Conference News: AI and Culture Meet; Germany to Singapore Direct; Global Event Lineup
AI in Culture(Con): CultureCon recently announced its inaugural AI Summit, which will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work and the role each of us plays in shaping what comes next. CultureCon AI Summit is scheduled to run 22-23 April 2026 in Madison, WI in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison. CultureCon co-founder Zach Blumenfeld shares, “We launched the AI Summit to help leaders move beyond short, surface-level AI discussions and focus on what matters: building systems that reflect our values, elevate human potential, and strengthen trust at work and beyond.” Adds co-founder Nick Lombardino: “The choices we make today will shape the culture of work and society for years to come, which is why we’re committed to having important conversations now about ethical stewardship and using these powerful tools to build a brighter future.”
Extra DMEXCO: Fifteen years after it began in Cologne, Germany, DMEXCO will launch its first international event in 2025. Much like the original conference DMEXCO ASIA will serve as the central meeting point for decision-makers across the digital economy, marketing, and innovation sectors. Hosted as part of Tech Week Singapore in partnership with eCommerce Expo from 8 – 9 October, “the event will set trends in the Southeast Asian and Pacific market and serve as a platform for the Asian digital economy.”
Submission Opportunity: IEEE Women in Engineering Forum USA East will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in November! From 6 -8 November in Arlington, VA, hundreds of women from various stages of their careers will gather to network, gain inspiration from experienced industry leaders and explore emerging technologies and innovative STEM outreach initiatives. They are still accepting speaker proposals for this year’s event. If you have a session idea that might resonate with this audience, submit here before the 27 June deadline. Some topics of interest include: Elevating Opportunities with Artificial Intelligence (AI); Leading with Impact in a Diverse Cultural Environment; Igniting Innovation Through the Entrepreneurial Journey; Navigating Transitions with Confidence and Purpose; and Insider Tips from Tech Industry Recruiters.
Lunchtime Learning: The Phoenix Global Forum is hosted by the IEFA (International Economic Forum of the Americas)and Phoenix Sister Cities. According to the conference organizers, the Phoenix Global Forum is where decision makers, thought leaders and experts in their respective fields come together to “examine solutions already in development, both in Phoenix and worldwide, while also fostering future innovation through connection and collaboration.” IEFA hosts several other gatherings throughout the year, in Montreal, Miami, Toronto and Paris. But as “the fastest growing big city in the US, Phoenix is quickly emerging as a hub for the biosciences, technology, sustainability and defense sectors, which is attracting major outside investment to the region and creating a burgeoning business ecosystem.” This is why it was added to the conference lineup a few years ago. Check out sessions from their most recent event here, including conversations on Ushering in the digital workplace, Bridging the Quantum Frontier, The Economic and Strategic dimensions of Space innovation, and more!
Coming Up Next Week: Cannes Lions, which kicks off 16 June, is widely considered the world’s biggest celebration of creativity, convening the advertising, marketing, and communications industry to meets to share ideas and inspiration. The WSJ Global Food Forum tackles critical issues across the food and agricultural economies, covering topics from seed research and farming practices to packaging and the intersection of food and health, when it runs 16-17 June at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. At the 12th annual Mobile World Congress Shanghai (18-20 June), operators, vendors, and solutions-providers from the Chinese connectivity ecosystem gather to discuss implications of new technologies on all connected industries. Recognizing “there is no path to achieving the Paris goals that does not run through Africa,” TED will host the Countdown Summit in Nairobi from 16-18 June, aimed at accelerating solutions to the climate crisis and mobilizing a movement for a net-zero emission future. TNW Conference is held 19-20 June at the NDSM in Amsterdam, offering a festival set up for founders, builders, startups, and scaleups looking to harness new, big ideas and innovations. Finally, AWS re:Inforce gets under way 16 June in Philadelphia, promising an immersive cloud security learning event designed for the generative AI era.