Announcing The Fifth Annual Fast Company Grill: An Exclusive Destination In Austin March 13 - 17, 2015

NEW YORK, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast Company has announced that it will host its fifth annual Fast Company Grill in Austin from March 13 – 17, 2015. The exclusive five-day event, located at Cedar Door (201 Brazos Street) in the heart of Austin, will provide a hub for influential, tech-savvy attendees to enjoy a collaborative co-work space, Fast Talks, a variety of experiential activities, product launches, interactions with Fast Company editors— and of course, complimentary cocktails and cuisine daily. 

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS

Equinox: Daily demonstrations of The Pursuit by Equinox, a brand new, highly immersive and data-driven studio cycling class. Attendees will be able to watch, and ride, to experience the class first-hand. Additionally, Equinox's President Sarah Robb O'Hagan will be participating in a data-driven Fast Talk on Saturday afternoon.

Toyota: Grill-goers can be the first to check out an upgraded experience of the company's distracted driving simulator with Oculus Rift. The simulator – which marks the first time Oculus Rift is being used to educate people about distracted driving – immerses you in a virtual reality that shows how everyday behaviors can affect your ability to drive safely. The simulator underscores how Toyota, one of Fast Company's "2015 World's 50 Most Innovative Companies," uses new technologies to address real challenges that face society—such as helping to reduce distracted driving to make the roads safer for all of us.

The UPS Store: The UPS Store hosts a fully equipped co-working environment with wifi and ample space for meetings, as well as  "Editor Office Hours," featuring members of Fast Company's editorial team available for input and advice. The UPS Store will also feature a custom #ViaStories wall where guests can share their personal stories of where they come from, how they got there, and where they are going. On Saturday afternoon, a Fast Talk featuring ClassPass Co-founder Payal Kadakia, and Reformation Founder and CEO Yael Aflalo will focus on entrepreneurship.

Delta Air Lines: Attendees who experience all of Fast Company's activations will be entered to win daily Delta giveaways at select times at the Grill. Winners will receive round-trip tickets to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and one lucky winner will head to London-Heathrow. Fast Company is also proud to partner with Delta on their exclusive Los Angeles-to-Austin Festival Shuttle on March 13. All of those Delta fliers will receive complimentary Fast Company subscriptions and will be invited to the Grill. Delta offers service to Austin 20 times daily from its hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City.

DJI Drones: Selected as one of Fast Company's 2015 Most Innovative Companies, DJI Drones will feature an interactive video game, allowing guests to feel like they are operating a drone over exotic locales.

Gevalia: GEVALIA provides a sneak peak of their delicious new product – GEVALIA Iced Coffee with Almond Milk. Made with a blend of Gevalia 100% Arabica coffee, creamy almond milk and just enough sweetness, Gevalia Iced Coffee with Almond Milk is the first ready-to-drink offering from Gevalia, a brand that has been refining the art of premium coffee since 1853. Gevalia Iced Coffee with Almond Milk is available in three flavors: Mocha, Vanilla and Caramel. Packaged in recyclable Tetra-Pak packaging, it is available in single-serve 11.1 ounce packages or 33.8 ounce multi-serve packages, perfect for sharing at home.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

11:00am – 4:00pm
Fast Company Grill open to invitees for lunch & cocktails.

3:00 – 4:00pm
Fast Talk: THE ROAD AHEAD FOR THE WALKING DEAD
Robert Kirkman and David Alpert, the brains behind the popular AMC series, will make their first public appearance during SXSW at the Fast Company Grill. Interviewed by Fast Company Senior Writer Mark Wilson, conversation will focus around the transition from comic book to series, what's next for the characters, and more.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

11:00am – 4:00pm
Fast Company Grill open to invitees for lunch & cocktails.

11:45am –12:15pm
Fast Talk: CITY OF CREATIVITY: Where Tech and Talent Meet
An (out of) town hall with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Fast Company Editor and Managing Director Bob Safian on the future of our cities, the power of civic engagement, what it takes to incentivize tech companies to make L.A. their home, and more.

12:30 – 1:30pm:
Fast Talk presented by The UPS Store: CREATING & CRUSHING YOUR BUSINESS
What does it take to build and scale a successful start-up? Hear from founders of some of the most buzzed-about startups and learn from their stories, featuring ClassPass Co-founder Payal Kadakia and Reformation Founder and CEO Yael Aflalo, moderated by Fast Company Senior Writer Mark Wilson.

3:00 – 4:00pm
Fast Talk presented by Equinox: DATA POINTS: How to Creatively Use Data to Build Better Products and Business
A talk with Birchbox Co-Founder Hayley Barna, Spring Founder and CEO Alan Tisch, and Equinox President Sarah Robb O'Hagan. Moderated by Fast Company Associate Editor Sarah Kessler.

4:00-6:00pm
Fast Company's VIP/Most Creative People Happy Hour, hosted by Fast Company Editor and Managing Director Bob Safian.  (BY INVITATION ONLY)

9:00pm-MIDNIGHT
Fast Company Grill Party featuring Ludwig & Stiegler: A DJ/Trumpet duo featuring Spencer Ludwig on trumpet and DJ Jason Stiegler. (BY INVITATION ONLY)

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

11:00am-4:00pm
Fast Company Grill open to invitees for lunch & cocktails.

12:30-1:30pm
Fast Talk: CURIOSITY AND CONVERSATION
A one-on-one talk with famed producer Brian Grazer and Fast Company Contributor Charles Fishman on the fun of curiosity, ahead of their SXSWi session.

1:30-2:30pm
Fast Talk: THE CHILLING WORLD OF "THE BOY"
Go behind-the-scenes of the new horror flick "The Boy," with Rainn Wilson, Jared Breeze, David Morse, Craig William Macneill, Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah, and Josh Waller moderated by Fast Company Senior Editor Teressa Iezzi.

4:30-6:00pm
Fast Company celebrates "The Boy," hosted by Fast Company Publisher Christine Osekoski and Fast Company Senior Editor Teressa Iezzi. (BY INVITATION ONLY)

MONDAY, MARCH 16

11:00am-4:00pm
Fast Company Grill open to invitees for lunch & cocktails.

12:30-1:30pm
Fast Talk: INSIDE THE WORLD OF MIX
A talk with Sir Mix-a-Lot and Fast Company Co.Design Senior Writer Mark Wilson.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

11:00am – 4:00pm
Fast Company Grill open to invitees for lunch & cocktails

The Fast Company Grill is open to invited guests and members of the media only. Press should contact us at [email protected] to attend.

WHERE:  Cedar Door / 201 Brazos Street (cross street is 2^nd) / Austin

fastcompanygrill.com | #FCGrill | @FastCompany | @FCSpotlight

SOURCE Fast Company