Martin is an experienced professional working since 2008 in the field of Extended Reality (XR). Having earned his Ph.D. in Media Technology in 2014, he is currently serving as the Topic Owner Digital Technologies at Audi. Martin is currently working on implementing a broad usage of AR in production and logistics in various factories.

Kit Gilbert is the Senior Director of Platform Go-To-Market, Strategy and Operations at Niantic, spearheading efforts to transform the real world into a platform for cross-device XR experiences. With a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Oxford, Kit has dedicated the past decade to pioneering disruptive technologies, particularly in augmented reality that fosters human connection. As Chief Operating Officer at Sensible Object, a London-based games studio, Kit led the company's acquisition by Niantic. This began her five-year tenure at Niantic, where she has served in various leadership roles, bringing developer tools to market, evolving platform strategy, and managing global operations to accelerate computer vision and mapping capabilities. In her current role, Kit focuses on developing tools that enable the capture of detailed 3D scenes and empower creators to build and deploy immersive experiences across mobile, desktop, and headsets. She is also focused on harnessing the potential of spatial computing and Niantic Map—the world's most precise and detailed 3D map—for consumer applications.

Johan Cruse has over 20 years of experience within the area of competence development and learning. He has 3 years leading, driving and scaling up the global VR training platform implementation within Volvo Trucks retail organization.

Lionel Ferra heads the Team of Artificial Intelligence, Software, Extended Reality, and Quantum Technologies in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. He is a French-German engineer, educated at TU Darmstadt and CentraleSupélec, and was the lead instructor for the rendezvous and docking of the European spacecraft ATV, as well as responsible for space robotics exams for the ISS crew. A key component of his new departement and team is to ensure that ESA projects become software-centric and that new technologies are used both on the ground and in space, as the digital transformation of ESA is crucial for efficiently exploring our solar system with robotic resources and crews.

A Senior Immersive Tech specialist with a solid background in extended reality (XR) technologies and expertise in the Metaverse landscape. For the last five years she has been working as an XR specialist, bringing immersive tech to business and making herself a contributor to the Austrian XR field. Seeking an interesting and creative role to leverage her expertise in XR technologies and problem-solving to create cutting-edge virtual environments and enhance user interaction.

Ben is a design engineer by trade specializing in visualization and extended reality (XR). He leads the Immersive Engineering marketing partnership with Sony, focusing on innovative marketing strategies, compelling content creation, and go-to-market campaigns. Ben's mission is to usher in the next generation of design through Immersive Engineering, transforming how we create the products of the future.

Andy Fidel creates digital events for remote teams & global networks. With over 9 years of experience in immersive tech and social engagement, Andy Fidel has built strong partnerships with teams worldwide. Known for her expertise in emerging technology, she actively works with enterprise to drive innovation in remote workspaces, creator programs, and hybrid events. In 2016, she introduced the term 'Spatial Networking' to highlight the impact of immersive reality on digital communication and collaboration. “Social media shares information; spatial networks are shared experiences. In these moments, we create memories, and that creates community.” — Andy Fidel

Antony “Skarredghost” Vitillo is an AR/VR developer, entrepreneur, and blogger. He started his career in 2014 with the full-body VR startup ImmotionAR, and since then, he has always striven to disrupt the immersive technologies space. In 2017 he cofounded New Technology Walkers, with which he developed the first mixed reality fitness game, HitMotion: Reloaded, with the support of HTC. In 2019 he began his collaboration with VRROOM, developing innovative events and concerts in VR, like Jean-Michel Jarre’s Welcome To The Other Side concert, which collected more than 75M views worldwide. With VRROOM he also led the development of a metaverse platform for concerts and live shows that reached the n.1 spot as the most downloaded free app on the Pico Store. Antony’s blog The Ghost Howls is well-known in the XR ecosystem, and he is considered by many as an influencer in the XR industry ecosystem, having participated in important worldwide events like View Conference, WCVRI, SXSW, and AWE USA.

Iris Jumbe has over two decades of experience in marketing and PR communications, starting as an international marketing consultant in Shanghai. She has developed global communication strategies for major INGOs, UN agencies, and national governments. In 2016, Iris founded Philstem Communications, running it until 2019. She then led global communications for mySugr, the world's most downloaded diabetes app. Her expertise in marketing is complemented by experience in diverse areas such as communications for COVID-19 prevention, communications for countering terrorist narratives, and communications for addressing violence against children. Iris presented her paper, “How We Used Gamification to Successfully Promote COVID Prevention Practices in Myanmar,” at the 2022 World Social Marketing Conference. Currently, she leads Marketing and Communications for the Global Collaboration Village. The Village is the world’s first extended reality platform to unite decision makers for public-private cooperation. It uses immersive technology to amplify empathy, insight, and engagement, helping to catalyze action against persistent global problems through impactful, real-world solutions. the Global Collaboration Village is a World Economic Forum initiative, in partnership with Accenture, and powered by Microsoft Mesh.

Kasper has a masters degree in technology based business development and over 5 years in the renewable energy industry, primarily with Vestas Wind Systems and Siemens Gamesa, specializing in driving, developing and implementing digital technologies across the business.

Ioana Matei is the Global Head of Innovation at Louis Dreyfus Company and former Emerging/Immersive Technologies Leader for Procter & Gamble. She has more than 15 years’ experience working in Innovation and new technologies in big multinationals. In the past 6 years, Ioana has been focusing on building immersive technologies (VR and AR) services for enterprise from shopper packaging research, retailers virtual store visits to the latest brand engagement on new storytelling. She has been the architect of P&G LifeLab (best 10 experience at CES), BeautySphere and other company initiatives. Ioana is also a professional film maker and VR experience creator. She has written, directed two short films, produced one feature film and she is involved in the production of several VR experiences. She has co-founded Women in Immersive Technologies Europe with the mission to support women in this new emerging industry and she is running the Virtual Reality section of the Fine Arts Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Tibor Mérey, Managing Director and Partner of BCG X/Boston Consulting Group. Stations: Studies in Business Administration in St. Gallen, Finance (Barcelona), International Management (Sydney). 2018 Interim Head of Existing Customer Management at leading European telecommunications company. Today, as one of the global metaverse experts, deals with the economic potentials of the metaverse and supports customers in identifying and implementing the new technology with suitable use cases. His main focus: the acceleration of digitization with a focus on data-driven growth and the integration of artificial intelligence. With this expertise, he advises a wide variety of companies worldwide "The Metaverse will affect everything and everyone of us affect the way we live and work...”

