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9 Conferences That Should be on Your List in 2023

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Brad Anderson


Looking to elevate your brand? Conferences are an excellent way to do so. From accessing new ideas and feedback to networking and marketing opportunities, conferences offer a host of benefits to forward-thinking brands.

But, with hundreds of thousands of conferences held in the United States alone every year, it begs the question: which conferences in 2023 should be at the top of your list?

To give your brand a boost this year, read on for a roundup of 9 conferences in 2023.

March 13-14, 2023 | San Diego, CA. Now in its 8th year, this two day, single-track SEO conference for online marketers brings together many of the world’s learning thinkers for cutting-edge conversations on the latest in relevant topics like analytics, search, website optimization, paid promotions, content creation, and much more.

With a speaker list of handpicked industry experts like Orainti’s Aleyda Solis, MOZ’s Dr. Pete Meyers, SearchPilot’s Will Critchlow, and SEER Interactives’ Will Reynolds, topics include Can Your Outrun the Algorithm; How to Generate 8 Million SEO Test Ideas; Joining Forces at the Intersection of SEO and CRO; and other crucial and deeply relevant topics. Presenters will also address the latest in the world of search from ChatGPT, Machine Learning, Bard, GA4, and Generative AI.

Limited to just 200 or so attendees, SearchLove San Diego is also noteworthy for its resort-style ambiance with access to intimate networking, a VIP dinner with the speakers, and topic table sessions—plus a beach party and industry drinks.

May 22-24, 2023 | Minneapolis, MN. With consumers increasingly demanding social consciousness, the imperative is clear for brands seeking to capture their attention…and their business: go green or go home. Unfortunately, these can be easier said than done—especially when you consider the challenge of balancing sustainability with affordability.

Attendees include thought leaders, sustainability executives, and brand innovators in the sustainability space. So, Brand-Led Culture Change will help brands like these gain the knowledge, skills, and inspiration they need to drive growth, motivate action, and accelerate meaningful change.

This year’s event tracks include Unpacking Consumer Trends, Culture Change Communications, and Strategies and Tactics Driving Behavior Change at Scale with speakers including Amazon’s Head Of Category Growth, Climate Pledge Friendly Zac Ludington, Estée Lauder Companies’ Vice President, Global Product Development, Innovation, And Brand Sustainability Jill Tomandl, Be/Co Founder Lola Bakare, and many others.

March 20-22, 2023 | Orlando, FL. Advancements in data, analytics and data science have tremendous power, but only for brands equipped to harness it. Designed to help attendees expand their thinking about data analytics and the implementation journey; discover new trends, technologies, and approaches; and make smarter business decisions in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the conference includes opportunities for listening, engaging, and networking.

Bringing together more than 4,000 data and analytics leaders, the Data & Analytics Summit offers six tracks: Leadership, Skills and Culture; Data Management; Analytics; Strategy and Value; Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence; and Trust, Governance and Policy with keynote speakers including Distinguished VP Analyst Debra Logan, VP Analyst Kurt Schlegel, and Distinguished VP analyst and Gartner Fellow Daryl Plummer.

March 8-9, 2023 | London, UK. Looking to go big now that conferences are finally back in 2023? Look no further than this massive cyber security networking and educational event uniting more than 12,000 business leaders, technologists, and cyber security experts for proactive conversations about cyber resilience against cyberthreats in the complex digital space.

This year’s themes include Future of Cyber Security; Threat Detection & Response; Zero Trust; and Skills, Talent and Culture with expo speakers including ThreatAware CEO Jon Abbot, Mend EVP Product Ori Bach, Mastercard Director of Product Management, Cyber & Digital Resilience Yonatan Israel Garzon, Sky Group CTO Prasana Gopalakrishnan, Wellcome Trust Head of Data for Science and Health Tariq Khokhar, and many others.

March 13-15, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV (and digital). This well-known lead generation and performance marketing conference brings in some of the biggest names in marketing and business development from across the globe covering everything from understanding changing customer behaviors to the latest techniques for driving conversions.

A few of this year’s topics include Target Backward Planning and Growth Execution; Lead Gen on TikTok – Your Next Generation of Leads; How To Grow Your Business and Build Your Audience Using The Formula That Elects Presidents; Tactical Marketing & Lead Gen Optimization – Improve Today & Prepare for Tomorrow’s Customer Acquisition Environment with speakers including SoFi Senior Director of Operations Tabish Ahmed, The 9point8 Collective Co-Founder and Managing Partner Evan Allen, Botsplash CEO and Founder Aru Anavekar, AA Media CEO Adam Animasaun, Chief Outsiders Partner & CMO Jennifer Apy, LeadsCouncil Executive Director Rob Seaver, and Google Advertising Head of Brand Studio Geoff Colon.

