Prep: Logistics

Written by Posted in Leadership Forum'08,LF08 Conference News,LF08 GeneralTags: , , , , November 4, 2008No comments

Here are some logistical oriented highlights to help participants prepare for the Leadership Forum:

1 – Check-in process overview
The registration area is located on the second floor of the Marriott (up the escalators past the lobby bar). Registration will be open on the following days/times:

  • Wednesday, Nov-12 from 6pm to 8pm
  • Thursday, Nov-13 from 8am to 5pm
  • Friday, Nov-14 from 8:30am to 4pm

Once you check in, you’ll be given your attendee badge and conference materials. You’ll also get your conference polo shirt (of the size designated on your reg form).

Note, we still have some seating left. So, additional colleagues could register at the conference directly.

2 – Airport shuttle
If you are flying, the San Francisco Airport Marriott is located in close proximity to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). There is a free shuttle service directly to and from the airport to the Marriott.

3 – Dress code
There is no strict dress code (is there ever at a game industry event ;) Though, we encourage you to NOT come with ripped shorts and a stained t-shirt; we similarly discourage you from wearing a suit+tie. Business casual? Developer casual? Use your best judgement, you’re a leader after all.

4 – Hotel options
The block of rooms we had reserved (with a special rate) at the Marriott have all be sold out. In case you are still sorting your room details, the Westin across the street has stepped in to take our overflow at the same low rate of $119! Call them directly, quoting “IGDA Leadership Forum” to get access to the special rate.

Reg Progress; Hotel “Warning”

Written by Posted in Conference News,Leadership Forum'08,LF08 GeneralTags: , October 1, 2008No comments

Just over a month to go before the Leadership Forum, and many developers are already signed up to participate!

A special “warning” to those who are traveling in: the hotel cut-off for the reduced rate ends on October 15th. So, if you are planning to come, but have been procrastinating, reg now so you can get dibs on a reduced-rate room in the conference hotel (which also has a free shuttle from the airport).

Anyway, here’s a quick listing of all the studios represented by the hundreds of attendees so far (including speakers and sponsors).

  • 1st Playable Productions
  • 2K Games
  • 38 Studios
  • Action Pants
  • Amaze Entertainment
  • ArenaNet
  • Art Institute of California Orange County
  • Aspyr Media
  • Autodesk
  • Axelo Development Corporation
  • Babel
  • Beenox
  • Berkeley Sound Artists
  • Bethesda Softworks
  • Big Big Studios
  • Big Huge Games
  • Big Rooster
  • Binary Culture
  • BioWare Austin
  • BioWare Corp.
  • Black Rock Studios
  • Blizzard Entertainment
  • Blue Fang Games
  • Bungie Studios
  • Buzz Monkey Software
  • D2C Games
  • Demiurge Studios
  • DemonWare
  • Digital Development Management
  • Dynamic Gaming Software Solutions
  • EA Black Box
  • EDS, an HP company
  • Electronic Arts
  • Emergent Game Technologies
  • EmSense Corporation
  • Epic Games
  • Fizz Factor
  • Foundation 9 Entertainment
  • Full Sail University
  • Fun In Motion
  • Game Recruiter
  • Gendai Games
  • Gracenote
  • Griptonite Games
  • Hansoft
  • Heatwave Interactive
  • High Moon Studios
  • Hive7
  • Human Soft
  • Illusion Softworks
  • Image Metrics
  • Infinity Science Press
  • Intel
  • ISOPOD LABS
  • iSportGames
  • Johnson Simulation Center
  • Joju Games
  • Kidsland
  • Language Automation
  • Lincoln Beasley PR
  • Lockton Companies
  • Locomotive Games
  • Massive Entertainment
  • Media Sunshine
  • Microsoft Games Studios
  • Midway Home Entertainment
  • Midway Newcastle
  • Mind Candy
  • MTV Networks
  • Namco
  • Ninja Theory
  • Nokia
  • Obsidian Entertainment
  • OMNI Interactive Audio
  • Pandemic Studios
  • Paramount Digital Entertainment
  • ProjectConnections.com
  • Raven Software
  • Rebellion
  • Red Rocket Games
  • Remedy
  • Retro Studios
  • Riot Games
  • Rocky Mountain Gameworks
  • Ronin User Experience
  • Sandia National Laboratories
  • Santa Cruz Games
  • Schell Games
  • Slant Six Games
  • Slipgate Ironworks
  • Sneaky Games
  • SomaTone Interactive Audio
  • Sony Computer Entertainment
  • Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
  • Sony Online Entertainment
  • Splash Damage
  • Starbreeze
  • Stormfront Studios
  • Stubborn Gorilla Games
  • Terathon Software
  • The Fizz Factor
  • Threewave Software
  • THQ
  • Toys For Bob
  • Trinigy
  • TwelveJ Learning
  • Ubisoft Montreal
  • Ubisoft France
  • Valkyrie Entertainment
  • Vapor Entertainment
  • Versant
  • Virtual Air Guitar Company
  • Virtuos
  • Vision Scape Interactive
  • Wizards of the Coast
  • X-Ray Kid Studios
  • Xbox Live Arcade
  • Zipper Interactive

