Announcing The Seventh Annual Fast Company Grill: An Exclusive Destination In Austin March 10-13, 2017

NEW YORK, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast Company has announced that it will host its seventh annual Fast Company Grill in Austin from March 10-13, 2017. The exclusive four-day event, located at Cedar Door (201 Brazos Street), will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. It will provide a hub for influential, tech-savvy attendees to enjoy a collaborative co-working space, compelling live panel discussions, a variety of creative and experiential activities, product launches, interactions with Fast Company editors—plus complimentary lunch and drinks daily.  

Panel discussion highlights include Candice Morgan(Pinterest), director and designer Karin Fong(Imaginary Forces), John Couch(Hulu), Richard Wolffe (Global Citizen), Merci Grace (Slack), and NicholasHorbaczewski (Drone Racing League).

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS:

Citi FinTech is the official finance partner for the Fast Company Grill. Through a live panel discussion moderated by FastCo Works editor Chuck Salter featuring Linda Duncombe, Chief Marketing Officer at Citi FinTech and Sima Ghandhi, Head of Strategy and Business Development for Plaid, which builds financial technology infrastructure and APIs, we'll explore how Citi FinTech's open API technology is connecting consumers and businesses, fostering collaboration and creating unexpected partnerships across industries. In addition, a Citi Fintech Open Banking team will be on-site to showcase the platform with live demonstrations and engage developers to learn more about the impact of Citi's API partnerships.

Ford Motor Company will be a sponsor of this year's Fast Company Grill. The sponsorship will highlight Ford's ongoing commitment to be an auto and mobility company, and will include a self-driving (autonomous) Ford Fusion with technology demonstrations, as well as guides who can introduce visitors to the FordPass app. On Sunday, Mar. 12, Jessica Robinson, Ford Director of City Solutions, will participate in a fireside chat exploring the impact of mobility on the cities of tomorrow. From Mar. 10^th – 14^th, Chariot, Ford's app-based, crowdsourced, ride-sharing service in Austin, will offer attendees complimentary rides in exclusive SxSW service areas. To access special routes, download and use the Chariot app at chariot.com/download

Samsung NEXT is the official technology partner for the Fast Company Grill. During the 4-day event, Samsung will invite attendees to the Samsung NEXT Connection Lounge—an interactive space for recharging, refueling and engaging with Samsung NEXT's team and portfolio companies. On Saturday, March 11th, Samsung NEXT will present "Hacking Humanity: Using VR to Connect and Change the World," an influencer-led discussion on virtual reality and how the medium is impacting and will change the human experience, cohosted by FastCo Works Editor Chuck Salter and Niranjan Nagar, Director of Product Management at Samsung NEXT.A cocktail event will follow to celebrate and connect with Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business.

Airbnb and TBWA\CHIAT\DAY will present a thought-provoking business case for building an iconic brand. Neil Barrie, Chief Strategy Officer of TBWA\CHIAT\DAY will join Airbnb's Global Consumer Insights and Brand Strategy Director Nancy King and Fast Company editor Bob Safian for a lively discussion outlining the relationship between a product, a brand, and the bottom line.

HP, Inc. is the presenting sponsor of the World Changing Ideas live discussion at the Fast Company Grill. A group of leaders reexamining the ways we live, work, help and learn will gather in conversation to explore the projects, products, and ideas that have the potential to alter the lives of people and the direction of the planet for the better. CBS News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers will be joined by Ai-jen Poo, Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance and Richard Wolffe, CMO and CDO, Global Citizen, and Lesley Slaton Brown, Chief Diversity Officer at HP, Inc.

Salesforce will team up with Fast Company to present the Inside Story of the World's Most Innovative Companies, a panel discussion featuring Bob Safian Fast Company editor, Jamie Domenici, Salesforce VP of Product Marketing and leaders from featured 2017 Most Innovative Company honorees. Salesforce will also host a cocktail event, bringing together a collection of innovative attendees to network with a purpose. 

LiveIntent is the premier marketing partner at the Fast Company Grill. LiveIntent will provide a refreshing cold brew station within the Fast Company Grill, helping attendees stay hydrated and caffeinated.

FAST COMPANY GRILL PROGRAMMING LINEUP

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Fast Company Grill open daily to invitees

2:30– 3:15 PM 
INSIDE STORY: The World's Most Innovative Companies – Presented by Salesforce

• Nicholas Horbaczewski, CEO and Founder, Drone Racing League
• Merci Grace, Head of Growth, Slack
• Gabe Flateman, Chief Technology Officer, Casper
• Jamie Domenici, Vice President, Product Marketing, Salesforce
• Bob Safian, Editor, Fast Company

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM  
Salesforce Presents Cocktails and Purposeful Networking with industry leaders.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Fast Company Grill open daily to invitees

12:00 – 12:40 PM 
Most Creative People Live!

• Moj Mahdara, CEO, BeautyCon Media
• Candice Morgan, Diversity and Inclusion Leader, Pinterest
• Leila Janah, Founder and CEO, Sama
• Richelieu Dennis, Cofounder, Sundial Brands
• Diana Budds, Writer, Fast Company

2:00 – 2:45 PM 
Loyalty Beyond Reason: The Business Case for Creating an Iconic Brand -- Presented by TBWA\Chiat\Day and Airbnb

• Neil Barrie, Chief Strategy Officer, TBWA\Chiat\Day
• Nancy King, Head of Brand Strategy, Airbnb
• Bob Safian, Editor, Fast Company

3:00 – 3:45 PM 
Hacking Humanity: Using VR to Connect and Change the World – Presented by Samsung NEXT

• Rachel Sibley, Vice President of Product Marketing, Leap Motion
• Niranjan Nagar, Director of Product Management, Samsung NEXT
• Chuck Salter, Editor, FastCo Works

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM  
Samsung Next Presents a cocktail party celebrating Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Fast Company Grill open daily to invitees

12:00 – 12:45 PM 
World Changing Ideas: Meet Leaders Reexamining the Ways We Live, Work, Help, and Learn -- Presented by HP, Inc

• Ai-Jen Poo, Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance
• Richard Wolffe, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer, Global Citizen
• Lesley Slaton Brown, Chief Diversity Officer, HP, Inc.
• Vladimir Duthiers, Correspondent, CBS News

2:15 - 2:45 PM 
Fintech Talk – Presented by Citi FinTech

• Linda Duncombe, Chief Marketing Officer, Citi
• Sima Ghandhi, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Plaid
• Chuck Salter, Editor, FastCo Works

3:15 – 3:45 PM 
The Future of Mobility and the City of Tomorrow – Presented by Ford

• Jessica Robinson, Director of City Solutions, Ford Smart Mobility
• Chuck Salter, Editor, FastCo Works

5:00 – 7:00 PM 
HP presents a cocktail party celebrating Fast Company's World Changing Ideas

MONDAY, MARCH 13

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
Fast Company Grill open daily to invitees

3:00 – 3:40 PM 
Innovation By Design: What's Next?

• Karin Fong, Director and Designer, Imaginary Forces
• Mark Rolston, Cofounder and Chief Creative Officer, argodesign
• John Couch, VP of UX and Design, Hulu
• Harry McCracken, Technology Editor, Fast Company

The Fast Company Grill is open to invited guests and members of the media only. To request press credentials, please contact: 

Trish Harnetiaux: trish.harnetiaux@gmail.com, (917) 531-7169 
Alexa Jaccarino: ajaccarino@fastcompany.com, (212) 389-5436

fastcompanygrill.com | #FCGrill | @FastCompany | @FCSpotlight

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SOURCE Fast Company