The Linux Foundation has announced the keynote speakers for its LinuxCon North America 2011 conference taking place from 17 to 19 August 2011 at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver, Canada. Discussing 20 years of Linux and looking at its future, Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst and HP CTO Phil McKinney, who will talk about his company's Linux-based WebOS mobile operating system, are among the confirmed keynote speakers for the annual event.

Other confirmed speakers include Mark Charlebois, Director of Open Source Strategy at Qualcomm Innovation Center, who will talk about the role of Linux in mobile development, Eucalyptus Systems CEO and former MySQL CEO Marten Mickos, Ubuntu’s Technical Architect Allison Randal, as well as New York University Professor and award-wining author Clay Shirky. The conference organisers also remind attendees that the deadline for the 2011 Call for Participation (CFP) is 22 April.

A LinuxCon Gala will take place on 17 August at the event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Linux operating system. Its theme will be the "Roaring 20s" and it will include a live band, casino, full dinner and an open bar. A number of "key personalities" will also reportedly be in attendance to represent Linux' past, present and future. Tuxedos, which the Foundation refers to as "Penguin suits", and "flapper" dresses will be available to rent onsite.

Those interested in attending the conference are asked to register as soon as possible. Standard registration costs $500 through to 8 July. Late registration is $600 and student registration with a valid student ID is $100. A list of LinuxCon NA 2011 attendees is provided on the Foundation's Events web site.

The Linux Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the task of promoting the growth of Linux. Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, is sponsored by the foundation.

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(crve)