KC IMAGINE 2024 Conference Schedule

Join us for an informative and energizing event, the 2024 Building KC’s Digital Media Future Conference! Get ready to explore topics about the latest trends and technology that affect Kansas City’s growing digital media industry. This in-person conference will be held at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, MO. Experience our keynote speaker, Thoka Maer, Art Director for Google Doodles, as she unveils the creative spark behind those delightful interactive logos.  Hear a panel of distinguished leaders discuss how skills-based hiring and training is drastically altering talent development practices for the digital media industry.  Select from a wide range of breakout sessions where topics will be explored such as artificial intelligence, Web 3.o, reality show production, apprenticeship programs, championship sports content production, government funding opportunities and the shift from print to digital.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone interested in Kansas City’s growing digital media industry should plan to attend--especially digital media professionals, digital media educators, digital media students, digital media entrepreneurs, career and workforce professionals and community/civic leaders.

AGENDA:

  9:30 am        Continental Breakfast & Networking

10:00 am        Welcome | Announcements

10:15 am        Keynote: Thoka Maer, Art Director for Google Doodles

11:00 am        Panel Discussion: Skills Based Hiring & Training

11:50 am        Introduction to Breakout Options

12:00 pm       LUNCH – Kauffman Catering

1:00 pm         Breakouts – Session One

2:00 – 2:30     Break & Networking

2:30 pm         Breakouts – Session Two

3:30 pm       Close

Continental Breakfast & Networking: 9:30 - 10:00

Register your attendance, pick up your badge and then enjoy a light continental breakfast while you meet other Kansas City professionals interested in advancing the digital media industry in Kansas City and beyond.

Welcome, Announcements & Updates: 10:00 - 10:15 Town Square Room

Keynote Presentation: 10:15 - 11:00 Town Square Room

Thoka Maer

Our Keynote Speaker:

KC IMAGINE is thrilled that Thoka Maer, Art Director for Google Doodles will offer the keynote presentation for our conference.  Hailing from East Germany and now a happy New Yorker for a decade, Thoka received a visual communication degree from the Universität der Künste in Berlin and then quickly gained international attention for the charming appeal of her illustrations.  Prior to her work with Google Doodles, Thoka spent her days as an independent illustrator, animator and artist, fortunate enough to collaborate with incredible brands like The New York Times, Calvin Klein, United Nations, Buzzfeed, Nike, HBO, Reebok, Sony, and TED, to name just a few.  A close look at her artwork reveals that Maer has a gift for GIFs.  A look at her It’s No Biggie blog reveals how deftly she creates subtle animations that add another layer of interest and engagement to the soft, elegant nature of her hand-drawn work.  Her illustrations often evoke a sense of calmness, serenity, or quiet contemplation.

It is no surprise that her creative journey eventually led to Google.  Today, as an art director for Google Doodle, Thoka is working with artists from around the world to explore and tell stories through the Google logo. Inspired by folk art, the ever-evolving world of technology, riddles and problem solving, books, and the beauty of nature, she's constantly striving to explore new materials and techniques, especially fabric and clay in her art practice. Maer’s keynote presentation will provide a look at her distinctive illustration style and a glimpse into the world of Google Doodles, the artistic process behind them, and the collaborative spirit that brings these interactive artworks to life.

Panel Discussion: Skills-Based Hiring & Training 11:00 - 11:50

Town Square Room

Our Distinguished Panelists

Skills-Based Hiring & Training

This panel of distinguished area leaders from business, education and workforce development will explore how campanies are shifting their focus from traditional degrees to identifying and recruiting candidates with the specific skills needed for the job, and how they are adjusting training programs to bridge any skill gaps within their workforce. 

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Introduction to Breakout Options: 11:50 - 12:00

Lunch by Kauffman’s Bon Appetite company: 12:00 - 1:00

Breakout Session One: 1:00 - 2:00

Money on the Table: Government Funding for Training & Recruiting

Is funding holding you back from proceeding with an important workforce training or hiring need?  Governmental agency funds may be available to support what you’ve held off doing for lack of funds.  Hear directly from Missouri, Kansas and Department of Labor leaders about what might be available for your hiring/training/apprenticeship needs.  Craig VanWey, Manager of In-State Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce will share information about Kansas programs.  Kristie Davis, Director of Missouri OneStart (Department of Economic Development) will share information about Missouri programs.  Angela Baker, Workforce Development Consultant, will discuss DOL apprenticeship programs, and Gary Sage, former Senior Business Development Officer with the Kansas City Economic Development Corporation will moderate the session. 

