Immersiv: Interactive Media & Design (STL TechWeek 2026)

Join us for the 4th Annual STL TechWeek with 5 free events hosted all across St. Louis during April 13th though the 17th

Immersiv: Interactive Media & Design
STL TechWeek | April 16, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 PM | The Post Building

Immersiv is where technology meets creativity—and storytelling becomes an experience.

Bringing together artists, designers, developers, gamers, marketers, and storytellers, this event explores the rapidly evolving intersection of tech, art, animation, gaming, and multimedia. As content moves beyond static formats, Immersiv dives into how interactive and experiential storytelling is reshaping how we create, connect, and engage.

From immersive environments to multi-platform narratives, this is where the next generation of creative expression takes shape.

What to Expect:

• 🎤 Speakers and panels exploring the future of interactive media, music, and storytelling
• 🎮 Live demonstrations of immersive experiences, games, and creative technologies
• 🛠️ Hands-on sessions and training across tools, platforms, and design approaches
• 🎭 Performances and showcases blending digital and physical creative expression

Whether you’re building products, crafting stories, designing experiences, or exploring new creative mediums, Immersiv offers a unique opportunity to engage with the cutting edge of tech-enabled creativity.

Parking

Free and gated parking is available in the lots across from the Post Building, near the corner of Tucker and Cole Street.

EVENT AGENDA

1:00 - 1:15 PM --- Welcome by Emcee, Cornell (Niddy Gritty) Thirdkill Jr., Executive Producer, iHeartRadio Host

1:15 - 2:00 PM --- "Worlds in Motion: Designing Games, Stories & Digital Universes" (Panel)

• James Kane, James Kane, Webby-winning developer and artist in emerging technology focused on the intersection of XR, AI and the open web. He's led agency tech teams for top global brands like Sesame Street, adidas and Sony, and founded the original content studio jamesckane.io last year, releasing web games including the Webby-honored 'Shadow of the Czar' (sponsored by Dr. Fei Fei Li's World Labs) and 'The Nanauts', winner of the Meta Start Developer Competition. His next game, STARSPEED: Zero-G Aerial Combat, is out April 14.
• Matt Raithel, Studio Director at Graphite Lab - Portfolio of games includes global brands such as RollerCoaster Tycoon, Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, My Little Pony, Transformers, and can be found on platforms such as STEAM, PLAYSTATION 5, XBOX X/S, Nintendo Switch, iPhone, Android, and Stadia.
• Moderated by: Austin Smith, Head of Business at Noise, Gaming Founder

2:00 - 2:40 PM --- "The Experience Economy: Where Music, Media & AI Converge" (Panel)

• Moderator: Jesse Heirendt, Big River Media Group & Fresh Produce Beat Battle
• Brian Owens, Recording Artist
• Matthew Sawicki, Owner & Producer, Suburban Pro Studios
• Cornell (Niddy Gritty) Thirdkill Jr., Executive Producer, iHeartRadio Host
• Quintrel Brown, CEO of Kre8 Spaces

2:45 - 3:15 --- Breakout Sessions

• Track A: "An Imagination Realized: Using Tech to Remove Barriers to Creative Execution" by Brianna Tobias, Founder, Kaliber Events
• Track B: "Read It. Hear It. Watch It. -- Embrace a Multimodal Content Strategy" by John Baluka, Software Development Consultant
• Track C: "Building Sensory and Ambient Interfaces with AI" by Jonathan Hanahan, Associate Professor and Chair, MDes for HCI and Emerging Technology, WashU

3:20 - 4:00 PM --- "Stories You Don’t Just Read: The Future of Immersive Content" (Panel)

• Eric Schmid, Business Editor at St. Louis Magazine
• Nathan Vickers, News Reporter at KMOV & First Alert Forward
• Chris Ryan, Founder of STL.org, Director / Principal at Once Films