Events Calendar 2010

A work in progress compilation of interesting events and conferences around the world . Know of any cool conference or event that hasn’t been listed? Tell me about it in the comments of this page!
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January 2010

21-23 – EG Conference – Monterrey (CA), USA

EG is The Entertainment Gathering: the most creative talents in our culture. With all its rich counterpoint of ideas and insights, EG is more like the music of civilization. And can’t adequately describe it in words. Or even in music. You neet to experience it. You need to immerse yourself. Ingredients? 50 presenters: passionate geniuses, rising stars, living national treasures. 500 attendees, cut from the same cloth. A brilliant program of brief talks and luxurious mingling. Small, intimate: not an orgy. (source: official website)

24-26 – DLD – Digital, Life, Design Conference – Munich, Germany

DLD (Digital – Life – Design) is a three-day experience gathering 800 entrepreneurs, investors, philantropists, scientists, artists and creative minds from all over the world. With global diversity in attendees and an interdisciplinary perspective of digital, media, design, art, science, brands, consumers and society, the conference is known as the European forum for the “creative class”. (source: DLD website)

February 2010

02-07 - transmediale – Berlin, Germany

04-07 - Interaction10 – Savannah (Georgia), USA

Interaction10 is the third annual conference hosted by the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). Each year, IxDA aims to gather the interaction design community to connect, educate, and inspire each other. (source: official website)

09-13 – TED – Long Beach (California), USA

A new decade. An ongoing global financial crisis. It’s a time to regroup, re-evaluate — and then to dream. Dream big. Because the world of ideas has never mattered more. For TED2010 we’re assembling a lineup of speakers whose ideas and ingenuity will thrill, enlighten and inspire. It’s What the World Needs Now… (source: TED website)

09-13 – TED Active (simulcast) - Palm Springs (California), USA

In 2010, a spectacular group of people will converge on Palm Springs, California to experience a live simulcast of TED in an intimate, immersive setting. TEDActive, formerly TED@PalmSprings, blends the allure of the future with the mystique of a desert oasis, complete with live music acts, bonus exclusive speakers, and experiences and connections with makers and doers you’ll never forget. (source: TED website)

March 2010

12-21 – SXSW (South by Southwest) – Austin (Texas), USA

• 12-16 SXSW Interactive
• 12-20 SXSW Film
• 17-21 SXSW Music

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas. Each of the three parts runs relatively independently, with different start and end dates. SXSW Music  is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, with more than 1,400 performers playing in more than 80 venues. SXSW Film has become one of the world’s premiere film festivals, focusing on new directing talent. SXSW Interactive has attracted a strong following among web creators and entrepreneurs with a focus on emerging technology and has earned the festival a reputation as a breeding ground for new ideas and creative technologies. Twitter launched at SXSW Interactive in 2007. (source: Wikipedia)

25-26 – ArabNet 2010 – Beirut, Lebanon

ArabNet 2010 is the first international conference for the Arab web industry, bringing together leaders from across the MENA, Europe and Silicon Valley to discuss cutting-edge trends and emerging opportunities. Through pitch sessions, the conference will feature the region’s brightest ideas and most promising Internet start-ups, and connect them with the internet ecosystem: incubators, angel investors, venture capitalists, established Internet companies, NGO’s and influential bloggers. (source: official website)

April 2010

12-16 – MIPTV – Cannes, France

MIPTV gives the world its first taste of the newest programmes, freshest formats and latest technologies to hit TV, Internet, mobile, online games and all video-rich platforms. Meet everyone along the content creation, licensing and distribution value chain. (Source: official website)

14-15 – Chirp (The Twitter Developer Conference) – San Francisco, USA

The Official Twitter Developer Conference.

15-16 - 99% Conference - New York, USA

When ideas do happen, it is not by accident. What separates creative people who make their ideas happen from the constant dreamers? Perhaps we all have an obligation to show our ideas some respect. Behance is partnering with Cool Hunting to host “99%“: a conference that focuses less on inspiration, and more on how idea generation and organization come together to make ideas happen. (source: official website)

20-21 – 140 Characters Conference (#140conf) – New York, USA

Organized by Jeff Pulver, the #140conf events provide a platform for the worldwide twitter community to: listen, connect, share and engage with each other, while collectively exploring the effects of the emerging real-time internet on business. (source: 140conf website)

21 – f8 - Facebook conference - San Francisco, USA

f8 is a Facebook conference where developers and entrepreneurs collaborate on the future of personalized and social technologies.  At f8, members of the Facebook team and the developer community will explore a variety of topics including new tools and techniques, business growth strategies and open technologies. (source: official website)

