It’s cinema and civic tech at the May Civic Cocktail, featuring a panel discussion about how technology can impact civics in Seattle and a preview of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).
Join the conversation, Wednesday, May 6 at Palace Ballroom, 2100 Fifth Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Program is at 6 p.m. Cost to attend is $20 to $25. Register at Seattle CityClub.
Across the country, big cities are investing in technology to connect people, improve cities and make government more effective. Cities are hosting hackathons, developing technology plans and innovating alongside entrepreneurs and startups. What makes Seattle unique in civic tech and what can we learn from other cities? Microsoft’s directors of technology and civic engagement/innovation in Boston, Cathy Wissink, and Chicago, Adam Hecktman, will join Rebecca Lovell, the city of Seattle’s startup liaison, to discuss how technology can power civic engagement and innovation.
Then, SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence will talk with host Joni Balter about the popular film festival and what to expect this year. Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, SIFF (May 14 – June 7) is the largest, most highly attended film festival in the United States reaching more than 150,000 people annually.
A panel of journalists will join the discussion: Crosscut’s Drew Atkins and Florangela Davila, Geekwire’s Monica Guzman, The Stranger’s Charles Mudede, Puget Sound Business Journal’s Emily Parkhurst and KIRO Radio’s Tom Tangney.
Civic Cocktail – presented by Seattle Channel, Seattle CityClub and Crosscut – offers a night of networking, civic conversation, Tom Douglas appetizers and a no-host bar.
Watch past Civic Cocktails here.
