Category Archives: Events

Events, Leisure, Lifestyle & Travel, North of England

So you think you know Blackpool? Think again

Hannah Mooney, Sales Manager at Hampton by Hilton Blackpool says that there is more to Blackpool than people think as the town becomes increasingly recognised as a top events destination

As the Sales Manager of the Hampton by Hilton in Blackpool, partners of MeetBlackpool, the town’s conference and exhibition arm, I am thrilled to celebrate our 5-year anniversary in 2023. This milestone gives us an opportunity to showcase the transformation taking place in Blackpool and its emergence as a top conference destination. I am keen to delve into the lesser-known aspects of Blackpool, the investments fuelling its growth, and how our hotel’s expansion has contributed to the local economy while prioritising sustainability.

 

Unveiling the corporate side of Blackpool

A cultural shift has taken place in Blackpool, often associated with leisure and entertainment,  which now focuses on the town’s impressive corporate events offering. With its striking coastline, excellent transport links, and a range of modern conference facilities, Blackpool offers a unique setting that combines business with pleasure. Corporate event managers will be pleasantly surprised by the diversity of venues, from historic theatres to state-of-the-art conference centres, which can cater to a variety of needs and budgets.

 

Investment in Blackpool’s future

Blackpool’s new perception as a business events destination is fuelled by significant investments across various sectors. The town’s local government, along with private investors, has been dedicated to rejuvenating Blackpool’s infrastructure, public spaces, and iconic landmarks. These improvements ensure a seamless experience for corporate guests, creating an environment that is both visually appealing and conducive to successful business interactions.

 

Hampton by Hilton’s role in economic growth

The extension of our Hampton by Hilton hotel will play a role in Blackpool’s economic growth. We are proud to have created additional jobs within the local community, as our recruitment strategy focuses on hiring talent from within the area. By providing employment opportunities to the residents of Blackpool, we contribute to the overall prosperity of the town and strengthen the sense of community.

On top of this, and crucially as the town expands its event offering, the extra bedspace we now offer has increased the appeal for corporate event managers and agencies alike.

 

Sustainability: our commitment to a greener future

At Hampton by Hilton Blackpool, we understand the importance of sustainable practices and their impact on the environment. Our hotel has implemented various measures to minimise our ecological footprint while ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of our corporate guests. From energy-efficient lighting and water conservation initiatives to waste reduction and recycling programs, we strive to be a responsible steward of the environment.

 

Collaboration and networking opportunities

Blackpool’s growth as a conference destination also offers ample opportunities for collaboration and networking. The town hosts a range of industry-specific events and trade shows, attracting professionals from various sectors. Corporate event managers can leverage these occasions to forge new partnerships, gain insights from industry experts, and establish their organisations as industry leaders.

 

Blackpool is no longer seen solely as a leisure-oriented destination; it has emerged as a hidden gem for corporate events. With investments driving its transformation, Blackpool offers a unique blend of business opportunities and stunning coastal scenery. Corporate event managers can now explore the potential of Blackpool and its vibrant conference scene, making it a top choice for their next successful event.

Events, Newport, News

The power of events knows no boundaries: New report from ICC Wales explores the value of face-to-face meetings

ICC Wales has today launched its report into the positive and lasting impact of the events industry on a global scale. The report, called ‘Event Power: A Force for Good,’ looks beyond the traditional measures of event impact – economic value, job creation, increased destination profiling – and focuses on the far-reaching benefits that events bring to communities and supply chains, as well as on matters such as sustainability and future-building.

The report, which is launched today (Thursday 29th June) at The Meetings Show 2023 at ExCel London, demonstrates how events:

  • Support a destination’s visitor economy through delegate spend, tourism levies and subvention;
  • Boost trade and inward investment by showcasing sector strengths, promoting the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and boosting the value of regional powerhouses;
  • Impact on communities through job creation and championing local suppliers, as well as opening up educational opportunities, enhancing civic pride and leaving long-lasting legacies;
  • Embrace the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by minimising environmental footprint and proactively marketing a destination’s sustainable travel options;
  • Provide a platform for delegates to engage and network, fostering meaningful connections and promoting a culture of knowledge sharing;
  • Offer destinations a stage to market to new audiences, raising cultural awareness and creating future tourism and trade opportunities.

Exploring all these attributes, ‘Event Power: A Force for Good’ shows that events bring immeasurable benefits to people and places, and ultimately have the power to change lives and make a real difference to our world.

The report features forewords from Rt. Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, and Chris Skeith OBE, Chair of UK Events, as well as expert industry contributions from The Business of Events, the Association of Event Venues, the Meetings Industry Association, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, and the BestCities Global Alliance.

