X|Media|Lab (XML), an international digital media event targeting to get ideas to market through creative development, business matching, and access to industry professionals, is starting its 2008 run from May 8-10, 2008 in Suzhou, China. Labs in Wellington, Seoul, Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, Mumbai, and an inaugural session in the Middle East will follow in the year. XML’s keynote conference features digital media practitioners speaking on each Lab’s chosen theme. The Suzhou Lab will focus on the ‘Wealth of Animation’, and the keynote conference day on May 8 will explore four areas including animation industry development, international business opportunities, quality assurance and management, as well as technologies and skills. XML’s Lab segment allows participants to work with chosen mentors on their own digital media project ideas and explore partnerships and business opportunities with other participants. Mentors at the Suzhou Lab Business Matching Forum from May 9-10 will include Raman Hui, director of animation feature Shrek the Third; Michael B. Johnson, head of the Moving Pictures Group at Pixar Studios; Suresh Seetharaman, founder and president of Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation; and Masakazu Kubo, the marketing specialist behind Pokemon.