California has a sense of experimentation and a sense of openness—openness to new possibilities. -Steve Jobs, 1985

The Asymco Experience. Live.

Asymconf California is the second in the series and will expand in scope and intensity relative to the first  Asymconf.  Attendees will be treated to an engaging, participatory experience. Using the case method to teach (and learn), we will look at the state, history and future of innovation as seen from a Californian perspective:

Program:

_Morning Session

_Being Back. How California came to disrupt
 
The disruptive history of California is remarkable. Whereas few nations can claim credit to one, California is home to at least four major disruptions: Semiconductors, recorded entertainment, venture capital and personal computing. And it did all this in less than one century. If any one place can vie for the title of "serial disruptor" it's California. One success can be seen as luck, but many successes imply a system is at work. In this case session we discuss California's disruptive history and put forward hypotheses on the what causal mechanisms are at work. We ask further whether California can still be the home of future disruptions or whether the system has broken down.

  • The effect of "frontier mentality" on unforeseen growth 
  • The effect of migration and diaspora on innovation and counter-effect of the absence of either.
  • Applying these causal themes to the management of innovation in institutions

Designed in California, Assembled in China
 
Geographically and culturally, California is closer to Asia than any other western market. It has always faced west more than it has faced east. Is there a symbiosis between California and Asia? Are its institutions adapting to a new center of economic mass? Is California leading in thinking or culture or is it being disrupted by a new frontier as growth moves east?

  • The growth in Asia and China in particular is in many ways a reflection of rapid industrialization. But it can also be seen as a low-end disruption. 
  • What can be learned about business model innovation in the contrast between Californian and Asian approaches to business?
  • Does culture play a part in an innovation mentality?

12:00 to 1:00 - Lunch

_Afternoon Session
_North vs. South

Does the tension between industries of Northern California and Southern California reflect an opportunity or a crisis? We will re-visit the narrative of what Entertainment is hired to do. We will review the differences and similarities of the technological creative process vs. the artistic creative process. We will see whether industrialized, commercialized art is subject to disruptive forces or whether there is persistent exceptionalism at work.

  • Is the intersection of "liberal arts" and "engineering" more than a metaphor? 
  • What can be learned by cross-pollination of the creative processes of engineers and artists.
  • What's the future of technology-based entertainment? Are North and South closer and have more in common than the war talk lets on?

Panel session

Guests are invited to debate or discuss points raised during the morning sessions. A chance for panelists to challenge or refute points made as well as for the provision of anecdotal evidence.

Potential panelists:

  • Ben Bajarin
  • Michael Lopp (aka @Rands)
  • Jean-Louis Gassée
  • Om Malik
  • Charlie Kindel
  • Dan Benjamin
  • Philip Elmer-DeWitt
  • Tim Bradshaw

4:00 to 6:00 R*eception*

Information about the case topics will be announced in January, shortly before the event. In addition to Horace presenting and guiding discussion, distinguished guests (TBA) will be invited to act as presenters and panel members.

Tickets Prices in USD

Additional Information

Location: The  IBM Almaden Auditorium at the IBM Almaden Research Center. Established in 1956 in San Jose the center helped create what would eventually become Silicon Valley.

Date: January 30, 2013. Workshops will take place January 29th, 2013 (Macworld starts January 31st).

Accommodations

We recommend staying at the  Hayes Mansion

200 Edenvale Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136 USA

Phone: 866.981.3300

Analyst Workshop: 9:00 AM to 12:00, Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Hayes Mansion.

The analyst workshop is a review of the process used on Asymco.com. It's a discussion of how analysis is part of a creative process. I'll go over a case study of taking a piece of data, combining it with other data and building it into a blog post. It needs to be unique, relevant and also entertaining enough to encourage engagement. The goal is to have a new post written and published during the workshop. It should deliver a significant conclusion and be presented in a way that encourages discussion and debate.

Storytelling Workshop: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Hayes Mansion.

The Perspective system of presentation. How to build engaging data-driven presentations that persuade and enlighten audiences.

Both workshops will take place at the  Hayes Mansion.
 
Participation: To participate in the event, purchase a ticket above. Space is limited.
Pricing:

  • Asymconf ($495)  Full day conference access.
  • Asymconf + One Workshop ($795)  Conference and one half-day workshop.
  • Asymconf + Two Workshops ($995)  Conference and two half-day workshops.

Background: This is the second conference in the Asymconf series. The first Asymconf was held in April in Amsterdam. 130 participants traveled to participate in an interactive conference like no other. Employing the case method from Harvard Business School in the teaching and learning process the event is deeply engaging and entertaining at the same time. The first event and its proceedings (Also available on the  Asymco Store) were an acclaimed success. Based on feedback from the first event, the organizers vowed to bring the event closer to the core audience of Asymco.com--the US and the West Coast in particular. 

In addition to IBM, we also would like to thank  Pixxa and for their support in producing this event.

Bus Transportation (Jan 30 Conference Only)

Limited number of seats are available on bus service to and from the Conference to Hayes Mansion Hotel  The conference will have a tight timetable, so please ensure you are at the appropriate location and on-time so that you will not hold up the event.

08:15 AM : Arrive Caltrain Diridon Station, 65 Cahill St San Jose

08:30 AM : Leave Caltrain Diridon Station

08:45 AM : Dolce Hayes Mansion 200 Edenvale Ave

09:00 AM : IBM Almaden Research Center (Conference Site)

05:30 PM : IBM Almaden Research Center (Conference Site)

06:00 PM : Arrive Caltrain Diridon Station

06:30 PM : IBM Almaden Research Center (Conference Site)

07:00 PM : Dolce Hayes Mansion 200 Edenvale Ave

Register for bus transportation here:  https://tito.io/horace-dediu/asymconf-california-2013?release_id=abzydz13y2m

NOTICE OF FILMING

As with the previous event, Asymconf is being both photographed and video recorded. By registering for this event, you acknowledge that you have been informed that you may be recorded as part of the release in theatrical, broadcast television, home video, online, and/or any and all media now known or hereafter devised, in perpetuity, throughout the known universe and the advertising and publicity thereof. Further, by your presence in this conference, you grant your permission for your likeness and voice to be included therein without compensation, credit or other consideration. We will make an effort to provide a camera free area for audience members, but we cannot guarantee you will not be filmed or photographed during anytime you are at the event.