As if there isn’t enough going on during Jazz Fest 2016, in New Orleans the worlds of technology and music are set to collide, in a friendly way, at third annual and aptly named Collision 2016, a burgeoning technology conference and networking event.

Previously held in Las Vegas, Nevada, and sister-event to the wildly successful Dublin-based Web Summit, Collision will take place from April 26 2016 – April 28 2016 at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA, 70130.

Sandwiched between two of the arguably busiest weekends in New Orleans’ ever-busy festival calendar, Collision will feature over 200 speakers from all over the globe discussing a wide variety of both tech-related and music-related subjects.

The speaker line-up for Collision’s Music Stage includes music manager Nick Lippman (George Michael and Matchbox 20), Ted Chung (Snoop Dogg), and Big Freedia, as well as Sho Baraka, Prodigy and R&B singer and record producer PJ Morton.

Joining them on the conference’s Music Stage as speakers are Programs Director for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation Scott Aiges and WWOZ’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Arthur Cohen: both men are scheduled for April 28 2016 at 9.40 a.m.  Later the same day, Pamela Wood, WWOZ’s chief development officer (CDO), will act as moderator on a panel headed by rapper Sho Baraka at 12.25 p.m., also on the Music Stage.  

“The topic of discussion is how influential can music be when it comes to tackling societal issues,” said Wood. “At WWOZ, we consider ourselves the Guardians of the Groove and what that means is the culture and music of New Orleans. We stream worldwide so we have a huge reach, and Collision is bringing that audience to us here in New Orleans and giving us the opportunity to get one on one with that audience. We are happy that folks have found us and want to learn more about us. That is how it should be.”

According to Scott Aiges, his talk will shed light on the origins of Jazz Fest, its role in the community, and its yearlong impact on New Orleans.

“Most people attending the conference and most people in general, don’t really know that there is a non-profit that owns Jazz Fest, and uses its proceeds for good works in the community throughout the year,” said Aiges. “Many of the people who produce New Orleans’ culture are often of poor economic means, and when you look at things like the disappearance of music education in the school system here in New Orleans, it is might seem that our culture is in need of assistance. The Jazz and Heritage Foundation has established a robust portfolio of programs in areas of education, economic development, and cultural enrichment to provide the educational and economic opportunities to the people who are ultimately the ones responsible for producing our culture.”

And, according Arthur Cohen, it is the culture of New Orleans that remains both the city’s and WWOZ’s strength.  

Cohen, who recently came out of retirement to take up his position at WWOZ, has over 30 years of experience in the radio business. According to him, the radio industry has undergone vast changes in those three decades.

“But you know, it is still the same business,” said Cohen. “Radio is still about entertaining and informing people and it is still allows you to connect with people in a unique and personal way. And while there are a billion things going on over the next couple of weeks, I am looking forward to Collision because it is from such gatherings that new ideas come. I find that very exciting, and it can’t help but be good for New Orleans.”

Collision will take place from April 26 2016 – April 28 2016 at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA. 70130

More information about Collision 2016 is available at https://collisionconf.com/