A flagship UK technology event will return to the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort in Newport this June with a ‘future focus’ and a new immersive and interactive format, it has been announced.
Billed as a festival of innovation, insight and inspiration, Digital 2015 will see the leading lights from the UK and world technology scene descend on Wales to showcase the latest digital thinking and innovations that are shaping tomorrow’s world.
With the recent Tech Nation report revealing South Wales as the fifth fastest growing digital economy in the UK, the event will cement Wales’ position as a key player on the domestic and international technology map and bring together a community of innovators, leaders and creators.
The two-day showcase on 8th and 9th June will focus on four distinct themes that run across both days: Digital Skills, Digital Entrepreneurs, Digital Innovation and Digital Showcase.
Wearables, IoT, cyber security, the collection and application of data and other digital, social and mobile trends are among those that will be showcased at the event, to bring to life the technology that’s changing the workplace and the world around us.
Digital 2015 will also focus on how technology is infiltrating and transforming vertical markets, including sport, media, entertainment, health and finance.
Taking place at the Celtic Manor, it will bring together more than 2000 selected delegates from all corners of the digital economy. Fringe events, keynote talks, panel debates, skills workshops and networking opportunities underpin the event, which will also unpack the extent to which technology is transcending boundaries and serving as an enabler across all sectors of industry.
Organisers will poll thousands of tech thought-leaders over the coming weeks before revealing the ‘Future Five’ at the event – five tech trends that are set to revolutionise how we live, work and play. Supported by the Welsh Government, the event will be cemented as a key date in the UK tech calendar for 2015.
Sir Terry Matthews, technology entrepreneur, chairman of Wesley Clover and Mitel and owner of the Celtic Manor, said: “Never before have so many revolutionary opportunities for digital innovation existed for businesses across all sectors of the economy. Digital 2015 will showcase these opportunities and bring together thousands of digital leaders, innovators, creators and decision-makers.
“There are currently 1.46 million people employed in UK technology companies, with the digital economy contributing £860bn to world GDP between 2007 and 2012. The scale of the industry is huge and technology is infiltrating, enabling and connecting industries like never before. Platforms like Digital 2015 are crucial to showcasing these opportunities, inspiring collaboration and sparking new ideas.”
Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Minister for Economy, said: “The ICT industry is a key sector of the economy with transformative growth potential. Recent research shows that digital start-ups in Wales grew by 87% between 2010 and 2013 which is far above the UK average. Clearly, Wales is punching above its weight on the world stage in terms of digital innovation, and I look forward to welcoming the key digital leaders and influencers from the national technology scene to Wales.”
More than 100 speakers are set to be revealed over the coming weeks and promise to be major players in the field of technology and innovation. Last year, the event saw speakers from global brands such as IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, Vodafone and Telefonica, plus indigenous organisations like WePredict, Hiut Denim and Alacrity take to the stage.
To highlight Wales’ standing as a leading digital nation and build on the four themes, this year organisers are profiling the ‘Digital Dozen’ – a string of technology businesses from in and around Wales which have been creating waves on the UK digital stage.
