3D to be used for Mixed Reality Debate Event #DofD

Business leaders from across the globe will take part in a unique mixed-reality debate exploring how distance should not be a barrier to business communication on Tuesday 27 April 2010.

Corporation Pop is designing and managing Death of Distance, which will take place between 6pm and 7pm at Vision + Media’s offices in Manchester’s MediaCityUK. Hosted in a 3D environment and taking place in real-time, a panel of leading business experts will participate either as avatars, by live video conference link or in person. The event will also be available to watch live online and the conversation can be followed on Twitter using #DofD.

Dom Raban, MD at virtual consultancy Corporation Pop explains: “We believe this is the first time a mixed-reality debate has taken place in the North West and we’ve got an impressive line-up from the international business community to take part. Professionals from businesses such as IBM and BP will discuss their experiences of how new technologies can enhance collaboration, create new business opportunities, and stimulate the creative and digital supply chain. Our panel of experts will participate from the far corners of the globe including San Francisco, Brisbane and Newcastle.”

Guest speakers* include experts from Second Life founders Linden Labs, Queensland University of Technology, BRC Imagination Arts and strategy company Woodholmes.

The panel of experts will be chaired by Phil Jones, sales and marketing director at Brother UK. He says: “In a globalising world that has its foot hard on the accelerator, finding new ways to connect with people have to be explored. In many cases distance is irrelevant and it is these areas the debate will look to explore. I’m particularly keen to hear about how businesses are using avatars to communicate virtually and how this affects the overall experience when compared with video conferencing. I’m really looking forward to pulling it together on the night.”

Death of Distance is inviting participation from both the real world and virtual world audiences. There are three ways to take part:

· Virtually by logging in as an avatar in the 3D auditorium – screens within the auditorium will display feeds of video conference panel members and a live video stream of the Chair and live audience at MediaCityUK

· Real life attendance at MediaCityUK – live video stream will be played from MediaCityUK into the 3D auditorium, enabling remote participants to see the invited audience

· Watch the debate live at www.virtualnorthernnet.co.uk – take part in the twitter conversation by using the hashtag #DofD

*Confirmed guest speakers include:

·Adam Nelson, Executive Director Business, Linden Labs (Second Life originator) – attending as an avatar (from San Francisco, USA)

·Joe Little, Senior Technology Consultant CTO, BP International – attending as an avatar (from Sunbury-on-Thames, UK)

·Neil Katz, Distinguished Engineer IBM – attending as an avatar (from Fort Lauderdale, USA)

·Stuart Smith, CEO, Woodholmes – attending by video conference (from Newcastle, UK)

·Professor Justin O Connor, Queensland University of Technology – attending as an avatar (from Queensland, Australia)

·Donna Davidson, BRC Imagination Arts – attending by video conference (from Durham, UK)

Tags: Corporation Pop, Death of Distance, MediaCityUK

Category: Corporate Events, Event Technology