6th Games for Health conference, history!

5-29-10: The 6th Annual Games for Health Conf. is now history! It was the best one yet, as they seem to keep getting better each year.

Check out the pictures from my FB page here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31313159&l=a2fac16f76&id=1012620518

You'll see quite a few pictures of the first ever, Exergame Challenge at a G4H conference! While we didn't reach the 1 million step goal (the non-profit still received their cheque), it really increased testing of the exergame equipment brought out by Ed, Tommy, Parker, and staff from Motion Fitness. This was a great trial run for a bigger conf. in November, the American Public Health Association annual meeting in Denver, where over 14,000 public health folks from all over the world will be there. Talk about exposing exergaming to a world-wide audience!

So it was a great conference, and you can see from the pictures we had a great time. Having said that, it seems that we are now reaching a point where this conf. is poised to take the next step...CEU's? Bigger? Post-Conf. evaluations? Live streaming of sessions? These are just some of the questions discussed.

Ben Sawyer and Beth Bryant did an AWESOME job as always, and deserve a nice break after this.

If you weren't here, you need to make sure you can make it next year!

The Exergame Network marches on the Games for Health 2010

In Boston this week, the annual Games for Health conference takes place. If you are a member of The Exergame Network's Skype calls, Wiki, LinkedIn or Facebook collaboration groups then here's a chance to meet outside the virtual world!

Talking of Virtual Worlds, the 25th (traditionally known as pre-conference day) has both "Virtual Worlds & Social and Games For Health" and "Games Accessibility" days. This year sees the addition of the Mobile Serious Games Conference too. I found pre-conference day last year was the highlight of the year for me, very social and serious, serious fun!

Two vocal and well respected exergame advocates Stephen Yang and Dr Alasdair Thin (both very active in The Exergame Network) presented last year in the pre-conference event, that this year follows on from the Serious Games Conference on the 24th. (Alasdair, I think we need a new post on your site - ed)

The Games for Health conference itself on the last two of the four days in Boston feature some of the finest minds (and friendliest people!) in the research world. Highlights will undoubtedly come from the Exergaming Expo, where TEN supporters Tommy Seilheimer and Exergame Fitness will be showing how video games such as iDANCE and Gamercize make exercise fun.

The lineup for the two days conference, split into tracks so there are no clashes for your presentation enjoyment, is heavily represented by The Exergame Network. The best have been left to the last day, with expert researcher Dr Lisa Witherspoon Hansen kick starting the day with a presentation on brand new ways to integrate active gaming into the classroom. We've seen successful PE implementation from Lisa before, so don't miss this, it's cutting edge stuff!

We have fellow TEN expert Dr Liz Lyons, looking at the how exergames affect players effort and exertion, so expect to see some great insights from the games savvy Liz, in her second year of presenting at GFH. A slight change of track will let you attend TEN advocate Dr Sheryl Flynn, where rehab is the subject and Sheryl with her efforts in this area is well worth hearing out.

To round off the day we have once again Alasdair, Lisa and Stephen, with the former duo getting into some serious theorizing for exergaming and play. Who to round off the day better than Stephen, who is bringing us more results from his famous Exergame Lab! There is also a rumor going around that TEN tee-shirts will be available, but for the original and best Chief of all Exergaming Evangelists, and TEN supporter, go find Dr Ernie Medina in the Exergaming Tent. Here he is, giving his take on 08!

The four day event is being held at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel, Boston, MA. If you haven't been to this conference before, now in it's 6th year, you should Register Here. I hear that there is also a promo code, I'm not sure if I am allowed to share this, so jump on quick before it's changed for a 10% discount using BOS10 - that's the letters BOS and number TEN.