Press release 2 September 2008
PICNIC Network reaches 10,000 members worldwide
Creative online community shows fast growth in run up to third edition of Amsterdam cross-media event
Amsterdam, September 2, 2008 – The PICNIC social network has now reached, one month before the Amsterdam based cross-media event really takes off, the benchmark of 10,000 members. 35% of the members of this online community is coming from outside The Netherlands, and this number is growing rapidly.
Through www.picnicnetwork.org the members of the Network can get in touch with each other and with the 40+ speakers of PICNIC 08, a much used option. The network will be actively used during PICNIC – members can use their RFID badge in various ways to get in touch with their fellow network members.
Open CI creates inter-operability of social networks
The PICNIC network was designed by Mediamatic and this company is now working on a new version of the network: Willem Velthoven of Mediamatic: “The PICNIC network is part of the pilot Open-CI network www.p2pfoundation.net/Open_CI that we are developing. Though the smart application of a set of open standards, we are creating a "federation of social networks" in which users can move freely. This means that you will be able to use your PICNIC account to engage with activities and people on other social networks as well! You can for instance register for a workshop on the Creative Cities Amsterdam Area website www.ccaa.nl/ and befriend a member of the Mediamatic.net website without being forced to make a new account there. At Picnic we'll demo a simple drag-n-drop interface for moving your account between social network websites. When these websites adhere to Open-CI standards, all your semantic links like your contacts, event participations, comments etc. will keep functioning between the networks. “
Collaborative Creativity
The overall PICNIC theme this year is ‘Collaborative Creativity’. Within culture, science, media and technology, there is a worldwide trend of groups of people finding new ways to work together. New connections between organisations and their clients, between groups of creatives, and between friends, families and groups of Internet users have led to new forms of creativity and innovation. PICNIC has a broad and wide reaching program, unique in depth and breath www.picnicnetwork.org/page/22463/en in Europe. In addition to the intensive online and offline possibilities for networking, the event is able to create its own international creativity and cooperation.
Costs
A PICNIC Conference day ticket costs €595 plus VAT (lunch included) and includes access to the PICNIC Conference plus any Specials and Labs registered for. A full conference ticket costs €1245 plus VAT. A Specials day pass includes access to all Specials and Labs taking place on the day of validity and costs €95 plus VAT (lunch included). Participation in each Lab is subject to a selection process. Register for PICNIC on the website www.picnicnetwork.org/page/21795/en.
PICNIC is an annual international event organised by the Amsterdam Cross Media Week Foundation. The third edition, PICNIC’08, will be held at the Westergasfabriek www.westergasfabriek.nl/english/engels_welcome.php in Amsterdam.
