Vote Up for SXSW 2019 Panel Picker Submissions – Deadline August 30th!
WDCEP has worked with a variety of public and private stakeholders to develop and submit four session proposals to the SXSW 2019 Panel Picker platform to highlight how Washington, DC continues to set the standard for cities across the globe.
The Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (DMPED) is working to ensure that the District’s innovators, makers, creatives, and government leaders will be making a major impression at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference and festival next year in Austin, TX, continuing initiatives that showcase the District as the nation’s capital of inclusive innovation.
Winning panels will be selected using a weighted formula that assigns 30% weight to upvotes and supportive public comments provided on the platform, and 70% weight to evaluations and input from SXSW’s staff, selection committee, and Advisory Board grades. Evaluations are conducted after voting closes, and panel submissions that receive the best overall scores will be selected to become official SXSW 2019 panels. Finalists will be announced the week of October 15, 2018 and will be showcased on the main stage during SXSW 2019, March 8 – March 17.
Driving the Autonomous Vehicle Revolution
Washington, D.C. is one of the leading cities in the world in the autonomous vehicle revolution. Uniquely positioned due to the unified governing system of the city, county, and state, Washington D.C. has been able to approach the autonomous vehicle movement more progressively and efficiently than any other city in the world. Learn how cities can work together with communities, technology, and automobile companies to create innovative and inclusive mobility solutions.
Panelists: Lexie Albe, Director of Planning and Placemaking, Southwest Business Improvement District; Stephen Taylor, General Manager-Mid Atlantic, Lyft; Andrew Trueblood, Chief of Staff at DC’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Jennifer Bradley, Founding Director of the Center for Urban Innovation, The Aspen Institute.
The Future of Funding is Female
In the world of venture capital, just 8% of partners at the 100 largest U.S. venture firms are female, and 58 of those firms have no women partners at all; Washington, DC, the capital of inclusive innovation, stands in stark contrast as home to the some of the largest funds led by women and dedicated to investing in female founders. Hear from female business leaders and entrepreneurs on how they are working to close the gap in funding, continuing Washington, DC’s reign as the top city for women entrepreneurs in the country.
Panelists: Shelly Bell, CEO & Founder, Black Girl Ventures & Beacon DC; Ajit Verghese, Founder and General Partner, Humble Ventures; Vanessa Dawson, Founder & CEO, The Vinetta Project; Jennifer Abramson, Founder and Managing Partner, ReThink Impact.
Dockless: The First and Final Mile
In an age where technology is evolving rapidly, discover how our nation’s capital is on the cutting-edge of adapting the latest transportation technology to fuel economic growth. As a leader in dockless transportation, learn how the city of Washington, D.C is working with innovative companies, including LimeBikes and Mobility Labs to shape the future of transportation, solving the age old dilemma of the first and final mile and increasing mobility and connectivity for all.
Panelists: Jeff Marootian, Director, District Department of Transportation; Lois DeMeester, CEO & Founder, Mobility Lab; Scott Kubly, Chief Program Officer, LimeBikes; Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
The Capital of Smart Cities
The promise of smarter cities is more than just a vision for the future, it’s marked by a wave of innovation that will fundamentally alter the daily lives of residents. As one of the leading smart cities in the country, the District of Columbia is at the vanguard of identifying innovative urban mobility solutions to better serve its residents. Learn how this smart city is paving the path for cities around the world through collaborative partnerships on mobility, delivery, curb management, and mapping to fuel economic growth and improve the quality of life for everyone.
Panelists: Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Ryan Tuohy, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Starship Technologies; Jessica Robinson, Director, City Solutions (Ford Smart Mobility), Ford Motor Company; Mollie Pelon McArdle, Technology and City Transportation Program Manager, National Association of City Transportation Officials.