Curated Guides

YOUR GUIDE TO 2012 EVENTS

2012 CONFERENCES

Recommended conferences and events during the coming year.

BY WEBBMEDIA GROUP STAFF

Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences
2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012

Executive Summary
We realize that its increasingly dicult to schedule time out of the oce to attend industry events and conferences. Still, there are a number of worthwhile gatherings we strongly recommend. Webbmedia Group has curated the best of all likely tech conferences and events in 2012. Below is that list, along with important details and additional information. Each entry includes a rating scale for added convenience. $ = cost of conference (not including ight or lodging) $ = $100 or less $$ = up to $500 $$$ = up to $1,000 $$$$ = up to $2,000 $$$$$ = > $2,000 J = good chance that youll learn/ see something groundbreaking = conference is dicult to get into/ exclusive WMG = one or more Webbmedia Group sta plans to attend

January
Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 10 - 13 Las Vegas, Nevada http://www.cesweb.org/ CES can be underwhelming some years and downright dazzling other years. Note that much of the technology shown is already coming to market within a few months, so dont expect to see prototypes. Its crowded and dicult to navigate, but you might meet a few great people or see a trend coming together. $$ J WMG

February
iMedia Brand Summit Feb. 5 - 8 Bonita Springs, Florida http://www.imediaconnection.com/summits/29552.asp This is a summit for marketers and those working on brand identity. You must apply, and a large number of attendees receive funding for all costs, including airfare. Free - $$$$$
Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences
2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012

February
Tools of Change Feb. 13 - 15 New York City http://www.toccon.com/toc2012 This conference focuses on changes within the publishing industry, with an emphasis on books. New technology is discussed, prototypes are often shown. OReilly conferences sometimes lack good editorial curation, and panels can therefore come o as platforms for marketing products. $$$ J WMG Media Learning Seminar Feb. 18 - 21 Miami, Florida http://www.knightfoundation.org/media-learning-seminar/2012/ This is a Knight Foundation conference primarily for those working in philanthropy. It draws 400+ people each year to talk about information and society. Many attendees are community and large foundation directors. Free J WMG (speaking) Strata Feb. 28 - March 1 Santa Clara, CA http://strataconf.com/strata2012/public/content/landing? _discount=ADW20&cmp=kn-conf-st12-adw-search Strata happens twice a year and is considered to be the conference for those working/ interested in Big Data. There are always lots of innovations shown and exciting data-driven projects discussed. $$$ J WMG TED2012: Full Spectrum and TEDActive Feb. 27 - March 2 Palm Springs http://conferences.ted.com/TED2012/ TED conferences are notoriously dicult to get into and very expensive ($6,000 per person and up). In February, TED hosts a new exclusive conference, Full Spectrum, and an in-person gathering to watch a live simulcast (TEDActive). The main draw at TEDActive is networking with the folks who didnt make the cut for the full TED show. $$$$ - $$$$$ J

Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences

2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012

March
SXSW (South By Southwest) March 9 - 18 Austin, Texas http://sxsw.com and http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/8652 SXSW (Southby to locals/veterans) is an annual gathering of interactive web/ mobile people during week one and lm/movie folks during week two. More than 30,000 attendees descend on Austin each March to party, see new stu and network. Some argue that the after-hours parties have become the main event. Webbmedia Group curates this conference every year, recommending the 30 must-attend panels and parties. Look for an email from us with that list in February. Note: While we strongly recommend SXSW, if you havent already registered and received a hotel conrmation, youll need to book accommodations elsewhere in Texas or San Antonio. All hotels on the conference route are sold out for 2012. Flights and rental cars are the next to go, so if you plan on attending, make sure you register and book everything ASAP. $$$ J WMG (speaking and holding live oce hours)

April
Where 2.0 April 2 - 4 San Francisco, California http://whereconf.com/where2012 The OReilly Where 2.0 conference has been the best conference focused solely on location-based technologies every year. Big announcements are made by major tech players, innovative new tools are launched (Waze debuted three years ago there) and its a great place to network. This year, there will be an emphasis on mobile-local and local-social. Point of irritation: for the past few years, OReilly schedules this conference during or immediately before/after Passover. $$$ J WMG

May
Mashable Connect TBA Disney World Link from last year: http://mashable.com/connect/twentyeleven/connect/ Mashable brings together close to 300 people (invited only) for a gathering about social media, brands and online/oine content. The weekend is free for attendees. Free J WMG

Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences

2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012

May
D10 (All Things D conference) May 29 - 31 Rancho Palos Verdes, California http://allthingsd.com/conferences/d/d10/about/ Some argue that this is one of the most important industry events of the year. Major announcements from Facebook, Twitter, Google, Microsoft and others are always expected. Its the place to network, to see and to be seen by the tech community. Note: D10 is nearly impossible to get into, even though a set number of seats are oered to the general public. The conference hotel is already sold out. $$$$$ J WMG

June
Personal Democracy Forum June 11 - 12 New York City http://personaldemocracy.com/conferences/nyc/2012 This is widely regarded as one of the best conferences to attend. It sells out early and always brings together a fascinating crowd. $$ J WMG

September
Online News Association Sept. 19 - 22 San Francisco, California Link from last year: http://ona11.journalists.org/ The Online News Association conference primarily attracts those working on the digital side of newspaper and radio organizations. It attracts 1,200 people each year and much of the focus is on innovation in tools/ technology, storytelling, SEO, revenue and design. $$ - $$$ J WMG (speaking) Social Good Summit TBA New York City Link from last year: http://mashable.com/sgs/ This is a Mashable-produced conference that highlights technology for the good of society. Activists, government ocials and technologists attend. $$ WMG

Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences

2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012

October
PRSA Oct. 13 - 16 San Francisco, California http://www.prsa.org/Conferences/InternationalConference/registration/ index.html PRSA is the largest conference for those involved in PR/ marketing/ advertising/ branding. Digital will be a big focus in 2012 -- and its a very good place to network. $$$$$ J WMG Web 2.0 Summit Oct. 17 - 19 San Francisco, California Link from last year: http://www.web2summit.com/web2011 The Web 2.0 Summit used to be the hottest, most exclusive ticket around. In past years, its easier to get into and we would argue that the quality has declined. That said, this OReilly conference always oers great insights, product launches and good opportunities to network. $$$$$ J WMG

November
AdTech Nov. 7 - 8 New York City Link from last year: http://www.ad-tech.com/ny/ AdTech happens twice a year, on the West Coast in spring and on the East Coast in the winter. We think that the NYC conference is better, because it includes more industry players and opportunities to network. Its held at the Javits Center when in NYC, which means lots of people and things to see. $$$ J

Also Noteworthy:
For journalism, we also recommend these conferences: Investigative Reporters & Editors (investigative focus), Association of Alternative Weeklies, Society of News Design (newspaper focus), AEJMC (educator/ academic focus) UNITY (diversity focus). The Chicago Ideas conference and DCWeek happen in the fall -- both attract a 20-something techie crowd. NYCs Internet Week is similar but takes place in June. The Aspen Idea Festival, as well as other Aspen Institute events, are fantastic. Many are invitation-only but worth attending if you can get in. We also recommend TechCrunch and TechStars showcases and events, which are held throughout the country.

Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences

2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012

Key Company Info

Webbmedia Group launched January 2006. Weve worked with Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, foundations, media organizations, governments, universities and tech startups worldwide. We oer strategy and training services. Webbmedia Group sta are uent in Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, French and English. All of our research, client work and training is personalized for each individual group.

Contact Us
Site: http://www.webbmediagroup.com Tel: (267) 342.4300 Email: info@webbmediagroup.com Twitter: @webbmediagroup

About Webbmedia Group

Webbmedia Group, LLC is an international digital strategy consultancy that advises Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, media organizations, law rms, foundations, associations, governments, startups and universities worldwide. We study disruptive technologies and track the emerging digital trends that will prove most game-changing in the near and mid-future. We advise our clients on how to take best advantage of what's next, giving them critical insights and points of view to push them far ahead of their competition. The company is directed by Amy Webb, CEO. Webbmedia Group includes specialists and experts in technology trends, mobile, tablets, technology/ law, gaming, social media, SEO/metrics, digital media business development, product development and digital media training. Headquartered in Baltimore, Webbmedia Group has team members in more than a dozen cities, including Miami, NYC and Kyiv (Ukraine). We also partner with BYO Consulting and iStrategy, community engagement rms that specialize in gaming and high-prole participatory events. Our virtualized oce and distributed platform allows Webbmedia Group to draw on a wide variety of disciplines to serve our worldwide client base. Members of our sta are uent in Spanish, Russian, Japanese, French and English.

Webbmedia Knowledge Base: 2012 Conferences

2012 Webbmedia Group, LLC http://www.webbmediagroup.com

Updated 1.1.2012