Sebastopol, CA--Just a few years ago, publishers could see that deep, tech-driven industry changes were around the corner. Today, technology is fundamentally transforming publishing, with shifts taking place so rapidly that it's challenging to keep current, let alone create new, profitable opportunities. To raise the level of technology knowledge in the publishing industry and to provide a meeting ground for those leading the charge into the future of publishing, O'Reilly Media is launching the first Tools of Change for Publishing (TOC) Conference. The TOC Conference will take place June 18-20, 2007 in San Jose, California. The call for participation is now open; proposals are due no later than January 22, 2007.
As a media company closely connected with the leading innovators in technology, O’Reilly is in a unique position to recognize new trends in publishing and identify models that are emerging in the next generation of publishing products and services. The TOC Conference will provide critically important analysis, hands-on workshops, illuminating on-stage conversations, thought-provoking sessions, and a place to connect with others in the industry facing similar challenges.
O'Reilly editor and conference program chair Sarah Milstein is seeking proposals from publishers, editors, authors, marketing and production managers, publishing consultants, technology providers, and other interested parties to lead tutorials and sessions at the TOC Conference. Milstein and her committee are looking for presentations that inspire bold ideas for the future of publishing and/or offer practical lessons in incorporating technology into publishing processes. Some specific areas of interest include:
New business models for publishers
Case studies of successful new publishing initiatives
Why and how to digitize content/backlist, and what to do with it once it's digitized
Tools and challenges in an efficient all-digital workflow
Best practices for working with Amazon, Google, Ingram, and other big players
Creative web-based marketing strategies, including SEO
Best new practices and tools for working with and supporting authors
How to capture and analyze web metrics
Systems and devices for displaying digital copy
Business models for delivering and/or receiving material via new devices
Emerging supply chain models
Innovative DRM models
Best practices for experimenting with new business models while keeping existing models profitable
"Technology often impacts society in unexpected ways," notes Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media. "We're at the cusp of a deep shift in how we make--and consume--content, and need to understand the scope of this profound change. Building the next generation of publishing technology won't be easy, and will require everyone involved to learn new skills to operate the tools for building the future."
It's an unsettling era in the publishing industry, but this tidal wave of change presents the opportunity to influence and profit from new models for creating, distributing, and selling information. The TOC Conference will provide a collaborative, energizing environment to explore new publishing opportunities. Shape the future of publishing at the first O'Reilly Tools of Change for Publishing Conference.
Additional Resources:
For complete conference details and to submit a proposal, visit: http://conferences.oreilly.com/toc
Read the TOC Conference blog for the latest event announcements and news: http://www.oreillynet.com/conferences/blog/toc
For information on exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at O'Reilly conferences, contact sponsorships@oreilly.com
To become a media or community partner, email mediapartners@oreilly.com
Upcoming O'Reilly conferences:- O'Reilly Emerging Telephony Conference, February 27-March 1, 2007 in Burlingame, CA
- O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, March 26-29, 2007 in San Diego, CA
- Web 2.0 Expo, April 15-18, 2007 in San Francisco, CA
- MySQL Conference & Expo, April 23-26, 2007 in Santa Clara, CA
- RailsConf, May 17-20, 2007 in Portland, OR
- Where 2.0 Conference, May 29-30, 2007 in San Jose, CA
- O'Reilly Open Source Convention, July 23-27, 2007 in Portland, OR
- RailsConf Europe, co-presented by O'Reilly Media and Ruby Central, September 17-19, 2007 in Berlin, Germany
About O’Reilly
O’Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O’Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.