About
Removing limitations and inspiring the next generation of XR pioneers.
From supporting startups to celebrating award-winning projects, AIXR is the independent not-for-profit body for immersive industries.
Our people
We are a dedicated not-for-profit that exists to support individuals and companies of all sizes as the international trade body for immersive technology industries. Our team is made up of an extensive network of industry specialists, passionate about seeing XR succeed.
Leadership
Daniel Colaianni, Chief Executive
Kelly Wright, Creative Director
Jamie Van Amstel, Technical Director
Non-executive directorship
Stephen Avila, Commercial and Legal
Team
Caelin Toms, Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement Manager
Neekhil Patel, Sales & Fundraising
Carter Gibson, Marketing Assistant
VR Steering & Oversight
Vicki Dobbs Beck, Executive in Charge, ILMxLAB
Colum Slevin, Head of Media, AR/VR Experiences, Facebook
James Knight, Virtual Production Director, AMD
Joanna Popper, Head of Virtual Reality for LBE, HP
Joel Breton, Vice President Worldwide Product Development, HTC
Linda Wade, CEO, Spinview
Marcie Jastrow, SVP Immersive Media, Technicolor
Eyad Hamouieh, Partner, BDO
Samuel Huber, Founder, Admix
Aleissia Laidacker, Director of Developer Experience, Magic Leap
Wallace Poulter, Consultant Immersive Industry
Elizabeth Valleau, Global Creative and AR lead, Facebook / Instagram
Ryan Nadel, Senior Program Manager, Microsoft, Mixed Reality Business Applications
Carolina Arguelles Navas, Global Augmented Reality Lead, Product Marketing, Snapchat
Matthieu Lorrain, Global Head of Creative, AR for Brands, Google
Silka Miesnieks, Head of Emerging Design, Adobe
Jeremiah Scott, 360 AR/VR Team Leader, Boeing
Timoni West, Director, AR/VR/MR Research, Unity
What we do
Education
To succeed in our mission of inspiring and supporting individuals and companies, continuous and insightful content will be released daily, aggregating knowledge, case studies, research and more from our members.
Recognition
Our award show provides a platform for recognising the very best in the immersive industry and are imperative to inspiring sector-specific growth, legitimising projects and providing outliers an opportunity to be seen.
Support
Our mission is to support individuals and companies in the immersive industry by empowering, inspiring, and enabling innovators through removing barriers to entry and connecting a diverse collection of trades together.
Improving XR’s image
We believe firmly in placing ourselves and our members outside of the XR bubble. That’s why we’re doing important work to inform consumers and industries that don’t necessarily have the full picture when it comes to immersive technology.
How are we achieving this?
- We’re partnering with 250 events by the end of the year in sectors such as hospitality, trades, medical, automobile and more.
- We’re publishing consumer guidelines and advice while working with consumer watchdogs to ensure the right message is getting out
- We’re actively recognizing, encouraging and giving the very best in XR a platform to be seen, through initiatives like the VR Awards, AIXR Investors lunches and Insights case studies.
Bridging skill gaps
Our industry is growing and an exponential rate. We need to not only focus on the now but the future to ensure sustainable growth. It’s about planning for a shortage of niche skills and working to educate and train new professionals in our space.
How are we achieving this?
- We’re actively working with higher educational institutions to shape syllabus and educate young people on the options they have within immersive industries
- We’re working with employers to understand their struggles and challenges, implementing workshops, training material and educational content / framework to grow with
- We’re connecting individuals globally. With a strong a fast growing network we’re making the introductions needed for professionals, employers, recruiters and students to find new opportunities.
Government oversight
It’s important to have your voice heard at the highest level of government, as immersive grows, so does the risk of uninformed regulation. As an organisation that represents your interests its our job to inform governments on immersive and inform you on the changes their considering or making.
How are we achieving this?
- We’re building relationships with key government branches and individuals internationally, briefing them on your concerns and thoughts.
- We’re building surveys, reports and working groups to identify key information that should be brought to the attention of those that have an impact on your work
- We’re continuously monitoring and keeping tabs on select committees and major reforms before they’ve hit the press so you’re prepared no matter the outcome.
“The 2018 VR Awards was a fun and sophisticated event that truly connected all facets of this burgeoning industry, and celebrated the range of talents within it.”
Cloudhead Games
VR Game of the Year 2018 Winner
