The province’s 25 most innovation-obsessed companies are expected to hit Vancouver’s Science World later this month for the first-ever technology showcase and award show hosted by the Digital Media and Wireless Association of British Columbia (DigiBC).
NextBC runs May 15 and will be far more interactive than a typical award show, according to DigiBC president Howard Donaldson.
His organization had a mobile app developed that will allow attendees to vote for the audience’s choice award.
Once people finish checking out the exhibits, a panel of judges will recognize companies based on what technology they think is going to have the biggest impact on the future.
Donaldson said it’s almost unheard to get so many top-notch West Coast companies together in one room.
“Canadians tend to focus on development but we don’t focus much on promotion or marketing,” he said.
“In my travels I hear a lot about innovation going on in the U.S. and other countries but I don’t hear a lot about innovation going on in B.C.”
Donaldson added NextBC has the chance to elevate the way tech companies are recognized by their own industries and by the public.
NextBC features keynote speaker Paul Kedrosky, contributing editor to Bloomberg West, who will conduct interviews with the five tech companies selected as B.C.’s best.
Companies appearing at NextBC include Electronic Arts Canada, D-Wave Systems, Gener8, HootSuite, PayWith, Plenty of Fish and Vision Critical.
Registration is open to the public, while prices range from $25 to $50. More information can be found at picatic.com/NextBC.