23 – Brain Forum – Rome, Italy

A new era is coming: science and business joined together to keep our brain fit and healthy in the whole lifetime, just as we care to do with our body. Advanced research projects worldwide increase our possibility to empower the human brain capacity and our hope to face several serious neurodegenerative syndromes and mental disorders. A large panel of the most prestigious neuroscientists and researchers will attend BrainForum in Rome, April 23, 2010, in order to introduce their exiting goals to the general public and to honor the 101° birthday of the Nobel Prize Rita Levi Montalcini. (source: official website)

21-25 - International Journalist Festival - Perugia, Italy

The annual Perugia International Journalism Festival is the leading journalism event in Italy. It is an open invitation to listen to and network with the best of world journalism. The leitmotiv is one of informality and accessibility, designed to appeal to journalists, journalism students and those interested in the role of the media in society. Simultaneous translation into English and Italian is provided. The festival is open to the public free of charge. The festival was founded in 2006 by Arianna Ciccone and Christopher Potter. The objective? To set up an event which would break the mould – not another institutional forum or media industry get-together but rather an opportunity for you to engage with leading journalists from all over the world. Free. With content designed to appeal across the spectrum. The media plays such a fundamental role in our daily lives yet an event designed explicitly to bring together top-drawer media protagonists and the general public didn’t seem to exist. Literary festivals, science festivals, music festivals abounded. But where was the journalism festival? Nowhere. So we created it. (source: official website)

23 – Augmented Reality Business Conference – Berlin, Germany

AR Business Conference is the largest augmented reality conference in Europe with a clear business focus. Augmented Reality (AR) is now beginning to enter the mass market. With the physical world as a platform there will be major new opportunities across all sectors and industries.  AR Business Conference will showcase the fantastic outlook of AR with the goal of transforming keen visions of the future into a concrete business strategy today. (source: official website)

27-29 – The Next Web – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Next Web brings together the best audience and companies from Europe and the US to discuss the future of the web. This year there is a bonus. Right after the conference it is Queensday, a national holiday and the biggest party in the Netherlands.  (source: The Next Web website)

30 – MuseumNext - London, UK

It’s about where museums, technology and audiences meet and we have an incredible line up of speakers from Europe and USA ready to share their experience. This one day conference will share success stories from some of the world’s top museums and galleries. How are they using technology to keep up with audience expectations? How are they using the web to build deeper relationships? How are they using technology to meet their wider objectives? (source: MuseumNext website)

30-1 May – Wisdom 2.0 Conference – Silicon Valley (CA), USA

The Wisdom 2.0 conference is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together people from a variety of disciplines, including technology leaders, Zen teachers, neuroscientists, and academics to explore how we can live with deeper meaning and wisdom in our technology-rich age. The great challenge of our age is not only to live connected to one another through technology, but to do so in ways that are beneficial to our own well-being, effective in our work, and useful to the world. The conference was developed to explore this and related issues. (source: official website)

May 2010

03-06 - Web 2.0 Expo – San Francisco, USA

Web 2.0 Expo, co-produced by O’Reilly Media, Inc. and TechWeb, showcases the latest Web 2.0 business models, development paradigms and design strategies for the builders of the next-generation Web. This annual multi-track conference brings together people, ideas, connections, contacts, products, and companies to foster stronger Web 2.0 communities. (source: Web 2.0 Expo website)

05-07 – Lift Conference – Geneva, Switzerland

Lift 10: “Connected people” – Lift will explore the most overlooked aspect of innovation: people. Known in techno-parlance as users, consumers, clients, participants, prosumers, citizens or activists, people ultimately define the success of all technological and entrepreneurial projects. They adopt or refute, promote or demote; embrace, reject, or re-purpose. Their approaches are unique, influenced by cultural and generational diversity. A decade after the rebirth of user-centered design and innovation, it is time to explore the myths and uncover the reality behind the “connected people”. (source: Lift website)

11-12 – Next Conference – Berlin, Germany

On May 11 & 12 the next conference is taking place at STATION-Berlin. Organised by SinnerSchrader, the next conference is one of the most important networking and trend conferences within the European web industry.  We’re expecting a hundred international speakers and up to 1.500 participants. Amongst them will be decision makers of the media, technology and advertising sector, agencies and service providers, investors and start-ups. It is the only conference that unites the Internet community with brands and leading companies. (source: official website)

12-15 FutureEverything – Machester (England), UK

Astonishing talks, visionary people in a global conversation on bringing the future into the present. Exploring the interface between technology, society and culture, the internationally acclaimed FutureEverything Conference is the crucible that allows artists, technologists and future-thinkers to share, innovate and interact. (source: FutureEverything website)

18 – PINC Conference – Zeist (Utrecht), The Netherlands

PINC stands for People, Ideas, Nature, Creativity. These themes are the heartbeat of this unique conference held once a year in the Netherlands. An inspiring cascade of new ideas, great stories, and impressive visual presentations delivered by a superb selection of national and international speakers from every imaginable discipline. PINC is a truly extraordinary event. An opportunity to recharge your personal and business batteries. (source: PINC website)