Yvo Klare has more than 25 years of experience at KLM as Project Manager, Ground Services Process Expert and Data Expert. He has a university degree in Social Anthropology, started his career at KLM as a service employee and has a wide knowledge of aircraft turnaround processes. Yvo is currently KLM’s XR Project Lead to simulate ground handling of KLM’s plane of the future, the Flying V. As a VR Business Analyst, he is also involved in the development of several XR products for Ground Handling, used for training and scenario testing. His area of expertise is how to ‘land’ XR successfully in the KLM’s operational environment at Schiphol Airport.

Liina has more than a decade of experience is designing the world's largest cruise vessels, and now she is bringing the industry to the Metaverse.

Isabelle Verhulst, MBA, MSci, is a final-year psychology PhD candidate at Royal Holloway University of London UK. For her PhD, she investigates the determinants of the sense of presence (‘being there’) in immersive technology (XR) experiences, focusing on users’ responses to XR experiences in real-world settings. She has 15 years of previous international industry experience in consumer marketing and new product R&D. She has published and presented her research at international conferences, peer-reviews articles for journals, and holds Management and Psychology degrees. When she is not involved in XR user experiences, she enjoys adventure travel.

Paul Davies is a Technical Fellow in the Materials and Manufacturing Research & Technology group at The Boeing Company. He is leading the team researching and developing the company’s Augmented Reality platform for manufacturing applications, and is currently working on implementation the technology on production programs across the commercial, defense and services sides of Boeing’s business. In addition, he continues to lead other advanced visualization Research and Development activities in the manufacturing domain. Paul received a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in May 2004, and a MS degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Digital Signal Processing from California State University Long Beach in May 2008.

Milton Mariani, Ph.D. is the product manager for the Immersive Technologies team under the Industrial Metaverse Technologies Department at Novo Nordisk, where he sets the strategy and vision for the products to be delivered that bring value and impact to the customers in the line business. Milton has conducted research and collaborated with esteemed universities and organizations, such as Technical University of Munich, Imperial College London, and Strathclyde University, Technical University Denmark, ÖSSUR and European Commission.

Simone Toftegaard is the Digital Training Manager for GxP Training in Novo Nordisk. She manages a team of educated professionals dedicated to creating effective eLearning and engaging learning journeys and utilises all XR technologies to decrease the time to perform. Simone is a digital training technology expert and has worked as a consultant for the past decade, focusing on how training technologies can be used in leadership development, organisational change, and capability building.

Michel is a neuroscientist with a Master's in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Zurich and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from ETH Zurich. His doctoral research focused on EEG and sensory stimulation, with key contributions in human memory performance and VR environments. Post-Ph.D., Michel worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Singapore-ETH Centre, where he led studies on the psychophysiological effects of urban environments using mobile EEG and EDA devices. He then became Lead Neuroscientist at IDUN Technologies, driving the development of in-ear EEG devices. Currently, Michel is the Lead Scientist for Wearable Sensors at Dätwyler, specializing in the validation and application of neurotechnology in wearable health devices.

Monica is a leading expert in innovation and immersive learning, whose pioneering work in XR and AI has solidified her as a leader in the global technological landscape. As the former Head of Immersive Learning at Meta and a visionary leader on Interactive Learning Labs at Amazon, Monica has become a seminal figure in the field of immersive education. Named among the Top 100 Global Women of the Future in Emerging Tech, Monica’s influence resonates globally. As an advisor and Chief Innovation Officer for startups and Founder of Th3 Third Door, Monica has formulated and executed innovative tech solutions that reimagine the future of work and learning. As the Executive Director of Innovation, Digital Education, and Analytics (IDEA) Lab at Imperial College London, Monica is defining the vision for the future of learning while leading an expert team through the development and growth of new solutions for the rapidly evolving industry. Monica's leadership is crafting a legacy where the fusion of advanced technology and human potential unlocks new frontiers for learning and innovation.

David is an award-winning XR creator, crafting interactive narrative experiences at the intersection of the real and virtual, merging traditional theatrical techniques with cutting-edge immersive technology. His pioneering work with live performance in virtual reality has appeared at festivals and conferences worldwide, including Tribeca, SXSW, Raindance, and the Venice Biennale Cinema. He is the Performance Lab Fellow at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, working with XR technologies for theatre, live performance, and immersive storytelling.

For the last two decades, Gabs has worked at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and communication. Through her award-winning XR studio vrisch, her leadership at the Austrian XR community, and as an influential independent professional, she identifies opportunities for innovation through the practical application of various fields, such as digital media production, creative technology, and storytelling. From her experience, ranging from Environmental Protection to Performing Arts and from Journalism to Experiential Marketing, she thrives in finding connections and meanings between everything and everyone. Gab's multicultural and neurodiverse background, experience in multiple countries, and success as a 'momtrepreneur' have led her to have a self-accepted calling to contribute to the cause of good, growth, and gain in the lives of others. She actively fosters networks that promote knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation, which led to the founding of Austria's first and largest XR community, XRVienna. Gabs is also the Austrian Ambassador of Women in Immersive Technologies Europe and an advisory board member of Euromersive, AIXR, and SXSW, contributing to cross-border knowledge exchange. But above all, Gabs advocates for the power of humor and a hug to improve the world.

Arome is a visionary Metaverse Strategist and Business Analyst with a wealth of experience in VR, AR, and 360VR product management and ecosystem development. He is an advocate and supporter of the immense possibilities of immersive technologies. He is the Executive Director of Immersive Tech Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to democratizing and increasing access to Extended Reality (XR) technology through education, training, and research programs, fostering a thriving and inclusive XR community in Africa.

