First Metaverse tech event coming to Myrtle Beach, SC this week. What you need to know.

Betsy Schlehuber
·3 min read

With Myrtle Beach’s rapid growth, the Grand Strand Web3 Guild is aiming to educate current and incoming residents about new technology, and how such technology can streamline business and grow the local economy.

Jennifer Hotai, co-founder of Grand Strand Web3 Guild, is helping to organize an event called FAST Fest, which will intersect the arts and technology to foster growth in entrepreneurship and the technology community. FAST stands for Fashion, Art, Science and Technology, and the festival will be held on Sept. 2 in Market Common.

But, as a preview for the festival, a FAST Fest Press Night is set for June 6 at the HTC Aspire Hub at 5 p.m. Aside from serving as an introduction to the activities of FAST Fest, some speakers — including a technology CEO who will join virtually from the Metaverse. This will be the first time an event will take place in the Metaverse and in Myrtle Beach at the same time.

What is the Metaverse? Here are some terms most commonly used

Metaverse: In Hotai’s simplest terms, “it’s a 3D way to explore the internet.” Users of the Metaverse can interact with others in virtual worlds for business or entertainment purposes. Users have their own avatar that can move through these spaces.

Blockchain: A way to track the history of a process or activity. Hotai says a blockchain cannot be altered, so it serves as a more accurate record. Blockchains are one of many technologies in the Metaverse.

Artificial intelligence: Abbreviated as A.I, this piece of technology is most commonly used as a chatbot, like ChatGPT or Open AI, which will automatically generate information or conversation as an effort to problem-solve. Hotai said A.I. will be a major point of discussion at the press night.

IoT: or “internet of things,” is the network of physical objects such as refrigerators that are connected to the Internet to exchange data with other objects, according to Oracle. This is most commonly seen between laptops and cell phones where both items use a “cloud” to share files and images.

Hotai compared the potential of the technology scene in Myrtle Beach to other tourist destinations, such as Orlando and Miami, who have already started using the Metaverse in their attractions and as part of their larger cities to offer more to visitors, as well as residents.

Here are some ways Myrtle Beach could use “immersive technology” in the city

  • A.I. could run conversations with customers on a business’s website to offer help and facts

  • Blockchain could ensure patient history at a hospital or doctor’s office is accurate to prevent misdiagnosis

  • Interacting with local businesses with a digital wallet could give users access to discounts or special items from those businesses.

  • Paying bills and utilities could more streamlined in the Metaverse due to transparent records

Whether immersive technology targets visitors or residents, Hotai said the overall goal is to let the town know that this technology world exists, and it can bring entrepreneurial collaboration and economic growth to an already-growing city.

“It’s going to allow the city to hyperscale and bring in some very large IoT companies here and other tech companies to do business, and that will, in turn, bring a lot more of the higher-end jobs,” Hotai said. “And, therefore, grow the industry for something that allows for these kinds of larger concepts to flourish.”

To RSVP to the FAST Fest Press Night, click here. Spots are capped at 120 people, and the event is free.