The non-profit Women in Games International (WIGI), will be hosting its first community mixer and networking event in Australia on Saturday, October 20th. These world-wide events are held as a way to encourage local members to get to know professional peers and to spend a relaxing evening socializing. Admission is free. Appetizers and beverages are offered.

Sheri Graner Ray, Chair of Women in Games International’s Steering Committee remarked, "We’re spreading WIGI around the world. We’re excited about the robust reception that this series has received. It’s clear that the industry has wanted a way to connect to its community - both local and global. We’re proud to sew seeds in a new continent."

Past mixers have been held in Austin, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and San Francisco. Details for event is as follows: Saturday, October 20th, 7:00 pm AB Hotel Crn Glebe Point Rd and Bridge Rd Glebe NSW 2037, Australia RSVP Here: anella100@hotmail.com.

Volunteers are encouraged to apply, to be introduced to Vancouver’s interactive entertainment community. This unique and first time, industry networking event is proudly sponsored by Team Bondi, TAFE NSW, AIE (Canberra), Autodesk Australia and Game Developers’ Association of Australia with donations from Ubisoft Australia.

Sponsors TAFE - The Design Centre D The Design Centre 3D is part of the Sydney Institute, a division of TAFE NSW, and one of Australia’s leading and best established educational practitioners in the field of digital FX. Founded in 1997, this award-winning college has established a reputation for excellence and an enduring relationship with industry. www.sit.nsw.edu.au/enmore/

Autodesk, Inc. is a 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualise, simulate and analyse real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://south-apac.autodesk.com/.

Since its establishment in 1996, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) has earned much recognition as Australia’s leading educator for the Computer Game Development and 3D Digital industries. AIE has grown significantly in the past 10 years and now has campuses in Melbourne and Canberra. AIE continues to contribute to the development of the Games and interactive industries in Australia as an active founding member of the Australian Game Developers Association, and is involved in consulting both government and other education institutions on policy and content. In 1999, AIE initiated the Australian Games Developers Conference and, in 2005, organised Australia’s first academic and secondary schools summits on games education. /www.aie.edu.au GDAA

The Game Developers’ Association of Australia (GDAA) was established in December 1999. Today, the association comprises corporate members from game development companies and educational institutions, associate corporate members (in service sectors that support the industry), individuals and students. The main purpose of the GDAA is to increase the profile of the Australian electronic games industry both domestically and internationally in order to: -- Promote the growth of the game industry in Australia -- Represent the interests of GDAA members -- Attract capital and publishers from offshore and increase local investment -- Retain and attract the talent that exists in the local industry -- Promote a sense of community within the industry http://www.gdaa.com.au/ Team Bondi Team Bondi is an independent developer producing titles for next-generation consoles.

Team Bondi was founded by Brendan McNamara, the former Director of Development for Sony Computer Entertainment’s Team Soho Studio in London and the writer and director of The Getaway, which has gone on to sell over 4 million units on the PlayStation 2 console. www.teambondi.com.

Women in Games International was founded in 2005 in response to a growing demand around the world for the inclusion and advancement of women in the game industry. Women in Games International is managed by a steering committee comprised of like-minded individuals, is supported by corporate and media sponsors, and directed by a global advisory board. For more details regarding Women in Games International, contact the WIGI PR Committee at press@womeningamesinternational.org, or contact PR Committee Chair Brooke Warner at bwarner@womeningamesinternational.

To learn more, please visit: www.womeningamesinternational.org.