Dec07
18
Representing Africa At DEMO ‘08
DEMO is the premier launch venue for new products, technologies and companies. For more than 16 years, DEMO has established a reputation for identifying and presenting to an elite audience the products most likely to have a significant impact on the marketplace and market trends in the coming year…
… and I’m going to it 
I owe Erik Hersman (the White African) a huge thank you for suggesting to DEMO Executive Producer Chris Shipley that I be a panelist with him at the upcoming DEMO ‘08 conference to be held on the 28th, 29th and 30th of January in Palm Desert, CA.
Thrilled to accept this incredible opportunity, I’m now faced with a number of challenges. First and foremost is my outright nemesis - organising visa documentation in rapid time. But I seem to be on track with that already. Going to probably fly with SAA as I’ve been warned against Delta and Virgin is a little too expensive.
The next, and significantly bigger challenge, is coming to terms with being asked to represent African Web innovators and startups. I’m not concerned that I’m a white dude representing a predominantly black continent - I’ve tried my best over the past two years to promote South African and African Web innovators and startups in a number of ways and so believe I’ve earned at least the chance to tell others about how passionate I am when I see what’s happening on our continent. I’m more concerned that I want to do all of you - the best that South Africa and Africa has to offer the world - justice.
So on that note I’d appreciate your help. I have a pretty clear idea in my mind of the kinds of things I’d like to demonstrate, showcase and inform at the conference, but if you where in my shoes, what would you tell the cream of the first-world’s technology crop at DEMO ‘08?
Congrats dude. Time to make a list…
Congrats Mike! Have a blast and represent!
R E P R E S E N T!!! Well done mate!
[...] AfriGadget editor and also an editor of Global Voices, will be on the panel as well. [Update: Mike Stopforth will be there to represent some of the views from the South African community as well - which [...]
Excellent Mike.
Time for you to show the folks who think Africa is a basket case that they are so wrong.
See here.
http://theotherthomasotter.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/dismissing-a-whole-continent/
Nice Mike. What an honour! Make the most of it and have a great time.
[...] I find it sad that my continent is still seen as the laggard in many areas of the technology and Internet space, despite the efforts of SA’s social media gurus, like Mike Stopforth. [...]
Hey bro,
I’M in CA at the same time at Vizthink (last day 29th) if you’re speaking on the 30th, or if you think it would be a worthwhile event, I’d make my way out there to check it out.
For what it’s worth, I’ve done CA flights this year with both Virgin and SAA and prefer Virgin.
[...] right - about a month after I get back from DEMO ‘08 I’ll be flying out again, this time to Las Vegas, to attend MIX08 - “an intimate [...]
[...] Stopforth, Juliana Rotch, Erik Hersman, Chris [...]
[...] African blogger Mike Stopforth was in Palm Springs, California, at DEMO ‘08, where he had been a panellist representing Africa. For more of his adventures [...]
[...] is currently in Palm Springs, California, at DEMO ‘08, where he has been invited to be a panellist representing Africa. Read all about his adventures [...]
[...] been globe trotting in his Googlethu t-shirt, sipping Starbucks and doing SA proud at DEMO08. If you don’t know, DEMO is the premier launch venue for new products, technologies and [...]