Virtual Worlds Forum

Supporting organisations

Virtual Worlds Forum Europe is delighted to be supported by these leading industry associations and organisations who, like us, offer their members a forum for debate, industry best practice, communication and networking opportunities. If you’re interested in partnering with us at VWF2008 please contact Liz Walker.

• AIME

  AIME is a UK-based trade association that promotes excellence in the Interactive Media and Entertainment industry. We uphold our Code of Ethics and create an environment of consumer trust and industry confidence within which our members’ commerce can grow. We are committed to promoting Interactive Media and Entertainment through the regular exchange of information and communication throughout the value chain, effective engagement with regulators and legislators and the presentation of a successful industry image to media. We are the only trade association with membership across all elements of the Interactive Media value chain.

• Association for Information Management

  Aslib, The Association for Information Management, with corporate members world-wide, actively promotes the better management of information resources for strategic and tactical management benefits through a range of services. Aslib's activities include: - professional development training: public courses, on-site training, distance learning - conferences - publishing journals - recruitment services

• Association for Learning Technology

  The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) is a professional and scholarly association for all those with an interest in the use of learning technology. Go to http://www.alt.ac.uk/ for details of our annual conference, ALT-C, and to find out how to join us as an individual or organisational member.

• Association of Online Publishers

  The Association of Online Publishers represents companies that create original, branded, quality content. AOP champions the interests of approximately 160 publishing companies from diverse backgrounds including newspaper and magazine publishing, TV and radio broadcasting, and pure online media. AOP publishes original research, hosts forums, awards and conferences, covering a range of topics from managing online communities to behavioural targeting and audience measurement.

• Association of Virtual Worlds

  The Association of Virtual Worlds, with its Business & Social Network, publishing division, and virtual headquarters, serves those companies and individuals who are dedicated to the advancement of virtual worlds and web3D and reaches out to those who have not yet found this next wave of the internet.

• Austin GDC

  Austin GDC is the must-attend event for game developers looking to change the way games are designed, written and played. This year's agenda features over 100 sessions from industry pioneers, the Game Career Seminar, the Independent Games Festival pavilion and the new Worlds in Motion Summit focused on everything virtual.

• BIMA

  BIMA is the industry association representing the interactive media and digital content sector. It supports individuals and organisations which deliver high quality, creative and innovative, interactive media solutions. It strives to stimulate commercial growth, and acts as an industry liaison with academia and government through the provision of knowledge, encouragement and economy; BIMA is a united voice for its members and strives to develop an internationally competitive new media industry in Britain

• Business Wire

  Business Wire's news wire circuits enable you to target your news to select audiences based on your geographic and industry market needs. From delivery to audiences in a single city to comprehensive worldwide coverage including translations, Business Wire offers you an easy, one-stop solution.

• Chinwag

  The Chinwag community is a focal point for digital media practitioners in the UK and beyond. Founded in 1996, Chinwag has developed into a community media company that publishes websites, discussion forums and runs events supporting the people and companies who work in the digital industry. Chinwag also publishes Chinwag Jobs (http://jobs.chinwag.com), the leading recruitment website for Online Marketing, Digital Media, Web, Design and Technical positions

• E-Commerce Law & Policy

  E-Commerce Law & Policy is required reading for professionals in the Virtual World industry. Monthly analysis, insight and critical review of the current legal and regulatory issues affecting the industry from the finest minds in the business, presented in concise and digestible format. To tap in to our knowledge, contact Dan Towse, dan.towse@e-comlaw.com on +44 20 7012 1381 or vist www.e-comlaw.com

• eLearning Network

  The eLearning Network (eLN) is a non-profit organisation run by the elearning community for the elearning community. Established in 1988, the eLN has grown to become the number one source for guidance on best practice and future trends in technology-based learning and development at work.

• First Opinions Panel

  The largest consumer research panel in Second Life (SL), with 10,000 members studied by 33 "real" and Second Life attributes. Over 1400 of our members own one or more SL groups which generate most of the content and events. We are the only source for them. Our services include custom panels, Web-based surveys, SL surveys, telephone interviews and focus groups in SL. We also produce the free blog Second Life Business Brief (slbrief.com) – an executive summary on corporate strategies, updated weekly.

• GameHorizon

  GameHorizon is a collaborative network of video games companies based in the North East of England that supports its members through international promotion, networking and business leads. GameHorizon runs a future focused international annual conference aimed at senior executives, as well as networking events throughout the year.

• Gartner

  Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. We deliver the technology-related insight necessary for our clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to technology investors, we are the indispensable partner to 60,000 clients in 10,000 distinct organizations. Through the resources of Gartner Research, Gartner Executive Programs, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events, we work with every client to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has 4,000 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants in 80 countries. For more information, e-mail info@gartner.com or visit gartner.com.

• IAB

  The IAB is the trade association for online advertising, run for the leading media owners and agencies in the UK internet industry. We work with members to ensure marketers can identify the best role for online, helping them engage their customers and build their brands through the dissemination of research and events.

