[Conference] Virtual worlds and the metaverse

Date and Location – Thursday September 28th from 09:00 to 18:30 in Paris campus

Registration is mandatory before September 22nd 

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IÉSEG is organizing a day on Virtual Worlds and the Metaverse. The aim of this event, held in English, is to bring together key experts – academics as well as practitioners, in order to initiate an exchange on relevant topics around virtual worlds, VR, AR, and the metaverse. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the conference will spark interesting ideas and timely debates put forth by different stakeholders. 

>English will be the working language during presentations and discussions 

Event website

PROGRAM

• Morning sessions with an emphasis on RESEARCH
  > 09:00 – 10:00     Welcome coffee

  > 10:00 – 12:00     Research overview by keynote speakers Russell W. BELK  (Professor of Marketing at Schulich School of Business, York University) on Virtual ownership in the metaverse; Thorsten HENNIG-THURAU (Professor of Marketing at the University of Münster) on Social relationships in the metaverse, Philipp RAUSCHNABEL (Professor of Digital Marketing and Media Innovation at the Universität der Bundeswehr München) on Augmented reality in the metaverse; and Carlos FLAVIAN (Professor of Marketing at the University of Zaragoza), on emerging technologies shaping the new virtual landscape.

  > 12:00 – 13:00     Networking lunch

• Afternoon sessions with an emphasis on PRACTICE
  > 13:00 – 15:30     Practice Overview – sharing of examples from the field
  Morgan BOUCHET (Innovation & Digital Content Director / Head of XR – spatial computing at Orange) on key developments on virtual worlds and the metaverse with illustrations from Orange, Ellen VAN DE WOESTIJNE (VP Strategic Development at ARHT) on barriers and opportunities for virtual worlds around the usage of holograms, Jae MALONEY (Innovation Consultant & New Technology Researcher at Air France-KLM) on key developments on virtual worlds and the metaverse with illustrations from Air France-KLM, and Emanuela PRANDELLI (LVMH Associate Professor of Fashion and Luxury Management at Bocconi University) on barriers and opportunities for virtual worlds in the luxury industry.
  
  > 15:30 – 17:00     Thematic Workshops (in parallel), aimed at triggering discussions between participants from industry and academia to share thoughts on barriers and opportunities: 
  1. Workshop on Virtual possessions and ownership
  2. Workshop on Avatars and digital identities
  3. Workshop on Privacy and regulation in virtual worlds
  4. Workshop on Influencer marketing
  5. Demonstration of some virtual tools

> 17:00 – 18:30     Summary of conference insights, roundtable and concluding remarks 

Joining this event will represent several opportunities: 

• Learn from expert researchers about theories and academic knowledge to better understand consumer behaviors in virtual worlds;
• Discover recent tools and technology showcased by key players in the industry;
• Network with academics, practitioners, and students interested in the fascinating world of virtuality.

We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event in the heart of Paris La Défense.

[Organizing Committee: Gwarlann DE KERVILER, Bernadett KOLES and Lana MULIER]