By Julian Steinforth, Expedition PR
Here are some of the key events (sorted by date) that should be on your calendar for the first quarter of 2014. Remember how Oreo showed us that “you can still dunk in the dark” when the lights went out at the last Super Bowl? Even when you are not physically onsite, some of these events might be a good conversation starter and media angle for your company.
1. Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Jan. 7-10, 2014, Las Vegas
Hashtag: #CES2014
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary year, CES has been the launch pad for many world changing innovations. More than gathering 3,200 exhibitors and 152,000 attendees gather in Las Vegas for the latest innovation in consumer technologies. Check out the technology innovators key note series.
2. Sundance independent Film Festival, Jan. 16- 26, 2014, Park City, Utah
Hashtag: #sundance
Slightly ten years younger than CES, Sundance Film Festival continues to provide “a space for independent artists to explore their stories free from commercial and political pressures.” But don’t let this slogan fool you; there is lots of deal making and cool hunting going on during Sundance. The event attracts media from around the world and has large sponsors, i.e. HP and Chas. Sundance also has become a platform for address innovation of filmmaking and production – and that includes using tech and social media.
3. World Economic Forum in Davos, Jan. 22–25, 2014,Davos, Switzerland
Hashtag: #WEF
More than 2,500 top business leaders, international political leaders, intellectuals and journalists attend this annual gathering to discuss the global state of the economy. This year’s motto is “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Politics, Business and Society.” Sustainability has become a set agenda item. Every year, Corporate Knights reveals its list of the world’s most sustainable companies, known as the Global 100 during Davos.
4. XLVIII Super Bowl, Feb. 2, 2014, Metlife Stadium, NJ
Hashtag: #SB48
New York and New Jersey are excited to host the 2014 Super Bowl. Celebrations started in September with “GRIDIRON GLORY: THE BEST OF THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME” with a Hometown heroes section showcasing the Giants and Jets teams and will end with the highly anticipated Super Bowl Night on Feb 2nd. And don’t forget, some of the greatest ads usually debut around Super Bowl, with online marketing campaigns starting weeks before the game.
5. Winter Olympics in Sochi, Feb. 17- 23, 2014, Sochi
Hashtag: #Sochi2014
Next year, the Winter Olympics will take place in Sochi, Russia. You can follow the journey of the Olympic Flame to Sochi and Olympics events in 15 disciplines of 7 winter sports, including Curling, Ice Hockey and Skiing. Cheer on the U.S. Olympic team by tweeting them to @USOlympic.
6. SXSW – Music, Film and Interactive, Mar 6-16, 2014, Austin
Hashtag: #SXSW2014
The SXSW is a film, interactive and music festival that exhibits the newest developments of the entertainment industry. The event is bringing together the brightest minds in emerging technology, music, film and entertainment. 65,000 people from 66 countries attended the trade show in 2013. It’s a must attend for many startups. We were thrilled to see that SXSW committed to integrate principles of environmental sustainability as part of their business practice.
7. CeBIT, Mar 10-14, 2014, Hannover, Germany
Hashtag: #CeBIT2014
With 4.000 exhibitors from 70 countries presenting their products to over 230.000 attendees, CeBIT is the biggest technology and innovation trade show in Germany. Its influence goes far beyond Germany. Every year more than 130 political delegations come to the show to see the latest groundbreaking innovations and discuss the global digital economy.