• IWOOT

  I Want One of Those offers a wide selection of gadgets, gizmos, lifestyle accessories, adventures and all sorts of fabulous "difficult to find" goodies, making us the perfect present buying solution for "hard to shop for" people.

• London Games Festival

  Taking place from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2008, the London Games Festival is a week-long cultural and business celebration of computer and video games, reflecting their cultural influence and importance in today's society and featuring a series of diverse events in different venues for different audiences.

• Mashable

  With more than 5 million monthly pageviews, Mashable is the world's largest blog focused on social networks and web 2.0 news. Mashable's readers include the most tech-savvy early adopters, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, influencers, Web 2.0 aficionados and technology journalists.

• Metaverse Roadmap

  The MVR is a nonprofit ten-year forecast and twenty-year visioning survey of 3D Web technologies, applications, markets, and social impacts. Areas of focus are virtual worlds, mirror worlds, lifelogging, and augmented reality. Areas of exploration include web-game convergence, 3D animation, and trends driving the participatory 3D web. Visit metaverseroadmap.org to read the forecasts, discover opportunities, and add your insights to the collective.

• MyCustomer

  MyCustomer.com is the leading online community for CRM professionals in the UK, serving over 70,000 members with a wealth of breaking news, features, research and analysis; covering topics such as: Customer Intelligence; Customer Communication; Customer Service & Experience. Visit us at www.mycustomer.com

• NESTA

  NESTA is a unique body with a mission to make the UK more innovative. We invest in early-stage companies, inform and shape policy, and deliver practical programmes that inspire others to solve the big challenges of the future.

• NMK

  NMK is a learning and business information hub for companies and individuals working in UK digital media. NMK runs a website packed with articles, commentary and white papers. In turn, we produce a programme of topical and high-level events and courses, perennially well received due to the extensive research NMK undertakes to provide the broadest and most relevant perspectives.

• Technology for Marketing and Advertising

  The UK's leading event for Digital, Data & CRM solutions for Marketing, Media & Advertising professional. Whether you're looking to implement a direct marketing or digital campaign, or build your entire marketing & advertising strategy, visit Technology For Marketing & Advertising 2009 on 24th-25th February at Earls Court 2, London. Find all the tools, techniques, knowledge and strategic insight to ensure your marketing and advertising campaigns are a success. For more information or to register for free entry visit www.t-f-m.co.uk

• The Eduverse Foundation

  The Eduverse Foundation (www.eduverse.org) is having their third Symposium on Sept 23 (noon to 10 pm in De Balie, Amsterdam). Platform representatives, world renowned authors, pundits and gurus will relate their own vision of the coming 3D web. Speakers include: Philip Rosedale, Christian Renaud, Julain Lombardi, Karl Kapp.

• The International Game Developers Association

  The International Game Developers Association is the largest non-profit membership organization serving individuals that create video games. The IGDA is committed to advancing the careers and enhancing the lives of game developers by connecting members with their peers, promoting professional development, and advocating on issues that affect the developer community. For more information on the IGDA, please visit www.igda.org.

• The Serious Games Institute (SGI)

  The Serious Games Institute (SGI) based on Coventry University Technology Park is an international centre of excellence for virtual worlds and the integration of physical and virtual environments and offers consultancy, applied research and business incubation. Contact Jacqueline Cawston at jcawston@cad.coventry.ac.uk or visit www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk.

• the Virtual Policy Network (tVPN)

  the Virtual Policy Network (tVPN) is a think tank established to explore the policy implications of virtual worlds. tVPN stimulates local conversations and bridges these internationally. Our three key stake-holder groups are: policy makers and regulators, academics and the virtual world industry. www.virtualpolicy.net

• TIGA

  Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. We have 157 members, the majority of whom are games developers, but also outsourcing companies and technology businesses who provide services to games developers. Tiga’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. Tiga aims to influence the Government, political parties, the media and other relevant stakeholders to introduce and support policies favourable to the video games industry. Tiga provides a range of benefits and services which serve to reduce costs, enhance commercial opportunities and strengthen the overall competitiveness of our members.

• Video Games Live

  Following last year’s sell-out, the sensational Video Games Live returns to Southbank Centre on Friday October 24th, as the London Games Festival's opening event. Celebrating the world’s best-loved video games, VGL is cutting edge visuals, interactive technology and gaming’s greatest music, all performed live - from Pong and Mario, to Halo and Final Fantasy plus a spectacular new interactive Guitar Hero duel! Tickets available at www.southbankcentre.co.uk

• Virtual Educa Network

  Virtual Educa Network is a resource for spanish and Latin American community about Virtual Worlds. Our aim is to facilitate knowledge sharing among this international community, evolving topics and discussion on Learning in Virtual Worlds and its applications.

• Wired Sussex

  Wired Sussex - Supporting digital media in Brighton and beyond Wired Sussex works with digital media companies of all sizes helping them to develop and grow. If you are working in or running a business in the digital media industry in Sussex – or if you’d like to be – find out how we can support you at www.wiredsussex.com