CONF: VR 95 Show

[dys...@delphi.com]

(The following is an excerpt from the upcoming May 1995 issue of
"Virtual Reality Monthly," an industry newsletter of VR.)


"Who's Who" at VRWorld 95 Show

More than 120 authorities from the world of VR are scheduled to
speak at the upcoming Mecklermedia VRWorld 95, the only major VR
trade show that offers insight into virtually every facet of the industry.
Slated for May 22-25 in San Jose, California, much of the show will
focus on vertical market business applications in VR. According to
conference organizer Dr. Sandra K. Helsel - who also edits "VR World"
magazine - showgoers can expect "world-class presentations" from
developers and users on VR applications like out-of-home entertainment,
consumer games, networking and telecommunications, design, training,
garage VR, and VR on the Internet.
Keynote speaker for the show will be Dr. Tom Furness, director
of the Human Interface Technology Laboratory at the University of
Washington in Seattle, who will be speaking May 23 on "My Forecast for
the Future of the VR Industry."
One of the primary players in VR on the West Coast, the HIT Lab
recently created a media stir with GreenSpace, a VR project in which HIT
researchers engaged in a fully immersive telepresence experience with
VR colleagues across the Pacific. The HIT Lab also recently introduced
a VR in education program in the Western U.S., which offers grade and
highschoolers the rare opportunity to get hands-on experience building
virtual worlds.
VRWorld 95 promises to be a show of many firsts, including an
"Asian Initiatives" panel that will feature representatives from Singapore,
Korea, India, and Japan, as well as a possible late entry from China,
Helsel says.
Moreover, the show will also feature two presentations by yours
truly - your humble scribe Joe Dysart - who will be moderating a panel
on Virtual Characters, as well as speaking on an Introduction to Virtual
Reality panel designed to offer attendees a quick study on the industry
and its applications. (See sidebar below.)
Meanwhile, showgoers looking to meet with the industry's
greatest innovators will want to attend the show's Mecklermedia VR
Industry Awards, which will be presented Wednesday morning, May 23.
Recognizing people and firms who have contributed greatly to the
advancement of the industry, the awards are determined by the show
organizers, and readers of "VR World," who can send in their
nominations on forms appearing in the March/April issue of VR World.
And VR aficionados looking to focus in on a particular aspect of
VR will want to check out the show's tutorials, which will offer detailed
advice on subjects like "How to Select, Apply, and use Headmounted
Displays" and "CDK and NAVIGATOR Techniques for 3D Studio
Modelers."
As in past years, the show will also feature the latest version of
Louis M. Brill's "VR Video Festival," which is slated for Tuesday evening,
May 23. A widely recognized VR luminary, Brill spends months of prep
work putting together the video festival, and has yet to disappoint. Says
Brill: "In 90 minutes, people can see a tremendous collection of VR
worlds, VR experiments and VR research centers that they otherwise
would not be able to see in one place."
Exhibit space is still available. But according to Helsel, booths are
filling up quickly. Exhibit Hall hours are Tuesday, May 23, from 10-6;
Wednesday, May 24, from 10-6; and Thursday, May 24, from 10-4. For
more information, contact Marilyn Reed of Mecklermedia at
(203)-226-6967 x 241; via email at mar...@mecklermedia.com; or via the
MecklerWeb.

Contact: Dr. Sandra Helsel, Conference Organizer, Mecklermedia VR
Conferences
Voice: (602) 887-4485
Email: s...@well.sf.ca.us
Fax: (602) 887-3267

~~~

Drop By And Say Hi

"Virtual Reality Monthly" Editor Joe Dysart will be giving two
presentations at the upcoming VRWorld 95 Show in San Jose. In
"Applications Markets," presented May 22 at 10:00-10:30 a.m.,
workshop attendees will be treated to an inside look at the latest and
greatest applications in VR - as well as a peek at what will be.
"Applications Markets" is one module in a highly recommended, day
long series of presentations entitled "VR 101: Introduction to Virtual
Reality."
Meanwhile, showgoers interested in the wide variety of virtual
characters roaming cyberspace will want to check out the panel "Virtual
Characters," slated to begin 3:30 p.m., May 25. Moderated by Dysart,
"Virtual Characters" will feature a look at the most sophisticated
applications to date, a video look back at the medium's origins, and
insight into the emerging medium in terms of technologies, applications
and cost-efficacy.



("Virtual Reality Monthly" is edited by Joe Dysart, a high technology
journalist with 15 years experience whose work has appeared in more
than 40 publications, including "The New York Times." Currently,
Dysart's work in VR appears primarily in "VRWorld," where he serves
as Business/Entertainment Editor, and at "VR Metropolis,"
(http://www.mecklerweb.com), Mecklermedia's new VR cybersite on
the World Wide Web., where he serves as Site Coordinator. For a free
sample copy of "Virtual Reality Monthly," kindly send your email
address, phone, and fax number to dys...@delphi.com.)






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