Highlights from DEMO 09

From Easy Button to Reset Button

Despite the current economic environment, the vibe at DEMO last week was much more positive than most people would have expected. Over 500 people enjoyed the three day conference in the California desert and watched 39 companies launch products for the first time. "There’s nothing like a recession to clear out the clutter"said Chris Shipley, DEMO’s Executive Producer. The companies who were chosen to launch at DEMO were chosen because they had business models that made sense, products that solve real problems and will deliver value to their customers. And if there is any doubt about DEMO’s global reach, for the first time in the events 19 year history, DEMO hosted as many demonstrating companies from outside Silicon Valley as in it – proving once again that innovation has no boundaries.

If you missed the live broadcast from the show all of the videos can be seen at: http://www.demo.com/community/www.demo.com

Introducing Matt Marshall and DEMObeat

DEMO 09 kicked off the partnership with VentureBeat and its founder and CEO, Matt Marshall - who will take over as DEMO's Executive Producer after the September event. A new addition to DEMO, the DEMObeat sessions, moderated by Matt Marshall, featured three separate discussions covering energy efficiency inventions, emerging technology in the social data space as well as products that strive to increase the level of consumer productivity.

Increasing DEMO’s Social Footprint

For the first time this year, DEMO partnered with Facebook and Bitgravity to produce DEMO Live, a real-time video stream of the conference’s sessions. Viewers from around the world had the chance to engage in live conversation with each other and actual DEMO attendees. More than 230,000 people visited the DEMO Live page during the two days to ask questions, comment on each of the 39 product demonstrations — and often to share their unbridled enthusiasm for some of the new concepts taking the stage

Decreasing DEMO’s Carbon Foot print

A production the size and scale of DEMO can leave a substantial carbon foot print but thanks in part to CO2code initiative, DEMO offset 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions, enough to cover the production of the entire event, the travel of the demonstrating class and more. In addition the conference team took steps to reduce, reuse and reclaim when it came to conference materials, promotions and signage.

Who Won What?

Each conference DEMO unveils a new class of the industry's upcoming technologies, and it always proves difficult to pick and choose the most exceptional products. The desirable DEMOgod Awards are given to those that show outstanding potential to succeed in the market while motivating and exciting the DEMO audience. Congratulations to the 7 companies that Chris Shipley honored with DEMOgod Awards during DEMO 09:

* Avaak, Inc. for Vue Personal Video Network
* Coveroo, Inc.
* Ontier, Inc. for Pixetell
* Purewire, Inc. for Purewire Trust
* Silverstone Solutions, Inc. for Silverstone Solutions Matchmaker
* Skout, Inc. for Skout Out
* Technocopia, LLC for gwabbit

In addition, DEMO attendees voted throughout the two-day conference for the sought-after People’s Choice Award. This year’s DEMO 09 People's Choice Award goes to:

* Smartycard

Chatter from the Audience

"Whether it's a boom or bust year it's always important to gather with innovators and push ourselves to think beyond the present. This year's show was one of the best because it reminded us, in the middle of a market meltdown, why we do what we do and support others on the same path. There is no better launch pad for new ideas." Matthew Podboy, Co-Founder, Voce Communications

"DEMO is an opportunity to hear visionaries, change-makers and entrepreneurs doing profound things. The wisdom and inspiration gained from attending is truly priceless."Brad Newman Founder of Zentainment

"DEMO is a unique experience where innovators and those that can help them prosper gather and freely engage with each other for the betterment of all involved. I find it personally rewarding to share ideas with those showing off their creations about additional things they may have the capability to achieve which have not crossed their minds yet." John Yoakum Emerging Opportunities Nortel