Ahead Collision 2020: Organisers Launch Two Brand New Stages, Women In Tech Program

AKINSINDE TUNDE EMMANUEL

After the success of the first year in Toronto, Collision Conference, dubbed as the TIFF for Tech by CBC, is investing in plans to scale the event for year two in Canada.

Tuesday, 11 February 2020, organisers announced the launch of its women in tech initiative, along with two new stages: one for the world of retail and another for the future of journalism.

Collision is releasing its women in tech tickets this week as part of its efforts to even the gender ratio at its events. At Collision 2019, 45.7% of all registered attendees were female, the split was 42.5% in 2018. The conference’s women in tech initiative has released over 25,000 subsidised tickets over the last two years to encourage female participation. The event hopes to, over time, achieve parity across all of its attendees.

“We’ve noticed a significant increase in female participation since we launched the initiative and can attribute a lot of its success to Canada’s inclusivity. We’re very proud of the progress we’ve made with our women in tech initiative. We want to continue to maintain momentum and work to make our event as inclusive as possible in a traditionally male dominated industry,” said Anna O’Hare, Head of Content at Collision.

The event is also set for the appearance of two new stages. Click & Mortar, will cover the transformation of the world of retail – from customer experience to distribution. Current speakers include the VP of Environmental Affairs at Patagonia – Rick Ridgeway; Nicola Kilner – CEO of The Abnormal Beauty Company (The Ordinary), Josh Luber – Co-founder of StockX and Ethan Song – Co-founder & CEO of Frank & Oak.

The Fourth Estate stage will also be launched for the first time at Collision 2020. The stage aims to bring together leading editors, producers and media personalities to debate technology, freedoms and trust in media in a polarising and consolidating media landscape. Those making an appearance on stage include Steve Clemons – Editor at Large at The Hill, and Dafna Linzer – Managing Editor of Politics at NBC News and MSNBC.

“For our second year in Toronto, we want to bring together brand new elements that continue to enhance our overall attendee experience. Conversation around trust in media is at an all time high, reflecting a period of increased political polarisation. We have a responsibility to shine a light on these topics through the lens of technology”  said Paddy Cosgrave, CEO and founder of Collision.

Collision is known by CBC as the “TIFF for tech” and Inc. Magazine coins it the “fastest-growing tech conference in North America”. Now in its sixth year, Collision 2020 is set to grow to over 30,000 attendees with over 900 leading CEOs, founders, and government leaders set to speak at the event.

Collision will return to Toronto for the second year since its move from sunny, jazz-filled New Orleans. The event will be held from June 22 – 25 at the Enercare Centre.