geekwiresummit-logoWe’re one week away from the GeekWire Summit, our biggest event ever and a must-attend conference for anyone interested in technology and business. Tickets are still available, but they’re going fast, so be sure to grab yours today.

This is the fourth year of the GeekWire Summit, which convenes business leaders, engineers, investors and innovators for a conversation about the future of business and technology. We’ve put together a big lineup of content, bringing in key executives from influential companies — Nike, Zillow, Microsoft, Concur, Uber and many more — plus scientists, researchers, startup founders, journalists, educators and sci-fi writers.

So what’s in store? The agenda has been finalized, and you can check it out below.

Wednesday, Sept. 30

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Welcome Party at Chef’s headquarters in Pioneer Square, open to all Summit attendees. (619 Western Avenue, Suite 400). Kick off the GeekWire Summit in style, with heavy appetizers and drinks at the awesome new headquarters of Chef. KEXP DJ Darek Mazzone will spin the tunes, and Chef CEO Barry Crist will face off against GeekWire co-founder John Cook in an epic ping pong match at 6:45 p.m., with the “loser” donating $1,000 to the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship fund.

Thursday, Oct. 1

7:45 a.m. – 9 a.m.: Registration opens at Seattle Sheraton (1400 6th Avenue)

9 a.m.: Fireside chat: Greg Gottesman, Pioneer Square Labs
The longtime Seattle investor and startup founder reveals the first public details about his new venture.

David Streitfeld. (Photo via New York Times.)
David Streitfeld. (Photo via New York Times.)

9:20 a.m.: Panel: What We Learned at Amazon
Amazon leaves a lasting impression on those who work there. What do they take away from the experience? What does Amazon’s approach say about the future of work? And can the company adapt its culture as it continues to grow? Former Amazon executives and employees Nadia Shouraboura, Dave Cotter and Sandi Lin share their insights into these questions and more. Moderated by New York Times reporter David Streitfeld, co-author of “Inside Amazon, Wrestling Big Ideas in a Bruising Workplace.”

10:20 a.m.: Geeks Give Back announcement
Naria Santa Lucia, executive director of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, and University of Washington computer science student Rutha Nuguse kick off the annual Geeks Give Back campaign, presented by Bank of America.

10:30 a.m.: Networking break

10:50 a.m.: Fireside chat: Spencer Rascoff, CEO of Zillow Group
The leader of the rapidly growing online real estate company shares insights on the tech economy, the real estate market, and building a successful company in a highly competitive market.

Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox
Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox

11:25 a.m.: Fireside chat: Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox
Microsoft’s top video game executive discusses the future of gaming, the company’s competition with Sony and Nintendo, and emerging trends such as augmented reality and eSports.

Noon: Lunch, with sponsored talk by Dice president Shravan Goli

1 p.m.: Fireside chat: Nick Hanauer, co-founder of Second Avenue Partners
A wide-ranging discussion with the outspoken venture capitalist, activist, entrepreneur and early Amazon investor.

1:30 p.m.: Panel discussion: Robots, Machine Learning, and the Future of AI
New York Times Science Reporter John Markoff — author of the recently-released book Machines of Loving Grace — discusses machine learning and the future of artificial intelligence with Peter Lee, the global head of Microsoft Research.

Lori Garver, former NASA deputy administrator
Lori Garver, former NASA deputy administrator

2:10 p.m.: Fireside Chat: Lori Garver, Former NASA Deputy Administrator, GM of Air Line Pilots Association
Science reporter Alan Boyle interviews the former NASA deputy administrator about the future of commercial spaceflight and the coming transformation of the world’s airspace.

2:35 p.m.: Networking break

2:55 p.m.: Inventions We Love
A fun geek show-and-tell featuring some of the coolest gadgets and hardware devices we’ve seen, featuring You Kick Ass, Pebblebee, Wigl and Excy. Vote for your favorite in this exciting session, sponsored by Best Buy.

3:30 p.m.: Fireside chat: Robert Hohman, CEO of Glassdoor
The leader of the online employment community on recruiting and managing top employees, and building successful businesses in the modern tech economy.

