| ORGANISERS have unveiled the full programme for the region’s biggest tech conference.
Dynamo announced in April that its annual conference would go ahead in a digital format this year because of the spread of COVID-19. Dynamo also confirmed the conference, titled Collaborating for Success and to be held on June 25, will be free to delegates. Keynote speakers will include Professor Nic Palmarini and Aaron Harris. Nic is the Director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), based at Newcastle University, as well as being a researcher, teacher, writer and TEDx speaker. Aaron was appointed CTO at Sage last year having spent two decades leading Software as a Service (SaaS) technology at Sage Intacct. He regularly contributes to the development of best practices for cloud computing, SaaS and accounting and finance technology standards. Andrew Besford, a Dynamo Vice Chair, said: “Our programme evidences how the North East Tech sector is playing a key role in COVID-19 recovery locally as many of our sessions will explore responses in the region. “These will include a panel session on responses from the health sector and society more generally, and another on how businesses can survive and thrive in an uncertain world. “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,’ ‘Innovating through lockdown,’ ‘Cybersecurity in the time of COVID-19’ and ‘The Future of Work.’ “It’s a packed programme of sessions and panel discussions and as it’s free and online, we’re expecting delegates to join us for sessions that will be of help or interest them without them having to commit to a full day,” said Andrew. “We felt it vital for the benefit of the regional tech sector that the conference went ahead – and so did our partners Sage, The Institute of Coding and Innovation SuperNetwork. Sharing information, best practice and common problems – COVID-19 related or not – has never been more important,” he added. Other breakout sessions, which are themed around Dynamo’s cluster work, will include: VR and Digital Entertainment; Fintech and ‘The Case against Cash’; Institute of Coding at Newcastle University; Apprentices; Inclusive Recruitment in Tech; Building Confidence in Automated Businesses; Collaborating with Competitors, and How to Win an AI Hackathon Without Using AI. Dr Mhairi Aitken from Newcastle University will help close the conference with her lighthearted Blame in on the Algorithm session, which she has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Networking has always been an important of the Dynamo conference, and this year’s will be no different with facilitated online networking sessions available. Virtual ‘Event Booths’ have been arranged for Dynamo Bytesize (Sole Trader) and Kilobyte (two-12 staff) members to showcase stories of their innovation and collaboration. Companies involved in the delivery of panel discussions or sessions include: Sage, Waterstons, NELEP, Newcastle University, University of Sunderland, Northumbria University, Teesside University, NHSBSA, DWP, CGI, Edward Reed Recruitment, Amazon Web Services, PNE Group, Jumping Rivers, Capita Consulting and WordNerds. The Dynamo conference annually attracts delegates from the region’s tech and IT companies, as well as representatives from local public sector organisations, professional services, colleges and universities. Dynamo North East is a business-led organisation with the core mission of ‘Growing the North East tech economy through collaboration, innovation, skills and noise.’ With more than 160 members, it is made up of IT organisations, large corporate employers in the region, consultants, technology hubs, education providers, local government and suppliers to the industry. To register for the 2020 conference or to find out more about the programme, go to https://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/events/ |
