COINFEST 2014: Currency Conference @ SFU's Segal School of Business

Bitcoin is off to an amazing start in 2014, and Vancouver remains front and center! We now have about a couple dozen venues accepting Bitcoin in town, with more signing up every week. Bitcoiniacs have launched a new trading platform called CoinTrader, and QuadrigaCX has launched a free platform of their own. With more Bitcoin ATMs (courtesy of QuadrigaCX) on their way to different locations, we have the perfect opportunity to hold a truly decentralized currency convention!

For those who are not yet aware, CoinFest is a fun event where the Bitcoin community gathers to demonstrate how cryptocurrency works. Here you can practice and learn about the revolutionary technology and concept behind new digital money. It's also the perfect place for Bitcoin afficionados. Each venue will have its own activities and themes; they will all be within close walking distance, or access to Bitcoin-themed transportation will be provided.

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Welcome to the first CoinFest Currency Conference! A free, day-long event to be held every CoinFest, the Currency Conference brings the spirit of CoinFest to more academic or professional settings. In partnership with the Simon Frasier Bitcoin Club, we're going to gather at the notable Segal building, which is nearly a century old and houses SFU's graduate school of business. Given all that the Bitcoin Club has accomplished for Bitcoin, this will be the perfect place for us to reflect on the state of Bitcoin, its past and its future. Acting as the first Master of Ceremonies, Mike Yeung, founder/president of the Bitcoin Club, will introduce a series of presentations, followed by a panel. Confirmed so far:

• Andrew Wagner, the founder of CoinFest. He coordinates the CoinFests held simultaneously around the globe, and still manages the Vancouver branch. He will discuss strategies for and the importance of Bitcoin adoption.

• Sponsors who made this free event possible, such as Paul Szczesny of CoinTrader/Bitcoiniacs, the primary sponsor for this event. The sponsors will talk about some of the things they've done to help the Bitcoin community. Also speaking will be Bryan Hellard.

• Xin of CryptoThinkTank, a group of Bitcoin companies that donated litecoins to this event. He will discuss of the inflationary effects of the sprawling scrypt currency scene.

• Moe Afilal, a notable Director of the Bitcoin Cooperative. He will discuss the socio-political ramifications of Bitcoin, and its nature as a cultural and economic movement.

• Anthony Di Iorio, fiduciary founder of Ethereum, partner in KryptoKit and owner of Bitcoin Decentral. He is also the Executive Director of the Bitcoin Alliance of Canada, a fellow outreach organization.

• The cross-currency panel, which gives a representative of each alternative currency the opportunity to plead their case, followed by Q&A and discussion. Confirmed participants so far include Jackson Warren of Bitcoiniacs, repping Bitcoin; Gary Lachance of Decentralized Dance Party, reppin' the Doge; Xin, representing Litecoin; Scott Berg representing Trade Dollars; Steve Merril, who will espouse the benefits of bullion; and Jordan Bober, the founder of Seedstock.

There will be short breaks between some of the speakers, and a long break for lunch. Downtown Vancouver has many places where you can order food for Bitcoin, but we will work on finding a place closer by. There will be time for mingling at the beginning and end of the conference, and we might announce an afterparty as the grand finale to CoinFest, resources permitting.

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CoinFest has no rules beyond common courtesy (and decency) and those required by law; however, there are some guidelines that you should be aware of. Although normally CoinFest is not held at fiat-only venues, the Simon Frasier Bitcoin Club was able to book it for us at a greatly-subsidized rate, and they were happy to accept Bitcoin for doing so. We thank the university for supporting our community.

The organizer of this event does not charge any money to the Bitcoin venue or the event participants. It takes work, though, so if you want to, you may donate BTC to him at 13SH6sEaETA5Ca7Gb5kb1Yv5SjqxauvKdm. If you possess more than a few hundred bitcoins, or you are a business that will profit from this event, it is recommended that you donate and write him a nice message at a.j.wagner.89@gmail.com.

Individuals and businesses that support the CoinFest will be be recognized by the host and the community in many ways, and may be given preferred accommodations. At least 50% of the bitcoins raised will go directly to the Bitcoin Cooperative's Non-profit Bitcoin Outreach Fund, to be used for spreading Bitcoin awareness and acceptance in a manner chosen democratically by the community, including the funding of projects like CoinFest.

This event is a work in progress; the above guidelines are subject to change as necessity demands. If you have any problems on the day of the event, you can reach Andrew Wagner at 778.918.7156.