March 21-23, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV (and virtual). This “digital experience” summit comprises over 200 sessions and abundant networking opportunities. And, it offers the ability to customize a personalized agenda based on your specific needs and interests. In-person pre-conference training and credential exams are also available.

So, this year’s sessions include: B2B Marketing, Analytics for Customer Journeys, Collaborative Work Management, Content Supply Chain, Commerce Made Personal, Customer Data Management and Activation, Developer Ecosystem, Content that Drives Performance, Powering your Digital Business with Adobe Experience Cloud, Personalized Omnichannel Engagement, and Trends and Inspiration with feature speakers including Adobe Chairman and CEO Shntanu Narayen, Academy Award-Winning Writer, Director and Playwright Aaron Sorkin, Verizon SVP, Head of Customer Engagement Sasha Lucas, and many other industry and business leaders.

October 23-26 | San Diego, CA. Catering to sales enablement, marketing, sales, customer success, and operations professionals, this content marketing conference is all about nurturing growth through disruption and innovation. In informative and insightful keynote speeches, seminars, and breakout sessions, groundbreaking industry experts share stories, knowledge and skills applicable to what’s happening right now in the marketing world. Shift 2023 conference schedule and speakers TBD. (Sign up here to be notified.)

April 2-3, 2023 | Austin, TC. The foremost corporate culture event for executives, investors, and scholars, Culturati invites culture luminaries to speak on three programmatic pillars: Leadership Reimagined, Talent in a Hybrid World, and Future of the Workplace. Held annually at the Campus on Lake Austin, this invite-only event facilitates next-level discourse on how to design cultures that spur performance and cultivate thriving communities.

Culturati’s 2023 speakers will include Retired US Navy Admiral Wyman Howard, McKinsey Chief People Officer Katy George, PhD, Dell Medical School Department of Neurology Chair David Paydarfar, MD, FORTUNE Magazine Senior Editor Ellen McGirt, and other esteemed leaders in their fields.

September 27-30, 2023 | Orlando, FL. This 3-day annual conference—usually attended by approximately 5,000 people—is run by Russell Brunson and his team at ClickFunnels.com. It’s aimed at business owners looking to build their marketing skills—specifically as they pertain to sales funnels. In addition to hearing from 10-20 speakers sharing their successful funnel-building tactics, Funnel Hacking Live is also an excellent networking arena for everyone from marketers to entrepreneurs.

While the 2023 lineup isn’t out yet, past topics have included monetizing content, fixing a funnel, and how to get people to show up for a webinar (and stop leaving it). According to Brunson, attending makes nearly 33 percent more revenue in the immediate months after attending Funnel Hacking Live than their peers who don’t.

In conclusion, attending just one–or many– of these conferences in 2023 is sure to help you elevate your brand.

Featured Image Credit: Oleksandr Pidvalnyi; Pexels; Thanks!

Brad Anderson

Editor In Chief at ReadWrite

Brad is the editor overseeing contributed content at ReadWrite.com. He previously worked as an editor at PayPal and Crunchbase. You can reach him at brad at readwrite.com.

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Fintech Kennek raises $12.5M seed round to digitize lending

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Google eyed for $2 billion Anthropic deal after major Amazon play


London-based fintech startup Kennek has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to expand its lending operating system.

According to an Oct. 10 tech.eu report, the round was led by HV Capital and included participation from Dutch Founders Fund, AlbionVC, FFVC, Plug & Play Ventures, and Syndicate One. Kennek offers software-as-a-service tools to help non-bank lenders streamline their operations using open banking, open finance, and payments.

The platform aims to automate time-consuming manual tasks and consolidate fragmented data to simplify lending. Xavier De Pauw, founder of Kennek said:

“Until kennek, lenders had to devote countless hours to menial operational tasks and deal with jumbled and hard-coded data – which makes every other part of lending a headache. As former lenders ourselves, we lived and breathed these frustrations, and built kennek to make them a thing of the past.”

The company said the latest funding round was oversubscribed and closed quickly despite the challenging fundraising environment. The new capital will be used to expand Kennek’s engineering team and strengthen its market position in the UK while exploring expansion into other European markets. Barbod Namini, Partner at lead investor HV Capital, commented on the investment:

“Kennek has developed an ambitious and genuinely unique proposition which we think can be the foundation of the entire alternative lending space. […] It is a complicated market and a solution that brings together all information and stakeholders onto a single platform is highly compelling for both lenders & the ecosystem as a whole.”

The fintech lending space has grown rapidly in recent years, but many lenders still rely on legacy systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and scalability. Kennek aims to leverage open banking and data integration to provide lenders with a more streamlined, automated lending experience.