‘Event Power: A Force for Good’ is launched on the on the Meetings Industry Association (mia) pavilion at 11:00am on 29th June, when Danielle Bounds, Sales Director, ICC Wales, will share key findings from the report during a presentation.

 

Danielle Bounds said: “The power of events is limitless, and the industry’s impressive post-pandemic recovery proves that events do really make a difference in people’s lives. Not only do they bring to life connection and collaboration, but they act as a catalyst for the innovation, creativity and action that are so essential to our ever-changing societies.

“It’s easy to see how our purpose-built conference centre has benefited our local area. It’s construction alone resulted in 250-300 jobs across 22 South Wales firms, equating to contracts worth £22 million, and since opening its doors in 2019, the venue has confirmed events worth £161m to the visitor economy up until 2028. But it’s not enough to look at obvious measures of success. This is why our latest report looks beyond the key benefits of events to explore the additional or ‘unsung’ aspects of impact that events have on local, national, and global communities.

“Our report aligns with ICC Wales’s goals as a venue to design events with an environmental impact as though it never existed, but a societal impact which resonates and motivates way beyond its conclusion. The report also demonstrates how the events sector aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Events help create a legacy for destinations, civilisations, and institutions, and while it may be our vocation or passion as event professionals, it is ultimately our responsibility as a venue to champion our sector and increase awareness to the audiences outside of our industry.”

 

‘Event Power – A Force for Good’ is available to read here.

 

Events, News

Sayer Vincent to address key financial issues for charity finance professionals in Autumn webinar series

– September to December 2023 –

Finance professionals wanting to keep on top of the latest issues in charity finance are encouraged to sign-up for the next series webinars from Sayer Vincent starting in September.

The programme starts with tan Introduction to SORP on 8th September; Restricted funds on 15th September; Gift aid made simple on 22nd September and Trustee responsibilities on 13th October.

These will be followed by sessions on Reserve Policies; Financial governance and Preparing for your audit.

There is also a Tax update session on 1st December providing insight and clarity on key tax related changes and developments for the charity sector.

These informative and interactive online sessions give attendees practical advice and knowledge to use in their roles. They include a slide presentation from an expert speaker, an interactive questions and answer session and handouts will also be shared after the presentation.  For those that can’t attend the live event each webinar is available on demand.

With the cost-of-living crisis showing no signs of abating and reports that the fundraising income from the top 25 charity events fell by over £5m last year[i], these sessions will support charity finance leaders through the coming months.

Jonathan Orchard, Partner at Sayer Vincent said, “Charities of all sizes are finding it tough right now, and with the cost of living likely to be impacting people’s pockets for the foreseeable future many will continue seeing a reduction in fundraising income.  At the same time, charities see their own costs rising and greater demand and pressure on services. We can’t influence the economic environment; however, we can give charity professionals tools and advice to navigate the challenges ahead and to manage their finances and processes more efficiently. Our extensive range of free resources can boost the finance team’s learning and are an extremely valuable tool.

“Our free webinar series gives clients and non-clients access to more than 50 hours of expert knowledge, tips, and guidance through the year. We encourage finance people to be proactive and sign up, especially those who are in the early years of their financial charity career and who could benefit from our 40 years of experience.”

Feedback from one attendee at a recent webinar said: “Excellent presentation. Thank you all at Sayer Vincent for doing these and for giving practical advice to the charity sector at a time when it is under such pressure.”

Each webinar usually lasts for one hour and take place between 9.30m and 10.30am. To see the full list of webinars and sign-up visit: www.sayervincent.co.uk/events.

[i] https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/fundraising-income-from-top-25-charity-events-fell-by-over-5m-last-year.html#sthash.qzCO3NWk.dpuf

Cybersecurity, Events, News, Pensions

Industry Experts Offer Advice on Cyber Threats and Imminent Pension Crisis

Free business seminar focusing on the UK and global economies

A TEAM of industry experts is coming together to provide an overview of the UK economy with speakers discussing recent cyber security breaches, impending pension threats and the performance of global investment markets.

Quantum Advisory is hosting the Breakfast Seminar on Thursday, 13 July at the Celtic Manor Twenty Ten Clubhouse and will have specialist speakers breaking down recent economic episodes and forecasting what could be coming next.

Chris Heirene, Partner and Head of Information Security at Quantum Advisory, will review a recent cyber security breach as a case study for incident management and provide simple steps all organisations can undertake to create a cyber security framework to minimise the chance of a breach occurring.

Paul Francis, Principal Investment Consultant at Quantum Advisory, will focus on how investment markets and UK and global economies have been performing and provide an insight into what could happen over the short to medium term.

Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at Quantum Advisory, will conclude the event by advising on the potential pension crisis that could arise due to an ageing population, the decline in defined benefit pension schemes and inadequate defined contribution pension savings. Stuart will explore ways this could be averted.

