SXSW Panel Proposals from ABQ/NM
The road to SXSW (in March! 2018!) is a long one, but it can be fun. Potential panelists took a big step on that journey yesterday (8/7) when the SXSW Panel-Picker opened to the public. Now’s the time when panel organizers hit up friends and colleagues for potential votes — and I am no different.
But… I think it’s all cool, because everytime I search for panels and look at the different themes, I find a *lot* of sessions I’d love to attend — and will recommend to all sorts of colleagues anyway. I am a fan.
A big part of my being a fan is having experienced the power of connecting my ecosystem in Albuquerque with the wider world of innovation that SXSW brings together in one convenient place that’s not too far away. So as part of all that, I encourage readers to check out the Panel-Picker proposals for the following sessions, all of which have some Albuquerque flavor:
Startup Communities Built From Scratch
In the years since Brad Feld’s “Startup Communities” and the launch of Startup America, thriving startup ecosystems have been coming together across the U.S. In this session, we’ll hear from startup community builders who have built ecosystems from scratch in Albuquerque, Honolulu and Lincoln and how TechCo has supported emerging ecosystem growth. Hear about the lessons they’ve learned and tips/strategies that can be applied in other emerging startup scenes.
Including
- Lana Zumbrunn, Ecosystem Builder, FUSE Coworking
- Eric Renz-Whitmore, Entrepreneur Development Manager, CABQ Economic Development
- Tarik Sultan, Managing Director, Sultan Ventures
- Marita McGinn, Community and Startup Relations Manager, Tech.Co
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/76684
Creating Your Destiny in the Gig Economy
Employers and workers have experienced challenges and opportunities created by ICTs. Adaptability is a must in a world where traditional roles, hierarchies, spaces, expectations, ways of communicating, and getting hired have changed. Many people now work from gig to gig needing different skills for each job. Our panel will address how professionals can rise to the top by creating their own personal brand reinforced with their unique online presence and in-person pitch.
Including:
- Danielle Duran, Principal, Duran Consulting
- Soledad Roybal, Senior Outreach and Communications Campaign Manager, International Telecommunications Union
- Michael Melcher, Author, Executive Coach, Next Step Partners
- Tania Mejia, Communications Director, Jolt Texas
Learn more & Vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/70224
Coding @ Exascale: Productivity, Process & People
By 2023, Exascale computing (a quintillion FLOPS) will help us solve complex problems of national and global importance such as developing new energy sources, simulating the human brain, advancing medical research, and modeling the Earth’s climate and global economy. However, the promise of exascale computing hinges on how well we approach the socio-technical challenges of empowering people, process, and productivity. How are we addressing disruptive change and new opportunities today?
- Elaine Raybourn, Principal Member of the Technical Staff — Social Scientist, Sandia National Laboratories
- David Bernholdt, Distinguished R&D Staff Member, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/77653
Leveraging Data and AI to Transform Cities
We believe the next wave of urban innovation has the potential to be inclusive and tackle disparities in access to cities’ services. Our key idea is for cities to leverage open data to make their services more responsive to citizens needs and enable dynamic interactions. Our AI chat bot, MIRA, allows anyone to find crucial city services using natural language processing. We demonstrate how finding food, shelter, healthcare, legal support can be made more accessible and empathetic to citizens.
Including:
- Lawrence Abeyta, COO/Cofounder, APPCityLife, Inc.
- Norma Padron, Professor & Data Scientist
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/69679
Making it Real: Tangible Worlds of Storytelling
In an increasingly digital world, it can be difficult for storytellers to break through the noise. Through new media technology, filmmakers, artists and technologists are transporting viewers back to a tactile approach to entertainment. From immersive theater to augmented reality, physical connection to art and storytelling can dramatically transform a viewer experience. Panelists will discuss how connecting viewers physically can spark personal memories, reverberating long after the experience.
Including:
- Ted Schilowitz, Futurist, Paramount Pictures
- Delaney Martin, Co-Founder/Artistic Director, New Orleans Airlift
- Vince Kadlubek, Co-Founder/CEO, Meow Wolf
- Brandon Oldenburg, Chief Creative Officer, Flight School
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/73960
SocEnt: Rethinking Startups via Social Enterprise
While the search and support for “unicorn” startups remain the goal, data clearly shows that other kinds of entrepreneurs are the ones who are succeeding more often and having a positive impact in their communities. Whether it’s termed “social entrepreneurship,” building “Zebra” startups or simply starting and growing local businesses that are mission-driven, there are new options available. In this session, we will illustrate the power of sustainable businesses models for the 21st century.
