The highly anticipated TechNExt Festival is preparing to generate a substantial buzz in the region, featuring an impressive lineup of tech innovators from various industries. From healthcare to food production, this year’s festival promises to be a compelling week-long event taking place from June 17 to 21 in Newcastle. Building upon the success of last year’s inaugural festival, the 2019 edition will include a mainstage conference, industry dinner, festival party, and a diverse range of fringe events.
The festival’s theme this year is “tech for purpose”, offering an impressive array of speakers. These include David Grey, CEO of dementia assistive tech firm GG Care; Atif Syed, founder of food packing robotics firm Wootzano; Avril Chester, Chief Technology Officer at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; Tracey Follows, CEO of Futuremade; prototyping expert Jude Pullen; Eleanor Harry, CEO of anti-child labour organisation HACE; and Patrícia Rodrigues, the sports optometrist leading the sports vision department at SC Braga in Portugal.
Additionally, the festival has launched a schools’ challenge, in partnership with regional schools, to inspire students about technology and showcase the opportunities technology offers them. Organisers have also promised a renewed focus on the Good Festival Ambition, which promotes sustainable, diverse, and inclusive event practices.
In line with the festival’s diversity, the wider programme includes a session on the UK’s immigration system in tech recruitment by law firm Ward Hadaway, an exploration of the Gen AI phenomenon with Accenture, and an ‘Esports 101’ event at the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland.
David Dunn, the CEO of Sunderland Software City and Dynamo, expressed his excitement for TechNExt 2024, describing it as a showcase of the best of the North East tech sector. He believes that the festival will continue to be a cornerstone for innovation and collaboration in the region.
Eleanor Harry, the CEO and founder of HACE, also shared her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the North’s growing influence in the technology ecosystem. She expressed her privilege in contributing to the disruption of technology boundaries by tackling significant social issues such as child labour.
Moreover, the Dynamites awards for the North East tech sector have been announced to take place at Newcastle Civic Centre on November 21. Now in their 11th year, the Dynamites are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the industry.
For more details, please visit www.dynamonortheast.co.uk.