GamesBeat 2016 Speaker Application

GamesBeat (August 1-3, 2016 | Terranea Resort | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) Now in its ninth year, GamesBeat is bringing together over 500 top execs, investors, analysts, and entrepreneurs from the hottest companies to explore the gaming industry’s latest trends, growth opportunities, technical directions, and newest monetization opportunities.

TOPICS

• New platforms such as augmented reality and virtual reality
• Creativity and diversity
• Game investments
• Monetization strategies
• Deals
• Brands
• Esports

• There is no fee to apply or speak at the event.
• VentureBeat does do not pay for travel for speakers. 
• Speakers will receive a complimentary pass to the event
• Space is limited. Apply early.
• To download an application example, click here: Speaker Application

Please read these instructions carefully before completing your speaking application:

SPEAKERS

• Judging is based based on a variety of factors. In general, we look for seasoned speakers (Director and above) at companies doing something unique and interesting in gaming (either with their use of technology or tactics). Applications will be considered holistically, meaning both speaker and session description will be considered equally. Your session description should not be a straight marketing pitch, but rather one that either inspires the audience or lets them walk away something learned (tactic). ** See below for more tips on how to craft your session description.
• Speakers that are willing to share their actual tactical approaches are more likely to be accepted (ie. "we've experienced x amount of growth. Here's the challenges we experienced... and here's how we did it...."). 
• Once a speaker/company has been submitted, their application is then vetted through an advisory committee. If the speaker is approved, a member of the VB team will reach out to discuss possible session titles ​and abstract information. 
• *VENDORS: Speaking opportunities for vendors will be extremely limited. Please reach out to sales@venturebeat.com for information on how to guarantee your speaking slot. 

SESSION DESCRIPTION
Addressing the following criteria in your proposal will help ensure reviewers are able to understand the potential of your session's content and increase your chances of selection: 

• Concept: This is the basic idea of your submission. Is it interesting? Is it relevant? Will it be beneficial for executives to hear? 
• Depth: Is the basic idea well considered and thought out? To what extent will the audience gain insight? The more in-depth, the better.
• Organization: Are your ideas conducive to present in front of an audience? Will the Advisory Board understand what you are trying to say? Organization helps.
• Credentials: How do your credentials qualify you to speak on the topic you have proposed?
• Takeaway: Is the attendee going to leave this session knowing something they didn't know when they walked in? Are they learning or being inspired? This is the most important aspect of every session. The submissions will be rated on a one to five scale by each of the reviewers and the resulting scores are averaged. Those submissions in each category with the highest scores are considered first. In the case of topic overlap, a lesser scoring submission may be selected to keep variety in the program.

TOPICS & AREAS OF INTEREST
The following topics will be covered at GamesBeat 2016. You will have the opportunity to select up to 2 topics for your abstract to be considered under. Sample subject matter is provided for general guidance and to give you an idea of how we're thinking about the topics. These are by no means the only areas that fall into these topics, so please feel free to submit your own original ideas for consideration as well. 

• New platforms such as augmented reality and virtual reality
• Creativity and diversity
• Game investments
• Monetization strategies
• Deals
• Brands
• Esports

 

Format	Duration	Description
Main Stage	20 minutes	These sessions are issue-oriented, provide concrete examples, and contain both practical and theoretical information. Postmortems and case studies are included in this category. This will be either a presentation or fireside chat with a moderator depending on the speaker and their proposed abstract.
Panels	20 minutes	Panels take many different viewpoints on a topic or issue and combine them in one debate session with a moderator. Debate among panelists (with very different opinions) is welcome and audience participation time should be accounted for. Include all of the panelists you have confirmed in the proposal. A very limited number of panels will be accepted.
Breakout Sessions	45 Minutes	These sessions are smaller, peer discussion groups led by a moderator and limited to a maximum of 50 attendees. It includes expert speakers or 'chairs' as well as a moderator. A chair is an​ ​expert - someone who is well versed in the topic - and ​​guides the ​discussion towards what would be most beneficial for the group, and hopefully, new ground. Moderators facilitate conversation and keep the flow of discussion inspired and moving. They do not lecture or dictate. Constructive controversy and debate are very welcome in these sessions. Topics that are open-ended in nature and promote an exchange of ideas from people likely to have different viewpoints generally work best in this format.

Conference attendees are looking for material that is not obvious and expect excellence from our speakers. After your presentation, they will evaluate it based on delivery, knowledge of the topic and the visuals presented. 

Preparation is one of the most important factors in delivering a successful talk. Please keep the following in mind when you propose to speak:

• We suggest that you commit AT LEAST 25 hours to prepare for your session
• You are strongly encouraged to rehearse the delivery of your session for it to be effective; preferably in front of your peers. (One tip is to video tape yourself speaking then review it. This is also a great way to practice pacing and timing)

We request that you specify in the form under 'comments'  when information must be kept strictly confidential, i.e., not even sharable with VB reporters, external advisors or contractors.

QUESTIONS
For more information, please visit: events.venturebeat.com. If you would like to inquire about our sponsorship opportunities, please contact sales@venturebeat.com.

SPEAKER APPLICATION