Very important and serious issues are discussed at the iSummit, from the future of the Internet to the death of email. But we also have a kicking party every year, and the 2008 Summit in Sapporo will be no different. The social aspect of the Summit is a great way for people to get to know each other and build on the friendships and projects that have become the hallmark of the event.

The social programme kicks off on the evening of 29 July, with a participants dinner at the Okurayama Ski Jump, hosted by the City of Sapporo. First built in 1931 by Baron Kishichiro Okura, the jump was upgraded in 1972 when Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics. Since then, the jump has been adapted so that it can be used in winter and summer, and has become a popular venue for locals and tourists alike, and offers a spectacular view of the city of Sapporo.

On 30 July, iSummit delegates are invited to the Mayor's Reception, hosted by the Mayor of Sapporo, at the Sapporo Park Hotel. At this event, we'll be able to sample the winning sushi from the Sushi Remix competition, and various awards will be presented by Mayor Fumio Ueda. Following the reception, our friends at Digital Garage have organised a concert for us at Xanadu, a popular local music venue. More information will follow here regarding the line-up of musicians for the evening, but this promises to be an exceptionally cool event.

The evening of 31July is a free evening, so it's up to you to take a relaxed walk around town, do some late-night shopping, or even better, experience the 54th Sapporo Summer Festival's open air beer garden at Odori Park.

In true iSummit style, we'll be ending the event by celebrating Japan's rich and vibrant culture, which is one of the reasons it was selected for the iSummit. Delegates will enjoy a picnic in the famous Moerenuma Park, site of some exquisite sculpture and landscaping. Designed by renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi 17 years ago, and opened in 2005, the park's name is derived from the word "moire petsu" which, in the Ainu language means "a slowly flowing river". The entire area of the park is 1,888,000 m² including the Moere Marsh and is home to over 120 pieces of playground equipment and about 3,000 cherry trees.

Drinks and snacks will be served at the closing event to conclude the action-packed three day iSummit event.

Pics: The view from Okurayama Ski Jump by hfordsa on flickr.com, CC BY SA 2.0 and Moerenuma Park by Makou0629 on flickr.com, CC BY 2.0