Innovation in the post-COVID world high on the agenda for North East tech conference

The North East’s biggest tech conference is going ahead in a digital format tomorrow (June 25) and will be free to delegates.

Digital sector cluster, Dynamo, took the decision to move its annual conference online back in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year’s digital conference for the digital sector is called ‘Collaborating for Success’.

Keynote speakers include Nic Palmarini and Aaron Harris. Nic is the director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), based at Newcastle University.

Aaron was appointed chief technical officer at Sage last year having spent two decades developing SaaS technology at Sage Intacct.

One of the key focuses of the Dynamo conference will be SMEs within the region’s tech sector.

Dynamo chair, Charlie Hoult, explained: “Through the virtual expo area we will be showcasing some of our innovative SMEs who have products and services to offer to industry, academia and public sector bodies.

“The expo will give the hosts the opportunity to share pre-recorded content and interact live with visitors.

“The hosts can also share bespoke offers to visitors who will be able to click a ‘Register Interest’ button to prompt a further connection. Our Expo Booths will be available to visitors throughout the day.”

Companies already signed up to host booths include education software developers, globalbridge, data science experts, Geek Talent, and Baltic Training and Marketai.

Innovation will also be a key focus of the conference, with breakout sessions and panels exploring how the region is at the forefront of development in several tech fields.

These will include sessions on VR, Digital Entertainment and ‘Innovating through lockdown,’ with speakers including CTRL Hub and Opti Me.

Charlie added: “As you’d expect, we’ll also be looking at the challenges and opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

“We’ll be highlighting how the regional tech sector is playing a key role in COVID-19 recovery and many of our sessions will explore responses in the region.”

A ‘Future of Education Tech’ panel discussion will focus on the repercussions of the pandemic, while new Dynamo members CGI will host a session on Embracing a post-COVID-19 World.

There will also be breakout sessions on ‘How to move your operations to working from home,’ ‘Cybersecurity in the time of COVID-19’ and ‘The Future of Work.’

The Dynamo conference attracts delegates from the region’s tech and IT companies, as well as representatives from local public sector organisations, professional services, colleges and universities. Almost 500 delegates have signed up for this year’s conference.