Vancouver Digital Week to host the inaugural Game Developers Conference Canada
Vancouver International Partnering Forum and New Media BC’s Digital Media PopVox Awards return with bigger outreach and expanded programs
Vancouver – New Media BC announced its second annual Vancouver Digital Week will be held May 11-14, 2009 at the brand new Vancouver Exhibition and Convention Centre. Partner events include the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Canada, marking the first time the famed gamers meet up has come to Canada; Cossette West’s Convergence Conference, a digital 
marketing and social media gathering; and nextMEDIA’s first Vancouver event. New Media BC will present its own Vancouver International Partnering Forum and its People’s Choice PopVox Awards during Vancouver Digital Week. For a full list of events, visit: www.vancouverdigitalweek.com
“British Columbia is a global leader in digital media”, says Kenton Low, President of New Media BC. “Vancouver Digital Week is a partnership of top notch events focusing on digital media that brings attention to the world class talent and companies we have here in BC.”
The Vancouver International Partnering Forum (VIPF), to be held from May 12-13, 2009 was first launched in 2004 by New Media BC and continues as a significant annual event for leading Canadian 
digital companies to meet international decision makers, to explore partnership opportunities and negotiate deals. The forum attracts high calibre delegates from all over the world including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Korea, Australia, China, Singapore, Thailand and Japan. 2009 ushers in a new two day format allowing participants more networking components and the opportunity to double the number of business meetings during the hand-picked B2B sessions. Companies that have confirmed interest to attend this year’s forum include Google, Disney, Nokia, Rainmaker, Mediasense and Next Level Games. On-line registration is open at: www.vipf.ca
“The response to the new format has been extremely positive,” VIPF’s Director, Christine Lim-Labossière observes, “we anticipate an increased participation due to the expanded program, the introduction of private company booths and more networking opportunities.”
The New Media BC PopVox Awards (from vox populi – L. voice of the people) is the people’s choice awards held during Vancouver Digital Week. Now in its third year, the PopVox Awards recognizes all major sectors of the digital media industry and celebrates its creativity, talent, and achievements. This year’s competition has 19 categories including new awards for digital learning initiatives, social media applications and best new start up. Nominations and voting run concurrently this year with people being able to submit work or nominate a peer and vote for their favourites until April 30th. Winners will be announced at the PopVox Awards Gala on May 13th. To vote or submit work, visit: www.popvoxawards.com
“We’re excited about the expansion of the PopVox Awards to include more categories and focus on BC companies and individuals,” says Kirstin Richter, Producer of Vancouver Digital Week and Creative Director of the PopVox Awards. “We’re proud to continue hosting a top notch digital media awards event where content creators submit their own work online, and it’s up to the people to decide who wins.”
This year New Media BC will present four Individual Stand Out Awards alongside the PopVox Awards. Categories include: Industry Advocacy, Digital Education, Social Media and Visionary Leadership. Nominations are accepted until April 30th and then a jury comprised of BC digital media business leaders will choose the eventual winner in each category.
Presented by New Media BC, Vancouver Digital Week supporters include Telefilm Canada and British Columbia Film. New Media BC is a federally incorporated not-for-profit full service association. New Media BC’s membership is comprised of businesses, educational organizations, government agencies, and individuals whose core products and services include interactive design and marketing, digital entertainment, animation, visual effects, digital learning initiatives and social media applications. For more information, visit: www.newmediabc.com
The Game Developers Conference® Canada covers industry-leading methodologies in game design, production, programming, visual arts and writing for big-budget multiplatform games. For more information, visit: www.gdc-canada.com
