Invoke | Digital Agency » Conferences

Vancouver workshops for online designers and developers

Winnie Jung — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:30:45 +0000

Looking to pick up some new skills as part of your 2012 resolutions? If you’ve always wanted to learn how to develop a web page or you’re just looking to brush up on your CSS skills then there’s no better time than now to dive into the world of web design.

Jump start your knowledge with Vancouver interactive workshops designed to help you leverage your web skills or attend the 2-day Interlink conference for more hands-on workshops.

Interlink Workshops offer a series of six hour hands-on workshops on the first Wednesday of each month. These interactive workshops are taught by industry leaders and are designed to teach participants digital-based skills — web design, WordPress, etc. The workshops are at the W2 Media Cafe on E. Hastings and run from April to June. Tickets go on sale beginning in February and cost $395 (early bird) or $495 (regular). Register early in order to reserve your spot. Lunch is included, a laptop is strongly encouraged for all workshops.

1. How to build and customize WordPress themes

When: Wednesday April 4, 2012 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Tickets available starting: Feb. 8, 2012

The first workshop, by web developer Jeff Starr, teaches participants how to create a WordPress theme from the ground up including building & customizing your own theme, integrating e-commerce, support systems and chat forums. Additionally, he will explore social-media functionality through the use of widgets, advanced loops and more. Participants will be left with a flexible and scalable WordPress theme that is functional and SEO ready.

2. Adaptive web design

When: Wednesday May 9, 2012 (9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.)

Tickets available starting March 7, 2012

With the explosion of new devices–phones, tablets, media players and video game systems, web developer Aaron Gustafson will teach participants how to deal with an increasingly fragmented browser landscape through modern web design. Get a better understanding of Progressive Enhancement, CSS, HTML5 and JavaScript.

3. Responsive enhancement

When: Wednesday June 5, 2012 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Tickets available starting April 4, 2012

In the third workshop, technical director Jeremy Keith teaches how to construct websites that are intuitive on a wide range of devices. Learn how to prioritize content, size images for different environments, apply fluid layouts based on percentages and more. This workshop is aimed at designers and developers.

4. 2012 Interlink web design conference

When: Wednesday June 6-7, 2012

Tickets available Feb. 1 at 8 a.m.

The Interlink conference is a 2-day event of curated talks and hands-on workshops created for web professionals led by a mix of designers, developers, creative directors and more. Lots of extra free events are offered for connecting and lunch is included for attendees.

Speaking in Seattle: Join Invoke at IN-NW

Kate LeGresley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:30:45 +0000

If you’re in the worlds of social media, marketing, public relations, advertising, small business or consulting, you won’t want to miss this event. There is great power in gathering great minds, and this is the opportunity to connect.

Our friendly neighbours have asked us to speak at this not so traditional conference, which is good, because we are not your traditional digital agency.

David Tedman Co-CEO of Invoke will be sitting on a panel discussing new and emerging tools and Corey Dilley, the Marketing and Business Development Manager at Eat St will be giving a talk on on managing and developing mobile apps and television integration. Oh, and food trucks.

Spend the day with us Seattle, along with a handful of game changers in the digital space such as the VP of Global Digital Marketing at Starbucks and Sir Mix-A-Lot (no joke).

The event is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Showbox SoDo, Seattle.

Through a series of panels and speakers, attendees will be inspired about new technologies, social media, convergence of music and tech, social TV integration, digital strategies and best practices, and more.

The deets:
Date: Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (includes lunch)
Location: Showbox SoDo, 1700 1st Ave. S, Seattle 98134
Members: $199 through Dec.1; $250 through Feb. 1; $275 after Feb. 1
Non-Members: $199 through Dec.1; $250 through Feb. 1; $275 after Feb. 1
Register: Click the online registration button or contact Mark Grundberg | (206) 389-7271
Parking: Street and area parking

Top 5 digital conferences and tradeshows — NYC edition

Winnie Jung — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:30:48 +0000

New York City is usually a hub of activity whether it is in regards to business, fashion or technology. It is no different when it comes to digital or web-based media. Do not miss the following social media, digital and technology events coming up in NYC.

