Understanding the Metaverse: A Guide for Communicators

Ben Chodor has established himself as a pioneer of online communications - through public relations, investor relations, interactive & streaming content. He is a leader with 20+ years of experience in enterprise communications, social video, and digital health. As President of Notified, he ran the world’s only communications cloud for events, public relations, and investor relations. He has always worked to consistently raise the bar when it comes to virtual, hybrid or in-person events as well as PR, IR and digital health. Previously, Ben served as Co-Founder & CEO of Happtique, the first digital health mobile application marketplace. He was also Founder & CEO for digital media and webcasting company Stream57, and the former Global Head of Streaming & Virtual Events at InterCall. Ben acts as a mentor for startup accelerator Blueprint Health, is an active investor and board member for digital startups, hosts the podcast Insights with Ben Chodor, and is a member of the Forbes Communications Council. He is also a frequent speaker on digital media and technology. Ben is the author of "Transitioning to Virtual and Hybrid Events: How to Create, Adapt, and Market an Engaging Online Experience," a new book that provides expert advice and real-world instructions for delivering engaging hybrid, virtual, and streaming events and webinars for companies of all sizes.

Justin Joffe is the Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief at Ragan Communications where he oversees the editorial strategy for Ragan across brands and products. In addition to his editorial duties, Joffe also advises the programming team on best-in-class conferences, webinars and workshops during a time of unprecedented change in the way that communicators and marketers learn and meet. He is also a freelance journalist and communications writer specializing in the arts and culture, media and technology, and ad tech beats. Before joining the Ragan team, Joffe worked for Muck Rack, PR News, and The Observer. Additionally, his writing has appeared in several publications including Vulture, Newsweek, Vice, Relix, Flaunt, and many more. You can find him on X @joffaloff.

Tamra Knepfer is the founder and president of Metabrands. The agency helps usher brands into the metaverse, with services ranging from strategic planning to execution across virtual events/concerts, gaming, NFTs and more.  Metabrands is an extension of TK Brand Group LLC, a licensing and influencer marketing agency that Tamra founded in 2010, with clients including Microsoft/Nokia, Comcast, NBCUniversal, Disney, Sony and WaveXR, a company that produces live, interactive virtual concerts. Previously, she was senior vice president at Branded Entertainment Network (BEN), which is privately-owned by Bill Gates. In addition to overseeing Greenlight, a global leader in rights representation and merchandise licensing for classic icons including Albert Einstein, Steve McQueen, Sophia Loren and more. Her career began at The Walt Disney Company, where she managed marketing and licensing programs for Disney Consumer Products. Following Disney, she held various senior-level roles with other major brand owners, including Sesame Workshop, American Greetings, Rodale and Iconix Brand Group/Peanuts Worldwide.