ICYMI: NFT.NYC Conference
By Greg Kahn
Emerging Tech Exchange
Founder & CEO
Published on April 19, 2023
Attendees at last week’s NFT.NYC’ conference at Hudson Yards proved that only the hype around blockchain and digital tokens are dead. A discussion of the practical uses and next steps for blockchain-based assets across emerging tech, healthcare, sports, culture, and commerce demonstrated a world of possibility.
Some of the most impactful conversations were held by:
🏙️ Future of Government and Cities: US Congressman Bryan Donalds on how municipalities can tap into #cryptocurrency & NFTs to promote job growth.
🦹♀️ Future of Fandom: Daniel DeVece, the NFL’s senior Director of Emerging Products spoke with Ticketmaster’s Joe Aiello and Dapper Labs Brittany O'Hagan on how NFTs are a driver of loyalty by creating new avenues of contact between teams, events, and consumers. The future of fandom is all about greater access to experiences, and NFTs are the key to opening up hybrid digital/physical commerce.
🚴 Future of Loyalty: Robin Arzón dug deeper on loyalty in a discussion of how lifestyle membership NFTs are reimagining traditional club membership programs. There are huge implications for brands and IP building. As a Head Instructor at @Peloton Interactive, Robin has a unique vantage point about the rise of influencers and the changing nature of fame as well. She’s built her own NFT collection, Swagger Society, which also taps into the Future of Fitness.
🎨 Future of Art & Culture and Commerce:
Contemporary artist Gregg Emery, 5 time Olympic basketball player Teresa Edwards, leading web3 entrepreneur Patti Pan and I spoke about the role NFTs have in fostering local communities and the mutual inspiration that comes from connecting with other artists.
Other highlights were:
🎰 Knights of Degens’ reception for sports/gaming super-fans
👘 Future+ programming around the continued growth of digital fashion and how individuals’ sense of identity will continue to evolve as physical and digital worlds combine.
That’s just a small selection of the insights I took away from the week.
Greg Kahn
Emerging Tech Exchange
Founder & CEO
