As part of the E-Commerce Berlin Expo, the first Creators of the Metaverse Fest will take place on Feb. 23, 2023. The focus will be on inclusivity, education and networking when Web3 and VR experts such as Anna Graf (Arvato Systems, Bertelsmann), Urs Rahne (BCG Digital Ventures), Kai Herzberger (Meta) or Dr. Su-Zeong Fröhlich (Visiblr), hundreds of crypto and NFT enthusiasts and more than 9,000 Expo visitors exchange ideas on blockchain technologies and VR in e-commerce. Admission is free of charge.
Attendees will learn more about the status quo of the Metaverse. What is hype and what will soon be real? How do virtual realities generate genuine value for customers and businesses in B2C and B2B? How can brands increase their visibility via ad placements in virtual worlds?
Use cases for VR, NFTs and blockchain beyond crypto speculation.
The 17 speakers at the Creators of the Metaverse Fest offer a wide range of topics that make Web3 and VR accessible. They will cover how artificial intelligence and digital clothes are transforming the fashion industry in a sustainable way, how to use NFTs and a community to fund the world’s first Web3 brewery, establish close to zero-cost payment systems globally via blockchain, rethink customer loyalty programs, or promote women in the tech industry via decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). On site, it will be possible to get a free NFT, designed in collaboration with the web3 agency Elfz’n’Trollz to accompany the festival. The team of VZNZ will assist visitors experiencing VR and augmented reality via the advanced VR goggles HoloLens.
Increasing interest among women in jobs in Web3 and VR
The lack of skilled workers in the STEM field is noticeably slowing down Europe’s economic development, according to the consulting firm McKinsey. In Germany alone, there will be a shortage of 780,000 workers in this field by 2027. A major lever lies in promoting diversity and inclusion, as only 22 percent of jobs in this field are held by women in EU member states. Doubling the share of women in tech roles to up to 45 percent by 2027 could boost Europe’s gross domestic product by 260 billion to 600 billion euros. This is another reason why the organizers of the Creators of the Metaverse Fest are offering a diverse selection of speakers. The different representatives and perspectives are intended to contribute to advancing knowledge exchange, inclusion, networking and innovation in Germany.
“Blockchain-based technologies, virtual realities and the Metaverse will transform every industry and private sphere of life. However, metaverse platforms in particular are not yet living up to the hype. Therefore it’s underestimated how important it is to foster diversity among those influencing essential elements of the future Metaverse now. Only through diversity do we create a complementary digital layer that offers new opportunities for everyone equally,” explains Ben Harmanus, Founder of the Creators of the Metaverse Fest and International Product Marketing & Storytelling Lead at HubSpot.
Inclusive fest instead of one-way communication
Visitors can make new contacts on the fly in the speed networking area. At noon, the organizations wom3n.DAO, Crypto Girls Club, H.E.R. DAO, or Women in Blockchain Talks (WiBT) jointly invite to a community meetup to promote diversity in the digital industry and bring it to the Metaverse. Meetups with speakers, an NFT art exhibition, and free drinks to conclude the day complement the agenda.
Creating the Metaverse: United or divided?
Technology corporations like Meta and Apple are developing VR headsets and non-blockchain virtual experiences. In contrast, rising Web3 start-ups aim for an open, interconnected network of metaverse platforms. In a closing panel discussion, Jürgen Geuter (ART+COM), Jocelyne Royer, and other experts will discuss whether current metaverse developments will lead to isolated communities and unequal opportunities.
Participation is free of charge
Registration to the E-Commerce Berlin Expo is free of charge, and so is access to the Creators of the Metaverse Fest in Hall 8 of STATION Berlin.
