Virtual Worlds News

Virtual Worlds London Starts Monday; New Addition to the program: Dr Sara de Freitas from the Serious Games Institute

Virtual Worlds London starts on Monday and man, do we have a fantastic line up. Expect some major announcements from key players and startups here at Europe's singular virtual worlds-focused gathering. We spent yesterday setting the stage (right) at the QEII Conference Centre.

New Addition to the program: We are pleased to welcome Dr Sara de Freitas, Director of Research, The Serious Games Institute, Coventry University Technology Park.  She will be giving a lecture based upon some of their excellent research. 

The session is titled: Using Virtual Worlds for Supporting Business and Enterprise. The session will outline some of the main trends with using virtual worlds to support business training and enterprise. The session will introduce new research exploring the efficacy of virtual learning and training and indicate key trends for the future. Will virtual worlds change how business is undertaken and what lessons can be learnt from the use of games technologies?

VW London Registration Ends Today

Online registration for next week's Virtual Worlds London conference and expo ends today, 16 October, at 23:59.  Grab yourself a ticket, if you haven't already.  You have two registration options 1) Full Conference and 2) Expo Only.  This is the one chance in Europe to get together with the entire virtual worlds industry so if you are looking to get business done - this is the place.  Of course if you can't make it to London the next opportunity is our Engage! Expo in New York City on March 10-11, 2009.

Virtual Worlds London online registration closes in 4 days, this Thursday, 16 October

Online registration closes in 4 days, this Thursday, 16 October, at 23:59 London time, for next week's Virtual Worlds London conference and expo.  If you haven't already done so now is the time to grab your tickets.  Virtual Worlds London, 20-21 October 2008, is the leading European event for businesses seeking to understand and maximize business strategies within virtual worlds. VW London takes place at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, two blocks from Parliament.

The event includes 80+ speakers focused on two tracks: 2D and 3D Web Strategies: Consumer Virtual Worlds and Immersive Training and Collaboration: Virtual Worlds for Business. Join us for exclusive keynotes from Linden Lab and Google and a special group keynote from Intel, Samsung, ngi Group Ventures, Electric Sheep Company and virtual worlds veteran Bruce Damer.  Plus all attendees receive 3 exclusive market research reports: a £660 value: Virtual Worlds Markets: Key Strategies Deployed in 2008 and Predictions for 2009, Seven Emerging Truths that will Drive Future Adoption of Virtual Worlds and Virtual Worlds and Social Networks.

VW London: Where Business Gets Done - A Word About our Venue, The QEII Conference Centre

I want to assure everyone that Virtual Worlds London, our show taking place on 20-21 October, is located at a high quality, purposeful venue designed for world-class events: The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.  Earlier this week there was an unfortunate event that forced Virtual Worlds Forum, scheduled to take place in a London nightclub, to cancel the day before it opened.

We chose the QEII, a beautiful venue right across the street from Westminster Abbey, because it is a place where our attendees will be able to get business done in a clean, business-focused atmosphere. In the very heart of Westminster, the award-winning QEII is uniquely situated in the shadow of Big Ben and the London Eye.

Our Expo Hall showcases the latest tools, technologies, products and services, allowing you to meet with all the industry leaders in one place. Exhibitors include:

Ambient Performance
Anarkik3D
Electrotank
iLemon
Linden Lab
Metaverse MOD Squad
Moondus
Multiverse
Mycosm
ONEBIP
Parature
Qwaq
Rivers Run Red
Second Places
Smeet
Spin AG - Freggers.com
TAATU
Visitoons

We hope you will be able to join us.  Online registration ends 16 October 2008 at 23:59 London time.

VW London: Seven Emerging Truths that will Drive Future Adoption of Virtual Worlds

In Seven Emerging Truths that will Drive Future Adoption of Virtual Worlds, a study based on a series of focus groups conducted during Q1 2008 on the topic of virtual worlds, Strategy Analytics reveals critical insights from participants that will help shape their direction and future use.  Addressing the issue of what appeals to users and how that influenc es adoption forms the basis for providing guidance on how virtual worlds might evolve.  The study was conducted as part of Strategy Analytics Virtual World Strategies (VWS) program.  VWS, launched earlier this year, provides market and competitive insights on the emerging virtual worlds markets in both the consumer and enterprise  segments.

This study is provided on a complimentary basis for registrants of Virtual Worlds London.  If you have already registered for VW London you can download the 22 page report from Virtual Worlds Passport, our private social network for attendees.  If you have not yet registered then be sure you do.  In addition to attending the show you now receive 3 market research reports, 1 from Kzero, 1 from Parks Associates and 1 from Strategy Analytics - all for 795 pounds.  What can we say?  We want you to be successful!

10 Days Left to Register for Virtual Worlds London, Final Schedule Now Online

We're gearing up for the final two weeks of prep for Virtual Worlds London at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and just wanted to let everyone know that Online registration ends 16 October (4 dyas before the show).  The show is not until 20-21 October but we need those last few days prior to print badges and get everything in order.  So register today and get it out of the way + you save 200 British Pounds when you register online.  The final schedule is now online.

Call for Volunteers for Virtual Worlds London

The Volunteer Coordinator for Virtual Worlds London (20-21 October in London) is accepting applications for a limited number of hard-working, knowledgeable, enthusiastic people who are interested in serving as members of the support team. Volunteers gain full access to the conference including lunch and networking events when they are not working. The Volunteer Coordinator will work with volunteers to insure a percentage of their time is left open to attend portions of the conference. If you are interested in participating in the most exciting virtual worlds conference in the real world as a volunteer worker, please read and complete the application here.  The show is only 17 days away so make your move now as there is only a limited number of volunteer slots.

Virtual Worlds Passport for Virtual Worlds London (Oct. 20-21) Attendees Now Activated

Virtual Worlds Passport, the social network exclusively for Virtual Worlds London, attendees is now online. Passport allows you to find people who share your similar interests and connect with them before the show you.  It makes your show experience a more profitable one.  Virtual Worlds Passport will stay operational so you can stay in touch with attendees and speakers prior to, during and after the show.

If you already registered you should have received your Passport invite today to the email address you provided during registration. If you do not see the email, check your email spam filters to find your invite.  It was sent from invitations @ virtualworldspassport . org

If you have not yet registered do so now (only 2 weeks left to register) and we will get your Passport invite out right away so you too can start connecting with other attendees. 

7 New Sponsors Join Virtual Worlds London (20-21 October)

We would like to take a moment to thank the latest group of sponsors and exhibitors to join us at our upcoming Virtual Worlds London show this coming 20-21 October.  It is the support of our fantastic sponsors that keep www.VirtualWorldsNews.com going and allow us to produce these high quality events.

   
          

VW London Preview: Orange Case Study: Brand Translation in 3D Spaces

One of the biggest challenges facing brands entering virtual worlds is maintaining a strong brand identity within a new form of interactive media. We're pleased to that Tracy Harper, Interactive Brand Manager, Orange and Adrienne Haik, Chief Operations Officer, Metaversatility will join us at Virtual Worlds London (20-21 October 2008) to present an Orange Case Study: Brand Translation in 3D Spaces. In this session, we will discuss how Orange worked to create a space that is uniquely branded while respecting the open-ended nature of virtual worlds using existing brand guidelines for 2d interactive media, interior design, and community outreach.  Don't miss it.