PICNIC'08 - A Huge Success

Visitors could choose from an abundant programme of events including a high-level international conference as well as numerous 'Specials', 'Labs' and other partner events. PICNIC has evolved into a platform that is becoming increasingly interesting for international parties as well. During the event, specials were offered by the European Broadcasting Union, the European Journalism Centre and various other international organisations. Amsterdam now also offers many more events during the PICNIC Week: many companies and organisations regard PICNIC as an excellent opportunity to host their own events 'off-PICNIC'.

PICNIC: focus on talent and entrepreneurship
Over 800 schoolchildren joined in PICNIC Young’s interactive workshops. The PICNIC Academy was attended by 700 students, and the 100 best graduates from media, design and art colleges met up during the ‘Hot100’ Special. PICNIC also invited 25 start-ups to introduce themselves.

During the event, new companies contended for various awards. During the Vodafone Mobile Click Awards, 100,000 Euros were awarded to the best start-ups in the mobile industry (Nulaz, TipSpot and MaptheGap). The PICNIC Green Challenge awarded a total of 600,000 Euros to the best green initiatives (Greensulate and Veranda Solar), while the ‘Ding’ Award’ granted a development budget of 50,000 Euros to the best artistic game (´A Split Second´, a joint initiative by the Stedelijk Museum and SubmarineChannel).

During PICNIC, Minister of State Frank Heemskerk and Marcel Wanders, designer and chairman of the jury, launched the ‘Paint the World Orange’ competition, which is intended to position the Netherlands as a creative country and is supported by a campaign budget of 500,000 Euros.

The importance of PICNIC was emphasized even more by the fact that many organisations used the event as an opportunity to launch new services. UPC showcased its new 120 MB Internet service; the CurrentCity research project visualised Amsterdam on the basis of mobile phone traffic; PICNIC saw the debut of the ‘BIG Commercial’ for Amsterdam; Alcatel and Violet each launched an RFID platform while Dutch band Bløf introduced a virtual world of its own.

PICNIC: epicentre of creation
Besides the convention and the series of ‘specials’, this year’s edition of the event put a special focus on the PICNIC Labs. Prior to, as well as during, PICNIC, new services and products were developed when participants from various disciplines joined forces and tinkered with state-of-the-art technology. From worlds in 3D to ‘augmented reality’ and from DIY power generation to the development of service design concepts, PICNIC is evolving as an epicentre of creation. The most striking contribution was made by the Mediamatic Hackers’ Camp, which had PICNIC visitors participate in various ways in a number of highly popular RFID Games on the grounds. Besides, PICNIC had invited 25 artists to created an artistic impression of the event. Added to which, 25 researchers are currently engaged in writing reports on the PICNIC event from the perspective of their specific disciplines.

PICNIC on the Hudson
The organisers of PICNIC have announced their intention to expand the activities and place an even greater focus on its international audience. PICNIC’08 saw the introduction of PICNICTV, which is to broadcast a monthly programme on developments in media, technology and communication soon. Added to which, PICNIC has been invited to host a one-day event in New York during the spring of 2009 as part of the ‘Hudson year’, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the ties between Amsterdam and New York.

The fourth edition of PICNIC will be held in Amsterdam from 23 to 25 September 2009.