C Spire convenes major technology event in Mississippi this week

News media representatives are invited to attend a major technology event in Oxford this week that will feature nationally acclaimed speakers and cutting edge augmented and virtual reality demonstrations capped off by a music concert at a popular downtown nightspot.

C Spire, a Mississippi-based telecommunications and technology services company, is convening CTX – the C Spire Tech Experience – on Thursday, April 27 in The Pavilion, the new $96.5 million multipurpose arena on the University of Mississippi campus. 

The one-day event will feature a trio of renowned speakers at the forefront of technology and culture, including Dr. Brian Uzzi, a Northwestern University professor and expert on artificial intelligence; National Football League SVP and CIO Michelle McKenna-Doyle and Randi Zuckerberg, founder of Zuckerberg Media and former CMO at Facebook.

Technology showcases also are planned on some of the leading technology innovations in the U.S., including virtual reality, augmented reality and streaming digital TV.  Some of the demonstrations will feature cutting-edge work by Ole Miss engineering students and faculty.

Pepper, a four-foot tall humanoid robot from Softbank Robotics America with a tablet for a chest, will make its first appearance on a U.S. college campus at the event interacting with students and other guests.  C Spire is one of two U.S. companies that plan to use the robots in their business.

The day will climax with an evening music concert at The Lyric in downtown Oxford featuring Passion Pit, a highly regarded alternative indietronica band from Cambridge, Mass. And two other Nashville-based bands, The Weeks and The Lonely Biscuits.

Tickets are $25 each for the speaker portion of the program and $60 each for the entire program, including the music.  For more information or to order tickets, go to www.cspire.com/ctx. 

WHEN:

Thursday, April 27, 2017

2 p.m. – 6 p.m.:  technology talks and demonstrations

7 p.m. -   :  music by Passion Pit, The Weeks, The Lonely Biscuits

WHERE:

The Pavilion, University of Mississippi campus, Oxford, Miss.

The Lyric, 1006 Van Buren Avenue (on the Square), Oxford, Miss.

WHO:

Stephen Bye, President, C Spire

Dr. James Vitter, Ole Miss Chancellor

Dr. Brian Uzzi, Northwestern University professor and AI expert

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Michelle McKenna-Doyle, Senior Vice President and CIO, National Football League

Randi Zuckerberg, founder of Zuckerberg Media and former CMO, Facebook

Pepper, 4-foot tall humanoid robot from Softbank Robotics America