News Release: 12/11/2024
Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, is special guest for 2025 GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo April 12 in Bemidji
(Bemidji, MN) (December 13, 2025) – The GigaZone Gaming Championship and TechXpo, a Paul Bunyan Communications event, has announced that Duncan Wardle, the former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, will be the special guest in 2025.
Duncan helped teams at Disney Parks, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, Imagineering and Animation to innovate, creating magical new storylines and amazing experiences for consumers around the globe. From sending Buzz Lightyear into space on a space shuttle, to creating an Olympic-sized swimming pool for Michael Phelps to swim down Main Street USA at Disneyland, to creating the Super Bowl halftime show for the new Millennium, Duncan has given life to some of the biggest ideas imaginable.
He is a multiple TEDx speaker and frequent contributor to Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes, and he teaches Innovation and Creativity Masterclasses at Yale and Harvard Universities. Duncan holds the American Citizen Award presented at the White House, an Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh University, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, presented by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.
“We are so excited to have Duncan Wardle as our special guest this year! His work at Disney touched so many different facets of technology from films to their theme parks to events. He is sure to inspire our guests with an engaging presentation,” said Chad Bullock, Paul Bunyan Communications incoming CEO/General Manager.
The 2025 GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo will be April 12 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. It is free to attend, free to game, and free to be an exhibitor. The doors will open at 10 a.m. As special guest, Wardle will present on the main stage at 2 p.m. He will also be a judge for the Greater Bemidji NorthStar Pitch Competition.
“The GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo is a one-of-a-kind event that is something truly special for our region and provides the chance to see up close and personal how local schools and businesses are incorporating the latest in technology into what they do. Duncan’s background is a great fit for the event. He will inspire many to consider a career in technology,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.
The mission of the GigaZone TechXpo is to spark excitement and create opportunities with technology by connecting students and job seekers with employers, educators and technology enthusiasts from across northern Minnesota. Schools and businesses can get in front of thousands of potential students, customers, and employees. There is no cost to be an exhibitor but space is limited and the exhibit must display the use of technology. Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2025 at www.gigazonetechxpo.com
The GigaZone Gaming Championship will feature free gaming on various console and arcade games, numerous tournaments, door prizes, and more. There is no cost to enter the tournaments or for any of the gaming. Tournament details will be posted on the GigaZone Gaming Discord, Twitch channel, and Facebook page as well as www.gigazonegaming.com
This Paul Bunyan Communications event includes the talents of many local partners, including NLFX, Accidently Cool Games, Northern Amusement, and the Sanford Center, as well as support from several regional and national partners.
Paul Bunyan Communications has one of the largest and fastest rural all-fiber optic networks in the United States, with over 6,000 square miles throughout most of Beltrami County and portions of Aitkin, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis Counties. The Cooperative provides GigaZone Internet with speeds up to 10 Gig, digital and high-definition television services, digital voice services, and Residential and Business IT services. It is also northern Minnesota’s certified Apple Service Center.
