Will Wright’s speeches are always fascinating – and this one ranks way up there as one of his best:

Augmented Reality can make us more aware of our immediate environment rather than distract us from it…there is value in proximity information…tap into the collective commune memory…full situational awareness is what I am dreaming of…

The Augmented Reality Event 2010 – Keynote by gaming legend Will Wright from Ori Inbar on Vimeo.

Coming up more augmented reality goodness from the Augmented Reality Event 2010…

Special thanks to our 90 speakers from 40 augmented reality companies, our exhibitors, sponsors, and above all – for Qualcomm.

For those who weren’t as fortunate, and couldn’t join the event – here are some of the highlights.

Bruce Sterling’s keynote (aka the prophet of the augmented reality industry) opened it up with a bang:

“It’s 9 am in the augmented reality industry…without vision people perish…it’s your chance to bake a big pie before you start slicing it up…it’s time for you to get dressed…good luck to you, I’ll be watching you”

The Augmented Reality Event: Bruce Sterling’s keynote from Ori Inbar on Vimeo.

More later…

It’s so great to see practically EVERYBODY in the augmented reality world at the same physical location.

Almost 400 people have already registered – and walk-ins are most welcome!

Come and register at the event itself. We will honor your discount codes.

A few last minute changes to the schedule are recorded on the schedule-at-a-glance on the Schedule page.

Looking forward to a great event.

I ARE here!

If you are planning to attend – consider it as 15 minutes of really fun homework for the event.

Enjoy!

I bet they will blow our minds next week!

The 2 day event will feature multiple general sessions for all attendees (in turquoise) and 3 parallel tracks for Business, Technology, and Production.

Speakers and times may vary.

If you are interested in participating in any of these activities – let us know today!

1) “Startup Launch pad” – Five AR startups present their business models and products in front of an expert panel: VCs, Entrepreneurs, and industry luminaries – hosted by a major media outfit. Winner receives: “ARE Best startup prize” (to be announced.) Submit your proposal here and add: “Startup Launch Pad” in the title.
2) “The Auggies” – Teams get 5 minutes each to present on stage and compete for the coolest live AR demo. A panel with Bruce Sterling, Jesse Schell, Mark Billinghurst and a Jay Wright, will comment on the demos – American Idol-style. Winners will be determined by the audience and receive the prestigious “Auggies Award.” (to be announced.) Submit your proposal here and add “Auggies” in the title.
3) ARE Press Conference – If you are planning to announce a new product or service – secure your spot in the press conference that will kick off the event. Submit your proposal here and add: “Press Conference” in the title.
4) Exhibition and Sponsorships – A small number of booths is still available in the exhibition hall ($995 for 10′x10′). Grab them while they last!

Don’t wait, register Today!

San Francisco, CA March 15, 2010 — Augmented Reality Event (ARE), the first commercial event initiated by industry leaders dedicated to the business of augmented reality, is now accepting registrations for the June-2-3 conference at Santa Clara Convention Center.

Confirmed speakers for ARE2010 include experts on the cutting edge of augmented reality, presenting sessions perfect for startups, investors, mobile companies, and developers as well as clients in entertainment, media, education, healthcare, government, tourism, etc,– anyone looking to leverage augmented reality to drive their businesses.

“We have quickly lined-up the strongest bench of industry experts ever to gather on the topic of advancing augmented reality,” said Sean Lowery, event director of ARE. “The impressive line-up is creating a stir and attracting registrants from around the world to the AR event of the year.”

In addition to AR prophet Bruce Sterling and gaming legend Will Wright, ARE has secured notable presenters for more than 30 sessions organized into business, technology and production tracks. Attendees will have the opportunity to present ideas to a panel of investors and attend an ARt Gala, were the audience will participate in live ARt performances with leading industry companies and artists.

Fantastic speakers have already submitted their proposals that address various audiences: business oriented personnel, developers & programmers, and producers & clients - looking to leverage augmented reality to drive their businesses.

Do you have a product, service, or expertise that would interest any of these audiences?

