring digital items. The use of core technologies (NFC, IoT) that invisibly power and enhance our everyday tangible lives will enable digital assets to be simply, seamlessly, and privately managed over the internet without the existing intermediaries and friction. Digital assets managed over the internet will lead to the explosive mainstream adoption of interactive personalized digital commerce, delivering exciting, direct, and democratic benefits to consumers, merchants, and brands. Truly transforming digital commerce in a manner that has been predicted but not yet obtained
Transformation Track
4:00 PM EST: The Seeds of the Metaverse
Speaker: Julian Reyes
In this presentation, we will explore and analyze the evolution of metaverse platforms and the benefits that these virtual worlds provide businesses and brands. We will delineate between Web2, Web3, and WebXR immersive worlds. Understanding the differences between these technologies is important for brands, investors, and marketers in planning their Metaverse business initiatives. We will explore the virtual world landscape and organizations working to advance ethics and open standards. These efforts will reveal such business advantages as improving marketing, collaboration, community building, and education through the implementation of an immersive strategy.
Strategy Track
4:00 PM EST: Building Lifelong Brand Loyalty in the Metaverse
Fireside Chat: Adrian Driscoll, Harold Hayes Jr
Dive into the future with “Building Lifelong Brand Loyalty in the Metaverse.” Explore how industry leaders Adrian Rashad Driscoll and Harold Hayes Jr., are leveraging XR & Metaverse technologies to create lasting connections. Discover strategies for immersive brand experiences, community building, personalized engagement, and ethical considerations. Join us to learn how to forge unbreakable bonds and drive lifetime value in this new digital frontier.
Innovation Track
4:00 PM EST: Engaging Audiences in the Metaverse: The Future of Digital Publishing
Speaker: Adrian Whant
Dive deep into the innovative world of the Metaverse and explore how it can revolutionize the digital publishing landscape. This session delves into the transformative potential of immersive environments, offering insights into how publishers can captivate and engage their audiences like never before. Learn about the tools, strategies, and best practices for creating compelling content in this new frontier, and understand the profound impact of these virtual spaces on audience interaction and engagement.
Strategy Track
5:00 PM EST: AI and the Metaverse: the Ultimate Convergence?
Moderator: Neil Sahota
Panelists: Vincent Serpico, Linda Ricci, Frank Diana, Louis Rosenberg
A key element poised to propel the metaverse to the next stage is AI. This session will examine the different ways AI is poised to power and support the growth of the metaverse. It will discuss the implications of such efforts to integrate AI into the metaverse as open platforms like Futureverse and AI enhanced avatars. The session will also examine the implications of key research and experimental projects relating to the use of AI in the metaverse.
Innovation Track
5:00 PM EST: Building the 3D Web: Bringing 3D to Every Web Browser
Speaker: Dan O’Connell
BrandLab360 experts will share their journey on transforming 2D websites into 3D immersive experiences. Discussing the importance of collaboration and connection in the metaverse and the significance of barrier-free access. Learn how the 3D immersive web is enhancing the way people learn, shop, and work and how you can reach audiences you traditionally couldn’t.
Transformation Track
5:00 PM EST: Metaversal Wisdom: The Role of Crowdsourcing in Shaping Virtual Realities
Speaker: Epi Ludvik
Embark on a journey into the boundless realms of the metaverse, where innovation meets collaboration in unprecedented ways.
In “Metaversal Wisdom,” we delve into the pivotal role of crowdsourcing in shaping the intricate tapestry of virtual realities. This presentation is a guided exploration of how collective intelligence, diverse perspectives, and the power of the crowd converge to influence and redefine the metaverse landscape. We unravel the symbiotic relationship between crowdsourcing and virtual realities, showcasing how collaborative efforts foster groundbreaking ideas and shape the very fabric of immersive experiences.
