Bill Gates to deliver closing keynote address at 2013 SXSWedu Conference
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — SXSWedu Conference today announced that Bill Gates will deliver the closing keynote address at the 2013 SXSWedu Conference.
Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will address the foundation’s U.S. education work, which focuses primarily on ensuring all students are prepared for success in college and career. The keynote will take place 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013 in Ballroom D of the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas.
“Bill Gates’ name is already synonymous with technology innovation and philanthropy and, driven by the work of the Gates Foundation, education is clearly a personal priority,” said Ron Reed, executive producer of SXSWedu. “Gates’ background as a global business executive and leading philanthropist gives him a unique vantage point into education, one we know will be eagerly received by SXSWedu attendees.”
Education has been a core pillar of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since its inception. Gates has been a vocal champion of using innovative technologies to widen access to quality education across K-12 and higher education.
Gates succeeds an impressive list of 2012 keynote speakers who provided distinct perspectives from across the education ecosystem – U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Pearson CEO Marjorie Scardino, and longtime host of Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton.
Register to attend SXSWedu today and join us March 4-7, 2013. Discounted registration rates are available through January 11. Attending journalists are invited to apply for press credentials.
About SXSWedu
Now in its third year, the SXSWedu Conference and Festival has quickly emerged as a catalyst for change in education. Education stakeholders and practitioners of all backgrounds– including teachers, administrators, university professors, business and policy leaders – converge at SXSWedu to connect, collaborate, create and change how we teach and learn.
Join education’s most energetic and innovative leaders at SXSWedu 2013, March 4-7, 2013 in Austin, Texas. For more details, visit http://sxswedu.com.