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Town Square Room

Unleash the Power of Web3: Blockchain, DAOs and Beyond

Join Connor Borrego, CEO of playhaus, and Troy Carlson, Founder & CEO at Initiatives, Inc. for an in-depth exploration of the emerging Web3 landscape. This session is designed for both Web3 newcomers and enthusiasts eager to understand the technologies driving this digital revolution. We'll break down complex concepts like blockchain, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and NFTs/crypto, and explore how they are empowering individuals and transforming industries.

Discover how Web3 is redefining user control, privacy, and data ownership. We'll examine the implications of AI on Web3 and discuss strategies for safeguarding your digital identity. Whether you're a tech-savvy entrepreneur or simply curious about the future of the internet, this session will equip you with the knowledge to stay ahead of the curve.

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Troost Room

Gamechanger: Shifting from Print to Digital

Few businesses have been affected by the shift from print to digital technology as significantly as journalism & publishing.  This panel features three presenters who have navigated that change successfully from prominent Kansas City publishers: Andrews McMeel Universal and the Kansas City Business Journal.  Kendra Stiles, Director of Syndication Sales & Operations at Andrews McMeel Universal (AMU), will share how the print side of AMU’s business meets the continuing demand for content by syndicated newspapers.  Rachel DeSchepper, Lead Content Strategist at AMU, will share how their company is implementing innovative digital solutions for their customers.  And Brian Kaberline, Editor in Chief for the Kansas City Business Journal, will discuss how the shift to digital has impacted business journalism. 

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Brush Creek Room

The Making of Make48

Kansas City is home to the producers of Make48, the reality maker television show where teams compete in a 48-hour invent-a-thon, with the goal of getting their products developed for the consumer market.  Hear from Brett Kisker, Director of Education, on how they plan, direct and produce this challenging reality show.  Get the inside scoop on what goes into sourcing all of the support needed, how they select topics and teams and how they provide education resources to support team member efforts to innovate.

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Paseo Room

Break & Networking: 2:00 - 2:30

Breakout Session Two 2:30 - 3:30

Tico Productions: A KC Success Story

Tico Productions has been an important player in Kansas City media production since 2012.  They are a full-service marketing and production company that specializes in multicultural strategy, media production, and social media. They offer a variety of services including professional sports broadcasting, video production, graphic design, marketing and advertising consulting and event management.  They are a bilingual company that communicates in both English and Spanish.  Their sports coverage includes six NFL programs including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.  They also cover National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks, and NWLS’s KC Current.  In this session, Oscar Monterroso, Tico’s Founder, President and CEO, will tell Tico’s story, show examples of their work and provide insights into Tico’s media success.

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Town Square Room

Nay or Aye for AI?

Is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) a friend or foe for the modern workforce? Join us in "Nay or Aye for AI" for a deep dive into this critical question. This session will unpack the increasing presence of AI in our workplaces, exploring how it is automating tasks, streamlining processes, and even making data-driven decisions. Simon Kuo, Partner at BetaBlox and Co-Founder of the Kansas City AI Club and Lauren Kimball, Associate Professor of Animation, Johnson County Community College, will dissect the good, the bad, and the unknown of this phenomenon. Discover how AI can augment human capabilities, boosting productivity and innovation. But we'll also address potential downsides, including the ethics of training models, job displacement and environmental costs.

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Troost Room

What in the Biz is “Previs”?

Dive into the world of pre-visualization (previs) in this session! Uncover how previs is used to plan and develop compelling digital media content, from storyboards and animatics to cutting-edge 3D modeling. Get the inside scoop from Kyle Jefferson, Instructor at Hollywood Animation Academy and formerly the Director and Previsualization Supervisor for Spiderman Homecoming, Thor Ragnorak, Godzilla King of all Monsters, Spirit, Shrek 2 and more.  Learn how previs saves time and money in the production process, improves communication and collaboration, and unleashes creative team potential.

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Brush Creek Room

Update/Tour: Disney’s KC Laugh-O-gram Building

KC IMAGINE’s future home will be the Laugh-O-gram Studio at 1127 E. 31st Street where Walt Disney established his first commercial animation studio in 1922.  The building, owned by the Thank You Walt Disney non-profit group, is currently being renovated.  The building will feature interactive historical exhibits, a 50-seat theatre, a digital media classroom and co-working space for digital media entrepreneurs.  In this session Dan Viets, President of Thank You Walt Disney and Disney historian, will share Walt’s history in the building and how he and his staff became the pioneers of Hollywood’s animation industry.  He will also provide an update on the building’s renovation as well as an overview of the features being planned for the building.  Following the session, participants can take the optional tour of the building led by Gary Sage, Vice-President for Development, Thank You Walt Disney.

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Paseo Room/Laugh-O-gram Studio

THIS CONFERENCE IS PRODUCED BY KC IMAGINE AND KC DIGITAL DRIVE