Village Gamer

Spectators of the 2011 Kokanee Crankworx Freeride Mountain Bike Festival (at press time, the Festival’s website was not loading), the world renowned supercharged free ride festival taking place in Whistler this July 15th through 24th will be benefiting from a new mobile event app for smartphones. The new app will give spectators access to important festival information like event schedules, updated results, area maps and venue information.

David Snell, QuickMobile’s Chief Marketing Officer stated: “We are very excited to have been chosen to develop the Mobile Festival App for Kokanee Crankworx this year. Instead of having to carry around a paper Festival Guide during this 9-day sports event, athletes and spectators of this supercharged Mountain Bike Festival will now be able to access all their important festival information by simply downloading the Kokanee Crankworxs Mobile Festival App which was specifically designed to enhance the experience of the festival visitor while providing a greener solution for the event organizer.”

One of the world’s most prestigious and advanced conferences will come to Toronto next July as Microsoft Corporation announced today that its Worldwide Partner Conference will meet in Toronto in 2012.

More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the Toronto conference, representing technology companies in 130 countries. While the main hubs of the action will be the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the Air Canada Centre, many other venues will be involved as 500+ events take place during the conference and at least 32 hotels across the Toronto region will host delegates.

“Winning a prestigious meeting, for such a widely admired company, is not only a boost to the local economy but a testament to Toronto’s ability to host major events,” said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto, which submitted the winning bid along with provincial and local partners.

“Microsoft Corporation’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference attracts more than 15,000 delegates,” said Eric Gales, General Manager, Microsoft Canada. “The four-day event celebrates the accomplishments of the company’s 640,000 global technology partners. Microsoft Canada is thrilled that next year’s event will be hosted in the city of Toronto and excited by the opportunity for the city to showcase its diverse culture, entertainment, and world-renowned hospitality.”

From July 9 through 13, 2012, Worldwide Partner Conference is a must-attend conference for the technology industry that attracts delegates, vendors and suppliers from around the world. It is an opportunity to showcase Toronto as a destination as well as Toronto and Ontario’s innovative information technology businesses.

“Our government is thrilled that Toronto has been chosen to host next year’s Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference and we’re proud of our support to help bring it here,” said Laura Albanese, MPP York South-Weston. “This is a major win for the GTA and Ontario – it will put us front and centre on the world map, while boosting support for jobs, the economy and increased tourism.”

Tourism Toronto has committed to create a scholarship program to assist international students participating in the 2012 conference, with more details on this initiative to be shared in the coming months. Tourism Toronto will also provide opportunities for students in Ontario’s tourism and hospitality programs to gain valuable experience in event management through a marquee international conference.

“We are confident this will prove to be the most inspiring and technically advanced Worldwide Partner Conference ever for Microsoft, and will highlight our ability to come together as a tourism community to host large and sophisticated global corporate events,” said Mr. Whitaker.

Vancouver’s TM Events & Promotions has become the first event planning company in Canada to offer fully-managed event social media services as part of its comprehensive portfolio of event and promotion services. The company launched its new event social media service at the TM Events 10th anniversary celebration on July 6. The event featured a social media campaign, designed in collaboration with MarketingSmartt, which propelled TM Event’s party into one of the top trending topics in Canada.

According to trendsmap.com, which tracks Twitter trends worldwide, within three hours of the event’s start, the #TMSOCIAL hash tag had generated more than 100 tweets and over 70,000 online impressions. TM Events achieved this trend with only 200 participating attendees. The evening’s social media activities delivered 86 mentions on Twitter and 100 comments on TM Event’s Facebook page. More significantly, the campaign added 100 new TM Events Facebook fans and 50 new Twitter followers.

“We are dedicated to creating unique and memorable events for our clients,” says Traci Myles, president of TM Events, “which includes helping them achieve their business goals. Social media has become essential for maintaining brand awareness, and our 10th Anniversary party campaign proves that integrating social media with a well-planned event can deliver amazing results. Companies can use this type of event to launch their social media program, to kick-start or revitalize their brand. I can see demand for this service at product launches or rebranding events.”

Myles also feels that private clients will see value in adding social media to their events. “Guests told us that the social media activities actually made the party more fun for them, since they could share the experience with friends, family, and colleagues. It’s a connected world now, and social media allows for remote participation.”

Prior to the event, MarketingSmartt collaborated with TM Events on a tailored social media and content strategy which included elements such as online registration management and an event-specific email campaign. During the party, on-site activity included a social media game designed to reward guests who tweeted, posted, or recorded content from the event. There will also be follow-up outreach activities from TM Events to maximize the value of the campaign.

