Officials with Grow Utah Ventures have announced a digital media summit next month they say they'll use to help expand Utah's digital media companies and education facilities.
The company is joined by the state of Utah, the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative in sponsoring the Pushbutton 2010 Summit.
The two-day event is designed to bring together world-class industry and technology leaders, entrepreneurs, students and community executives.
The summit, set for March 9 and 10 in Salt Lake City, will recognize the successes of Utah's digital media businesses and work to increase understanding and promote support needed to start and grow these businesses.
"Along the Wasatch Front, there are a lot of people working in this industry," said Alan Hall, founder of Grow Utah Ventures. "We want to see more. We want to grow more in the next two years."
He included 3-D animation, iPhone applications, gaming and moviemaking in the digital media field.
"It's going to be part of our future," Hall said. "People ought to be getting into it while it's in its infancy."
T. Craig Bott, president and CEO of Grow Utah Ventures, said the event will offer an opportunity to speak to leadership in the field and encourage investments in future business prospects.
The event is designed to bring together world-class leaders to discuss the future of the industry. The event's keynote speakers are John E. Warnock, co-founder of Adobe Systems Inc., and Ian McKerlich, T-Mobile USA's director of mobile Web and content.
Other industry experts scheduled as panelists include Andrew Braccia, of Accel Partners; Chris Berger, Publicis integrated production director; Barry Weiss, former Sony vice president; and Peter D. Csathy, president and CEO of Sorenson Media.
The deadline to purchase discounted tickets is Wednesday. Tickets may be purchased at www.pushbuttonsummit.com.
Wednesday also is the deadline for area entrepreneurs in the industry to enter online in a contest for innovative digital media ideas.
The Digital Media "Concept to Company" contest is designed to reward those who have ideas for creating a new product or business in the industry.
The winning entry will receive an award up to $35,000, comprised of $10,000 in cash and $25,000 in services, to help bring the idea to fruition. Two runners-up will receive awards up to $17,000 each in cash and services.
In addition, all finalists will enjoy a rare opportunity to present their ideas to industry leaders and form possible strategic relationships.
To enter, visit www.concepttocompany.org by midnight Wednesday.
"There is no question that digital media is playing a greater role in the way people work, do business and are entertained," Bott said.
"What is exciting about this event is seeing the contributions Utah has made to this industry in the past and what the current trends are, specifically how far the boundaries will be pushed in respect to the type of media and images currently under way and the means of viewing and interacting with these productions."
Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, said, "Utah has been recognized as having the world's best universities for animation training, and many leading companies in the marketplace call Utah home.
"This summit underscores the fact that Utah currently stands, and will remain, on the cutting edge of innovation."
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