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Montreal’s MultiDev eCommerce software solutions company will be at the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, the world’s largest e-retailing show being held next week in San Diego. With over 500 exhibiting companies representing 75 technology market segments, the 218,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall at IRCE 2011 will display e-commerce technologies of vendors that account for more than three-quarters of global e-commerce technology business. Like the IRCE Conference, which brings together more e-commerce strategic intelligence than any other event, the IRCE 2011 Exhibit Hall houses the largest display of e-commerce technology on the planet.

The e-comDrive solution, a first in its class, is a complete, all inclusive and fully -integrated Back-Office System that offers all of the functionality required to run a successful e-commerce business. e-comDrive’s integrated system includes; Order Management with Multi-Channel Fulfillment, Warehouse Management, Customer Relationship Management, Planning, Analytics, Accounting, 3rd Party Integration, Specialized Add-on Applications and much more; providing e-tailers with a complete suite of solutions that offers functionality designed to effectively manage and control their online business processes.

Stop by their booth #541 and discover how their revolutionary functionality and innovative features can drive your e-commerce business ahead of the competition.

The fourth annual International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling is coming to Vancouver this November 28th through December 1st, and the organizers have put out a call for Workshop Proposals, the deadline for which is July 15th. The Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (IDS) brings together researchers and practitioners from a wide variety of fields to share novel techniques, present recent results, and exchange new ideas. The venue has not yet been announced.

Enabled by the advent of interactive digital media, Interactive Digital Storytelling redefines the experience of narrative by allowing its audience to actively participate in the story. As such, IDS offers interesting new possibilities for games, training, and learning, through the enriching of virtual characters with intelligent behavior, the collaboration of humans and machines in the creative process, and the combination of narrative knowledge and user activity into novel, interactive artifacts.

Within the ICIDS 2011 framework, researchers and practitioners are invited to participate in affiliated workshops/tutorials, which will be held on Monday November 28, 2011.

Workshops

We invite proposals for practical, hands-on workshops from practitioners, professionals, and academics in the interactive digital storytelling field. We particularly welcome workshops which encourage interaction between participants, or provide insight into professional practices. All workshops must be conducted in English.

Proposal Format

All workshops proposals must consist of two documents: an extended abstract (two pages maximum in LNCS format) and an information sheet (plain text).  Proposals must be in English.

A) Extended Abstract: This component of the submission must follow the Lecture Notes in Computer Science format, and be a maximum of two pages long. Extended abstracts of accepted workshops will be included in the conference proceedings. Ensure that the following sections are included:

• Workshop objectives:
  • Think in terms of knowledge gain, expected outcome, and take away.
• Complete workshop description:
  • Elaborate on the foundations of the workshop and the main activities planned.
• References

B) Information Sheet: This document should contain more information about the organization and rationale of the workshop. No LNCS format is required for the information sheet (plain text is fine), but it should cover the following sections:

• Intended participants:
  • Who is your main intended audience? Mention what skills or background (if any) the attendees should have to fully benefit from your workshop.
  • If appropriate, indicate maximum number of participants that will be required to effectively deliver the workshop.
  • Include a 250-words call for participation that would be used for promoting the workshop.
• Workshop time:
  • Indicate how much time you would need to effectively deliver the workshop, from a minimum of 2 hours to a maximum of 6 hours. You can also think in terms of half or full day workshops. Include a tentative program with your activities.
• Materials needed:
  • Indicate if you would need supplies, equipment, AV, or specific furniture to run your workshop; we will do our best to obtain the supplies that you need.
• Workshop Organizers:
  • Include a short bio for each workshop organizer (250 words max), and their contact information.
• Any other relevant information:
  • As needed.

Submission Process:

Send both the extended abstract and the information sheet to Workshops Chair Veronica Zammitto.

Important Dates:

• Proposal Submission Deadline: July 15, 2011
• Notification of Acceptance: August 12, 2011
• Camera-ready Copies Due: September 12, 2011
• ICIDS 2011 Workshops:  November 28, 2011

WIFT-Toronto has announced that Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief of AOL Huffington Post Media Group, will be the Keynote Speaker at the International Women in Digital Media Summit (iWDMS), which takes place October 23rd through 25th in Stratford. Registration for the Summit opens on July 5th.

