Tickets are transferable but not refundable.

Search is hot again. Just when you thought Google had it all figured out, the landscape has changed. Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, has debuted to a generally positive reception, and signaled that the game is far from over. The rise of Twitter and social media has spawned intense competition in the new field of “real-time search.” Advances in semantic understanding of the Web have led to new opportunities in search for startups and big companies alike. Indeed, the world of online information discovery is being transformed dramatically—and much of the action is happening here in Seattle.

What are the most disruptive new technologies, interfaces, and business models in Web search? How is the proliferation of social media and smart mobile devices influencing companies’ strategies in information discovery? How should entrepreneurs and investors discern the real problems—and the most promising opportunities—in this space? What lies beyond the current state of the art in search, and how will the field evolve in the next five to 10 years?

Xconomy’s latest forum brings together some of the world’s top experts in search and information discovery—from Microsoft, Google, the University of Washington, and other leading organizations—for an interactive discussion of these and other key questions about this crucial field, and what it all means for the future of innovation.

Panelists:

• Ed Lazowska (moderator), Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington
• Brian Bershad, Seattle Site Director, Google
• Oren Etzioni, Professor of Computer Science, UW, and Venture Partner, Madrona Venture Group
• Steve Hall, Managing Director, Vulcan Capital
• Harry Shum, Corporate Vice President, Search Product Development, Microsoft (Bing)

Bonus Feature:
Search Startup "Bursts"-- meet top executives from information discovery startups, who will provide brief introductions to their companies.

• Evri (Will Hunsinger, CEO)
• Gist (T.A. McCann, CEO)
  
• Sage Bionetworks (Andrew Kasarskis, Head of Strategic Initiatives)
  
• SEOmoz(Rand Fishkin, CEO)
• Topsy (Rishab Ghosh, Co-founder)
  

Schedule:
Registration: 5:30 – 6:00 pm
Program: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Networking reception: 7:30 – 8:00 pm

Ticket information:
Early Bird Registration - $50.00 (Available until November 12)
Regular Registration - $75.00
Student Registration - $25 (Limited number available. Valid student ID must be shown at registration desk.)
At the door - $95.00

Tickets are transferable but not refundable.
To inquire about press registration, email events@xconomy.com.

EVENT SPONSORS

EVENT PARTNERS

UNDERWRITERS

Alexandria Real Estate Equities · Cooley Godward Kronish · Fenwick & West
Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

PARTNERS

Alliance of Angels · Northwest Entrepreneur Network · Technology Alliance
Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association · Washington Technology Industry Association

VENTURE CAPITAL MEMBERS

ARCH Venture Partners · Polaris Venture Partners · Vulcan Capital