PopTech 2019: Shift

October 2019. Northport, Point Lookout

Ranked by Forbes as one of the top five most inspiring conferences, PopTech recently convened its 23rd annual forum, bringing together brilliant minds from all corners of the world. Hosted by Moran Cerf, this year’s gathering featured a robust community of remarkable scientists, humanitarians, technologists, designers, artists, innovators, corporate & governmental leaders, academics, and those who defy easy categorization.

With an overall 2019 theme of “Shift” PopTech 2019 demonstrated that we are designed to change - to push the limits of possibility, take bold action, lead by example and shape the future. The diversity and deep expertise of each speaker delivered a series of topic-defining presentations that allowed guests to explore future trends in business, innovation, creative expression and social justice.

The campus-like setting at Point Lookout provided an immersive and enriching environment that facilitated experiential interaction and fostered authentic human connection. The multi-day program featured interactive sessions, shared meals and a closing cocktail reception featuring locally sourced, sustainable oyster’s delivered by their farmers.

Many of the highlights of the three-day weekend occurred during the carefully-orchestrated, yet spontaneous, evening activities. These included hosted fireside chats, late night debates, stargazing and collective jam sessions. Each element was designed to help guests discover how shared potential exceeds the reach of individual aspiration.

Pop-Tech programming focused on many of the most pressing issues of our time and was co-curated by Leetha Filderman, President of PopTech, and former hacker, Moran Cerf, Professor of Neuroscience and Business at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, as well as PopTech’s Curatorial Advisors.

The programming line-up covered the topics of Climate Change, The Future of Food, Privacy & Surveillance, Disruption in Higher Education, Artistic Expression, Connectivity, Networks, and Mobility, among others.

A sampling of participants included Internet pioneer, Bob Metcalfe, Earthrise Alliance CEO Lori Garver, Conservation X Labs Founder & CEO, Alex Dehgan, The Honorable Paul Martin, Former Prime Minister of Canada, Phillip Agnew, Co-Founder the Dream Defenders, Sinan Aral, MIT professor & Founding Partner of Manifest Capital, Nusrat Durrani, Visionary Media executive & MTV World Founder, Sarah Hurwitz, Head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and Former Senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, Pedro Alonzo, Adjunct Curator at Dallas Contemporary, Assaf Biderman, CEO, Superpedestrian, Chris Riley, Geographer and Author, Alex Kingsbury, The New York Times Senior Staff Editor, Yves-Alexandre De Montjoye, and many more.

Live Performances by Composer & Electro-Acoustic Violist, Martha Mooke, Grammy-Award Winning Beatboxer, Rahzel Brown, and Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, had the audience captivated.

PopTech, founded by Bob Metcalfe and John Sculley, is a 23-year old non-profit committed to showcasing the vanguard of emerging technology, science, exploration and creative expression.

The organization is famous for stretching beyond passive idea sharing, as it has cultivated a community focused on robust exchange and a bias for action.

Empire has been proud to work alongside the PopTech team for several years to produce this extraordinary and inspirational event.

For more information, visit https://poptech.org/

Newsletter Sign up