I did not blog for a while about the MCPC 2007 conference. But in the meantime, we did organize the program and really stepped forward in making this conference happen.
Here are some general information on the conference. In the coming weeks, I will feature in individual postings some special presentations that will be given at the event!
The 2007 World Conference of Mass Customization & Personalization (MCPC 2007) will become a high profile and truly interactive event for the mass customization research and practice community on the MIT campus on Oct. 8 and 9, 2007. On Oct 11, a special business seminar will be held in Montreal.
(1) Program Overview
Our program committee selected from the submissions of more than 400 authors about 150 papers and proposals for presentation at the conference. Besides the latest research on mass customization, personalization, and related topics like user innovation, we are very glad that also a large number of managers from leading companies will share their success stories and challenges from running a MCP business.
In addition, we will have academic keynotes of several top MIT researchers, including
- Eric von Hippel (Sloan School of Management),
- Marvin Minsky (“inventor” of artificial intelligence), and
- William Mitchell (Professor of Architecture and Media Arts and Sciences at MIT Media Lab).
Also the expert who made mass customization known and developed the original concept in detail, B. Joseph Pine II, plans to attend and keynote the conference.
In total, we will have much more than 200 participants on the program!
The business seminar on Oct. 11 in Montreal -- a one-day focused event of high-profile invited management presentations -- gets in great shape in the moment. We will have companies like Dell, Google, Rebook, Nike, Fidelity, among many others, presenting their latest customization and personalization initiatives. Montreal is an easy 4-5 hour drive away from Boston; and the trip though the New England Indian Summer should be a great experience at this time.
More information on the Montreal program will follow very soon in a separate posting. Please make your own travel arrangements, there is no central group travel organized by the conference.
(2) Registration
Conference registration is now open online.
Participants can register until the beginning of the conference. On-Site registration is possible as well. The early registration discount however ends on Sept 1, 2007 !! You can either register for the MIT event only or enjoy a special discount when registering for the Montreal business seminar as well.
(3) Program and Scheduling
The final program will be ready at the end of August once we have the feedback and commitment by all authors to come and present. General presentations will be scheduled either on Oct 8 (between 10.15-6.15) or on Oct 9 (between 10.15-4.45).
The MCPC 2007 will start with our opening keynote session on Sunday, Oct 7, at around 3:30pm, followed by an opening reception. Earlier on this day, there will be s special interactive workshop program. More information on this will follow soon.
The MIT part of the conference ends on Oct 9 with a closing keynote panel at about 6pm.
The Montreal part will start on Oct 10 with an evening reception and go until Oct 11 night.
(4) Sponsorship Opportunities and MIT Smart Customization Group
If your organization, company, or consultancy is interested in supporting the MCPC 2007 conference at MIT and exhibit your services, products, or MC offerings during the conference, please contact Betty Lou McClanahan who will discuss any possible arrangement with you (contact data at the end of the posting).
Also, for corporations who want to continue to work with MIT after the conference, the MIT Smart Customization Group, part of the MIT Design Lab, is a great initiative to join. You find more information on this group here: http://design.mit.edu/smartcustomization/
There will be a special information session on the MIT Smart Customization Group during the conference, and again Betty Lou is glad to discuss any options of working with MIT students and researchers on mass customization.
(5) Hotel Booking
On the conference web site, you find a list with hotels. We got a special room block at the Marriot Cambridge, which is just on the MIT Campus.
Also, the Renaissance Cambridge and the Kendall Hotel are within steps from the conference site. The Hotel Marlone, the Royal Sonesta, and the Hotel@MIT are in easy walking distance (<10 min.). As October is a busy season in Boston, hotel prices are not cheap. So as an alternative, you may want to stay in a cheaper motel outside Boston (e.g., at Route 1 north of Boston) and drive to the campus (parking is available at public garages for about 15-20 $/day).
Or check Craigslist where you may find a cheap room sublet (listings for Oct will not be in before mid of Sept).
There also is a helpful site at MIT with guest houses and B&Bs.
Context: MCPC 2007 contacts and more information:
Registration and Payments:
Nicole Silva
MIT Conference Services
Phone: 617-253-0116
Fax: 617-258-7005
Email: conferences-www AT mit.eduSponsorship and Organization:
Betty Lou McClanahan
Program Manager, MIT Media Laboratory
20 Ames Street, Room E15-228
Cambridge, MA 02142-1308, USA
Phone: 617-253-0630,
Fax: 617-258-6264
E-Mail: bl AT media.mit.eduAbstract / Paper Updates and Modifications:
Dina Franzen
RWTH Aachen University, TIM Group
Phone: +49 241 809 3577
Fax: +49 241 809 2367
Email: franzen AT tim.rwth-aachen.deProgram Planning and All Other Questions:
Frank T Piller
RWTH Aachen University, TIM Group
Phone: +49 241 809 3577
Fax: +49 241 809 2367
Email: pillerAT tim.rwth-aachen.de
Comments