Our biggest event of the year — The GeekWire Summit — is just over a month away, coming up on Oct. 2 at the Westin in downtown Seattle.
We’ve got some exciting news to share, including awesome speakers we’ve added to the agenda and a pre-event reception at the headquarters of Zillow on the evening of Oct. 1. But before we share those details, a quick reminder that early-bird rates end this week, so make sure to grab your tickets today before prices go up.
First up, we’re excited to announce that Chris Anderson — the former editor of Wired and author of “The Long Tail” who now serves as CEO of drone startup 3D Robotics — will join us on stage for a fireside chat.
Anderson is an accomplished entrepreneur and writer, and we’re very much looking forward to hearing his perspectives on a variety of topics, discussing everything from the maker movement to drones to what it is like being a GeekDad.
Speaking of drones, we’re also excited to welcome National Geographic contributor Chad Copeland to this year’s lineup. A pioneering photographer and videographer, Copeland uses unmanned aerial vehicles to capture stunning images across the planet. A former U.S. Air Force pilot and air traffic controller, Copeland also will speak about some of the regulatory hurdles facing drone operators, in addition to showcasing some of his amazing work, which you can see here.
Switching gears a bit, this year’s Summit will also feature a panel discussion on the “sharing economy” — discussing how these online marketplaces are changing how we work, shop and move around.
Perhaps no story has driven as much commentary (and controversy) on GeekWire over the past year, and we’re pumped to present an in-depth conversation on how these business models could alter the economy and society.
We’re pleased to welcome Postmates CEO Bastian Lehmann and Rover.com CEO Aaron Easterly to this discussion, which will be moderated by venture capitalist Scott Stanford, the former head of Goldman Sachs’s Global Internet Investment Banking business.
Postmates’ Lehmann is looking to change the way tacos, donuts and other items are delivered to your doorstep, tapping into a courier network that delivers items in less than an hour. It has raised $23 million in venture funding. Meanwhile, Rover.com is looking to upend the pet care market, changing the way you find a dog sitter. The Seattle startup has raised about $25 million.
These speakers will be joining a lineup that already includes Zulily co-founder Mark Vadon; Walmart e-commerce CEO Neil Ashe; and veteran journalists Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. Stay tuned for more speaker announcements around the Summit soon.
We hope that you’ll join us on Oct. 2nd for this one-of-a-kind event, and don’t forget to grab those early-bird tickets before they are gone.
A big thanks to CenturyLink, presenting sponsor for this year’s Summit.
We’d also like to thank gold sponsors: Perkins Coie, Technology Association of Oregon, Alaska Airlines, UPS, Tableau Software, Frontier, EMC/Isilon and Brenthaven.
And silver sponsors: Davis Wright Tremaine, Wave Business Solutions, Zillow, Avalara, Moz, Fresh Consulting, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Allovus and Knoll.
For more information on sponsoring the GeekWire Summit, contact Daniel Rossi at daniel@geekwire.com.
