Doors Open & Registration

Opening Keynote - Gaming Without Borders: How Video Games Are Shaping All Technology

From NVIDIA's GPU's, to decades of AI-driven NPCs and immersive worlds, to real-time physics engines and cloud computing, video game technology has become the foundation for innovation across industries. In this electrifying keynote, Matt Thompson—a technology veteran who has worked with companies like Microsoft, Disney, Warner, Universal, Sony, Meta, Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Canva, Adobe, Vimeo, Twitch, Activision, Zynga, Netflix, Paramount, Roblox, Fortnite, Unreal Engine, Unity, and YouTube—will explore how gaming is driving the evolution of interactive media to replace social media, being used for medical and other training, Robotics, forensics, flight simulators and multiple military applications, interactive marketing, and the metaverse. Learn how concepts born in gaming, like gamification, real-time rendering, and adaptive AI, are transforming everything from education and healthcare to fintech and smart cities powered by Digital Twins. Whether you’re in gaming or not, this session will show why the future of technology is being built on the foundations of play.

AI in Game Dev, Art & Design: Revolution & Reality Check

Cut through the noise and hype to learn how different modes of AI are revolutionizing the process of making compelling games and interactive experiences - and how they still fall woefully short - from the creator of two of the most popular VR titles in the world. We'll also call out enormous, persistent problems in this ecosystem and discuss what the ceiling for different kinds of AI might look like across creative industries.

Track A - Beyond Text: Transforming Messaging into Interactive Experiences

The future of texting is here and it's no longer just words on a screen—it's an interactive gateway to customer engagement. In this session, Michael Lamb, President & Co-Founder of nativeMsg, will reveal how RCS Business Messaging is revolutionizing the way brands connect with audiences, turning basic SMS into rich, dynamic experiences. Learn how no-code interactive messaging is driving higher engagement, instant conversions, and seamless customer interactions—all within the native texting app. Don’t get left behind in the messaging revolution—discover how to harness the power of RCS to capture attention and supercharge engagement.

Track B - Game Development in the Classroom & Beyond: Building the Next Generation of Coders & Creators

In an effort to help create technologically proficient talent, this panel discusses different approaches to teaching coding for kids and existing workforce generations by using the fun of creating video games as the catalyst. Join our panelists in exploring what’s being done today and what’s to come in non-traditional approaches to learning and workforce development!

Track A - Content is Currency: Turning Your Creativity into Revenue

This session merges the principles of valuing content as currency with the actionable strategies of short-form video content. It’s designed to empower small business innovators with the tools to create high-impact, bite-sized content that drives sales and strengthens their brand presence online.

Track B - AI in Media and Entertainment: The Next Generation of Filmmaking

A 30-minute talk about how AI is being used in filmmaking and media, and what the future holds. Examples of filmmakers already making money with AI and discussion of the present state of film economics.

Catered Lunch

Lunch will be served on the 4th floor. Elevators are accessed in the lobby of the Zack Theatre.

Building Dynamic AI Stories: GitHub-Powered Fantasy Narratives with LLM Function Calling

I built a cool website for my coworkers that visualizes our daily work through an engaging fantasy lens, bringing our collaboration to life through animated stories and shared adventures. This Next.js application transforms GitHub commit activity into personalized fantasy narratives using ChatGPT, where function calling enables dynamic world-building by querying user locations, pathfinding, and nearby player detection. Join us for an in-depth exploration as we dive into the architecture that combines real-time data retrieval with AI storytelling, discuss the differences from traditional RAG systems, and explore how this approach creates uniquely contextual and interactive narratives. Perfect for developers interested in creative AI applications, dynamic context generation, and advanced LLM integration patterns.

New Media Verticals: How Video-Based Products are Evolving

The demand for video content is exploding, transforming how we educate, entertain, and engage audiences across industries. This panel brings together experts from filmmaking, video education, and commercial video production to explore how video-based products are evolving in an era of streaming platforms, AI-driven content creation, and immersive media. Key discussion points include: 1) The rise of on-demand video education and training platforms, 2) How AI and automation are reshaping video production workflows, 3) The shifting landscape of independent filmmaking and digital distribution, 4) The impact of interactive and immersive video experiences, 5) Best practices for monetizing and scaling video content in new media. Join us for a deep dive into the future of video storytelling, production, and innovation, with insights from industry professionals who are leading the way.

Transition Break

Startup World Cup - Art, Media & Design Pitches

Closing Session - The AI-Powered Audience: Weaving Email, Video, and Affiliates into Your Omnichannel Growth Strategy

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, successful marketing is no longer about isolated channels—it’s about crafting immersive, multimedia experiences that engage audiences across every touchpoint. This panel will explore how artificial intelligence, interactivity, and creative storytelling are converging to redefine how brands connect and convert. Panelists will share how they’re leveraging email personalization, dynamic video, affiliate partnerships, and AI tools to design omnichannel campaigns that drive real results. Join Julia Griffey, Associate Professor of Interactive Digital Media at Webster University and a seasoned interactive designer and developer, alongside Sarah Shelton, Founder & CEO of Girl Louie, a storytelling and branding studio known for building bold, authentic brand identities. Together, they’ll unpack how companies can build interactive, tech-powered marketing ecosystems that both captivate and convert. With expertise ranging from educational exhibits and e-commerce to brand strategy and creative media, this discussion will offer a blend of technical insight and creative inspiration for marketers ready to level up their digital game.