António Baía Reis is a university professor, researcher, interdisciplinary artist, and actor specializing in emerging media and their potential impact on society. He holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations, a diploma in Acting, a master's degree in Communication Sciences, and a PhD in Digital Media. His doctorate, completed in collaboration with the University of Porto and Stanford University under the supervision of scholar and journalist R. B. Brenner - a former editor at the Washington Post and a Pulitzer Prize winner—resulted in a doctoral project focused on the critical relationship between virtual reality, creativity, and social change. With a diverse artistic background spanning performance, music, and multimedia art, Baía Reis has been developing a portfolio of creation and research for more than a decade at the intersection of digital media, virtual reality, performance, experimental music, cinema, and art installations. Topics like XR and empathy, social interaction design and etiquette in XR worlds, live performance in XR, artivism and emergent tech, AI and performing arts, AI and education, AI and experimental art, and arts-based science and heritage communication are some of the subjects on his agenda. Currently, he is the Head of Research & Development at Asterius and a researcher at the Digital Media Innovation Lab at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid. He is also part of the award-winning group The Ferryman Collective, where he develops arts-based research that combines performing arts and virtual reality. Recent highlights include being awarded an MSCA Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship for research that combines science and heritage communication with experimental art and immersive media. A published author in prominent international scientific journals, Baía Reis is also the director of the academic journal Cinema & Territory and a member of the editorial board of the journal Media Practice and Education.

Andrea Bravo, Ph.D. is the founder and editor at www.metaversethics.org, where she provides strategic forecasting on data privacy and ethics for XR. Andrea has consulted and researched for MIT, the Technical University of Denmark, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Fraunhofer Institute, Nesta–UK Innovation Agency for Social Good, Cotec Foundation for Innovation, and the European Commission.

Gabriele Romagnoli is head of marketing and community at ShapesXR, an award-winning startup on a mission to bring the next-level tool for designing and prototyping immersive apps. Passionate about collaboration and creativity, Gabriele stepped onto several international stages to inspire audiences and share his vision of how immersive technologies can have an impact on teams' creativity and productivity RIGHT NOW.

Jeannette is founder of the AI literacy platform Act.AI.Now as well as the digital law firm go_legal, regularly advising entrepreneurs in the intersection of business and digital law. She is a specialist for IT, IP and AI law, in particular on AI and XR product and service design, and was ranked twice already in the annual AI landscape as leading professional. In her role as Vice President of the European AI Forum, Jeannette represents more than 2,000 AI entrepreneurs in Europe in setting the agenda on how AI is approached in terms of both, business and policy. She was actively involved in the law making process of the AI Act, collaborating very intensively with startups, creatives and investors. Jeannette has a deep understanding of the impact of AI and XR on the industry and arising chances as well as challenges for entrepreneurs, investors and VCs.

I am Bastian, an XR developer based in Vienna with a master's degree specializing in XR. Currently, I am employed at AIT, Austria's largest research institute, where I focus on developing innovative XR solutions tailored for industrial applications, particularly in the realms of GreenTech and decarbonization. My passion lies in discovering and implementing cutting-edge XR technologies to create new use cases that not only advance the field but also contribute positively to environmental sustainability. The opportunity to leverage XR to foster a greener future is particularly fulfilling to me.

Felix Gorbatsevich is CEO and the leading technical expert at PaleBlue - Industrial XR company. Felix Gorbatsevich has been working at technology and software companies, in roles ranging from software engineer and systems architect to project manager and managing director. Now at PaleBlue, Gorbatsevich leads the development of XR and 3D simulators for the real world - creating immersive solutions for PaleBlue clients, such as the European Space Agency, Saudi Aramco, Neptune Energy, and Baker Hughes.

Louise Paepe is a consultant at the Regional Technological Center (RTC) Antwerpen. She is part of the team that researched, prepared, and implemented the ‘XR Action plan’ in Flanders. With this plan, 690 vocational & technical schools can use XR hardware and software for free. Louise is the coordinator of the XR action plan within RTC Antwerpen. She takes on a leading role in making content available in the Flanders-wide software library and provides support to the schools.

Zaid Zaim, a Spatial Computing Expert,Microsoft MVP, is known for his innovative work in XR and AI. A celebrated technopreneur, Zaid has spoken at TED Conferences, GITEX, WeAreDevelopers World Congress and works at ignore gravity, focused on innovation and solving organizational challenges with advanced technology. His projects, which make complex tech accessible and engaging, span sectors like Cultural Heritage and Healthcare. A global multiplier for Mixed Reality, Zaid is committed to fostering collaborative growth and learning worldwide.

Lana Zaim is a distinguished general dentist and an alumnus of Charité Berlin, one of Europe’s premier universities and clinics. She currently practices at the Meindentist clinic. Beyond her dental career, Lana is a certified deep learning specialist trained by NVIDIA and has developed a keen interest in immersive technologies. In addition to her professional pursuits, Lana is a shareholder and was one of the key initiators of the ReDI School of Digital Integration. This non-profit organization supports newcomers and refugees with tech skills and assisting them in securing employment across Europe. Lana's involvement underscores her commitment to leveraging technology for social impact and integration.

Petri is Founding Partner at FOV Ventures, the European early stage VC fund investing in founders building the Metaverse. Petri has been investing in immersive technologies for the past 8 years as an angel investor and through previous investment vehicles such as Nordic XR Startups and Business Finland where he set up a €30m fund to boost the local ecosystem and startups. FOV Ventures currently has a portfolio of 28 companies since its launch in Q1 2022.

Sune Wolff, PhD, is the CTO and Co-Founder of SynergyXR, with over a decade of experience in XR technologies for industrial and enterprise applications. Holding a PhD in Computer Science, Sune also serves as the acting Chief Product Officer, directing the technical roadmap and spearheading product development. His leadership has been instrumental in developing a no-code XR platform that allows enterprise companies to build, operate, and optimize immersive learning programs efficiently and at scale.

With over a decade of experience building and deploying virtual reality and augmented reality solutions, Jeremy founded PwC's first dedicated immersive technologies team. As leader of this department, he has commissioned reports which have been cited by organizations all over the world, produced XR applications that have been deployed in the thousands, and published books which are being used by businesses and universities all over the world. Jeremy has advised governments, the public sector, startups, NGOs, and academic institutions on the value of XR and his work is regularly featured in The Financial Times, The Economist, the BBC, and other media outlets.

