Amid Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas, organizers of two major technology conferences in the area -- NetApp Insight and Continuum Navigate -- have reached out to attendees and emphasized their concern for employee, partner and customer safety. Las Vegas Police, meanwhile, are calling on those in the area to donate blood.
NetApp's conference is at the Mandalay Bay, where a police investigation into Sunday's shootings continues. Continuum's conference is about 1.2 miles down the road at the Cosmopolitan.
NetApp and Continuum Conference Updates
Updated 11:00 a.m. ET, Oct 3: The NetApp and Continuum conferences are proceeding today (Tuesday), though both events have adjusted their tones to reflect the challenging times following Sunday's mass shooting.
Updated 3:18 p.m. ET, Oct. 2: NetApp CEO George Kurian published this letter to conference registrants. Monday sessions along with Monday and Wednesday evening celebrations are canceled. Conference keynote will proceed Tuesday, Oct. 3
Updated 2:20 p.m. ET, Oct 2: Kurian emailed employees sometime after the shooting, assuring them that team members were safe, according to KSN.com.
Updated 1:00 p.m. ET, Oct 2: NetApp has canceled all Monday conference activities and sessions, according to the company's Twitter handle (@NetApp). Attendees should monitor that Twitter handle for potential updates ahead of Tuesday's scheduled sessions.
Meanwhile, Continuum CEO Michael George issued this statement:
“We were incredibly saddened by the horrific event that took place in Las Vegas on Sunday night, and our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy. At this time, we can confirm that all Continuum team members present in Las Vegas for our Navigate user conference are safe and unharmed, and we are not aware of any of our partners being present at the concert or harmed in any way.
Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our team and our partner community, and we are working closely today to ensure that they have the help and support they need. We understand that some of our attending partners may wish to change their plans, and want to assure them that they should not feel obligated to attend in light of Sunday’s events. If they do wish to change or cancel their plans at Navigate, they can contact Mary Crogan at [email protected].”
How You Can Help: Las Vegas Blood Donations
Updated 10:35 a.m. ET Oct. 2: If you're in the Las Vegas area police have asked for blood donations at these locations:
"Anyone wishing to help is asked to donate blood for the injured victims of the Strip shooting. United Blood Services will start taking donations at 7 a.m. at two locations: 6930 W. Charleston in Las Vegas or 601 Whitney Ranch Drive in Henderson. UMC will also be hosting a blood drive in conjunction with United Blood Services. It will be held at UMC’s Delta Point Building located at 901 N. Rancho Lane. There will be updates as to the exact time of the blood drive as more information is available."
Updated 10:00 a.m. ET Oct. 2: All members of the Continuum team have been confirmed safe, according to a company spokesperson. The company is expected to make an official statement later today.
Updated 7:00 a.m. ET Oct. 2: NetApp's twitter handle offered this update as of Monday, Oct. 2, around 7 a.m. ET:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Las Vegas and its people amidst this unfolding tragedy. (1/2)
"Our safety and security teams will continue to provide information to our event attendees. (2/2)"
Las Vegas Mass Shooting: What Happened
According to reports, a gunman on Sunday evening opened fire from the Mandalay's Bay 32nd floor, killing at least 58 people and injuring at least 515 people who were attending an outdoor concert nearby. The killer committed suicide before police stormed the room, according to reports.
According to CNN:
"The gunman in the mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip has been identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Monday morning. Lombardo also said authorities believe they have found the woman who was traveling with the suspect."
CNN has the latest updates here.
ChannelE2E is scheduled to arrive at Continuum Navigate sometime Monday evening. We will continue to update this blog as more facts and show updates are confirmed.