And, that covers eleven different countries: Australia,  Canada,  China,  Czech Republic,  England,  Finland,  France,  India,  Ireland,  Sweden,  United States.

Hotel Options

Written by Posted in Leadership Forum'07,LF07 Conference NewsTags: , October 19, 2007No comments

Dang, we’re popular (ie, up past 270 registrants)! The block of rooms we had reserved (with a special rate) at the Marriott have all be sold out!

Rooms are still available at the Marriott, but are subject to standard rates and availability.

If you have yet to book a room and want to look at other options, we’ve listed additional hotels in the area on the Hotel/Travel page.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you truly get stuck…



“The IGDA Leadership Forum has, without question, the highest quality of content of any game industry event I have ever attended. As far as “”bang for the buck”" it is the best conference for producers and managers in our industry. Any studio looking to upgrade its production and management techniques should make this a must attend event for their studio’s production and management leads. The annual IGDA Charitable Foundation dinner is also not to be missed.”

- Tom Buscaglia, The Game Attorney


“I’ve had the pleasure of attending the IGDA Leadership Forum for 2 years now. The conference is small and focused, which is its greatest strength. Not only does it offer an excellent schedule with high quality speakers, attendees have many opportunities to connect with other developers. This networking and sharing of ideas is what gives someone the additional tools, and perspective to be better at their job. The IGDA Leadership Forum has had a huge impact on my career. Every year, I’ve come away with new friends and mentors, and new inspiration that I can immediately apply to create positive impact within my company. For such a low cost with such high return, I ask you this: How can you not afford to send yourself and your employees to the IGDA Leadership Forum?”

- Kim Sellentin, Associate Producer, Blizzard Entertainment


“I’ve attended the Leadership forum every year since its inception. It’s my can’t miss conference each year for a couple of reasons… 1. It’s a very personal conference, small enough to get to know everyone and large enough to attract great speakers. 2. The game industry tends to build leaders from with in, but being a great developer does not make a great leader. The Leadership Forum provides a wonderful opportunity to develop those traits and learn how others have gotten there. 3. Unlike some large events, this is a very focused conference. The topic is narrow enough to attract a lot of like minded people and broad enough to cross disciplines. I can’t recomend the Leadership Forum highly enoughto any producer, leader, or simply those in our industry seeking to be the best at their craft. ”

- Chuck Hoover, Studio Production Director, Schell Games


“If you’re a manager in the games industry, or you have managers reporting to you, you owe it to yourself to come out or send them to the IGDA Leadership Forum next year. Your competitors are out here trying to figure out how to get better at capturing the lightning and putting it in a package to ship out to customers. We desperately need better trained leaders in the industry, and this is a proven place where they can come and improve their skills. This year I found an insight in every talk to make me better at my job, and to help my reports become better at their jobs. I really don’t feel like I can afford *not* to go. Can you?”

- Brett Douville, Lead Systems Programmer, Bethesda Softworks
© 2011 International Game Developers Association

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