Sun, Oct 29 to Fri, Nov 3 (Washington D.C.)
The emerging "serious games" sector represents a significant new opportunity for companies to use cutting-edge entertainment technologies to solve problems and provide simulated training experiences that educate and inform. Many commercial games are already in use for purposes other than entertainment. Titles such as SimCity, Civilization, America's Army and others have been used as learning tools in schools and industries across the globe.
The purpose of this initiative is to position Alberta as a global leader in the field of serious games, leveraging Alberta's emerging digital media industry along with Alberta's established industries in the production of innovative games used in education, energy, agri-food, culture, military and health.
UN Food Force is a serious game that teaches kids about taking on global hunger.
The Digital Alberta Market Access & Export Preparedness Program gives Alberta companies and organizations access to regional and international markets to find the best market fit for their products, understand market gaps and demands, and create connections to new networks and channels to developers, producers, and investors. This mentored program provides financial and strategic support to selected companies through a range of pre-market, in-market, and post-market activities, including information sessions, briefings, and connector events.
Program Agenda
This four-day business development initiative is designed to support Alberta companies along with other game developers, buyers, and industry professional to exchange ideas and advance serious games development. Delegates will attend the annual Serious Games Summit D.C. in Washington D.C., the premier professional conference dedicated to the use of interactive game technology within non-entertainment sectors. In addition to access to sessions, workshops and connector events, participating companies will be featured in an Alberta booth at the conference. Delegates will also participate in Partners in Learning hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. Delegates will have the opportunity to connect with key systems integrators and prime contractors in the U.S. mid-Atlantic market for a variety of business and research opportunities.
Registration Information
All participants are eligible for the discounted rates on accommodations and registration fees and will have access to all activities over the four-day agenda. Alberta digital media companies are also eligible for additional financial assistance to cover up to 75% of travel, accommodations and/or event registration fees related to this program.
Applications will be received beginning September 18, 2006. Proposals and completed application forms must be received by 4:00 MST on September 29, 2006. Applications will be reviewed by a selected jury. Successful applicants will be contacted on or before Friday, October 6.