25-27 – Thinking Digital - Newcastle Gateshead, UK

Thinking Digital is an annual conference where the world’s greatest thinkers and innovators gather to inspire, to entertain, and to discuss the latest ideas and technologies.  Defining exactly what to expect at Thinking Digital isn’t easy. We pride ourselves on the eclectic nature of our schedule. One moment you’ll be experiencing a first UK appearance of Live Mesh (as attendees where treated to in 2008) and the next you’ll be hearing about the science behind creating a million dollar perfume from a world class expert. (source: official website)

June 2010

03-04 - Frontiers of Interaction – Rome, Italy (disclaimer: I work here as Conference Director)

Frontiers of Interaction is an event born around the interaction design topics that, since 2005, has become the top notch innovation conference in Italy, merging in the same room entrepreneurs, CEOs, early adopters and trend setters. Its unusual format that mixes music, interactive and artistic installations, demo sites and speeches makes it the de-facto home for makers and innovators: talents moving between industry and academia, early adopters of enabling technologies and geekie gadgets. Frontiers is an hybrid show, which attracts international speakers, inspires the national talents and creates a bridge between Europe and Silicon Valley. (source: Frontiers of Interaction website)

08 – Mashable Media Summit - New York, USA

Mashable and CNN are gearing up for our first joint one-day conference in New York City: Mashable Media Summit 2010. The event is focused on the impact of social media on the news industry, big brands and advertisers. (source: official website)

09-13 – DMY International Design Festival - Berlin, Germany

DMY holds the yearly DMY International Design Festival in Berlin in spring, which has established itself into a scene-meeting place, trend barometer, design laboratory and playground over the years.  Over a period of five days young designers and renowned creatives present the newest developments in contemporary design, giving Berlin designers the opportunity to network with the international design scene. Current developments will be showcased, future trends detected and interdisciplinary projects and utopian designs will be encouraged. The borders between art and design are often free flowing.  Today the DMY International Design Festival occupies a crucial role in the global fair- and events- calendar as an independent event format for creative, experimental and innovative design. (source: official website)

10-11 – DLDwomen – The Female Decade – Munich, Germany

DLDwomen – The Female Decade is an extension of the annual DLD Conference and will gather an extraordinary group of over 50 international high profile speakers and 500 opinion-forming participants, both women and men, from the fields of digital, business, design, media, society, health, politics and science. DLDwomen sheds light on the “Female Decade” and the so-called “womenomics” and is about new opportunities, new markets, the new lifestyle and future developments of women’s role that are being influenced by today’s digital age and social transformation. (Source: official website)

11-30 – Football World Cup – South Africa

The Football World Cup runs from June 11th to July 11th 2010 throughout various locations in South Africa.

16-18 - ideaCity – Toronto, Canada

50 Presenters, 3 Legendary Parties, a Ton of Inspiration. ideaCity, also known as ‘Canada’s Premiere Meeting of the Minds’, is an eclectic gathering of artists, adventurers, authors, cosmologists, doctors, designers, entertainers, filmmakers, inventors, magicians, musicians, scientists and technologists. Produced and presented by Moses Znaimer, ideaCity is not themed around any one topic, issue or business. There are no scripted speeches or, breakout or parallel sessions. Rather, everyone is in one place and in on the same narrative. (source: ideaCity website)

17-19 – Sonar Festival – Barcelona, Spain

Sonar, the advanced music and multimedia art festival, takes place in Barcelona every year during three days in June. Sonar’s diverse artistic offer splits between the Sonar by Day activities (in the CCCB and MACBA venues) and Sonar by Night (Fira Gran Via M2 L’Hospitalet), together with some simultaneous gigs like the performances at L’Auditori. At the last festival edition, more than 75,000 people enjoyed the fine selection of an artistic programme which combines the electronica headliners together with hundreds of emerging artists and DJ’s representing the most updated music and new media trends within electronic culture. (source: official website)

date TBD – reboot - Copenhagen, Denmark

reboot is the European meet up for the practical visionaries who are building tomorrow one little step at a time, using new models for creation and organization in a world where the only entry barrier is passion. reboot is two days in June filled with inspiration, good conversations and interesting people. (source: reboot website)

July 2010

01-11 – Football World Cup – South Africa

The Football World Cup runs from June 11th to July 11th 2010 throughout various locations in South Africa.