Saleh Tousi, CEO of MarketingSmartt, emphasizes that best practices for an event social media campaign needs to include key performance metrics that can be tracked and measured for business impact.

“In working with TM Events,” Tousi says, “we have been consistently impressed with their focus, initiative, and attention to detail. They gave us accurate audience profiles and a clear mandate which we could turn into measurable metrics that prove ROI. They executed flawlessly on all the social media activities we created. We are delighted to partner with them to help their clients and ours engage with event social media.”

With consumers and the business community falling for online automotive marketplace Unhaggle.com and its compelling promise to eliminate the time and hassle of negotiating a new car deal – it’s only natural that the founders are attending the upcoming International Startup Festival in Montreal.

Taking place from July 13-15, the International Startup Festival invites talented entrepreneurs with fast growing and innovative companies to present their businesses to top-tier investors and founders from around the world.

“We started Unhaggle because most people hate negotiating or just don’t have the patience to do it, particularly with car dealers. I realized this after a frustrating experience going through the car buying process myself,” explains Andrew Tai, co-founder, Unhaggle.com. “I wished there was an easier way to get a great deal without having to visit multiple dealers and haggling… and now there is with Unhaggle.”

“The Internet has made it easier to comparison shop for almost every product imaginable, so why not new cars?” asks Radek Garbowski, co-founder, Unhaggle.com.  “We are the only source that provides Canadian consumers with true market based pricing on new cars by getting dealers to compete online.  At the same time, we provide dealers with an efficient way to sell more and faster.”

Launched three months ago, here’s how Unhaggle works:

• Customer builds the exact vehicle they want, selects local dealers to compete for their business and pays $47 on Unhaggle.com
• Selected dealers are invited to submit their best offer for either the exact vehicle requested or an available alternative (e.g., different colour)
• All dealer offers are presented to the customer for comparison
• Customer clicks ‘Accept’ on Unhaggle.com to reserve an offer, providing a small deposit which is credited to the purchase price
• The winning dealer is revealed and the customer personally completes the transaction and picks up the new vehicle at the dealership

“For less than the cost of a tank of gas, Unhaggle offers car buyers the convenience of not having to negotiate with any dealers, and the peace of mind of knowing they got a great deal,” adds Neal Shah, co-founder, Unhaggle.com.

The automotive industry is quickly embracing Unhaggle’s innovative model. The company announced today that it has agreed to be the exclusive new car buying service for integration with CanadianBlackBook.com, Canada’s leading resource for automotive pricing information. Unhaggle and Canadian Black Book will be developing and launching services that simplify and streamline the car buying process for consumers and dealers alike.

The SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival has a long history of presenting a variety of the world’s most innovative, accomplished, and amazing creators of digital gaming, film, and video. The Computer Animation Festival at SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver this August 7th – 11th, provides a personal viewing experience unlike any other. In addition to film screenings, the Festival includes interactive sessions and exclusive learning opportunities to gain industry secrets and advice from some of the most successful professionals in the field.

“Once again, the content in the Computer Animation Festival offers something of interest to just about everyone – from industry newbies to veterans,” said Joshua Grow, Computer Animation Festival Director from The Creative-Cartel. “The content ranges from commercials to gaming. It is truly the year’s unique opportunity to hear directly from the best in the business. It should prove to be educational and inspirational.”

Listed below are just a few of the learning opportunities during the Computer Animation Festival:

Production Sessions

Production Sessions are high-level discussions that showcase the computer animation and visual effects in some of the Computer Animation Festival’s most provocative works. SIGGRAPH 2011 featured Production Sessions include:

The Visual Effects of “Thor” and “Captain America”: So Different Yet So Marvel

Marvel Studios devotes great time and effort to deliver great storytelling, strong visuals, and compelling characters to movie audiences. This session compares the films “Thor” and “Captain America” and shows how visual effects are a critical aesthetic ingredient in their success. Visual effects supervisors Wesley Sewell and Christopher Townsend and their teams from Digital Domain, Double Negative, Whiskytree, Luma Pictures, and Lola VFX review how the films combine beauty and authenticity.