Louise manages the delivery of PwC's emerging technology projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, to specification, and within acceptable risk parameters. Within XR, she has dealt with projects involving 360 video, computer-generated, and volumetric video content delivered on headsets, laptops, and smartphones. Her work has varied from delivering networked VR content on a beach in Dubai, UAE to installing physical VR infrastructure in Lagos, Nigeria. As a result of her efforts, she has enabled the delivery of XR solutions to thousands of people all over the world.

Mads Troelsgaard is the Co-Founder and CEO of SynergyXR, bringing over 15 years of XR industry experience, including his tenure as CEO of Unity Studios. Renowned as a leading XR executive and thought leader, Mads drives the development of XR enterprise software that enhances training and operational efficiency for industrial, energy, and manufacturing sectors, effectively bridging the real and virtual worlds.

Flavia Mazzanti (ITA/BRA) is cofounder and CCO of Immerea, a media company based in Vienna focusing on the development of VR Games and interactive Installations. She is also co-organizer of XRVienna, Austrian co-ambassador of Euromersive, and active as public speaker and university lecturer. At Immerea, she is interested in experimenting with immersive media and game as a medium with the aim of developing and providing new ways of perception and interaction. Listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe List of 2023, Flavia graduated with distinction at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna in 2020, receiving the Gustav Peichl Award for architectural drawing and the Würdigungs Prize for artistic work. Her works have been screened and awarded at multiple national and international festivals, among others the Ars Electronica Festival, Digital Arts Festival Zurich, Rio2C, Athens Digital Art Festival.

As co-chair of the PwC Black Network, Sam promotes the talents, skills, and views of Black employees at PwC, ensuring that new joiners and existing staff feel included at the firm. His personal mission is to empower people and help them showcase their abilities whilst bringing their authentic selves to the workplace and all aspects of society. This led to his involvement in the development of In My Shoes, PwC's flagship virtual reality experience designed to tackle unconscious racial bias which has been delivered to companies worldwide. Sam's efforts to foster greater inclusivity in the workplace have been recognized by industry, culminating in him receiving a Rising Star finalist trophy at The Black British Business Awards.

Alex Rühl is a pioneering virtual reality (VR) creator and the founder of a production company specializing in narrative-based VR experiences. Since starting her VR career in 2015, she’s written, directed and exec produced several original pieces that have featured at Cannes and the Venice Film Festival, earning her multiple accolades, including The Drum’s 50 under 30, Women of the Future Awards, and the Pioneers of XR Award. Now Head of Emerging Tech at PwC, Alex is working alongside the world’s biggest organizations to help them understand what spatial computing, virtual reality and web3 mean for the future of work, entertainment, communication and commerce.

Roman is an experienced entrepreneur and tech enthusiast who has successfully built ventures in the computer vision, esports, and fintech industries. With three successful exits, Roman has expertise in negotiating deals totaling over $5 billion, and he played a key role in helping several companies expand into Western Europe, the USA, and APAC. In 2021, Roman founded XPANCEO, a deep tech company developing next-generation computing via smart contact lenses with XR vision, health monitoring, and content surfing features. With a world-class team in physics and nanophotonics, the company already developed and successfully tested 4 prototypes.

Valentyn S. Volkov, PhD, is an internationally renowned expert in the field of nanophotonics and advanced materials, with two decades of experience at leading universities and research centers. His contributions to the field have been substantial, with an h-index of 40, over 250 published papers and an impressive citation count exceeding 8000. His current research interests primarily focus on the field of graphene nanophotonics, 2D materials, sensing, biosensors, and functional 2D materials-based devices. As co-founder of XPANCEO, Valentyn leads an R&D team of 50 exceptional scientists dedicated to revolutionizing human-technology interaction and guiding humanity toward transhumanism through scientific innovation.

Philipp is head of the Visual Computing Lab at Zurich University of Applied Sciences. Beyond his XR-related teaching and R&D activities he is the developer of ARchi VR (archi.metason.net), a free iOS App that supports room capturing, generic AR browsing, and remote collaboration in spatial context.

Ori Inbar is the Co-Founder and CEO of AugmentedReality.org, a global non-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing augmented reality (AR), and the producer of Augmented World Expo – the world’s largest event dedicated exclusively to the AR industry. AugmentedReality.org’s mission is to promote the true potential of AR, and hatch augmented reality initiatives that offer unique value to its active users. In 2009, Ori was the co-founder and CEO of Ogmento, one of the first venture-backed companies conceived from the ground up to develop and publish augmented reality games – games that are played in the real world. Ori has been an enterprising champion of the augmented reality industry since 2007. He established Games Alfresco – a leading augmented reality blog that helped popularize AR, and co-founded the Augmented Reality Event (ARE) – the world’s largest and most influential conference for AR – now in its 4th year. Ori is a recognized speaker in the AR industry as well as a sought after adviser for augmented reality initiatives. Previously, as Senior Vice President of Solution Marketing for SAP’s platform, Ori was responsible for the positioning and marketing of SAP NetWeaver – which under his leadership grew from a mere concept to a billion dollar business for SAP. Prior to SAP, Ori joined TopTier Software, as one of the first employees of this start-up. He lead the development and introduction to the market of more than 15 multimedia and business applications including the world’s leading enterprise portal, which in 2001 was acquired by SAP for 0 Million. Ori has a double major in Computer Science and Cinema from Tel Aviv University and is a graduate of INSEAD University business leadership program.