12-16 – TED Global – Oxford, UK

TEDGlobal 2010, held over the course of four days in Oxford, will explore the shocking undercurrent of good news just below the surface of today’s troubling headlines…. (source: TED website)

15-18 – ARGFest – Atlanta, USA

ARGFest is a community-driven conference and game festival centered around Alternate Reality Gaming & Transmedia Storytelling (source: official website)

August 2010

04-06 – Technonomy – Lake Tahoe, USA

We aim to create an event that begins to change how leaders think about the role of technology and innovation. Like our philosophy, the event will be resolutely optimistic about the opportunity to address the problems we face–from those in our businesses to those facing the entire planet. (source: official website)

30-06 Sept - Burning Man – Nevada Black Rock Desert, USA

What Is Burning Man? Once a year, tens of thousands of participants gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create Black Rock City, dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. They depart one week later, having left no trace whatsoever. 2010 Art Theme: Metropolis. Tumult and change, churning cycles of invention and destruction – these forces generate the pulse of urban life. Great cities are organic, spontaneous, heterogeneous, and untidy hubs of social interaction. In 2010, we will inspect the daily course of city life and the future prospect of civilization. (source: official website)

September 2010

22-24 – PICNIC Festival - Amsterdam, The Netherlands (disclaimer: I work here as Marketing Manager)

PICNIC is the leading meeting place for creative people that want to share skills, ideas and knowledge. We help people innovate and create, adding value to both the economy and the society. PICNIC Amsterdam takes the form of a unique festival featuring keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, experimental labs and matchmaking sessions. Every year it brings together thousands of creative minds from all over the world. (source: PICNIC website)

23-25 -WebExpo Prague 2010 Conference – Prague, Czech Republic

WebExpo Prague 2010 Conference is the largest gathering of web developers, web designers and Internet businesses in Central Europe. We cover all the parts of creating great websites – design, development and business. (source: organizers)

30 – TEDxTransmedia – Geneve, Switzerland

In April 2010, the organisers of the first ever TEDxTransmedia event lost the battle with the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland and decided to postpone the event, as speakers and attendants stranded on airports all over Europe. TEDxTransmedia, true to the spirit of the TED conference aims to inspire broadcasters, and in particular, public service broadcasters, to “DARE” more for creating innovative content and borderline strategies to connect with the audience of the future. (source: official website)

October 2010

1-2 - New Aging conference – Philadelphia, USA

New Aging is a uniquely strategic conference, complemented by hands-on workshops, matchmaking sessions, and open houses at collaborating institutions. Guests within and outside of the design profession will provide the professional and visionary background of the conference, leading to a manifesto on “New Aging” in architecture. New Aging will investigate recent advances in architecture and urbanism dealing with age-related challenges; ones that assure the best utilization with the utmost dignity for age. (source: official website)

5-6 – World Business Forum – NY, USA

The World Business Forum is the largest business event in the United States, where top business, political and academic figures meet to debate the most pressing issues of the day. The World Business Forum responds to what is happening in the world now. Whether it’s the global financial markets, social media, healthcare or the future of globalization, get the very latest thinking directly from those who are setting the agenda. (source: official website)

20-23 - PopTech – Camden (Maine), USA

PopTech is a unique innovation network – a global community of cutting-edge leaders, thinkers, and doers from many different disciplines, who come together to explore the social impact of new technologies, the forces of change shaping our future, and new approaches to solving the world’s most significant challenges. We are known for our thriving community of thought-leaders, breakthrough innovation programs, visionary annual conferences and deep media and storytelling capabilities. (source: PopTech website)

November 2010

date TBD – New Media Days Conference – Copenhagen, Denmark

20 - TEDxYouthday – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

New this year is the children’s version of TEDxAmsterdam, TEDxYouthday. Held 10 days earlier than the main event on November 20, it’s everything you can imagine from TED, but for our future generation only. Ideas worth doing… plus some special (international) guests. (source: official website)

30 - TEDxAmsterdam – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The second edition of TEDxAmsterdam takes place on 30 November at the glorious Stadsschouwburg, the grand city theater in the centre of Amsterdam. The theme unifying speakers at this year’s event is “Science & Fiction”.  (source: official website)

December 2010

8 – 9 - Le Web – Paris, France

LeWeb started in 2005 with only 250 attendees, second edition still in 2005 gathered 500 people, 1000 in 2006… and on December 2009, for its 6th edition, 2500 participants from 50 countries met in Paris. 2010 is the 6th edition of LeWeb, in Paris on dec 8th and 9th in Les Docks. In 2010, 
LeWeb follows its trends not being only a tech conference to an event touching on more wide-reaching internet topics. (source: official website)

10 – 12 - The INK Conference – Lavasa, India

The INK Conference, in association with TED, is an annual event that aims to open minds to new possibilities by bringing together individuals with eclectic backgrounds under one roof. It hopes to script new success stories and lay the foundation for a non-stop learning experience.

The fast paced and inspiring program with over 40 talks in the course of three days will be interspersed with music, live performances and stand up comedy acts. The INK conference is proud to offer a vision of the future rich with invention, entrepreneurship, cross-disciplinary problem-solving and sensory delight. (source: official website)