Microsoft Hosts Women in Games International Conference in Redmond; Game Industry Leaders To Discuss Quality of Life Topics.

SEATTLE -- Women in Games International, a non-profit organization in the interactive entertainment industry, announced today additional speakers for their upcoming conference, Women in Games International-Seattle. Titled "The Balancing Act: Game Industry Careers and Quality of Life," the conference is scheduled 1 pm to 7 pm on Saturday, September 16 at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington.

Keynote speaker Bonnie Ross, Director of Production for Microsoft Game Studios, will demonstrate how to be Director of Production for one of the largest publishing teams in the game industry and also have a life. Entitled "Quality of Life and the Successful Game Industry Career," her keynote topic is focused on her own career as a games producer and executive, her own experiences managing teams in this demanding industry, networking and other strategies for women in the game industry, and how this can apply to your own career. She will be introduced by Todd Holmdahl, Corporate Vice President of the Xbox Gaming and Platform Group.

At this conference, WIGI will identify quality of life issues and discuss methods for coping or balancing the demands of the industry and a healthy life. The half-day conference consists of an opening keynote address, panel discussions and roundtables with top experts in the field, and a post-conference networking reception, sponsored by Microsoft Game Studios. Panel and roundtable topics include "Quality of Life: Practical Problem-Solving," "The Counselor is In: Expert Advice on Game Careers," "Quality of Life - War Stories from the Trenches (and How We Solved Them)," and "Breaking In: How to Acquire The Skills and Get That First Job"

Karen Wilkins-Mickey, Diversity Staffing Program Manager for Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, offers, "Microsoft has a passion and commitment to attracting and retaining women in the gaming industry and puts resources and efforts around this initiative. Supporting Women in Games International at the Microsoft Redmond campus is one of the many ways we show our commitment to diversity. It is necessary that we not only say that this is important but we also do something about it."

Women in Games International Conference-Seattle

Conference sponsors include title sponsor Microsoft Game Studios, gold sponsor Microsoft Casual Games, silver sponsors Ubisoft and DigiPen, bronze sponsor PopCap Games and series sponsors Game Developers Conference (GDC), International Games Developers Association (IGDA), Mary-Margaret.com, Girls in Games, ThemePark Studios, WomenGamers.com and Business Wire. This event is presented in cooperation with the Women in Games Conference in the U.K.

The Women In Games International Conference-Seattle will be held at Microsoft, at the RedWest Campus, Building A, located at 15120 NE 40th Street in Redmond, Washington. Attendance is $45 for general attendees, $35 for WIGI members and $30 for students with I.D. Space is limited, so interested attendees are encouraged to secure their spot by registering online today at www.womeningamesinternational.org.

For more details regarding Women In Games International, contact PR Committee Chair Fiona Cherbak at [e-mail], visit their web site at www.womeningamesinternational.org, or contact Morgan Ogburn, ThemePark Studios, 512/916-9633 or [e-mail], for more information.