Community Day @ ArabNet 2011

The ArabNet 2011 Shift Digital Summit will conclude on March 25th with a Community Day to educate and engage the public about the Arabic web. During this day, the Summit exhibition will be free and open to all visitors and special sessions will be held for the public to provide them with a better understanding of the digital future.

Community Day will kick off with a discussion panel on the state of technology in the Arab world at present and the technology of the future.

The panel will be followed by presentations on social media and digital activism led by local organizations, inspirational talks by several young entrepreneurs on the challenges and rewards of starting a business, and career talks given by leading executives from top internet companies to give direction to attendees interested in a career in the tech industry.

In other exciting announcements of new features at ArabNet 2011, this year technology is being cranked to the max at ArabNet. As the leading digital event in the region, ArabNet is utilizing exciting new technologies in a way that will change how events are experienced in the Arab world.

One of the coolest things is the official mobile application for the 2011 summit. The application will be available on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and through a mobile website as well. It will allow attendees to view the program of the event, speakers, announcements, and social buzz. The app will also allow attendees to connect with each other through messaging and business card exchange features.

In addition, ArabNet is planning a motion-powered photo booth (using Microsoft Kinect) that allows attendees to take photos and upload them directly to Facebook. Each registrant will get a QR code prior to the event that they’ll be able to use in different locations. Attendees will use their QR codes to tag themselves in photos, participate in voting, enter competitions, and take part in other activities.

The event will feature live visualizations as well of social media activities happening throughout its course.