From Volunteer to Visionary: Day 1 of My Unforgettable Week at METACENTER GLOBAL 2023

Introduction

My journey to METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK began long before the actual event, as I had been anticipating it for three months in advance. Thanks to my friend Linnette’s recommendation, I decided to volunteer for this event, a decision that would lead me to an unforgettable experience. The day had finally arrived, and it was time to embark on this exciting journey.

Preparation and Departure: Day 1 of METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK

On the first day of volunteers arriving to set things up, I made my way to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, FL, where the event was held. Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by fellow volunteers. I signed in and received my badge before exploring the venue. The first floor housed non-profit booths, and among them was the remarkable booth for Indienomicon Foundation. This non-profit organization, led by Kunal Patel, Isabella Johnston, and other amazing individuals, brings collaborative game developers to events in various fields, such as space travel, medical, military, and indie in Orlando.

Dr Phillips Center at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

After exploring their booth, I headed backstage, where I met a diverse group of volunteers. Among them was Paige Dansinger, a veteran in metaverse technology and a creator of Meta Horizon Worlds. Paige’s story was inspirational; she had once opened a brick-and-mortar museum in Minneapolis that used metaverse technologies to make technology more accessible to minorities. She had attended numerous game jams across the country and shared stories of great developers, including those from MIT.

Paige Dansinger x Danny T at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

Later in the day, I reconnected with an old friend, Spencer Kersh, a project manager for an Augmented Reality Marketing company. He shared his exciting thoughts on the future of AR marketing.

Spencer Kersh x Danny T at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

As my volunteer shift ended, Paige Dansinger invited me to the VIP section. We took the elevators to the top floor of the Dr. Phillips Center, where a large patio social area awaited. It featured dishes, a complimentary bar, live music, and a beautiful view of Orlando. This was the perfect setting to network and make new connections.

Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

Danny T view of Orlando at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

Familiar faces from previous tech-related events were in attendance, including my friend Marco Santana, the founder of Orlando Tech News, a valuable source of technology news in Orlando.

Danny X Marco at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

I also had the pleasure of meeting Arvin Tehrani and Steffanie Fowler, both working in digital marketing with a focus on augmented reality. We shared a common inspiration from the Marvel Iron Man films and discussed the future and numerous use cases of augmented reality technology. What made our conversation even more fascinating was the realization that, unlike them, their Augmented Reality marketing company, Contrast Media Labs, is based in Irvine, California. Meanwhile, Tapia 4 Services, my own company, specializes in Augmented Reality marketing and is proudly based out of Orlando, Florida. Despite the geographical distance, we found that our passion for the potential of AR technology united us, and we exchanged insights and ideas for the future of this innovative field.

Danny, Arvin, and Steffanie at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

As the evening continued, I had the opportunity to meet XR creators, including Cause XR and Christi XR, who shared their work in immersive XR design. Cause XR introduced me to a Metaverse Nightclub designed for events with up to 300 people.

Danny T & Cause XR at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK 2023

The coordinators of METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK delivered speeches, and one that resonated with me came from Nathan PettyJohn, the CEO of Immerse Growth Network and Founder of The AR/VR Association. My company, Tapia 4 Services, had received an award for Best AR/VR experience along with others at the 2023 Armed Forces Jam. Nathan highlighted the great things coming from the mixed reality industry and expressed gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, and attendees. After his speech, I had the opportunity to thank him and engage in discussions about AR’s future capabilities with him and John Cunningham, the president of the AR/VR Association chapter for Florida.

Danny x Nathan x John at METACENTER GLOBAL 2023

The Wrap-Up

My first day at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK was an incredible experience. I had the chance to meet remarkable individuals, network with professionals in the field of XR, and witness the exciting advancements in technology. The event had just begun, and I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the week had in store. This was only the beginning of my journey from a volunteer to a visionary, and I couldn’t have been more excited about the days ahead. Stay tuned for my next article, where I’ll dive into the adventures of Day 2 at METACENTER GLOBAL WEEK, featuring even more discoveries and connections in the world of XR.

Links:
METACENTER GLOBAL- https://www.metacenterglobal.com/
Tapia 4 Services- https://tapia4service.com/
Armed Forces Jam 2023-  tapia4services.com/Exrayvision
Linnette Martinez- //www.linkedin.com/in/linnette-martinez/
Dr Phillips Center – https://www.drphillipscenter.org/
INDIENOMICON FOUNDATION- https://www.indienomicon.org/
Kunal Patel- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalpatel/
Isabella Johnston- https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabellajohnston/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)- https://www.mit.edu/
Paige Dansinger- https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigedansinger/
Meta Horizon- https://horizon.meta.com/
Spencer Kersh- https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-kersh/
Marco Santana- https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoasantana
Orlando Tech News- https://orlandotechnews.com/
Arvin Tehrani-https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvinkx
Steffanie Fowler- https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffanie-fowler
Contrast Media Labs- https://contrastmedialabs.com/
Cause XR(Austin Caine)- https://www.linkedin.com/in/causexr/
Christi XR-https://www.linkedin.com/in/christifenison/
Nathan PettyJohn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-pettyjohn-17619710
Immersive Growth –https://immersegrowth.com/
AR/VR Association- https://www.thevrara.com/
John A. Cunningham- https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnallencunningham/
A Glimpse into XR’s Evolutionary Advancment’s: Day 2 @ METACENTER GLOBAL 2023-https://tapia4service.com/a-glimpse-into-xrs-revolutionary-advancements-day-2-at-metacenter-global-2023-tapia-4-services-interview-with-jousha-kurikeshu-from-immersed-visor-and-more/