PopTech 2019: Shift
Ranked by Forbes as one of the top five mostinspiring conferences, PopTech recently convened its 23rd annual forum,bringing together brilliant minds from all corners of the world. Hosted by Moran Cerf, this year’sgathering featured a robust community of remarkable scientists, humanitarians,technologists, designers, artists, innovators, corporate & governmentalleaders, academics, and those who defy easy categorization.
With an overall 2019 theme of “Shift” PopTech 2019 demonstratedthat we are designed to change - to push the limits of possibility, take boldaction, lead by example and shape the future. The diversity and deep expertise of each speaker delivered a series oftopic-defining presentations that allowed guests to explore future trends inbusiness, innovation, creative expression and social justice.
The campus-like setting at Point Lookout provided an immersiveand enriching environment that facilitated experiential interaction and fosteredauthentic human connection. The multi-dayprogram featured interactive sessions, shared meals and a closing cocktailreception featuring locally sourced, sustainable oyster’s delivered by theirfarmers.
Many of the highlights of the three-day weekend occurredduring the carefully-orchestrated, yet spontaneous, evening activities. Theseincluded hosted fireside chats, late night debates, stargazing and collectivejam sessions. Each element was designed to help guests discover how sharedpotential exceeds the reach of individual aspiration.
Pop-Tech programming focused on many ofthe most pressing issues of our time and was co-curated by Leetha Filderman,President of PopTech, and former hacker, Moran Cerf, Professor ofNeuroscience and Business at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University,as well as PopTech’s Curatorial Advisors.
The programming line-up covered thetopics of Climate Change, The Future of Food, Privacy & Surveillance,Disruption in Higher Education, Artistic Expression, Connectivity, Networks,and Mobility, among others.
A sampling of participants includedInternet pioneer, Bob Metcalfe, Earthrise Alliance CEO LoriGarver, Conservation X Labs Founder & CEO, Alex Dehgan, The HonorablePaul Martin, Former Prime Minister of Canada, Phillip Agnew, Co-Founderthe Dream Defenders, Sinan Aral, MIT professor & Founding Partner ofManifest Capital, Nusrat Durrani, Visionary Media executive & MTVWorld Founder, Sarah Hurwitz, Head speechwriter for First Lady MichelleObama and Former Senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, PedroAlonzo, Adjunct Curator at Dallas Contemporary, Assaf Biderman, CEO,Superpedestrian, Chris Riley, Geographer and Author, Alex Kingsbury,The New York Times Senior Staff Editor, Yves-Alexandre De Montjoye, andmany more.
Live Performances by Composer & Electro-AcousticViolist, Martha Mooke, Grammy-Award Winning Beatboxer, Rahzel Brown,and Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, had the audience captivated.
PopTech, founded by Bob Metcalfe and John Sculley, is a 23-year oldnon-profit committed to showcasing the vanguard of emerging technology,science, exploration and creative expression.
The organization is famous for stretching beyond passive idea sharing, asit has cultivated a community focused on robust exchange and a bias for action.
Empire hasbeen proud to work alongside the PopTech team for several years to produce thisextraordinary and inspirational event.
For more information, visit https://poptech.org/
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
