7x7 is presented by: Major sponsors:   Supported by:	What is 7x7? It's an ideas forum and networking evening where seven speakers have seven minutes to present an insight into their work and their vision for New Zealand.   This year's theme is “The Big Think: New Zealand 2008”. We thought it was important and timely to ask leading thinkers, entrepreneurs, executives and policy makers for their big picture and inspiration on issues facing New Zealand in 2008 and beyond - with an emphasis on economic transformation.  7x7 began in Wellington in 2000 with the exploration of local technology, entertainment and design. It ran quarterly in this vein for four years. In 2006 the event was reprised at the instigation of the Wellington City Council, with four events taking place around the theme of “Winning the World from Wellington”. Over 150 speakers have participated. Now, in 2008, 7x7 is returning for another season of five events which promise to engage and stimulate thought with their straight-talking approach to New Zealand's opportunities for the future. ABOVE: 7x7 HIGHLIGHT VIDEO FROM 2006: 4min / 10mb Trouble viewing? DOWNLOAD FLASH or VIEW QUICKTIME alternative THE GENESIS OF SEVEN MINUTES The theme for the original 7x7 series was showcasing “Technology, Entertainment and Design”. This came directly from the TED Conference www.ted.com in Monterey, California in 1998, convened and ring-mastered then by information architect and impresario Richard Saul Wurman www.wurman.com. One morning in about 1996 Wurman said that everyone who was important in the world in search engines and interface design – about 10 people - was in the room at the time, so he realigned the program, got them all onto stage, and said that each of them had seven minutes. From the legendary Xerox PARC, Silicon Valley software designer Ramana Rao showed his new navigation design, the Hyperbolic Tree. You zoomed over your files like gliding continuously over a 3D sphere, looking down at your data. As soon as he started his demo you could hear the frisson in the air. People started applauding through the presentation. At the end of seven minutes he received a spontaneous standing ovation from the 400-strong audience. So that was that sealed. Seven minutes. All you get to turn it on. BRIAN SWEENEY brian@7x7.co.nz www.sweeneyvesty.com   JAN BIERINGA jan@7x7.co.nz www.bwx.co.nz 2000 - 2008 All Rights Reserved.