Speaking on a panel at the GeekWire Summit last year, T-Mobile USA’s then-marketing chief floated what seemed at the time like a crazy idea: getting rid of device subsidies in the wireless business. The comment made news around the world — and provided the first glimpse of a radical new strategy that T-Mobile would later roll out.
This is exactly the type of insight that we strive to deliver at GeekWire. And today we’re pleased to announce the second year of this event, the 2013 GeekWire Summit — including an early preview of some of the speakers we’ve lined up, and the content we have in store, with more to come.
Expanding this year to a full day, the GeekWire Summit will be held Sept. 12 in downtown Seattle. This event brings together engineers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and creative pros from around the region and the country for conversations and insights at the intersection of business and technology.
Our goal with the GeekWire Summit to benefit and bring together the community as a whole, spotlighting the Seattle region and the global trends impacting the technology world.
Early bird tickets are available here or below. Here are a few of the highlights from the agenda so far …
HBO’s Otto Berkes, the Microsoft Xbox and tablet computing veteran who is now the chief technology officer of HBO, will share his insights into the evolving world of digital media and devices. HBO is one of many companies that have opened engineering offices in the Seattle region, giving Berkes an additional perspective on the technology climate.
A panel on video games, led by industry veteran Ed Fries, will explore the fundamental shifts in economics, gameplay, social interactions, cloud computing and devices that are transforming this massive market.
A panel on the future of retail — featuring veterans of Amazon, Starbucks and Nordstrom — will examine the changing nature of e-commerce and the increasing crossover between the physical and digital worlds.
Panelists include Jane Park, the CEO of cosmetics e-commerce startup Julep; Dr. Nadia Shouraboura, the CEO of robot-powered apparel startup Hointer; and Michael Smith, the CEO of organic food delivery service Full Circle Farms.
Rich Barton, the Expedia and Zillow founder, will share his unique insights into the startup ecosystem and the investment climate for technology ventures.
Chase Jarvis, the visionary photographer, director, and fine artist who founded fast-growing online education startup creativeLive, will offer his perspective on the evolving world of digital media and online education.
A capstone panel on the future of innovation — one of the most popular sessions at last year’s event — will feature industry vets including Jeremy Jaech (of Aldus and Visio fame) who has returned to the startup world as the CEO of home sensor startup SNUPI Technologies, a UW spin-out.
That’s just the start. Stay tuned for more in the weeks ahead.
The GeekWire Summit follows an unscripted Q&A format, with on-stage interviews and panels led by GeekWire editors and industry experts, with lots of opportunities for audience interaction. The event, which drew more than 500 people last year, will be held at the Sheraton Seattle downtown.
Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this event possible: Wave Business Solutions, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Appature, Moz, MightyCall, Vertafore, University of Washington Professional and Continuing Education, Summit Group Solutions, Avalara, and Davis Wright Tremaine.
It will be an informative and fun day, with great food and drink and lots of chances to network. Grab those tickets here or below, and see you on Sept. 12!
