Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Satya Nadella to Headline Vancouver Conference

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and its CEO Satya Nadella will headline a conference this week in Vancouver with an emphasis on Seattle and Vancouver working together to become an “innovation hub.”

The invitation-only event, called the Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference is set for Tuesday, September 20th at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

The conference is designed to explore ways for Seattle and Vancouver to work together more closely as one region, with the goal of creating a powerful new regional center or hub for innovation.

The agenda includes discussions around the need for greater connectivity and alignment around education, biosciences, workforce, healthcare, transportation, and natural resources.

Microsoft Founder Bill Gates and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will participate in a fireside chat discussion and BC Premier Christy Clark and Washington Governor Jay Inslee will also address the invite-only audience.

Microsoft’s interest in connecting Seattle to its Canadian cousin north of the border is well documented. The past June Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau helped usher in the $500 Million dollar Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre (MCEC).

Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the new 140,000+ square-foot centre at 725 Granville street will allow Microsoft to amalgamate efforts, as they plan to bring in teams that have previously been a little spread out and rogue.

The MCEC houses the OneNote team, the folks working at MSN, The Coalition (Gears of War), Big Park Studios, and even Skype.