“As a groundbreaking media entrepreneur, columnist and writer, Ms. Huffington’s role as the Keynote Speaker aligns perfectly with the aims of the Summit—to provide women working in digital media with exposure to industry innovation, best practices and inspirational leadership,” says Heather Webb, WIFT-T Executive Director.

Huffington is best known for launching The Huffington Post, a news and blog site that has become one of the most widely-read, linked-to and cited media brands on the Internet. Just last month, the news hub officially launched its Canadian site—the first in a series of planned expansions abroad. This year, Huffington was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, and was previously named one of Forbes’ most influential women in media and the Financial Times’ 50 people who shaped the decade.

Featuring a mix of national and international programming, the International Women in Digital Media Summit will bring together traditional and digital media communities, as well as educational/research institutions, to explore innovation, skills gaps, policy and research in the content areas of gaming, mobile, social media and transmedia.

Topics of discussion will include content creation, applications for emerging technologies and business models, and the evolving role of women in digital media industries. Delegates will benefit from demonstrations, workshops, structured networking and mentorship opportunities, and the expertise of leading women working in digital media globally.

The iWDMS is made possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, in partnership with the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, City of Stratford, Dynamix Solutions, FITC and Rhyzome Networks.

Many computer, business and information experts argue that the internet is no longer just a huge repository of digital information, but that new programs, services and uses are transforming it into an intelligent and intuitive tool where “personalization” or “contextualization” of information is the primary product and goal. This new context-driven nature of the web is frequently referred to as “Web 3.0”.

In Web 3.0, developers and providers configure online technology, applications and services to automatically determine the content that is most relevant, and to organize and deliver it as personalized packets. But is this privacy-invasive? Are there information security issues? Or is personalization what the public wants and needs to effectively manage the overwhelming flow of data that is now an integral part of their daily lives? What are the opportunities with Web 3.0? What are the challenges? And is this the future we all want?

The 2011 Advisory Board of the Privacy and Information Security Conference invites the submission of papers or studies that directly address the opportunities and challenges raised by Web 3.0 digital technologies or applications. The Conference will take place on November 28th and 29th at The Westin Hotel in Ottawa.

Submission Deadline:

All entries must be received by midnight of July 30, 2011. Invited speakers will be notified by August 30, 2011.

Submission Process:

Submissions will be accepted electronically.

2011 Conference Suggested Topic Ideas:

• Smart Grids
• Social Media
• E-Health
• Mobility
• Net Neutrality
• Data Breaches
• Identity Management
• Cloud Computing
• Copyright/Digital Rights
• Behavioral Advertising
• Spyware
• E-Voting
• Workplace Surveillance
• Lawful Access
• Nanotechnology
• Cyber Security

Presentation Types:

Issue papers: An executive or management briefing on a prominent issue or aspect of information privacy or security.

Case studies: Descriptions of a given information privacy or security situation or incident, or research results. Names of organizations can be kept anonymous to maintain confidentiality if necessary.

New technology research: Results or developments in cutting edge research on new information privacy and security technologies.

Sociological/ Philosophical perspective: A candid and/or introspective look at the impacts of new technological developments on privacy, security, social consciousness, or social functioning.

Papers in the above categories may be selected for a 15 to 20 minute presentation as part of a specified panel session at the conference.

In celebration of the June 17^th theatrical release and big-screen debut of the popular superhero “Green Lantern,” Warner Bros. Pictures will electrify 11 North American cities on Monday, June 13, encouraging people to Join the (Green Lantern) Corps. Markets include: Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver, San Diego, Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City, Sacramento, St. Louis, and New Orleans, where the film was shot.

To Join the Corps, fans will be invited to decipher local clues leading them to a secret location where the “Green Lantern” symbol will be projected from dusk until midnight. Those attending the events, sponsored by Kodak, will have the chance to win fantastic prizes, including an opportunity to be among the first to see the film at local preview screenings, limited edition T-shirts, light-up “Green Lantern” rings, “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” Blu-ray combo packs and more. And some people who are photographed with the projected symbol behind them will have their photos posted on the movie Facebook page. Select markets will also give people the chance to record the “Green Lantern” oath which will be added to the Infinite Oath app on the official movie website.

“Green Lantern” opens in theaters nationwide in 3D and 2D on Friday, June 17, 2011. The film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.

Reminder: The BCTIA Tech Impact Awards are on June 9th. Tickets are still available for purchase.
Reminder: The Art of Marketing session day is also on June 9th in Vancouver. Tickets are still available for purchase.