Barbara Widholm recently transitioned to Global Technology's Tech Modernization team following her tenure at State Street, where she contributes to State Streets GenAI/Machine Learning and Digital strategy. During her time at State Street, Barbara served as a Product Developer within the State Street Digital division, concentrating on digital assets and technologies. Her responsibilities encompassed establishing a comprehensive business and operating model to support clients throughout the digital investment cycle, from pre-trade to post-trade activities. She also spearheaded various projects aimed at enhancing client satisfaction and user experience. Barbara's journey at State Street began in EMEA back in April 2016, initially focusing on Global Markets FX Sales/RM for StreetFX and Indirect FX. Over time, she diversified her roles and geographic locations, gaining expertise in Data Management, Pre-Sales Engineering, and Product Development across different market segments. In 2019, Barbara relocated to Boston to take on roles in Alpha Data Management and Pre-Sales Engineering, catering to a diverse client base including Alternatives, Asset Owners, Asset Managers, and Insurance companies. Prior to her tenure at State Street, Barbara garnered international experience, working in the US, UK, and Germany, starting her career at Goldman Sachs in London with a focus on Back Office and Legal Documentation. Barbara holds two Master of Science degrees, one in MSc Data Science completed in 2021 from the University of Edinburgh, and another in MSc Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship from Manchester Business School. Barbara is also actively involved as Co-Chair of the Professional Women's Network in Technology, demonstrating her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Lisa is the co-founder and Director of User Experience at L3A UX Studio, where she leads the UX design efforts for immersive technology experiences. She works with leading global brands and organizations, from creative agencies to Fortune 100 companies to arts institutions and research facilities. Some recent work includes VR experiences at world-renowned museums, interactive video narratives, VR simulations for healthcare workers, educational apps for kids with autism, and service design for the medical cannabis community. Lisa is also an adjunct professor at NYIT’s School of Architecture and Design, where she teaches "UX/UI Design for XR" to M.A. students.

Mark C Ransley is the Head of Spatial Computing at XYZ Reality, where he leads software development for the ATOM - the world's only XR headset to be purpose built for construction.

Leland is the general manager of PICO XR EMEA and has held various positions within the region for the last eight years, both in the Enterprise and Consumer divisions. Leland is currently focused on delivering the best enterprise platforms and services for EMEA based ISV and end-customers in the areas of healthcare, training, education, and out-of-home entertainment. Prior to PICO XR Leland worked in XR start-ups and traditional gaming/electronics brands. He has an MBA from Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley with a concentration on Management of Technology.

Ines is a passionate XR designer, multimedia artist and solarpunk advocate. She is known for her playful social AR effects for Snapchat and artistic VR experiences. With a degree in Multimedia | VR-Design from Burg Giebichenstein Halle-Saale, she is exploring the possibilities of new technology and shares her insights with the community through YouTube videos and tutorials. Besides her work in XR, she is the co-founder of the Indie Game Studio “Crabby Collabby Games” and creates hand drawn graphics and frame by frame animations.

With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in the technological and creative industries, I specialize in various aspects, including technical, creative, educational, and business facets related to technology. Currently focused on the XR industry, my goal is to leverage emerging technologies to transform Chile and Latin America into creative powerhouses. I lead multiple companies, such as Augmented Experiences, Posterity, NVIVO, and Multiversica, and contribute to industry development as the Founder and President of the Chilean Association of Immersive Experiences (ACHEX A.G.). Additionally, I actively participate in initiatives like Congreso Futuro’s Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence, Neuro-Rights, Digital Platforms, and Metaverse (LIANM), serve as the LATAM liaison for X Reality Safety Intelligence (XRSI), where among other collaborations, co-authored recommendations regarding Neurotechnology and Human Rights for the United Nation’s Human Rights Council and the Australian Human Rights Council. I’m also part of the Board of Trustees for Women of The Future LATAM Edition. My commitment extends to mentoring, policy contributions, and involvement in various expert committees and advisory boards at both national and regional levels.

Matt works with clients to design and build delightful and intuitive user interfaces for XR, mobile and the web. He has 10+ years of software development experience across frontend, backend, and devops in a broad range of industries including Manufacturing, Utilities, FMCG, Financial Services, Government, and Sport. Prior to his career in software development, Matt obtained a PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics, during which he digested complex topics and developed the ability to abstract and model real-world problems – skills that he uses every day at Cambridge Consultants.

Alice has international experience designing for both physical and digital products, coming from a product design background transitioning into UX. This hybrid background gives her the ideal skills to design immersive XR experiences, blending both her creativity and technical expertise to create user-centric experiences which are both innovative and meet user needs. Alice is a designer seeking to always go above and beyond, to improve experiences and deliver impact that makes a real difference. Her relentless curiosity and dedication to continuous learning means she thrives in environments that challenge conventional thinking and push the boundaries.

Wolfgang Bergmann, geboren 1963 in St. Pölten, ist seit Jänner 2017 wirtschaftlicher Geschäftsführer der Österreichischen Galerie Belvedere. Nach einem Studium der Theologie begann er seine Laufbahn als Sprecher und Leiter der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der Caritas (1988-96). Als Kommunikationschef der Erzdiözese Wien (1996-2000) war er auch Gründungsgeschäftsführer von Radio Stephansdom. 1999 wurde er Verlagsleiter der Tageszeitung der Standard, wo er im Jahr 2000 die Geschäftsführung übernahm und zudem ab 2008 auch Vorstand der Standard Medien AG war. Wolfgang Bergmann, born in St. Pölten in 1963, has been the Belvedere’s chief financial officer since January 2017. After earning a degree in theology, he began his career as the spokesperson and head of public relations for the charity Caritas (1988–96). During his time as head of communications for the Archdiocese of Vienna, from 1996 to 2000, he also served as the founding director of Radio Stephansdom. He was appointed publishing director of the daily newspaper Der Standard in 1999, taking over as managing director in 2000, and also served on the board of Standard Medien AG from 2008 to 2012.

Maria Le Mura is the CEO of Beyond Words, a French company dedicated to improving the language learning experience through AI and VR. Life-long learner, passionate about impactful learning experiences, Maria speaks 5 languages and has as mission spreading the work about the positive effects of technology on the learning process. Today, she is also an eDBA student at Paul-Valéry University in Montpellier, studying the impact of automatizations on the employees' performance.

Johan Walters is a seasoned Digital Marketing Consultant with a specialization in AI and Immersive Technologies. With 25 years of experience, he helps brands and agencies leverage the power of Augmented Reality (AR) to create engaging and effective marketing campaigns. As an AR Producer and XR Consultant, Johan collaborates with creative teams to develop innovative AR experiences. His expertise extends to platforms like Zappar, Blippar, Meta Spark, and TikTok Effect House. In addition to his practical experience, Johan has contributed to the AR industry through training and presentations. He has co-authored Zappar's official training product and presented on "Design Thinking for Augmented Reality" at AWE Live.

