Orlando, Fla. Last week during FETC’s 33rd annual conference over 9,000 thought leaders, top educators, and technology experts from across the country and around the world convened at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. to attend over 200 concurrent sessions, 125+ workshops, and to explore emergent technologies.

 The FETC 2013 conference saw a rise in international attendees from over 30 countries, including a large percentage of attendees traveling from Central America, South America, the Caribbean and Canada. All 50 states were well represented this year, with most in attendance coming from states outside of Florida.

 With the success of the 2013 conference, FETC was a widely covered event with many press outlets in attendance. Thousands of educators and exhibitors had the opportunity to get connected and participate in multiple social networks and several new platforms this year. And on Jan. 31 FETC was one of the top ten most active topics globally on Twitter.

FETC’s 33rd annual conference kicked-off with the conference’s ever-popular “Pre-Keynote Session: Technology Shoot-Out” where educational technology leaders Adam Bellow, Leslie Fisher, John Kuglin and Kathy Schrock presented the latest tech gadgets and programs. And FETC’s signature “Eye-Opening Keynote” featuring inspirational speaker, Jaime Casap, Global Education Evangelist from Google captivated attendees as he explored collaborative learning environments.

This year’s conference continued to build momentum as opening keynote speaker Matt Kaplan, author of ScholarScribe.com, presented to thousands of attendees. And attendees gained valuable information and insight from FETC’s other distinguished keynote speakers: Dr. David Sousa, award-winning educational neuroscience consultant; and Katie Salen, Executive Director for the Institute of Play Design.

 Throughout the conference key themes and hot topics included: BYOD and mobile learning, 1:1 implementation, current and emerging technologies, digital content, innovative learning technologies, distance learning, integrated curriculum, infrastructure, Web 2.0 resources and social networking.

 FETC introduced several popular, and very well-received events this year, including: one-hour poster sessions highlighting innovative schools and districts who implemented exemplary technology integration projects with success; an FETC Video Contest where FETC partnered with NextVista.org to promote the teacher strand of the “Mountains of Creativity” contest; and a special movie preview: Look! I’m Learning, advocacy film about a digital revolution led by kids in Michigan.

 The 2013 Exhibit Hall provided a hands-on, interactive environment, allowing conference attendees to access the cutting-edge technologies transforming today’s education landscape. Attendees were able to watch demonstrations, test new products, and purchase the latest innovations in classroom technology from top ed-tech companies, including industry powerhouses like Epson, Edmodo, Google Chromebooks, Insight Systems Exchange and Lenovo.

Next year’s FETC conference will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan 28 –31, 2014. To register and for the most up-to-date information, visit www.fetc.org.

FETC, a division of the 1105 Media Education Group, is owned by 1105 Media, Inc., a leading provider of integrated information and media in targeted business-to-business markets.

About 1105 Media

1105 Media, Inc. provides integrated business-to-business information and media to qualified professionals in the public, academic and private sectors focusing on technology, products, policy, regulation and news delivered through an assortment of media, including print and online magazines, journals and newsletters; seminars, conferences, executive summits and trade shows; training and courseware; and web-based services. The markets served by these offerings include Government, Education, Network & Enterprise Computing, Business Intelligence, Office Equipment, Industrial Health & Safety, Compliance, Security, Environmental Protection, Water & Wastewater and Home Medical Equipment.

 1105 Media is based in Chatsworth,Calif., with primary offices throughout theU.S.and more than 350 employees. The company was formed in April 2006 by Nautic Partners LLC, Alta Communications and President and CEO Neal Vitale.

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