Even if you're not a techie, there are plenty of reasons to attend this year's Internet Week NYC
By Helaina Hovitz The weeklong event, headquartered at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street), kicks off on May 20th. Panels, events, meetups, classes, exhibits, screenings and parties will also take place citywide, focusing on topics like beauty and fashion, sports, healthcare, food, and art.
"Tech is playing an increasingly stronger role at everyone's job, even if you don't work in technology. Everyone has to be comfortable with it at a baseline," saidFestival Director Caroline Waxler, adding that it's also a great opportunity to take a look at how tech impacts our local economy.
Eyebeam, a free gallery in West Chelsea, will be hosting an interactive art group show at IWNYC headquarters that focuses on the future of relationships in a wired world.
"We try to appeal to a broad audience by having a wide range of exhibitions that appeal to a broader audience. You don't need to be a coder to understand what's going on," said Meredith Niemczyk, Eyebeam's Communications Director. "For example, Addie Wagenknecht and Pablo Garcia went into sex chat rooms asking sexcam people to recreate classic poses from Renaissance works of art in order to question idea of what is art is, especially now in a tech age where we're bombarded by imagery that's sexual but also commercial."
Eyebeam's events will also include a workshop called "Creating your own Subnode: Networking with Raspberry Pi + Node.js" and "Paintshop" an anonymous digital canvas that anyone can access and interact with online.
If you sign up for WalkaboutNYC, you'll be able to tour offices of companies like Open Sky and GroupMe (May 17th 11:30 a.m. ? 6 p.m., RSVP required).
According to the event's co-founder, Danny Wen, most of the participating offices shift away from "that cubicle land where everyone kind of goes away and into their own world," and instead sport social areas with treats and entertainment like video games and ping pong.
"Each company will have a different feel and culture. You can sense it in the first minute," said Wen, adding that his office just got a piano.
Big name IWNYC keynote speakers will include Joan Rivers, WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg, Executive Vice President of NBC Universal Lauren Zalaznick, andthe designers from Proenza Schouler, among others.
IWNYC is co-presented by Made in New York and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and Crain Communications.
Sign up for or RSVP to all available events at [www.internetweekny.com](http://www.internetweekny.com/).
Top Internet Week Highlights [The Moth hosts Tech-Themed Open Mic Storytelling Competition]: Stoytelling juggernaut The Moth hosts a special technology-themed edition of its famed open mic storytelling competition. Show up just to watch, or prepare a 5-minute story about the technology that drives your life from smart phones and pacemakers to Google and GPS. (May 23rd 7 p.m. ? 9:45 p.m. Housing Works Bookstore and Café) [Technology + Art Exhibit at ITP Spring Show 2013](https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/all#/?filters=on&loc=cw&event=110): Students at the celebrated Tisch ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program) present an exhibition of interactive media work, exploring the wonderland between technology and art. (May 20th, 5 - 9 p.m. & Tuesday, May 21st, 4 ? 8 p.m., ITP at NYU) Eyebeam Art + Technology Center Group Show ? Future of Online Relationships: An interactive art group show exploring the future of online relationships curated by New York City's celebrated [Eyebeam Art & Technology Center](http://www.eyebeam.org/). (May 20-23rd, IWNY Headquarters) [Mobile Storytelling Exhibit, Film Festival, Hack-a-Thon at Soho Gallery for Digital Art: ](https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/all#/?filters=on&event=56) Soho Gallery for Digital Art hosts a weeklong series of events on Mobile Storytelling, using photos, video, and multimedia from mobile devices to tell the best New York story. Highlights include the world's shortest film festival, a hack-a-thon, a photo walk, a juried exhibit, panels, and workshops. (May 20-27th, Soho Gallery For Digital Art) [Pitch Your Startup to Investors hosted by The Hatchery](https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/all#/?filters=on&event=49): Pitch your startup to entrepreneurs, investors, and the tech community at The Hatchery's fast-paced, Shark Tank-style public pitching event. (May 22nd, 6 ? 8:30 p.m. Chadbourne, RSVP required) [Watch, Reblog, Repeat ? Web Comedy Panel at Peoples Improv Theater](https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/all#/?filters=on&event=57): Producers of New York's best online comedy content explore how to create material that people don't just watch, but also share. Moderated by JVTM Comedy, producers of the web hit Ground Control. (May 21st 8 ? 9 p.m. The Peoples Improv Theater) [Future of Media Panel at NYU](https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/all#/?filters=on&loc=cw&event=208): Editors, producers, and publishers from the world's top media outlets discuss how traditional media is being affected by the rise of digital media. (May 23rd, 1 - 2 p.m., NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute Television Studio, 7th floor) NYC Chinatown Dumpling Tour: New York City tech investor and entrepreneur Mark Birch takes InternetWeek New York festival-goers to Chinatown to search for the best Chinese dumplings in New York City. (May 22nd, 6 - 8 p.m. Various locations in Chinatown, NY, RSVP required) [NYC Tech Picnic](https://www.internetweekny.com/schedule/all#/?filters=on&loc=cw&event=118): Enjoy the spring weather and spend time outdoors with fellow geeks and entrepreneurs. (May 19th, 2 - 6 p.m., Chelsea Piers, Pier 64)