BCIC has appointed Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mark Payne to the position of Acting CEO, effective yesterday. This follows the departure of former CEO Danny Robinson, who will be taking on a new role as Advisor to the Board. Board Chair Greg Aasen announced that the search for a new CEO will begin very soon.

Catalyst Canada announced today that it will honour Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO, Desjardins Group; Jennifer Tory, Regional President, Greater Toronto, RBC; and Michael Bach, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, KPMG LLP, with The Catalyst Canada Honours. The Catalyst Canada Honours recognizes three exceptional individuals who have demonstrated commitment, passion and results through their championship of women’s advancement in Canadian business.

“This year’s champions are extraordinarily committed to advancing women in the Canadian corporate world. Catalyst research shows that companies gain when they have a greater number of women on their boards and in senior leadership roles—and that highly placed sponsors like this year’s champions are the key to women’s advancement,” said Deborah Gillis, Senior Vice President, Membership & Global Operations, Catalyst. “Advancing women to leadership strengthens companies and promotes the sustainability and well-being of corporate Canada as a whole. By recognizing these outstanding leaders with The Catalyst Canada Honours, Catalyst hopes to inspire a robust pipeline of women and men who will follow in their footsteps.”

With a mission to create visible role models for Canada’s current and future leaders, The Catalyst Canada Honours recognizes a Company/Firm Leader, a Business Leader and a Human Resources/Diversity Leader who champion progress by advancing women in their organizations, industries and communities. The three categories reflect the unique and critical roles played by those who champion inclusion. The Catalyst Canada Honours celebrates leaders who have made a critical difference to women’s advancement, while inspiring men and women leaders to step up, demonstrate foresight and leadership and become champions themselves.

“Being in business carries with it responsibilities to the people who choose to work with us. BMO became one of Catalyst’s earliest members not only because of a shared conviction that workplaces must provide opportunities for everyone but also to serve as a constant reminder of the standard to which we hold ourselves as a company,” said Bill Downe, President and CEO of BMO Financial Group and Chair of The Catalyst Canada Honours dinner. “The Catalyst Canada Honours is all about recognizing individuals who are setting the bar higher and understand that it’s the strength of Canada’s workforce that will define corporate Canada’s success and, in turn, our customers’ success in a rapidly changing world.” Read the rest of this entry »

Via ESAC: Once again, some of the most anticipated games at this year’s E3 Expo, are developed in Canada. Over 10 major titles at this year’s show are developed in Canadian studios including major blockbusters such as Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Mass Effect 3, and Prototype (full list below). These games showcase the exceptional talent and expertise of Canadians within the global video game industry.

“The Canadian made games shown at this year’s E3 really demonstrate the calibre of talent and innovation here in the Great White North,” said Danielle Parr, Executive Director of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC).  “Canada remains a powerhouse in the world of game development, punching well above its weight,” she added.

According to recently-released research (PDF) by Secor Consulting for ESAC, over the past 2 years the video game industry in Canada has grown by 11% and now currently employs approximately 16,000 people across the country at nearly 350 companies, making Canada’s the third largest video game industry in the world.  The industry is projected to grow at 17% over the next two years.

New made-in-Canada games from ESAC-member companies* showcased at E3 2011:

·         Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Ubisoft)
·         Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft)
·         FIFA Soccer 12 (EA Sports)
·         Hole In The Wall (Ludia / Microsoft)
·         Just Dance: Kinect (Ubisoft)
·         Mass Effect 3 (Bioware / Electronic Arts)
·         Need For Speed: The Run (Electronic Arts)
·         NHL 12 (Electronic Arts)
·         Prototype 2 (Radical Entertainment / Activision)
·         Spider-Man: Edge of Time (Beenox / Activision)
·         SSX (Electronic Arts)
·         The Darkness 2 (Digital Extremes / 2K Games (Take-Two Interactive))
·         War Hammer 40,000: Space Marine  (THQ)
·         X-Men: Destiny (Silicon Knights / Activision)
·         Your Shape Fitness (Ubisoft)

* This list does not include the many non-ESAC member studios who are also down showcasing their titles at this year’s E3 Expo.

Michael McGinnis, the inventor of the top-selling 3D marble maze game Perplexus, will be visiting several Western Canadian Chapter’s stores over the next two weeks along with Timothy Kimber, the President of Ottawa-based Plasmart Inc., the company which helped make Perplexus an international best-selling and award-winning game sensation as part of a 2-week game signing and media tour.

