Upcoming UX Conferences in Canada

Similar to last year, I'm filling up my calendar with upcoming UX conferences and activities. Here's the list I created. Feel free to add the ones you like in comments.

Oct. 1- 2: Explore Design presented by Microsoft, Toronto 

It's the first North America design education fair for youth. A consortium of educational institutions, associations, professional groups, and companies will provide 2 days of interactive exhibits, seminars, hands-on workshops. Keynote  presentations will be provided by internationally recognized design professionals. Explore Design explores a wide range of design disciplines such as industrial, fashion, graphics, game, and digital design.

We are participating heavily in this year's conference including presenting two keynotes, two seminars, and showcasing the latest innovation technology from Microsoft. I'll talk about the details in a separate post.

October 5 - 8, 2008: Associate of Canadian Ergonomics (ACE)’s 39th annual conference , Ottawa

This years conference theme "Demistifying Ergonomics", explores the many fields involved in ergonomics design of productive, healthy and effective working environments.

Oct. 13 -15, 2008: 10th ACM Conference on Computers and Accessibility , Halifax

The ASSETS series of conferences is aimed at providing a technical forum for presenting and disseminating innovative research results that address the use of computing and information technologies to help persons with disabilities. This is an academic focused research conference but a great place to see the newest innovation in accessible computing technologies.

Oct. 27 - 30, 2008: DesignThinkers2008 , Toronto

Although the conference focused more on graphical designers but I was very inspired last year by attending the keynotes and sessions. Visual design is a very important part of UX design, and more and more visual designers are doing interactive work as well. As they merge and become interactive designers, we'll see a lot more creative digital designs. You can read my thoughts on the conference here and here. The conference also encouraged me practicing more on my visual design skills.

Nov 13, 2008: World Usability Day

This is an important date rather than a conference. I see this as our UX professional's holiday. :) We usually  have various local celebrations for World Usability Day. You check out their site and find an event near your city to participate. This year's theme is "Usability in Transportation."

Nov. 16 - 18, 2008: CanUX 2008 , Banff

I had a blast at last year's CanUX conference. This is the Canadian conference for UX professional. They whole conference is a very hands-on workshop and a lot of opportunities to meet and network with your peers. Highly recommended! I wrote my experience at last year's conference here.

Feb. 5 -8, 2008: IxDA Interaction '09 , Vancouver

This is the hottest conference to look out for 2009 for UX professionals. It's an amazing the conference started from the IxDA mailing list and now a 4-day conference. Interaction 09 will be held from February 5-8, 2009 in stunning Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in conjunction with Simon Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology. Join several hundred Interaction Designers from around the world as we address the design of interactive systems of all types: applications (web and desktop), mobile, consumer electronics, digitally enhanced environments, and more. Start your year off with stimulating talk, fun parties, and smart discussions about our growing field.

Other great UX conferences south of the border

• Oct. 5 - 8, 2008: Design Management Conference, Maine

  I often listen to the DMI (design management institute) web seminars. This conference focuses on design management. This year they are exploring what happens when you mix traditional approaches to design, identity, and branding with new ways, tools, and influences.

• Oct. 22- 24, 2008: UXTV08, Silicon Valley

  The uxTV 2008 conference will bring together researchers and designers of interactive user experiences for TV and Video from academia and industry.

• Nov. 3-4, 2008: Future of Web Design Conference, NY

  The Future of Web Design brings together leading talents from the world of contemporary web design to share their knowledge and insight. An audience of over 800 professional creatives will listen to the people who have designed some of today's most successful sites.

• March 18 - 20, 2009: MIX 09, Las Vegas

  Of course, MIX is on next March again and we'll see you at the Venetian. MIX is an intimate opportunity for cutting-edge technical, creative and business strategists to engage Microsoft in a conversation about the future of the web.

• Mar. 13 - 17, 2009: SxSW Interactive Festival, Austin

  It's a big show every year. SxSW Interactive Festival celebrates the creativity and passion behind the coolest new media technologies.

• Apr. 4 - 9: CHI 2009, Boston

  The HCI conference to go every year! CHI 2009 will be the showcase for the technologies, designs and ideas that will form the new world of digital life. There are many exciting new ways in which computing can improve life in many parts of the world. CHI 2009 will be the place to see that happen.

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