Big Data Innovation Summit Returns to Boston

Aug. 25 — The principle challenge of the decade thus far for businesses across all industries has been how to use Big Data. Organizations now have a wealth of information at their disposal, and although many are approaching a degree of maturity in their data operations, every day sees a new innovation in how it can be applied to drive success and offer a competitive advantage over rivals.

Since 2012, the Big Data Innovation Summit has been at the forefront of the push to use data effectively, with hundreds of industry leading speakers and thousands of attendees having come together to share insights that have set it apart on the event calendar as a force for innovation amongst the Data community.

This year, the summit is set to take place on September 8-9 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, where more than 80 data scientists, engineers, strategists, leaders, marketeers and innovators will take to the stage to discuss the latest developments and trends in the field with more than 800 senior level attendees.

The lineup again includes many of the leading lights in Big Data from companies including Twitter, ESPN, Facebook, and John Deere, covering a wide variety of topics and encouraging cross-pollination of ideas. One of the central challenges facing companies over the next few years will be how they deal with another explosion in the amount of data they collect, as the Internet of Things really takes root in society. Steve Carter, Chief Scientist of eHarmony, will look at how this data is being used to create and optimize products, presentation, prices and user experience to maximize engagement, retention, sales and profit.

Also among the speakers will be Tim Zue, SVP of Finance, Strategy & Analytics at Boston Red Sox. It was the film Moneyball starring Brad Pitt that brought data analytics into the public consciousness when it was released in 2011, portraying the story of how the Oakland A’s used data analytics to win the AL West. Beane was famously offered a job by the Boston Red Sox after his success, and Tim will describe how the Boston Red Sox transformed into a data-driven organization that uses analytics to help make key business decisions, not just in the sporting arena but on the business operations side as well, winning three world series titles as a result. Tim will share insights on the challenges that the Red Sox are facing and how they are using data and analytics to create solutions and enhance the fan experience at Fenway Park and beyond.

There will also be a number of workshops running throughout the day covering topics such as data literacy and how data can be used for social good. Randy Bean, Managing Partner of NewVantage Partners and David Shrier, Managing Director of MIT Connection Science will run through how new ways of capturing, sharing and analyzing data can have the potential to transform ways that the community and voluntary sector work and how social action happens.

Elliot Pannaman, curator of the event, notes that, “this event has grown into one of the biggest in the calendar, and this year we’re really excited to have one of the best lineups we’ve ever had.”

Check out the two-day schedule, expert-led workshops and speaker lineup here.

Source: Big Data Innovation Summit