Pause Fest To Return In 2021 As Online Event
Festival for business and creativity, Pause Fest, has confirmed the event will run in 2021 – and will be its biggest to date.
The 11th Pause Fest – named Changes – will migrate from its Melbourne home to the online world for the first time, running 1-12 March 2021.
“Pause Fest has always been at the forefront of what is new and exciting,” said founder and CEO George Hedon.
“Moving the event online doesn’t mean it’s Pause Fest on Zoom – no way. Next year’s festival is going to be unlike any other virtual event experience. We remain committed to delivering a festival that is as bespoke and awe-inspiring as the years before.”
Pause Fest’s transition to the online arena means the festival is expected to pull its largest crowd to date. 20,000 tickets are being made available as the festival is able to open itself up to a truly global audience for the first time. In a major development, Pause Fest is also donating up to 10,000 festival tickets to the not-for-profit (NFP) sector.
“Pause Fest has always strived to bring innovation into the every day and for everyone. Technology opens up so many new opportunities to enhance accessibility. Moving the festival online totally transforms how many people we can reach out to. Next year, we can truly welcome anyone and everyone to Pause Fest.
“This isn’t just a nice, warm, fuzzy idea. We mean it! For the 2021 event, we’re giving away up to 10,000 tickets to our partners in the not-for-profit sector, worth $750,000. These will go out to a range of backgrounds that have been disadvantaged, deterred or discriminated from fully participating in the world of tech and innovation. We’re all about democratising access to innovation. To apply, please visit our website and fill in the expression of interest.”
The theme of Pause Fest 2021 is Changes – with a focus on how the best leaders are built in the hardest of times and our agility to respond and adapt to rapid changes.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage and interact with over 100 speakers from Australia and around the world, bringing together innovative minds from the global business, tech and creative community.
Confirmed names to date include:
- Danielle Krettek, Principal and Founder, Google Empathy Lab (USA)
- Dirk Ahlborn, CEO, HyperloopTT (USA)
- Christopher Gerty, Exploration Spacesuit (xEMU) Informatics Lead, NASA (USA)
- Lee Hatton, Executive Vice President, Afterpay (AUS)
- Myleeta Aga Williams, Director – Content, Netflix (Singapore).
Alongside a stellar speaker line, the authentic programming is being built with user experience in mind, offering ticket holders the best value, engagement and inspiration – and without any FOMO.
“Pause Fest has always been a highlight on the Australian event calendar, but next year, we can genuinely say we’re occupying the same space as South by Southwest, or WebSummit. We have re-imagined the entire interaction and put the community at the very centre of it all.”
Pause Fest has sold out for the past five years in a row. “The demand for Pause Fest is enormous. For 2021, the barriers that stop us from accommodating everyone are alleviated. Likewise, for our guests, challenges like getting enough time off work or cover the costs to travel to Melbourne for three days are removed.
So what’s different for Pause Fest 2021? To work out what is and isn’t working in this modern era of events, the Pause Fest team has attended dozens of major global online events this year, researched and tested all available software on the market, consulted over a hundred top event organisers worldwide and ran multiple focus groups.
“In a nutshell, Pause Fest 2021 is all about less FOMO and more engagement! We’re crafting an experience that is free from all of the pain points associated with online events this year.
“No one wants an all-day, intense online event. Think of us as the MTV for innovation – tune in and tune out to what captures your heart and mind.
“Instead of our usual three day format, Pause Fest 2021 will take place over a fortnight. All of the sessions will be 50 per cent shorter than usual, as we know our online attention span is limited. Our goal is to create a program that gives attendees more valuable content, flexible viewing options and opportunities to engage with every aspect of the entire festival.”
More announcements on the specialised programming session types and full speaker line up will be made later this year.
Please login with linkedin to comment
pause festLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.