Strategy Track
6:00 PM EST: Spend Less Time Hunting, More Time Closing
Speaker: Michael Falato
Innovation Track
5:00 PM EST: The Future of Music in the Metaverse
Moderator: MIke Johns
Panelists: B-Legit, Money B, Suga T, Ras Kass
We are promised an increasingly immersive world of entertainment: virtual and augmented reality, AI, metaverse and more, carried on new networks as revolutionary in their way as the internet. Is that realistic? Hip Hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary but what will Hip Hop in the 2030s feel like and what new experiences can we achieve? Join pioneers and creatives building the future of content to understand how things will change for you.
Transformation Track
6:00 PM EST: Sustainability and the Metaverse 3.0
Speaker: Sabrina Smith
Project Honey Hive is a global initiative to cross-pollinate with other sustainably minded businesses that want high level e-commerce environments. Our community provides a safe online creative & learning spaces to incubate collaborations and host online events in Virtual Reality (VR). We are now evolving into a multifaceted ecosystem for real world solutions with ATE movement – Activist Technology Expo.
We specialize in branding and creative direction and seek to build activist sustainability awareness branding projects for web 3.0 Metaverse development and community bridging for innovation projects.
Connect with your peers, take photos and win prizes at our official after party in the metaverse courtesy of Tribe XR.
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
Pitch Fest Agenda
Businesses are invited to pitch their projects to investors, and investors get an inside look at some of the most exciting up-and-coming ventures in this industry. Presenting companies will have the opportunity to connect with interested in investors in 1:1 breakouts.
Let the fundraising begin. Register now to secure your seat to see our lineup of innovative presenting companies in action.
9:15AM EST
Pitch Session 1
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Alan Boryszanski – Cryptomate
9:30 AM EST
Pitch Session 2
10 minute presentation and Q&A
James Birt – Appalachia Impact Gaming
9:45 AM EST
Pitch Session 3
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Tudor Mihailescu – sosha.ai
10:00 AM EST
Pitch Session 4
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Leigh Dowie – Foundat
10:15 AM EST
Pitch Session 5
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Christine Schwarz – Virtual Round Ballers
10:30 AM EST
Pitch Session 6
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Kidus Natnael – Mindsage
10:45 AM EST
Pitch Session 7
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Rolando Penaranda – MidPay
11:00 AM EST
Pitch Session 8
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Randy Selman – Xcyte Digital
11:15 AM EST
Pitch Session 9
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Terry Proto – Bond500
11:30 AM EST
Pitch Session 10
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Johann Oulai – Shotam
11:45 AM EST
Pitch Session 11
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Temarquis Brown – 18004heaven
12:00 PM EST
Pitch Session 12
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Roderick Kennedy – Simul
12:45 PM EST
Pitch Session 13
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Richard Pocklington – Thinkable
1:00 PM EST
Pitch Session 14
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Krishna Sridhar – Sparsa AI
1:15 PM EST
Pitch Session 15
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Adrian Rashad Driscoll – Collimation.tv
1:30 PM EST
Pitch Session 16
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Dr Michel Silva – ShivaTec Internacional
1:45 PM EST
Pitch Session 17
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Lane Lowery – Metaseat
2:15 PM EST
Pitch Session 18
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Rock Scharer – Dropkey
2:30 PM EST
Pitch Session 19
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Rick Lombardo – Truescope
2:45 PM EST
Pitch Session 20
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Thao Le – Hello3dworld
Live Demonstrations & Networking
3:45 PM EST
Pitch Session 21
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Daniel Reiff –
Human Creator Alliance, Inc.
4:00 PM EST
Pitch Session 22
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Derek Cafferata – Travel Advances
4:45 PM EST
Pitch Session 23
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Noel Laporte – Elevate Reality XR
5:00 PM EST
Pitch Session 24
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Kelvin Troy – Cross Metaverse Avatars
5:15 PM EST
Pitch Session 26
10 minute presentation and Q&A
Steven Britt – Khaotic Gaming
Closing Ceremony
Networking Reception
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)
This presentation will describe seven essential actions that could unleash the power of prevention and substantially reduce the prevalence
Speaker: Allen Stone (CTA Founder)