The deadline for submitting a proposal has been extended to February 26th at midnight (PST).

So, hurry up – there are still a few open speaking slots - submit your proposal today!

How is are2010 different from ISMAR previously touted as the “World’s best Augmented Reality event”?

Well, ISMAR is still the best AR event for the scientific community. If you want to learn about (or present) the latest advancements in AR research – you should be in Seoul this October for ISMAR 2010. However, for the rest of us, who wish to take advantage of AR in practice, in the commercial world, and build a business around it – there was a gaping hole. That is, until now. Meet the Augmented Reality Event.

Who’s this event for?

For established and start up AR companies

For established and start up AR companies (such as Total Immersion, Metaio, Acrossair, Ogmento, Circ.us, Mobilizy, Layar, Zugara, Neogence, whurleyvision, Chaotic Moon Studios, and many more) – are2010 is a stage to showcase their products and services; a venue to form partnerships, learn about latest innovations, and most importantly speak with clients. Bruno Uzzan, CEO of Total Immersion will wow the audience with a cutting edge augmented reality show; Peter Meier, CTO of Metaio, will speak about his companies latest products. Early stage startups and individual developers will receive guidance from Cole Van Nice (Chart Venture Partners) for how to build a successful company in the AR space, including raising funding (from VCs that actually invest in AR), licensing technology and IP, legal aspects, forging partnerships, etc. Christine Perey will speak about the scope of the mobile AR industry today and it’s growth trajectory.

For Developers

are2010 is a window into the latest AR algorithms, engines and programming tools. Learn from case studies and post mortems delivered by experienced developers from the leading companies in the space. Blair MacIntyre, director of the GVU Center’s Augmented Environments Lab at Georgia Tech, will speak about his experience with tools and technologies while developing augmented reality games. Daniel Wagner, one of the leading mobile AR researchers in the world, will bring developers into the wonderful world of mobile AR. Patrick O’Shaughnessey, which has lead the development of more webcam-based AR campaigns than anyone else I know – will share his knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. Mike Liebhold, Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for the Future , will speak about Technology foundations of an Open ARweb. Gene Becker, co-founder of AR DevCamp, will dive into augmented reality and ubiquitous computing, and Sean White, a pioneer in Green Tech AR will suggest concrete examples of how AR can help save the planet

For Mobile, Hardware, and Platform companies

For Mobile, Hardware, and Platform companies (such as Vuzix, Nokia, Qualcomm, Intel, Qdero, Microsoft, Google, Apple etc.) are2010 consists of a captive audience to launch and showcase their latest devices, processors, AR glasses, sensors, etc. The best collective minds of the AR commercial world will be onsite to articulate the market demand characteristics and help influence the design of future hardware.

For clients and agencies

In entertainment, media, publishing, education, healthcare, government, tourism, and many more are2010 offers everything you need to know about AR how to leverage augmented reality to advance your brand, attract and keep your customers, and how to build successful campaigns and products that will delight users, including postmortems of landmark augmented reality projects.

Jarrell Pair, CTO and a founder of LP33.tv, will speak about “Augmented Reality in Music Entertainment: Then and Now”, Brian Selzer, co-founder and President of Ogmento, will deliver a crash course for clients and agencies about how to leverage AR in marketing campaigns. Marshal Kirkpatrick, lead blogger for ReadWriteWeb, will share the results of his AR survey collecting feedback from dozens of AR developers and their experience in delivering AR campaigns and apps. Kent Demain, designer of the visual effects in Minority Report, will open our minds with the talk: “Taking Hollywood visual effects spectacle out of the theatre and into your world”. And of course…

For any AR Enthusiast

Are you an AR Enthusiast? If so, you’re going to feel like a kid in a candy store at are2010, with a soon-to-be unforgettable keynote by Bruce Sterling, demo gallery, exhibitors from leading companies, artists installations from AR artists such as Eric Gradman and Helen Papagiannis, and many more surprises.

If you are into Augmented Reality – are2010 is the one event you should attend this year. Want to join us? Click here to register!