Including:
- Vanessa Roanhorse, CEO, Roanhorse Consulting
- C’pher Gresham, National Director of Expansion, Seed Spot
- Enoch Elwell, Director, CO.Starters
- Mara Zepeda, CEO / Co-Founder, Switchboard HQ
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/77928
State of GovTech: The Next Steps for Civic Tech
Each year, state and local government agencies spend over $100 billion dollars on information technology solutions — creating a market category identified as ‘Gov Tech’. Although Gov Tech is not a new industry — it is undergoing a radical transformation driven by tech-savvy government agencies, the emergence of new startups and a growing venture capital ecosystem. This panel brings together experts from government and industry to discuss the technology revolution happening in government.
Including:
- Dustin Haisler, Chief Innovation Officer, e.Republic
- John Miri, Chief Administrative Officer, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
- Rebecca Woodbury, Senior Management Analyst, City of San Rafael, California
- Lisa Abeyta, President and CEO, APPCityLife, Inc.
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/74496
Surviving the Cyber Apocalypse
“World War III is a guerrilla information war with no division between military and civilian participation,” said media theorist Marshall McLuhan. From click bait headlines focused on driving traffic, 4chan ops, twitter debate and disinformation media sites; is McLuhan right? What tools are necessary to survive in this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world? This panel will explore the philosophy behind McLuhan’s quote and give practical advice for surviving the digital apocalypse.
Including:
- Heather Vescent, Futurist, The Purple Tornado
- Elaine Raybourn, Social Scientist, Sandia National Labs
- Chris Rock, CEO, Kustodian
- Nick Selby, Law Enforcement, Cop, Author, Security Expert, Self
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/69819
SXSWEDU
I’ve also found a few more Albuquerque-related sessions proposed for SXSW EDU with some of Albuquerque Public Schools’ Apple Distinguished Educators (I didn’t even know we had those!). Here they are:
Baseline Skills for the 21st Century
Nearly everyone in education has a list of skills that “every student should learn.” But what are the real baseline demands we should make of students, particularly when more jobs are “hybrids” blending different skill sets? What set of abilities will enable graduates to navigate the workforce? Our panel will look at the latest data on what employers demand in the job market, examining emerging skills such as coding, design, and data analysis, as well as traditional “soft skill” requirements.
Including:
- Matthew Sigelman, CEO, Burning Glass Technologies
- Jamai Blivin, CEO, Innovate+Educate
- Debbie Hughes, Vice President, Higher Education & Workforce , The Business-Higher Education Forum
- Frank Woodbeck, Vice Chancellor, Workforce Development, Nevada System of Higher Education
Learn more and vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/76631
CollabGeneration
Two Apple Distinguished Educators, will discuss how to redefine the perception of student and teacher collaboration. Engaging students with meaningful learning experiences in today’s world is not an easy task. It is even more difficult to engage overwhelmed parents! By using TouchCast (smart videos) and Nearpod, educators and students have the ability to reignite passion and participation in the multiple classrooms while meeting any educational objective and fostering parent participation.
- Steven Lamb, Teacher, Albuquerque Public Schools
- Rachel Thomas, Teacher, Albuquerque Public Schools
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/79584
The Student Digital Architect
Three innovators will discuss how to create national, independent digital architects. By equipping all students to become the technological leaders and examples within their schools, they become infectious natures within the learning community. The twist: high school students are mentoring elementary students 700 miles away using the tools and methods they explore. Student-led transference of tech knowledge is seen by engaging in the tools needed to support meaningful digital application.
- Rachel Thomas, Apple Distinguished Educator, Albquerque Public Schools
- Steven Lamb, Apple Distinguished Educator, Albuquerque Public Schools
- Jacob Luévano, Technology Integration Specialist, Manor Independent School District
Learn more & vote at: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/71010
Don’t those all make you want to experience SXSW in 2018? If so, the pricing and lodging options will never be better than right now. Also, please consider following our community efforts to promote Albuquerque, our startups and other innovators with ABQ2SXSW.