Extraordinary Future Conference 2018: Notes from the Floor - Part I

Day one of the second Extraordinary Future conference took place on Wednesday (September 19) in Vancouver, focusing on a wide range of technologies that are transforming our everyday lives.

The event, which was hosted by Cambridge House, showcased over 70 companies exhibiting their products, while various panel discussions were held throughout the day.

As noted in our preview of the event, topics of discussion included blockchain, cannabis and augmented and virtual reality, in addition to a small focus on other areas like cleantech.

If you were unable to attend the show, don’t worry — the Investing News Network (INN) was there on the floor attending panel discussions and interviewing companies at the event.

Here’s a brief overview of what happened on day one of the two-day conference.

The day started with James Black of the Canadian Stock Exchange, who introduced the show to the audience and showcased how technology has changed since the early 1980s.

The welcome speech has begun. Here’s James Black @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/nHYF4MsySv

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

#Esports, #Cannabis, #blockchain are some of the agendas at the @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/qwoTZUg48h

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

James Black talking about how much #Esports has grown over the years. And here he shows a game popular in the 80’s and 90’s. Who else remember this? @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/0OnwV0Vvi9

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

“Blockchain cycle is big,” says Black. Today’s events begin with #blockchain @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/YyXHppQ0Nn

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

The first panel of the day, called Blockchain will Transform Money, Finance, Business and the World, was with Alex Tapscott, co-founder of BLKCH Research Institute.

Alex Tapscott says blockchain is a digital medium for value #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/bV9E12GSOu

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

Alex Tapscott— “not all crypto assets are currencies” #XF2018

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

Following the talk from Tapscott, the second discussion of the day revolved around securities on the blockchain before the event shifted to a third talk titled the Perfect Use of Blockchain with Dan Reitzik, CEO of DMG Blockchain (CSE:DMGI).

Dan Reitzik from @dmgblockchain giving a presentation on the perfect use of #blockchain #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/W84rA3XI0n

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

An overview of what areas can benefit from #blockchain @dmgblockchain #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/cBdaL8UPmG

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

“There’s going to be one global #blockchain that manages #cannabis,” says Reitzik #XF2018

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

While much of day one’s focus was on blockchain, it was not the only area of interest. A presentation from Ryan Irvine, founder of KeyStone Financial, centered on five themes and stocks that investors should keep an eye on.

INN also had the opportunity to speak with Aaron Dunn, CFA of Keystone Financial. Stay tuned for our interview with Dunn in the coming days.

Here are the top themes from @KeyStocks. #cannabis #Blockchain #AI #Cybercrime @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/WEFPxw4ZSK

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

In the afternoon, there was a Fire Side Chat with Christopher Wylie, the Cambridge Analytica whistleblower who detailed how the expose of the Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) data mining took place.

Here’s @chrisinsilico at the @Cambridge #xfuture18 #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/WWysnnh9Cy

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

“No one reads the T&C’s,” says @chrisinsilico as he reveals #Facebook did not read the T&C submitted to them by Cambridge Analytica application. @Cambridge #xfuture18 #XF2018 $FB #FB

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

Over the course of the day, investors had the opportunity to interact with companies at their respective booths and partake in activities. Notably, the YDreams Global Interactive Technologies (CSE:YD) stall was buzzing due to the virtual reality game at its booth.

And this is at the @YDreamsGlobal booth at the @Cambridge #XF2018 #VirtualReality pic.twitter.com/VJoGmGjJT2

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

.@ElectraMecc have the SOLO on display here at the @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/SDQYE7durH

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

Here’s @equibit at the @Cambridge #XF2018 pic.twitter.com/BYjUqXHxFF

— Tech Investing News (@INN_Technology) September 19, 2018

Stay tuned for INN’s coverage of day two of the conference, taking place on Thursday (September 20).

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Technology for real-time news updates! 

Securities Disclosure: I, Bala Yogesh, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article. 

Editorial Disclosure: YDreams Global Interactive Technologies is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid for content.