<p><span class="p-body">There are multiple good reasons for the hospitality industry to embrace blockchain technology and use the Metaverse's opportunities, some on the business side, some on the public relations side, some others on the customer experience side. But there is one major reason for all hotels to quickly start to use the Web3 applications: It's the future.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Join the Tisch Center Hospitality Innovation Hub Incubator for a conversation with three NFT/ Crypto-art artists to discuss the necessity of the blockchain ecosystem and metaverse in the future of the hospitality industry.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><span class="p-body-large-bold">Speakers</span></span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b>Micol Ap</b>&nbsp;is CEO &amp; founder of VerticalCrypto Art, leading web3 native curatorial media studio&nbsp;dedicated to NFT fine art,&nbsp; digital art, new media and metaverse culture. VerticalCrypto Art is focused on elevating the discourse around metaverse culture through curated content, exhibitions, auctions and special projects and on a mission to bridge the fine art, contemporary art &amp; the web3 artist economy.<br> </span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b>Pierre Gervois</b>&nbsp;is a crypto-artist, conceptual artist and crypto-poet, using elements of language embedded in monolithic structures, as emotionless witnesses of our society. He produces documentary films and TV series about art and cultural travel and is an Adjunct Professor of Tourism Public Relations and communications at NYU's School of Professional Studies since 2020.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b>Fanny Lakoubay</b>&nbsp;is a French-born, New-York-based digital art advisor and curator with 14 years of experience in art, technology and finance. Since 2018, she has been advising NFT projects, artists and collectors. She also writes about NFTs in French and American publications, speaks about the intersection of art and tech at conferences around the world, and teaches at Sotheby's Institute of Art in New York City.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Speakers</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b>Nobu Iguchi</b>&nbsp;is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Agya Ventures, a real estate tech focused VC based in NYC. Prior to Agya Ventures, Nobu worked at Bridgewater Associates, as a senior investment professional on the micro equities team. Nobu holds a BS in Chemistry from Yale College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><span class="p-body-large-bold">Moderator</span></span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b>Recep “Richie” Karaburun, DPS, aka “Dr. K”,</b>&nbsp;is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at the NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism.&nbsp;With more than two decades of experience in the travel industry, Karaburun is recognized as an industry expert in helping travel companies start and develop a growth strategy and business.</span></p>