Pixar: “La Luna”

Enrico Casarosa, Pixar Animation Studios

“La Luna” is the timeless fable of a young boy who is coming of age in the most peculiar of circumstances. Tonight is the very first time his Papa and Grandpa are taking him to work. In an old wooden boat, they row far out to sea, and with no land in sight, they stop and wait. A big surprise awaits the little boy as he discovers his family’s most unusual line of work. Should he follow the example of his Papa or his Grandpa? Will he be able to find his own way in the midst of their conflicting opinions and timeworn traditions? Following the Canadian premiere screening of “La Luna,” its director, Enrico Casarosa, discusses the journey that led him to create this very personal short and demonstrates the singularly artistic style by which the film was crafted.

DreamWorks Animation: The Yin and Yang of Creating the Final Battle in “Kung Fu Panda 2”

The climax of the CG-animated movie “Kung Fu Panda 2” is an epic battle featuring a flotilla of boats, an ancient Chinese-styled city, thousands of wolves armed for battle, action featuring hundreds of characters in a single shot, stylized graphic lighting, fantastical cannon fire and explosions, and a set of effects-supported Kung Fu moves. This talk provides a unique insight into the making of a CG-animated movie that goes beyond the traditional idealized concept of the pipeline.

Industrial Light & Magic Presents: Getting Dirty: Bringing the Digital Feature “Rango” to Life

This in-depth discussion focuses on the production of Industrial Light & Magic’s first animated feature “Rango.” ILM’s unique approach to the genre brings a new dimension to the animated feature, giving “Rango” the visceral quality that the company is best known for in its visual effects work. The presenters review all aspects of the work from initial asset development through animation, simulation, lighting, and compositing.

Imageworks: The Smurf-alution: A Half-Century of Character Development

Sony Pictures Imageworks animation supervisor Troy Saliba and leading members of their Vancouver animation team take the Smurfs from the most primitive pencil sketch to a contemporary 3D stereo rendering.

Industrial Light & Magic: New Solutions for New Challenges

The Industrial Light & Magic team delves into the effects created for three of 2011’s largest summer films, dissecting the challenges and revealing their solutions. The panel breaks down the visual effects challenges presented on this year’s slate of films including: “Cowboys & Aliens,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”

Guerrilla: The Creation of Killzone 3 – Game Production Session

This talk details various aspects of designing and developing videogames at Guerrilla. It highlights methods that are very similar to methods used in the CGI industry, and it illuminates some of the most important differences. And it covers the complete breadth of videogame development from artistic design to production pipelines and tool and engine development.

Real-Time Live!

This program showcases the latest trends and best techniques for pushing the boundaries of interactive visuals in video games and real-time simulations. To help emphasize the difference between these works and pre-rendered works, real-time pieces are demonstrated live on their actual platforms without any post-production. Each live presentation lasts less than five minutes in a fast-paced, 45-minute show of diverse and aesthetically stimulating work. SIGGRAPH 2011 Real-Time Live! highlights include:

Chrysaora: WebGL Jellyfish Simulation

Savannah College of Art and Design

Chrysaora is a real-time jellyfish simulation created entirely with web technologies such as JavaScript, WebGL, WebSockets, and CSS. It uses realistic rendering and simulation techniques similar to those used in modern 3D video games, but it can run in an internet browser on any operating system.

Enlighten Real-Time Radiosity

Geomerics Ltd.

Using Geomerics Enlighten technology, this demo shows how dynamic real-time lighting enhances game play and visual quality in computer games. Enlighten is a cross-platform, real-time radiosity solution that can generate bounce lighting for a game level in a fraction of a frame.

Samaritan Real-Time Demo

Epic Games Inc.

Samaritan is a real-time demonstration of the latest Unreal Engine 3 technology that shows off DirectX 11 support and DirectX features such as tessellation and displacement mapping, geometry shaders, multi-sampled textures, and Shader Model 5. High-end rendering enhancements include image-based reflections, Bokeh depth of field, subsurface scattering, anti-aliased masked materials, deferred rendering with MSAA support, and high-quality dynamic shadows.

iMedic: Immersive Medical Environment for Distributed Interactive Consultation

Digital Artforms, Inc.

This interactive medical visualization system is based on two hand-held tracked controllers that directly control the position and orientation of two 3D cursors. Button presses enable direct manipulation of space with either or both hands, resulting in intuitive manipulation of the viewpoint. You can place yourself anywhere at any orientation and at any scale with just a few simple gestures.

RealD Presents 3D Day

The Computer Animation Festival also features an entire day highlighting the enormously popular growth of 3D in movies, including an introduction to 3D by 3ality and an excerpt from Disney’s “Lion King” in 3D. SIGGRAPH 2011 3D highlights include:

JURY AWARD

Paths of Hate

Platige Image

Two pilots, driven by blind hate, chase each other in their airplanes and thereby write cryptic messages of madness into the firmament. On their way into the abyss they transform into inhuman and distorted creatures that finally become part of the history of hate.

