Marshall's Annual E2 Conference takes place next week

USC Marshall will host a group of esteemed entertainment industry professionals as part of their 2013 E2: Evolution of Entertainment Conference, a day-long forum taking place on February 22. Hosted by the Marshall Business in Entertainment Association, this year's conference theme will be "Disruptors in Media and Entertainment".

BEA organizers said they decided on this theme because of the enormous effect that new media and technology is currently having on the industry's ecosystem.

The conference will aim to highlight the juxtaposition between traditional media perspectives and emerging media trends and it's effect on all sectors of entertainment.

Featured presenters at the conference will include leaders from Warner Bros., Hulu, Smoosh, Beachmint, and Sony Pictures.

Though the conference is organized by Marshall students, it is open to all USC students and the general public. It's expected that students from UCLA, Pepperdine and other universities and colleges will be in attendance as well.

The annual conference was started in 2008 with the purpose of creating an environment to engage with media and entertainment professionals about the most relevant issues facing the media/entertainment industry. 

"USC is very strong in entertainment and media, but we don't always connect across schools. This event provides a forum for USC students and industry professionals to come together and share ideas," said Ricky Tydus, second year MBA student and vice president of the BEA.

According to E2 organizer Megan Horner, the event is expected to draw approximately 300 participants, double the number in attendance last year. 

The conference is being sponsored by Warner Bros., The Institute for Communication Technology Management and Digital LA.

Student tickets are on sale for $40 and professional tickets for $85. Tickets can be purchased online here. 

To learn more about the E2 conference click here. 

Reach Staff Reporter Ashley Riegle here. Follow her on Twitter here.