The vast amount of data in the business world is increasing every day, and effective analyses of these large data sets is crucial for businesses to gain a competitive advantage. In response to this demand, Data 4 Decisions, an unprecedented new data science conference and exposition, is aiming to help business leaders understand how to use Big Data for maximum results and benefit. The event will launch March 24–26, 2015, in Raleigh, the major hub for data science in the U.S.
Unlike other conferences that solely focus on the technical aspects of Big Data or its merits, Data 4 Decisions will assemble business and technical leaders to uncover the strategies that best harness its benefits, while taking a forward look at how to prepare for the future, including a key focus on workforce development.
Dennis Edwards, CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, added, “We’re excited to host Data 4 Decisions next year as it will afford us the opportunity to shine a national, and ultimately international, spotlight on the undeniable strengths of the region in regard to Big Data.”
This unique concept has been developed through the event’s Advisory Council, a powerful compendium of the region’s leading research universities, private companies and thought-leading Research Triangle-based associations. “I’m very excited to be working on Data 4 Decisions, said Dr. Terri Lomax, Vice Chancellor of the Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Develop at NC State University, and chair of the Data 4 Decisions Advisory Council. “With the involvement of education institutions, the private sector and industry associations, we have the key players at the table, and we’ll benefit from the diverse perspectives. Our aim is to ensure that the event is highly relevant and responsive to the needs of business leaders and key decision makers.”
The Research Triangle region around Raleigh is widely considered the preeminent center for data science and technologies, with an unrivaled concentration of innovative institutions driving the use of Big Data and leading the field. The companies based in the Raleigh region are not only collecting, storing, organizing and analyzing data but are also using Big Data in numerous applications, including cognitive computing, survey analysis, financial services, predictive medicine and much more.
“Big data and data analytics is an important part of our local economy. The creation and implementation of the Data 4 Decision conference will play a key role in exposing what our community has to offer to the world,” said James Sauls, economic development manager for the City of Raleigh.
While the event is still in the early stages of development, many key companies and organizations in the area have already agreed to participate in Data 4 Decisions, including Cisco, Experis, Fidelity Investments, IBM, the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences, MetLife, the National Consortium of Data Science, the National Institute of Statistical Sciences, NC State’s Institute for Advanced Analytics, Quintiles, Red Hat, RENCI, RTI International, SAS, NetApp, NCTA, CED, Triangle Area Analytics Group, the City of Raleigh’s Office of Economic Development, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and Wake County Economic Development.
Adrienne Cole, executive director of Wake County Economic Development says, "The Data4Decisions conference is another great collaboration between business, academia and our government partners. Raleigh and the Research Triangle is a leader in the new data economy and the D4D conference further solidifies our area as a hub for big data."
Dr. Lomax and the Advisory Council will be supported by VP International in producing the event. MDG, the nation’s leading marketing and public relations agency specializing in trade shows, will be responsible for strategy and execution, and the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with the Raleigh Convention Center, will leverage its expertise in producing high-quality conferences and exhibitions.
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