Minh is a Vietnamese-German Creative Director for Mixed Reality Experiences and 'Migrant Mom'. She studied Multimedia|VR-Design in Germany and worked on pioneering technologies in Silicon Valley before being recruited as a Professor of Game Art & Design at HBK Essen. Today, as Co-founder of A.MUSE, she creates impactful experiences at the convergence of interactive exhibits, VR/AR/XR, AI, edutainment and games. With her playful creations between art, design, tech and social entrepreneurship, she actively advocates for cultural diversity and digital equality. Minh was awarded with worldwide recognition, including “Unity for Humanity”, “Games for Change”, “MIT XR Hack” and “Cultural & Creative Pilot”. (⟶ More info: www.amuse.vision | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tibimi/ )

Christian is a seasoned 3D artist and developer based in the UK, specialising in the intersection of immersive technology and artificial intelligence. With a robust background in Architecture and 3D design, he has seamlessly transitioned into the burgeoning field of extended reality (XR). His work has led to build AR projects for notable names such as Coachella, Universal, and Hyundai, demonstrating a keen ability to merge technical skill with creative vision. Christian is passionate about narrative-driven experiences and prides himself on providing technological solutions to client problems, showcasing his commitment to not only meet but exceed expectations. A believer in the ethos of visibility for growth, Christian advocates for the sharing of work as a catalyst for opportunity. His journey is characterised by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of XR and AI tools, driving both personal advancement and the evolution of the industry.

David Burch is the Sales Director at ArborXR. His extensive experience in the enterprise solutions space has helped enable ArborXR to continue its growth trajectory and become the leading vendor of choice for XR deployments all over the world. He currently lives in Oklahoma, USA, with his wife and three children.

Luis Bravo Martins is a published author & speaker in XR and Augmented Work. He is the editor of Portugal XR Report 2024, an insight document on the portuguese XR talent, investment, business and research ecosystem, done in partnership with several local and european associations.

After having worked as a film director and producer with a particular focus on innovative technologies, Christina “XaosPrincess” Kinne has found a new creative home in virtual reality, where she creates content using tools like Gravity Sketch or Tilt Brush, organizes and hosts multiuser gatherings, and evangelizes to the real world by enabling communication between users in real life and VR for educational events. She holds an Art School Diploma in “Feature Film and Television Feature” from HFF Munich and a Master of Arts in “Digital Narratives” from IFS – Internationale Filmschule Koeln, for which she has brought a GPT-3 driven chatbot to life in social VR. Until January 2022 Christina "XaosPrincess" Kinne worked for the social VR platform Tivoli Cloud VR as CMO and Events Manager and currently serves as a guest lecturer for virtual reality at the University of Applied Sciences Fresenius and IFS Internationale Filmschule Koeln while supervising the public release of her MA thesis project QUANTUM BAR.

M.Phil. in Interactive Technology, is R&D Lead and Technology Specialist at Helsinki XR Center and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Helsinki XR Center if the leading XR developer hub in Europe operated on public funding. They support early-stage startup teams, conduct research and development activities and support Finnish and European ecosystem around Metaverse, XR and other new technologies. Before joining HXRC, Santeri worked as a researcher at Tampere Unit for Computer-Human Interaction at University of Tampere. Santeri has more than 13 years of experience with technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, speech and gesture interaction, mobile technologies and game engines. His latest research projects have centered around educational VR software for healthcare, green energy, public performances and industrial training. Santeri is on the Board of Directors for XR4Europe association, part of the advisory board for Finnish National Metaverse Strategy and founding member of EU Commission’s VR/AR Industrial Coalition. He also frequently acts as a keynote speaker on XR, metaverse and other related topics.

Cansu Cinar comes from a VC & Accelerator background with a masters degree from University of St Gallen, Switzerland in International Management and Entrepreneurship in 2018. She worked as investment associate at Ludus Ventures managing the company’s XR, AI and Web3 portfolio. She led Ludus’ investment of Shapes XR by Tvori in Q2 2022, and managed global partnerships that Ludus established in the industry. Last year she worked as Industry Expert Consultant (XR) in a project driven by Chilecreativo, funded by CORFO. Consulted 8 companies operating in Technology, Media and Entertainment Industry. At the moment, supporting the Stanford XR program as a mentor, Cansu works as a Start-up Consultant and angel investor in the space. And she has been helping Stanford XR program as mentor. She works as angel investor and advisor in the industry mainly focusing on XR, and Tech Startups in Energy. Cansu is former speaker and judge in AWE 2022 Lisbon & AWE 2023 Santa Clara.

Cederik is a tech entrepreneur at the forefront of XR technologies. He’s strategist, keynote speaker, CTO, Co-Founder, innovator, and author of the NIM Framework, a body of work that provides a common language and structure for collaboration among business leaders, designers and technology experts in XR, AI, and advanced computing to prepare for human-machine interaction at the convergence of VR/AR, AI and 5G. Cederik is also the Managing Director of XR Valley, the Belgian XR association.

Baltic Chapter president at VRAR Association and a co-founder at RedFrog.

Evan Carlson is an XR Solutions Engineer at Niantic, where he plays a pivotal role in empowering the Web AR developer community. Evan collaborates with developers and agencies–from ideation to execution–to bring all kinds of XR experiences to life.

Ricard has created virtual world projects since the mid-2000’s. At present, he works as co-founder at Vienna-based Captic GmbH. Captic has created a web-native whitelabel metaverse solution, hosting thousands of worlds. Captic offers the world’s most flexible spatial computing platform, incl. market-exclusive features such as live, in-browser scripting and GenAI capabilities. A former Games program Chair of SIGGRAPH in two occasions, Ricard is founding board member of Euromersive, the European federation of XR professionals.

