This year the Vancouver VRAR Association led a mission to the fourth annual Augmented World Expo (AWE) EU in Munich, Germany. As the world’s leading VR/AR conference, the AWE draws industry experts, insiders, and enthusiasts from around the world each year to explore the latest advancements in immersive technology. With nearly 2,000 guests, 125+ speakers, and 100+ exhibitors, plus a record number of startups and enterprises in attendance, 2019 was the biggest year yet.
In partnership with Launch Academy, the VRARA was proud to debut the first-ever Canadian Pavilion and host a delegation of ten Canadian companies from across 5 provinces and 5 from BC: VR Vision Inc., Finger Food Advanced Technology Group, MAMMOTH XR, Kognitiv Spark, Motive.io, Arcane Technologies, Volumetric Camera Systems, Precision OS Technology, Quantum Capture Inc., and YDX Innovation.
Over the course of the two-day conference, the Canadian Pavilion put Canadian VR/AR talent and innovation on display for the world to see and interact with. The pavilion included booths for each company where conference guests could meet and greet with local leaders and demo the latest activations.
“Attending AWE EU was the perfect opportunity to bring our local industry together to showcase the strength of the Canadian VR/AR ecosystem and the incredible talent at work here to an international audience of VR/AR leaders.” Dan Burgar, President of the Vancouver VRAR Association.
Panel discussions and networking opportunities gave the Canadian delegation the opportunity to further share their experiences and weigh in on the future of VR/AR.
Vancouver VR/AR Association VIP Reception Dinner
To kickstart the conference, the Vancouver VRARA hosted a special VIP reception dinner that brought the Canadian delegation of companies together with international VR/AR thought leaders and top brands including BMW, Siemers, Daimler, Audi, and the BBC.
The evening was led by Nancy Basi, Executive Director of Media and Entertainment at the Vancouver Economic Commission, and focused on emerging trends in VR/AR and opportunities for growth and global collaboration.
Panelist speakers included Jay Latta of BMW Group, Amy Peck of HTC and EndeavorVR, Martin Liboska of Deutsche Telekom, Jacob Loewenstein of Spatial, Kavya Pearlman of XR Safety Initiative, and Jan Pflueger of Audi.
It was a full-house event and a lively evening of networking and relationship building where guests discussed the latest advancements in VR/AR technology, exchanged ideas, and laid the foundation for future collaboration.
Between the well-attended VIP dinner and bustling two-day conference, the delegation had the chance to network with big-name brands and VR/AR thought leaders who they otherwise may never have connected with. It’s in-person meetings like these that drive collaboration and spark innovation.
The Canadian Delegation at AWE EU will have an impact on not only the companies who attended but also the wider Canadian VR/AR ecosystem as a whole. The Vancouver VR/AR Association has been focused on developing the immersive industry in BC by driving increased exposure and securing global interest for local enterprises. AWE EU presented the perfect opportunity to expand these efforts across the country and forge stronger relationships between Canadian VR/AR companies from coast to coast.
The Canadian Delegation was hosted jointly by the Vancouver VR/AR Association with support from our valued partners the Vancouver Economic Commission, Launch Academy, VHDA, Tourism Vancouver, Creative BC, Trade and Invest BC, the Canadian Government, and the Bavarian Government.
