Two principles that Ahimsa Media has been built upon are education and the sharing of ideas and collaborating with others. This is what we did back in the day with Megan Cole and Bridging Media to encourage the conversation between technology, digital media and traditional media. When Megan and I got busy on other projects, I am glad that others picked up where we left off with the conversation. Most notable of these is Vancouver’s Merging Media Conference, which I have had the honour of sitting on the Advisory Board for the past two years.
No Conference is ever perfect, but this one rates highly in my books, because it encourages a conversation with media makers and technologists from a number of different sectors, including traditional media, emerging media, social media and gaming; and it invites in a number of different voices and opinions from around North America. On top of that, Merging Media provides the opportunity for people to connect through networking events, B2B meetings, and a Master’s Class. For me these are the key ingredients to evolving our ideas and creating the future of media. It is thanks to events, like this, that we have built a valuable network of colleagues, partners, contractors and friends over the years.
Can Convergent Roulette at Merging Media 2010, photographed by Liz Kearsley.
Merging Media 2011 takes place in Vancouver this week – Thursday October 27th & Friday October 28th – and it is not too late to take part. You can still sign up.
Some of the highlights:
- An impressive list of speakers (I’d mention them all, but there are a lot of them, including many that I adore and love listening to) on some interesting topics, including gaming, monetizing, technology, traditional media in an interactive landscape …etc.
- International B2B (Business to Business) Sessions
- The VEDC Innovation Gallery where our BC Technology companies will be demoing their latest ‘Tools of Engagement’.
I am also pleased to share that we will be pitching our latest project with Emme Rogers and friends, Roamancing, as a part of the Pitch 360. This is not only a project that we are having a lot of fun with, but that truly reflects the nature of this events, as it combines the efforts and creativity of a number of people world-wide from traditional media, emerging media, social media and gaming.
Hope to see you at Merging Media this week!
Erica
