Canada Connects Set to Bring Canadian Startups & Hospitality to SXSW
March 5, 2013
March 8th - 12th will find Canadian startup founders and tech enthusiasts heading to the annual SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas for a long weekend of panels, keynotes and peer-to-peer networking over southern hospitality. But those looking for a little Canadian hospitality south of the border won’t have to look far - in fact, they’ll just have to cross the street.
While most SXSW action happens at the Austin Convention Center, the Consulate General of Canada Dallas have their own interactive event in the works for Sunday March 10th at the Hilton Downtown Austin, located conveniently in the SXSW Startup Village, across the way from the Convention Center. The Smart Canadians Lounge will not only feature a day of uniquely Canadian panels from some of Canada’s most innovative companies but will end as every day at SXSW does - with a mixer and free drinks.
During the day, programming will include trend-talks, pitch sessions, a networking lounge, B2B connections and solo presentations by Canadian entrepreneurs, big thinkers and notable doers in the digital interactive industry. Panelists include ITAC Health discussing trends on Health-to-Go, Wavefront on mobile innovations, PO-MO talking dynamic display with augmented reality, KNGFU Numerik, on new story telling with Canadian broadcasters and the Banff Centre hosting a pitch panel on media dissemination.
Following the panel, SXSW attendees can drop in and chill with notable Canadians in the startup industry, including TechVibe’s Canadian Angel of the year (CEO and Cofounder of Clarity.fm, Dan Martell) at the Smart Canadians Drinks Party. This event will include demos from participating companies and is hosted by Trade & Invest British Columbia in celebration of the program contributors.
Panels will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm in the Smart Canadians lounge, located on the 4th floor, Room 400/402 of the Hilton followed by the Smart Canadians Drinks Party at 6:00pm. The event is open to everyone attending SXSW and is not exclusive to Canadians. Interested SXSW attendees can register now to check out one or more of the panels. For up-to-date details, follow @CanadaConnects on Twitter or check out the schedule below:
ITAC Health | Digital Health Changes Everything - Mobile Applications | 9:30AM
This panel of innovate Canadian thought leaders provides a glimpse into the power of digital health and the innovations enabling changes to come. The ITAC Health and its members work with healthcare stakeholders to improve the health of Canadians and the efficiency of the Canadian healthcare system through the implementation of information and communications technologies. More information at ITAC.ca
The Banff Centre | The “Made in Banff” Digital Media Pitch Session | 11:00AM
Great idea for an interactive project? If your project displays an exceptional interactive content idea and an original media dissemination strategy - come pitch it to the “Made in Banff” digital media creative pitch session at SXSW. Successful participant will be awarded a Banff Centre-hosted Creation Residency. The Banff Centre is a globally respected arts, cultural and educational institution located in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The Centre provides resources for collaboration and applied research at the postgraduate level in more than a dozen art forms. More information at BanffCentre.ca
Wavefront | Mobile Innovations Presented by Wavefront | 12:30PM
This panel offers insight from mobile innovators in the Canadian wireless ecosystem. Learn about the market, the depth of talent and the industry support making Canada the heart of wireless innovation. Wavefront is a not-for-profit National Centre of Excellence accelerating the growth and success of wireless companies in Canada by connecting them with critical resources, partners and opportunities, to drive economic and social benefits for Canada. More information at Wavefrontac.com
KNGFU | Trend Talk on New Story Telling With Canadian Broadcasters | 3:30PM
In this session, explore how storytelling crosses platforms and view proposed case studies of projects such as Le Judas, Zieuter and United-States of Africa. They will showcase how interactive strategies increase user engagement and extend viewing with audience interaction on multiple platforms. KNGFU Numerik is a diverse team of digital culture specialists who love interactive media and who master the art of storytelling with creativity and technical innovations. More info at KNGFU.com
PO-MO | Dynamic Display with Augmented Reality | ALL DAY (DEMO LOUNGE)
Experience unique interactive floor and wall installations merge the real and virtual worlds. PO-MO integrates IR cameras, RFID and custom microcontrollers to create immersive, audience controlled experiences. Spaces are transformed for events and promotions using interactive projections on buildings, augmented reality display solutions, gesture controlled displays and dynamic lighting design. More info at POMO. com out one or more of the panels.