KANSAS CITY, MO — March 30, 2011 — KansasFest, the 22nd annual convention dedicated to the Apple II computer, is now open for registration. Users, programmers, hobbyists, and retrocomputing enthusiasts are invited to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, from Tuesday, July 19, 2011, through Sunday, July 24, for six days and five nights of sessions, demos, announcements, contests, and camaraderie.

The week kicks off with keynote speaker Bob Bishop, co-founder of Apple’s R&D lab alongside Steve Wozniak and creator of many popular Apple II programs and articles. Several sessions and workshops are scheduled throughout the rest of the week, including but not limited to:

Ivan Drucker’s tutorial for putting your Apple II on a LAN

Build your own Apple II MP3 expansion card workshop with Vince Briel

A look at the Apple III’s technical aspects and modern accessories, by Mike Maginnis

A live-action text adventure, hosted by Ken Gagne

A behind-the-scenes look at the Open Apple podcast

podcast The latest on Apple’s iOS mobile devices by Rob Walch of the Today in iPhone podcast

A vendor fair that includes an exhibit hall for attendees to show off and play with new or unusual hardware and software

HackFest, an annual programming challenge open to coders of all skill levels

What the schedule can’t predict is the variety of surprises that are a hallmark of KansasFest. Recent years have seen the debut of a new, boxed Apple II game; the reclassification of Resource Central’s catalog; a “lunch and learn” session on Apple IIc disassembly; and many other announcements and demonstrations. Attendees are encouraged to share their knowledge by presenting their own hardware and software sessions, especially of the Apple II but also including Macintosh, Windows, Linux, iOS, and others.

Register before June 1 to guarantee a price of $365 for a double room or $435 for a single, which includes admission to all sessions as well as most meals. Official KansasFest shirts and Vince Briel’s MP3 workshop are extra and optional and must be ordered by May 31; registration for staying on-site closes July 10. Veterans of the event are invited to bring a first-time attendee; if each indicates the other’s name on the registration form, both will receive a $25 referral rebate at the event. To register, please visit the official Web site at http://kansasfest.org/

KansasFest sponsor 16 Sector invites any and all Apple II users, fans, and friends to attend the world’s only annual Apple II conference. For photos, schedules, presentations from past year’s events, and inquiries, please visit the event’s Web site.

CONTACT:

Email: http://kansasfest.org/contact/

Register: http://kansasfest.org/register/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kansasfest

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192182347486252