For four days Crans-Montana becomes the center of the VR World

What does it mean to live in the 21st century, in a time when we expect always more from technology and less from human relations, where social inequality has reached its peak? This question will be at the heart of the 2018 forum, which will take place in the enchanting setting of Crans-Montana, in Valais. To get a glimpse of this year’s edition of the World World VR Forum Annual Summit , Startupticker.ch asked a few questions to Delphine Seitiee, Executive Director and co-founder of the event.

The event organized in Crans-Montana has been gaining traction over the years with 1500 visitors in 2016, 2500 in 2017 and 4000 expected this year. For the 3rd edition, the Summit has gathered 40 of the highest quality VR experiences and games, as well as 60 global speakers, among which names like Bruce Wooden, Founder of AltSpaceVR, acquired in 2017 by Microsoft

Can you present us the forthcoming World VR Forum Annual Summit?
The WVRF18 Annual summit will hold the theme of Being Together, in order to discuss what technology-enhanced lifestyle in the 21st century has brought upon society. We will therefore open up the discussion for Social VR.

What makes this Annual Summit special?
We will be celebrating Canada as our Country of Honor; the nation has proven to be a key performer in the VR scene due to its outstanding output of world renowned VR projects. We will also be hosting Social VR Pioneer Bruce Wooden from AltSpaceVR as our conference chairman. For the very first time, we will provide access to the Cry d’Er, an additional venue perched at an altitude of 2200 meters with a unique panorama offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Valais Alps which will include additional VR experiences to try out.

This year, 11 swiss startups and entities will be joining the event in Crans-Montana. What more can visitors expect in terms of Swiss content?
We have multiple speakers joining us from Switzerland, including Sarah Kenderdine and Bruno Herbehin from l’EPFL, Bigna Lenggenhager from University of Zurich, Emily Joly from Apelab, Sébastien Kulling from Digital Switzerland and Max Rheiner from ZHDK.  We will also have 2 Swiss projects in the VR Cinema (BERN ALPKASE AOP and UNTERHOLZ) and 1 VR Journalism experience:  Into the Deep “Journey to the Heart of a Glacier” by Avocado360 / Tagesanzeiger.

Can interested Swiss startups still join the event?
Swiss startups can still contact us to be included in the pitch sessions and to enjoy the VR Feast. Please email us at info@worldvrforum.com

Anything else you would like to add to convince our readers?
3rd time’s a charm. The organization has established a remarkable presence with its efforts in advancing the industry. The World VR Forum team has really pushed through and as a result we’ve succeeding in being one of the leading XR-dedicated global events and establishing core relations with international partners. As a result of their hard work, this year we have 40 of the highest quality VR experiences and games, 60 Global Speakers, and 4000 attendees expected, uniting to make this Annual Summit the best one yet.

(ES)

 11 Swiss startups and entities will be joining the event, including:

• Artanim Foundation

• OZWE Games

• Kynoa SA
• Imverse
• Immersive Business Advantage

• Minimoi

• Adventures Lab

• Gravity.Swiss

• HEAD (Academic Institution)

• EPAC (Academic Institution)

• ZHDK (Academic Institution)
• HES-SO // Valais Wallis (Academic Institution)