BEST STUDENT PROJECT PRIZE

Flamingo Pride

The Konrad Wolf Potsdam-Babelsberg Film and Television University

Frustrated being the only straight flamingo in a gay flock, our hero falls in love with a lady stork that flies by. Unable to convince her of his serious intentions he isolates himself and goes through an identity crisis. An intensive encounter inspires him to make a bold move.

IMAX Hubble 3D Visualization Excerpt: Journey Into the Orion Nebula

Space Telescope Science Institute

An excerpt from IMAX “Hubble 3D” takes viewers inside the Orion Nebula to witness the birth of stars and planets. This cinematic scientific visualization, based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories, is the result of close collaboration between research astronomers, computer programmers, and visualization artists.

“Green Lantern”

Sony Pictures Imageworks

In a vast universe a small powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice: the Green Lantern Corps. A new enemy, Parallax, threatens to destroy the balance of power. Their fate and that of Earth lie in the hands of the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Make It Home – Join Us In Vancouver This August For SIGGRAPH 2011

From ACETECH: Are you a the founder of a new technology company wondering how to validate your new product in the market?

The deadline to apply for this program has been extended to Friday July 15th.

Only 20 spots available  –  Apply Online

ACETECH is delivering a go-to-market boot camp for very early stage technology companies.  The program provides a structured process and one-on-one mentoring from an experienced technology CEO to help you get to market faster with less risk.

After successful completion of the Market Validation Program, ACETECH can refer you into the BCIC Mento Program to receive ongoing mentoring.  The BCIC Mentor Program is entirely funded by BCIC and ther is no cost to participate for 12 months.

The program includes:

• 3 full-day interactive, educational sessions
  • September 20
  • October 18
  • November 15
• 3 one-on-one mentoring sessions with an experienced technology CEO (one session per month – September to December) – to be scheduled with the mentor.

You leave with:

• A completed positioning statement and value proposition
• A strategy to go to market
• Priorities identified to achieve early adopter customers
• Training to sell to early adopters
• Actionable tools and templates
• Access to contacts and resources

Who’s eligible:

• Technology company CEO/founders
• Less than 10 employees
• Pre-revenue
• Must have a product or an early working version of the product

Program Cost & Application

The application deadline is July 1, 2011 July 15, 2011.  Your application is not a formal registration for the program.  All applicants will be contacted by ACETECH once the application has been reviewed.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) is pleased to invite Canadian exporters to participate in the ICT Mexico Preparation Program 2011-12. Through this program, Canadian information and communication technology (ICT) companies that wish to explore opportunities in Mexico will be provided with the following services.

* A preliminary analysis of each company’s profile and their prospects in Mexico.
* Company-specific in-depth market analysis prepared by an in-market industry consultant.
* Based on each study results, companies will be invited to join a business mission to Mexico in February 2012, which includes one-to-one matchmaking meetings with potential customers, distributors and more.

Companies participating in this program are expected to invest necessary time and resources to work with the consultant and the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in Mexico in order to achieve a valuable market report. Canadian government trade commissioners will provide individual follow-up via telephone conference call and a face-to-face, when possible.

Due date to register to the program is July 15, 2011. Interested companies should contact Guillermo Larios as soon as possible to obtain a registration form as space is limited and preference will be accorded to early applicants. All proposals should comply with the TCS policy for Canadian content and market readiness for the ICT sector as indicated by DFAIT Regional Offices.

From the Accelerate Okanagan blog:   The “Business Clinic” service for Okanagan technology companies has officially launched. This free service forms part of Accelerate Okanagan’s offering for entrepreneurs and technology companies looking to start, accelerate and grow. Priority access to the clinics will be given to program clients and member companies of Accelerate Okanagan.

The inaugural Legal Business Clinic was presented July 4 by Pushor Mitchell Lawyers. The first Financial Business Clinic took place July 8 with BDO Dunwoody. Accelerate Okanagan’s Business Clinic initiative is designed to offer access to expertise for growth companies through “drop-in clinics” delivered by partners, who are professional service providers offering free expert advice and guidance on specific legal, financial and HR challenges faced by technology companies and entrepreneurs.

On the financial side, some of these challenges might include:

• Business structure and related reporting and tax implications
• Business plan preparation and the financial components
• Understanding financial statements: Balance sheet; Income statement; Cash flow statement; Retained earnings
• Chart of Accounts
• Forecasting
• Budgeting
• Bringing in investors
• Shareholder loans
• Compensation: Salary vs. Dividends
• Equipment: Buy vs. lease.