Dave McClure and Brady Forrest.
Dave McClure and Brady Forrest.

4 p.m.: Fireside chat: Brady Forrest, Vice President of Highway1; and Dave McClure, Co-founder of 500 Startups
Startup secrets and tech insights from the stars of the new Syfy reality show, “Bazillion Dollar Club.”

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Opening Night Party
Opening night party at Sullivan’s steakhouse. (621 Union St, one block south of Seattle Sheraton). Hang out with GeekWire Summit speakers, attendees and other VIPs and get your geek on — ’80s style. We’re transforming Sullivan’s into a retro gaming arcade, complete with your favorite pinball and arcade games. Time to polish off those Galaga and Pac Man skills. Oh, yeah, drinks and appetizers to be served, too!

Friday, Oct. 2

7:45 a.m.: Registration opens at Seattle Sheraton (1400 6th Avenue).

Tom Gonser, Docusign founder and chief strategy officer.
Tom Gonser, Docusign founder and chief strategy officer.

9 a.m.: Fireside chat: Tom Gonser, founder of DocuSign
Business and tech insights from the founder of one of the region’s largest privately held tech companies.

9:30 a.m.: Panel discussion: Science fiction and the future
Science fiction writers, technologists, and a former astronaut preview the future in this discussion, moderated by GeekWire columnist Frank Catalano. Panelists include Hugo-award winning sci-fi writer Nancy Kress; computer scientist, futurist, and award-winning author Ramez Naam and former NASA astronaut and Sentinel Mission CEO Ed Lu.

10:20 a.m.: Geeks Give Back announcement
Naria Santa Lucia, executive director of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, and University of Washington neurobiology student Mahdi Ramadan discuss the annual Geeks Give Back campaign, presented by Bank of America.

10:30 a.m.: Networking Break

Elena Donio, Concur President
Elena Donio, Concur President

10:55 a.m.: Power Talk: Dr. Jim Olson of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
The serial startup founder and cancer researcher discusses the latest breakthroughs in the fight against one of the world’s most vexing diseases.

11:15 a.m.: Fireside chat: Steve Singh and Elena Donio of Concur
Fresh off the company’s purchase by SAP, the leaders of tech powerhouse Concur share insights from building a successful company, and life after the acquisition.

Noon: Lunch
Is your startup investor ready? Sponsored panel featuring Acumatica CEO Jon Roskill, a former corporate vice president at Microsoft; Acumatica COO Nigel LeGresley, former VP of finance at Tableau Software; and Privateer Holdings managing director Jeff Guillot.

1:15 p.m.: Power Talk: Analyzing disasters on social media
Kate Starbird, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering at the University of Washington, will discuss the emerging field of crisis informatics—the study of how information-communication technologies are used during crisis events.

Redfin CTO Bridget Frey
Redfin CTO Bridget Frey

1:35 p.m.: Panel Discussion: The Engineering Front Lines
Top technical leaders share insights on hiring, innovating and building world-class products in an ultra-competitive industry. University of Washington computer science professor Ed Lazowska will lead a discussion with top technologists, including Redfin CTO Bridget Frey, Socrata CTO Deep Dhillon and Tim Prouty, head of Seattle software engineering at Uber.

2:15 p.m.: Panel Discussion: Kids Tech Panel
Four special guests share their unique insights on technology and the future.

2:35 p.m.: Networking break

2:55 p.m.: Inventions We Love
A fun geek show-and-tell featuring some of the coolest gadgets and hardware devices we’ve seen, featuring Glowforge, Vicis, Illumagear and the MSR SE200 Community Chlorine Maker. Vote for your favorite in this exciting session, sponsored by Best Buy.

3:30 p.m.: Fireside chat: Eric Sprunk, COO at Nike
The longtime Nike executive, who oversees everything from manufacturing to IT infrastructure, talks about technology, sports and the transformation of Nike into an innovation powerhouse.

4:15 p.m.: Closing remarks

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week! Visit the event page or purchase tickets below.

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