If Conference is returning to NYC on May 18. The conference showcases the latest innovations from Japanese startups and teams based in NYC. If Conference 2017, in its second year, brings together notable speakers and innovators who are influenced by Japan and place a premium on design and social innovation.There will be inspirational talks, business insights and Japan-inspired innovations. Alan Webber, Founding Editor at Fast Company Magazine will give a keynote presentation. Other speakers include Rie Yano, CEO & Co-Founder, Material World and Rei Inamoto, Founding Partner, Inamoto & Co.Last year’s inaugural event which we covered here was a huge success attracting more than 250 people for a full day of events. This year, the team are pushing themselves to make If Conference bigger and better. Masa Okunishi who runs the Japan Startups NYC meetup is leading the efforts on this years conference. There is a full list of confirmed speakers (so far) below. Find out more information and purchase your tickets at IfConference.com Current Lineup of Keynote Speakers and Panelists: (in no particular order)
- 1. Keynote Speaker: Alan Webber,Founding Editor of Fast Company Magazine
Format: Talk format with no presentationTheme: Founding Stories, Inspirations and Experiences in Japan, Tips for Innovators
- 2. Keynote Speaker: Rie Yano, Co-Founder ,and CEO of Material World
Format: Presentation format for Aspiring EntrepreneursTheme: Innovating in Online Fashion Commerce, Growing her business and team, Social Impact
- Design Panel: “Designing Across Culture” (tentative name)
Format: Panel Session with a ModeratorTheme: 3 founders/designers well-versed in Product Design
- Made in Japan: Innovating for Social Good Panel (tentative name)
Format: Panel Session with a ModeratorSpeakers: Shima Seiki and ItoEn
- Adapting Experiences for Virtual and Mixed Reality
Format: Presentation FormatSpeaker: Microsoft
- Social Innovation Interview
Format: Interview FormatSpeaker: Rosanne Haggerty, CEO of Community Solutions
- Keynote Speaker:Rei Inamoto
Format: Presentation FormatTheme: life lessons working as a designer/working in the creative industry
- Social Innovation Panel: “Made in Japan: Innovating for Social Good” (tentative name)
Format: Panel Session with a ModeratorTheme: traditional Japanese corporations running innovative business with social impact in US