On the legal side, they could include:

• Basic Legal Issues and Documents for Early Stage Ventures
• Incorporation
• Corporate Due Diligence
• Confidentiality, Non-Circumvention and Protection of Corporate Interests Agreements
• Organizing and Structuring your Venture
• Beta and End User Licensing
• Licensing Considerations
• Software Support Agreements
• Intellectual Property
• Disclaimer Information
• Exit Strategy Requirements.

Together with access to in-house Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, Business Clinics form part of Accelerate Okanagan’s overall Expert Service that provides support to technology companies from experienced, successful business professionals who work hands-on with entrepreneurs to share advice, solve problems, and assist clients identify and overcome hurdles to growth.

Professional services firms that have signed on to deliver Business Clinics include:

Law firms – Pushor Mitchell and Farris, Vaughn, Wills & Murphy
Financial services firms – BDO Dunwoody, Grant Thornton and KPMG
HR firms – Smithson Employment Law and Love HR.

All of these service provider partners join Accelerate Okanagan in their commitment to assisting entrepreneurs grow and achieve their full potential. For further information about this service, please visit the Accelerate Okanagan website or contact Martin at 250.870.9028. To schedule your participation at a financial, legal or HR Business Clinic, contact Kathryn at 250.870.9028.

On Sunday, August 7th, and in conjunction with SIGGRAPH 2011, Autodesk will be hosting the Autodesk Student Experience Event, a series of workshops and presentations exclusively for students who are pursuing their CG dreams. This full day of events will feature classes, one-on-one feedback sessions with Autodesk technology experts, a seminar from Carlos Baena of Animation Mentor and a keynote presentation by Duncan Brinsmead, principal scientist at Autodesk.

The workshops and presentations will be held at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel beginning at 9am and running throughout the day until 5pm. There will be a two networking reception held following the conclusion of the day’s events.

The sessions will focus on skill set improvement using Autodesk 3D animation tools such as Autodesk^® Maya^®, Autodesk^® 3ds Max^® and Autodesk^® Softimage^® software. Pre-registration is highly recommended, and you can follow Jennifer Goldfinch on Twitter for more information.

Autodesk Application Engineers & AREA Bloggers will be on site during the event, and you are invited to come and chat with them about your latest project, product tips & tricks, industry questions and more. No registration required for this portion of the day. Gary M. Davis (3ds Max), Louis Marcoux (3ds Max), Lee Fraser (Maya) and Mark Schoennagel (Softimage) will be available to answer your questions about 3ds Max, Maya and Softimage.

Mobilicity has named Kathryn Tom as its CEO Blogger as the wireless company prepares to kick off its “Prove It To You” cross-Canada tour later this week.

As CEO Blogger, Tom, a 23-year-old Biomedical graduate from Markham, will be part of a small Mobilicity team that will document and share CEO Dave Dobbin’s two-week journey across Canada via social media. In addition to winning the trip, Tom will also receive a Mobilicity handset of her choice with a year of unlimited talk, text and data service, plus a 16 GB BlackBerry PlayBook.

The tour, which begins in Toronto on  July 14th, will put the spotlight on the people and landmarks Dobbin meets as he ventures across the nation, as well as Mobilicity’s affordable, national coverage – only 20-cents flat per minute outside of the company’s unlimited coverage zones in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. The tour will end in Vancouver on July 27th.

Tom won the Mobilicity CEO Blogger Contest after recently submitting a one-minute Facebook video on what makes her the ideal candidate for the role. Her entertaining submission shows a social-media-obsessed Tom blogging around town – inside a shopping cart, on the subway, in a science lab, on the roof of her house – even in a tree.

“We received some fantastic submissions; choosing just one video wasn’t easy,” said Dobbin. “Kathryn’s video showcases her creativity, sense of humour and passion for mobile communications. We are confident she will make an outstanding blogger and a welcome addition to our tour.”

Tom said she entered the contest to learn about the wireless business, see the country and share her travels in an exciting new way.

“Gone are the days when a road trip meant paper maps and cassette tapes,” Tom said. “I know this mission across our nation will bring new sights and memories that I can instantly share with the world.”

Upon arriving in each of Mobilicity’s five unlimited markets, Dobbin will host exclusive Customer Appreciation events to thank existing customers for their ongoing support and welcome new customers to Mobilicity. The Customer Appreciation events will feature $0 BlackBerry smartphones, special offers, free food and giveaways.