I am a husband, a father of two young girls and a techpreneur. Co-founded IVG.World, a B2B platform. We are a creator-led community of Gen Z female and non-binary phygital fashion designers in the Metaverse. Our purpose is to build true wealth for every contributing member of our community. Our vision is to solve the problem of environmental waste caused by the Fast Fashion industry. Prior to iVG.World, I launched businesses in Silicon Valley, Dubai and worked in the innovation space for some of the largest multinational companies.

My name is Amelia Styś, I'm a nineteen-year-old graphic design and multimedia art student from Poland. I've been a member of the IVG.World community since 2022. I had the pleasure of working with Meta, P&G and GE. My work along with my friends’ made an appearance on Meta presentation at the World Economic Forum's Davos 2023. I'm passionate about organic modeling, character design, zoology, 3d printing, creating VR spaces and working with AI.

My name is Natalia Styś. I'm fourteen years old and I come from Warsaw, Poland. I like to create digital drawings and 2D animations. I love animals and nature. I enjoy watching Studio Ghibli movies because they portray strong female characters which I find inspiring. I joined IVG.World because I believe women and members of minorities deserve equal chances in business. Since I joined IVG I have met many girls my age from all around the world. I’m really excited to launch our DAO!!!

Jan was an early adopter of digital technologies for the creative area. The potential of VR was obvious to him, so he started exploring new interaction techniques and developed interaction devices for spatial environments in the field of research. His long-time passion for AR and VR led him to establish the center of competence as a network hub for AR&VR, the place to inspire and influence the XR activities within Audi AG. As a creative technologist, he drives now innovation at Audi Design. With his private label, advisXR, Jan advises startups and fosters network activities to drive and deliver the future in the field of XR. In his mission for an open XR ecosystem, he establishes strategic partnerships and supports aspiring as well as established companies on their journey through digital transformation.

Ethan is CEO and co-founder of Lightspeed Public Relations. He launched the firm in 2013 to harness the skills and learnings from all aspects of his career – while avoiding bureaucracy and unneeded overhead. Today, Lightspeed has more than 20 clients and two dozen team members and has won numerous awards for client campaigns. Ethan has been interviewed by dozens of outlets for his marketing expertise and is as frequent speaker at trade events. He also received the Industry Veteran award in 2017 from Ragan Communications for his achievements. He started his communications career as a journalist – by day as a news reporter for Gannett’s metro and business desk, and by night as host of an AM radio show. In 1998 Ethan began a nearly 15 year stint at Edelman. He ultimately led a team of 60 as GM and EVP, and counseled a range of clients from startups to brands like GE, Canon, HP and Motorola. He was responsible for million in annual revenues for the firm and pioneered Edelman Labs, which revamped the firm’s approach to product review programs. In 2011 Ethan became Director of Communications for Samsung Electronics America, responsible for external communications around all consumer products. While managing five agencies, he introduced several tools to improve collaboration and efficiency both internally and externally. He graduated magna cum laude from the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University and completed additional course work in computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. Ethan is a regular contributor to Forbes and is host of “Marketing at Lightspeed”, a weekly show on the VoiceAmerica radio network. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and three boys.

Amanda co-founded Lightspeed PR/M in 2013 with the vision of creating a client-first agency model built on her decades of experience as a public relations leader. In her role as Chief Operating Officer, Amanda is responsible for designing and implementing growth initiatives and strategic development of the agency and its team of more than two dozen. On the client side, Lightspeed's roster of more than 20 client partners benefit from Amanda's skills as a creative leader who provides unique insights and direction on strategy, content and development. Prior to starting Lightspeed, Amanda was a part of the corporate affairs and communications team at American Express where she managed executive, employee and issues communications for a major division of the company. Previously, she spent 15 years building expertise in public affairs, marketing and branding with agencies such as Burson-Marsteller and Interbrand in New York, and Podesta Associates in Washington, D.C. Through these roles Amanda counseled clients across diverse industries including technology, consumer packaged goods, energy, and finance, as well as government and nonprofit leaders. Amanda was distinguished in her previous roles as lead writer and editor for many of her client teams. Her work has included speechwriting for Fortune 50 companies and ghostwriting articles, blogs and presentations for senior executives and political leaders. Amanda graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in English and a minor in Art. She is based in Hoboken, NJ.

Cai Felip is the CEO of Union Avatars, a pioneering company specializing in creating 3D avatars from selfies using ML. With a strong entrepreneurial background and a passion for technology, Cai has positioned Union Avatars at the forefront of the digital identity and virtual reality industries. His vision is to make digital interactions more personal and inclusive by enabling users to create authentic virtual representations of themselves with ease. An advocate for digital identity technology, Cai frequently shares his insights at industry events, helping shape the future of virtual reality and digital identity. His leadership continues to drive Union Avatars’ success and influence in the field.

Marine brings two decades of experience to Improbable, with a background in reputation turnarounds, M&A, and IPO preparation for engineering and tech companies. Her current role centers on Improbable's advocacy for the metaverse, where she spearheads The Metaverse Society. Beyond this, Marine is a strategic communications leader who enables business transformation and supports shareholder value creation by helping shape the equity story. She has successfully overseen the function of covering brand, digital, financial comms and crisis planning, for a number of international businesses facing into and emerging successfully from numerous image & reputation challenges and preparing them for large-scale financial operations.

Dr. Laurent DA DALTO is the CEO and founder of MIMBUS. He has a PhD in Virtual Reality and has been working on the transfer of new technologies to manual trades training since 2001. In 2004, he conceived the first simulator dedicated to the training of the welding motion. He created MIMBUS in 2011 to provide the vocational training centres with a global offer. Two years later, he created the unique simulator of its kind in the world capable of training carpenter and cabinet marker. He is member of the European Vocational Training Association and he regularly gives a talk to promote the use of the new technologies and the artificial intelligence dedicated to the vocational training.

