South by Southwest Interactive to Stage First Event in the UK

South by Southwest Interactive, the influential emerging
technology conference and festival held annually in the US, is
bringing a taste of the event to the UK for the first time in October.

It follows a sponsorship deal between SXSW Interactive and Virtual
Worlds Forum Europe, the first European event dedicated to the
business of virtual worlds, taking place in London, October 23rd -
26th.

Virtual Worlds Forum Europe is to host SXSW Interactive's first
European 'mixer' event, an informal evening of drinks and networking
targeted at digital creatives and technology entrepreneurs. It will be
held in London on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 7-9pm at Departure Bar
(www.departurebar.co.uk). This premiere event is RSVP only so email
interpress@sxsw.com by Friday, October 19 to ensure you don't miss
out.

SXSW Interactive is a five day festival offering speaker panels,
technology showcases, an awards ceremony and evening events held each
March in Austin, Texas. The popular 'mixer' nights take place at
various dates and venues throughout the year, providing a flavour of
the festival and an opportunity to make new friends and share ideas.

Sasha Frieze, Executive Conference Director Virtual Worlds Forum
Europe, says there is significant cross-over between the two
organisations. "We share a fascination with the possibilities of the
latest digital and 3D technologies. This partnership is about sharing
that digital and 3D love - as well as enjoying a drink or two
together," she adds.

Hugh Forrest, event director at SXSW Interactive, says, "Europe
has a great presence at SXSW Interactive. Teaming up with Virtual
Worlds Forum Europe to stage an event over here means we can reach out
to that community much further."

Notes to Editors:

About The Virtual Economic Forum Ltd

Virtual Worlds Forum Europe 2007 is produced by The Virtual
Economic Forum Limited, a company leveraging decades of expertise in
the delivery of media events.

About The Virtual Worlds Forum Europe

The Virtual Worlds Forum advisory board includes:

-- Professor Richard Bartle, University of Essex, author,
"Designing Virtual Worlds"

-- Justin Bovington, CEO, Rivers Run Red

-- Mark Boyd, Creative Director and Head of Content, BBH

-- Mike Butcher, Editor, TechCrunch UK

-- Paul Hemp, Senior Editor, The Harvard Business Review

-- Aleks Krotoski, Journalist, The Guardian and virtual worlds
researcher

-- Ren Reynolds, TerraNova

-- Alice Taylor, VP Digital Content, BBC, Wonderland blog

Virtual Worlds Forum Europe 2007 takes place October 24th - 25th,
2007 in Central London with workshops on the 23rd and the 26th of
October. Online registration is open, and to ensure you're kept up to
date, sign up to our mailing list at www.virtualworldsforum.com