1) Social media week

When: Feb. 13-17, 2012

Social media week returns to New York this year with a fresh look at the impact of social media in driving cultural, political, economic and social change. This years theme is Empowering Change through Collaboration. Keynote speakers include a diverse mix of individuals in the digital media industry as well as the senior advisor for innovation to US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Purchase your tickets and be at the hub of social media activity in NYC.

2) SES conference

When: March 19-23, 2012

Each year, thousands of online marketing professionals attend the SES conference and expo in NY to stay informed about the best online media practices, peruse an exhibition full of services and technology and network with other professionals. The SES provides speaker sessions and workshops that are designed to help online professionals progress in their careers. Some topics that will be covered at this years conference include SEO, mobile local, paid social media and more.

3) DAM NY

When: May 10-11, 2012

DAM — Digital Asset Management — the art and practice of managing digital media is a two day conference that facilitates a mutual conversation between thought-leaders and attendees through panel sessions, breakout groups, workshops and keynote talks regarding how to best manage digital media. DAM will introduce attendees to the latest technologies, challenges of managing digital media, digital assets in the social media world, brand strategy and more. Click here for a full list of the agenda topics.

Purchase tickets before March 9 for early bird pricing.

4) BlogWorld & new media expo 2012

When: June 5-7, 2012

BlogWorld is an industry-wide trade show and networking event that brings together thousands of social media content contributors to a three day conference that covers topics from latest strategies to distribution and monetization of social media. Attendees will gain insights from industry thought leaders who will impart actionable plans to help business professionals leverage their social media strategies. Keynote sessions include innovative ways to reach new customers and learn how to manage a brand in the digital age.

Reserve your tickets to ensure you don’t miss out on an informative and progressive conference.

5) CE Week 2012

When: June 25-29, 2012

The CEA line show in 2011 brought out the top technology industry innovators to exhibit their latest products and gadgets. Last year’s line up included Intel, LG, Mitsubishi, Monster, etc. This year, the trade show is back as a part of consumer electronic week, a weeklong series of technology-specific events across NYC including the CEA line shows, digital downtown conference and CEA demo suites. This conference draws the biggest audience of journalists, retailers, distributors and market leaders in New York.

CES 2012 – Day 3 recap from the technology tradeshow

Kenny Grant — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:30:53 +0000

I spent Day 3 at CES scrambling around the Hilton and Venetian halls trying to squeeze in the remaining booths. Check out this futuristic restaurant ordering system. Everyone uses an interactive table to view the menu, order food, interact with social media, and arrange a taxi for the end of the night. Here’s a demo below:

I really enjoyed Computer Electronics Show 2012, and would highly recommend the conference. Here are some quick tips for anyone considering CES 2013.

Book Hotels ASAP — With 150k people in attendance, hotel rooms book up fast. Rates also quadruple during the week long event. Even if you’re not 100 per cent on the show, find a hotel with a cancellation policy.
Book a nearby hotel — Vegas maps are deceiving. One block is not just one block. Book a hotel close to the sands and convention center.
Plan your day(s) — With huge shuttle/taxi lines and 10s of thousands of feet to cover, it’s imperative. The website and booth listings are daunting to say the least, but you’ll be glad you did.
Good shoes — Nice kicks are nice, but nice isn’t going to make your feet happy after your first day at CES. Invest in good shoes with insoles. Chance are, your feet will still hurt — but not as bad.

Here are some photos from Day 3

CES 2012 – Day 2 recap from the technology tradeshow

Kenny Grant — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:30:40 +0000

At CES early in January, I attended the Mashable MASHBASH CES Afterparty located at the Mirage. It was part of my first full day at CES and I felt like I made some serious headway. I spent the majority of the day talking with various vendors about their new products in the Central Hall. This hall held all of the major companies at the show. The booths were gigantic and beyond overkill (see some of the photos below). A few people mentioned the Samsung spent 3million dollars, and I don’t doubt it for a second.

Wifi enabled devices were a huge theme, and every TV manufacturer had two version of connected TVs: one with a Google TV integration, and the other solution running a proprietary operating system. It makes total sense to cover both platforms, but I have the feeling TV manufacturers are going to have a difficult time building and sustaining an active TV developer ecosystem that’s native to their device. After a full day, I only covered about 55 per cent of the show — it was that huge.