Michael Ronen is an award-winning immersive director, tech entrepreneur, and the visionary behind the Play Economy—a framework that merges play, simulations, and advanced technology to transform consumer engagement and drive business innovation. Michael’s journey began in theater, where he earned the prestigious Nestroy Prize as a lead actor in Vienna. He later transitioned into the tech world, founding Viorama, the company behind Splash, a VR app Winner at SXSW 2016. As part of Viorama, Michael also developed Spilly, a neural net for real-time human detection, which allowed for interactive visual effects—technology that Giphy later acquired. In addition to his work with Viorama, Michael co-founded Shaderverse, which focuses on 3D procedural asset and avatar creation for virtual worlds and the metaverse. As the founder of Wonderland Immersive Design, Michael has led immersive projects with Mastercard in the metaverse, collaborated on experience design with the Burning Man Organization, and partnered with Columbia University on immersive educational projects. Recently, Wonderland has worked with startups on innovative educational products through play and with brands on AI-powered personalized e-commerce. Through the Play Economy Hub and his book, "The Guide to the Play Economy", Michael continues to lead a movement that encourages businesses to embrace AI, XR, and play as essential tools for growth and customer loyalty. His expertise is sought by companies looking to integrate these technologies into their strategies, creating more engaging, emotional connections with their audiences.

A serial technology entrepreneur with start-up experience in Europe and the USA, Ian’s activities have crossed aerospace, process control, entertainment and architecture. He is currently Professor Transdisciplinary Design Networks at Design Academy Eindhoven, where his Trans Realities Lab is investigating applications of real-time collaborative Networked XR in education, industry and research. Through his arts practice, Studio Biscoe, Ian fuses approaches from many fields of technology, performing and visual arts, to create networked performances, such as Bridge To Everywhere between Havana, Cuba and Miami with the New World Symphony in 2016; and 2019’s A Short Journey into Folded Space between the Museum of Contemporary Art Barcelona and Birmingham, England. His latest artistic projects (such as at Eindhoven’s Glow Festival, and at Immersive Tech Week, Rotterdam, both in 2023) explore the use of XR mediated environments within live performance. He currently leads various research projects, such as HybridLab (Creative Europe) and XR-IT (EMIL/Horizon Europe).

Helmut Schrom-Feiertag received his Master's degree in Telematics from Graz University of Technology and is a scientist at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna, Austria, for two decades. His main research interests are in the domain of immersive virtual Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), specifically the topics of Virtual, Mixed and Extended Reality (VR, MR, XR) used for research, prototyping and training. The focus is primarily on the development of adaptive immersive training systems that can interpret the state and actions of users in the simulated virtual context and optimally adapt to users and their individual behaviour. This provides an optimal basis for personalised and highly efficient training for challenging environments.

Nicola “Nick” Rosa is a technologist, business strategist and digital transformation specialist who previously worked for Google, Spotify, IBM IX, Yahoo!, and Atari; and is now part of Accenture Strategy & Consulting in their Innovation team, where he is the Industry Technology Innovation Lead for Europe. Nick is also a Director at the Academy of International Extended Reality (AIXR), a non-profit entity producing the annual VR Awards. He co-hosts and co-authors a podcast series called “Field of View”, where he interviews entrepreneurs, researchers, and pioneers in Extended Reality, AI, and the Metaverse. The podcast is available on all major platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. Nick has also spoken at international events such as AWE, Oculus Connect, Fyuz, and CogX. His first book “Understanding the Metaverse: A Business and Ethical Guide”, was published by Wiley worldwide on October 27, 2022 and available on printed press, kindle, and audiobook versions. Nick is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Lisa Maria Egger began as a performance artist in a theatre in 2004, then worked as an art reporter and presenter in the TV industry. In 2009, she became a production manager and producer for GO! Pictures and later co-founded "GO! Pictures KG" and its XR studio label "GO!insideVR" together with director Gero A.E. Egger in 2017. They specialize in narrative VR/360° experiences and immersive storytelling. In the same year, Lisa produced "Remain at Home," which premiered in Paris at the 360° Film Festival and was presented at major film festivals worldwide. Lisa has since produced multiple social XR live music, art, and theatre events. She is also a speaker, mentor, active in research and development of 6DoF media, and a consultant for the European Commission in the field of film, XR, and media innovation. She promotes a diverse, inclusive, and accessible future for immersive technology. In 2023, Lisa Maria Egger co-founded Arrival.Space, a fully web-based landing space and interoperable social 3D network that provides tools, access, and discovery for the immersive web and its creators. https://live.arrival.space/welcome

Andy Gstoll, founder of Mixed Reality AI, has been working in spatial computing for over 15 years. After successfully building the AR pioneer “Wikitude” and selling the company to the American chip manufacturer Qualcomm, he founded Mixed Reality AI to pass on his experience to other companies. Since 2017, the team of specialists has been offering comprehensive support on the topics of AR, VR, 3D and AI. In addition to consulting activities, the service portfolio includes software development, 3D modeling and master classes.

Catherine Gervaise spécialiste de la formation professionnelle, est directrice nationale de la pédagogie à l’Afpa (agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle), premier organisme de formation professionnelle continue en France L’Afpa avec ses 120 centres de formation, accompagne les actifs (salariés, apprentis, demandeurs d’emploi) et les entreprises. Catherine Gervaise, a specialist in professional training, is the national director of pedagogy at Afpa (national agency for professional training), the leading continuing professional training organization in France Afpa, with its 120 training centers, supports active people (employees, apprentices, job seekers) and businesses.

Catherine D. Henry is a leading voice on the Metaverse, virtualization and how 5G, augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence are transforming business today. A seasoned economist, she combines futurism with creative technology and strategic implementation. Catherine is currently SVP Growth, Metaverse & Innovation Strategy at Media.Monks, where she advises major global brands on how to enter the Metaverse by decoding technology and interactive experiences, helping brands negotiate new worlds, platforms and rules, from enterprise to entertainment. She holds an MBA with a focus on Marketing, an MA in economics at the Johns Hopkins SAIS, also post-graduate work in immersive media & VR Film making at NY Film Academy. Catherine has lived and worked extensively in Europe and Asia and speaks five languages.

Alessandro is a scientific illustrator and lecturer in the Design department at Zurich University of the Arts. He is also co-founder of Quaint, a Zurich-based studio specializing in medical visualization and didactic animation, and collaborates as a designer on the ‘AR Patterns’ project with Philipp Ackermann of ZHAW.