The seed funding will allow the London-based startup to continue developing its platform and expanding its team to meet demand from non-bank lenders looking to digitize operations. Kennek’s focus on the UK and Europe also comes amid rising adoption of open banking and open finance in the regions.

Featured Image Credit: Photo from Kennek.io; Thank you!

Radek Zielinski

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

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Fortune 500’s race for generative AI breakthroughs

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Deanna Ritchie


As excitement around generative AI grows, Fortune 500 companies, including Goldman Sachs, are carefully examining the possible applications of this technology. A recent survey of U.S. executives indicated that 60% believe generative AI will substantially impact their businesses in the long term. However, they anticipate a one to two-year timeframe before implementing their initial solutions. This optimism stems from the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of businesses, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing internal processes. In the short term, companies will likely focus on pilot projects and experimentation, gradually integrating generative AI into their operations as they witness its positive influence on efficiency and profitability.

Goldman Sachs’ Cautious Approach to Implementing Generative AI

In a recent interview, Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti revealed that the firm has not yet implemented any generative AI use cases. Instead, the company focuses on experimentation and setting high standards before adopting the technology. Argenti recognized the desire for outcomes in areas like developer and operational efficiency but emphasized ensuring precision before putting experimental AI use cases into production.

According to Argenti, striking the right balance between driving innovation and maintaining accuracy is crucial for successfully integrating generative AI within the firm. Goldman Sachs intends to continue exploring this emerging technology’s potential benefits and applications while diligently assessing risks to ensure it meets the company’s stringent quality standards.

One possible application for Goldman Sachs is in software development, where the company has observed a 20-40% productivity increase during its trials. The goal is for 1,000 developers to utilize generative AI tools by year’s end. However, Argenti emphasized that a well-defined expectation of return on investment is necessary before fully integrating generative AI into production.

To achieve this, the company plans to implement a systematic and strategic approach to adopting generative AI, ensuring that it complements and enhances the skills of its developers. Additionally, Goldman Sachs intends to evaluate the long-term impact of generative AI on their software development processes and the overall quality of the applications being developed.

Goldman Sachs’ approach to AI implementation goes beyond merely executing models. The firm has created a platform encompassing technical, legal, and compliance assessments to filter out improper content and keep track of all interactions. This comprehensive system ensures seamless integration of artificial intelligence in operations while adhering to regulatory standards and maintaining client confidentiality. Moreover, the platform continuously improves and adapts its algorithms, allowing Goldman Sachs to stay at the forefront of technology and offer its clients the most efficient and secure services.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Google DeepMind; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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UK seizes web3 opportunity simplifying crypto regulations

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Deanna Ritchie


As Web3 companies increasingly consider leaving the United States due to regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom must simplify its cryptocurrency regulations to attract these businesses. The conservative think tank Policy Exchange recently released a report detailing ten suggestions for improving Web3 regulation in the country. Among the recommendations are reducing liability for token holders in decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and encouraging the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to adopt alternative Know Your Customer (KYC) methodologies, such as digital identities and blockchain analytics tools. These suggestions aim to position the UK as a hub for Web3 innovation and attract blockchain-based businesses looking for a more conducive regulatory environment.

Streamlining Cryptocurrency Regulations for Innovation

To make it easier for emerging Web3 companies to navigate existing legal frameworks and contribute to the UK’s digital economy growth, the government must streamline cryptocurrency regulations and adopt forward-looking approaches. By making the regulatory landscape clear and straightforward, the UK can create an environment that fosters innovation, growth, and competitiveness in the global fintech industry.

The Policy Exchange report also recommends not weakening self-hosted wallets or treating proof-of-stake (PoS) services as financial services. This approach aims to protect the fundamental principles of decentralization and user autonomy while strongly emphasizing security and regulatory compliance. By doing so, the UK can nurture an environment that encourages innovation and the continued growth of blockchain technology.

Despite recent strict measures by UK authorities, such as His Majesty’s Treasury and the FCA, toward the digital assets sector, the proposed changes in the Policy Exchange report strive to make the UK a more attractive location for Web3 enterprises. By adopting these suggestions, the UK can demonstrate its commitment to fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving blockchain and cryptocurrency industries while ensuring a robust and transparent regulatory environment.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrency regulations in various countries has prompted Web3 companies to explore alternative jurisdictions with more precise legal frameworks. As the United States grapples with regulatory ambiguity, the United Kingdom can position itself as a hub for Web3 innovation by simplifying and streamlining its cryptocurrency regulations.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Jonathan Borba; Pexels; Thank you!

Deanna Ritchie

Managing Editor at ReadWrite

Deanna is the Managing Editor at ReadWrite. Previously she worked as the Editor in Chief for Startup Grind and has over 20+ years of experience in content management and content development.

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