Michael and Tim will be available for interviews to discuss how they turned the Superplexus – a large-scale piece of art – into a hand-held family toy hit. Theirs is a Canadian success story that combines artistic inspiration with the magic of toy invention and business marketing. An original large-scale Superplexus will be on-site to provide fans and interested parties with the opportunity to learn tricks and tips to solving the incredibly challenging puzzle and to see in large-scale just how challenging it was to invent and create.

• Chapters Victoria in Victoria on Wednesday, June 8th at 5:30 pm
• Chapters Granville Vancouver on Thursday, June 9th at 6:30 pm
• Indigo CrossIron Mills in Rocky View on Monday, June 13th at 6:30 pm
• Chapters Southpoint in Edmonton on Tuesday, June 14th at 6:30 pm

At SES Toronto at the Hyatt Regency Toronto, June 13-15, 2011, Incisive Media is featuring “Meet the Experts Roundtable Forum,” giving attendees an opportunity to address their specific questions and share information. In addition to the presentations and panels on search engine optimization (SEO), social media, local, mobile, link building, video optimization, pay-per-click (PPC), usability and more, these two new Meet the Experts Roundtable Forums will be held: Monday, June 13 at 4:30 pm and Tuesday, June 14 at 11:30 am.

For two hours on each day of the conference, SES Toronto attendees will be able to receive a free personal consultation of their websites from SES experts, Bryan Eisenberg, Shari Thurow, Bruce and Krista Neher. These drop-in, interactive express site clinics are open to all attendees on a first-come, first-serve basis. It’s an opportunity to receive free feedback on usability, SEO and all facets of the site, and also to learn from the analysis of other websites.

From now through June 12, marketers can register for SES Toronto to receive a $100 savings.

“We’re always looking for more ways to give attendees the most up-to-date information targeted to their specific marketing and search programs. So we came up with the idea that will allow people to move among discussion groups and interact with their peers and the experts in a very personal way. We’ve scheduled both experts forums at times during the day that we can add a networking element to the mix – Monday with a cocktail reception and Tuesday with a lunch in the expo hall,” said Matt McGowan, Managing Director of Americas for Incisive Media.

“Our Express Clinics have been very popular with attendees. After all, what marketer wouldn’t want to receive free personal consulting from an expert,” continued McGowan. “This year we have specialized clinics providing feedback on conversion, usability, SEO and social media, but other aspects of the website will also be analyzed.”

Now in its eighth year, the SES Toronto conference includes two days of search marketing sessions, vendor exhibitions, and networking events on June 13 and 14, and one day of training on June 15. Many of the sessions are specifically geared towards a Canadian audience.

Waterloo’s OpenText™ will be hosting a speaker series in the U.S. that will feature  bestselling authors and thought leaders in digital technology, including Simon Sinek and MIT’s Andrew McAfee, focusing on how companies can become truly social and collaborative organizations.

Called the Purpose-Driven Speaker Series, and set to kick off in July with a wealth of online resources at a just-launched website, the series is inspired by the premise that people can reach higher and achieve more when they have a shared understanding and a common purpose.

Featured speakers include:

• Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why, a bestselling business book subtitled “How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action”
• Andrew McAfee of the MIT Center for Digital Business and author of Enterprise 2.0: New Collaborative Tools for Your Organization’s Toughest Challenges
• John Seely Brown, author of the book A New Learning Culture and Independent Co-Chairman of the Deloitte Center for the Edge
• Michael Edson, Director of Web and New Media Strategy for the Smithsonian Institution

Each will host interactive sessions focusing on the various ways people and organizations can work together more effectively. The sessions will be captured on video and will be available online. While the sessions will be free, space will be limited and pre-registration is encouraged.  Purpose-Driven Speaker Series dates and cities include:

• Simon Sinek, July 11, New York City
• Michael Edson, September 21, Washington, D.C.
• John Seely Brown, October 18, San Francisco
• Andrew McAfee, November 1, Boston

“Companies looking to achieve a truly collaborative environment need to ensure that they – and every member of their organization – have a shared purpose. New technologies can make collaboration and connections within the organization organic and highly effective, but only that sense of purpose can inspire people to truly engage,” said James Latham, Chief Marketing Officer at OpenText. “With this speaker series, we are applying our marketing resources in a way that we believe will bring real value to our customers and inspire them to achieve new levels of success.” Read the rest of this entry »