The event is free to attend for all professionals including those in finance, HR and pensions as well as individuals with an interest in the featured topics. Registration and pre-networking starts at 8am, with the seminar covering 8.30am to 9.45am, followed by refreshments and networking. To book your complimentary space email events@qallp.co.uk.

For more information about Quantum Advisory please visit quantumadvisory.co.uk.

 

Image (L-R): Paul Francis, Chris Heirene and Stuart Price

Business, Business Advice, Events

Popular Female Motivational Speakers

Are you looking to add an extra spark to your upcoming corporate event? Booking a female motivational speaker can be the perfect way to inspire and motivate your audience—but are you familiar with where, who, and how to book one?

With the right considerations in mind, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In this blog post, we will provide 5 perfect female motivational speakers you can book for your corporate event. They know how to provide expert advice from hiring professionals, and insider insight into what makes great motivational speakers.

So, if you consider bringing on a female spokesperson for your next meeting or conference, read ahead!

 

Who are female motivational speakers?

The world of motivational speaking is constantly evolving, and in recent years, female motivational speakers have taken the reins in inspiring and empowering audiences worldwide on entrepreneurship. These women come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but what unites them is their passion for helping individuals and organizations unleash their potential.

Whether breaking down gender and racial barriers, or overcoming personal and professional hurdles, female motivational speakers bring a unique perspective that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. With their powerful messages and unwavering determination to create positive change, these women are transforming the industry, work-life balance and inspiring future generations of young women to speak up and chase their dreams.

 

Top 7 Inspirational female speakers You Need to Book

Felicity Aston MBE

Award winning Scientist, Explorer, Best-selling author of Alone in Antarctica and Call of the White. Felicity Aston MBE (pictured above) is the first woman to ski across Antarctica alone. She has led multiple expeditions to the North Pole and is a fellow of The Royal Geographical Society in London and The Explorers club in New York.  Felicity is a patron, trustee and ambassador for numerous charities, and organizations.

When not away on expeditions, Felicity divides her time between UK and Iceland. She is often asked to deliver keynote speeches on High Performance teamwork, resilience, Leadership and Diversity.  Praised by HM King Charles III as “…truly, remarkable…” Felicity continues to inspire the young generation of female scientists and explorers.

 

Natalie Nixon PhD

Natalie Nixon is an award winning and globally recognised thought leader in Creativity. Author of the best-selling Creativity Leap and CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, a consultancy that works closely with some of the world’s largest companies to help them to achieve outstanding ROI through applying creativity. Natalie is a multiple time TED fellow, a cultural anthropologist and has lived and worked in 5 countries. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

 

Amy Tez

As a high performer, there is always room for success in influence and persuasion. This is where Amy Tez comes in. With her internationally recognized communications specialist and political consultant expertise, she has worked with private clients, politicians, and FT50 companies to help them achieve even greater heights.

Her impressive list of clients attests to her ability to take those already at the top of their game and help them reach their full potential. With over 1000 CEOs, C-suite executives, Hollywood film directors, her unique strength is her ability to help individuals find their most powerful creative voice. With Amy’s guidance, you will craft a powerful message and speak it with conviction and passion, even under pressure.

 

Cassie Kozyrkov

As Chief Decision Scientist at Google Cloud, Cassie Kozyrkov is a leading expert in decision-making and artificial intelligence strategy. With a mathematical statistics, economics, psychology, and neuroscience background, Cassie has blended her diverse skills to create innovative approaches to building data-driven organizations.

She has personally trained over 22,000 Googlers, sharing her insights on the decision process and demonstrating the value of implementation. Her expertise has been invaluable in shaping Google’s AI strategy, making her a true pioneer in Decision Intelligence.

 

Hannah Fry

Dr. Hannah Fry should be at the top of your list when booking female motivational speakers. As a professor in the Mathematics of Cities at UCL, Hannah’s expertise in studying patterns of human behavior can be applied to a wide range of social issues. Her ability to engage audiences is unparalleled with her experience as a best-selling author, award-winning science presenter, and host of various popular podcasts and television shows.

Hannah’s book, “Hello World – How to be human in the age of the Machine,” was shortlisted for several prestigious awards. And with her regular contributions to the New Yorker, you can trust that her insights are always on the cutting edge. Dr. Hannah Fry is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a professional and highly knowledgeable female motivational speaker.

 

Dr. Reena Kotecha

Dr. Reena Kotecha is a highly respected motivational speaker with a background in medicine and neuroscience. Her years of experience as a hospital doctor in the UK have given her a unique perspective on mental health and wellbeing, which she shares with audiences worldwide.

As a certified teacher of mindfulness and emotional intelligence training, Reena deeply understands what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced and demanding world. Industry leaders and conference organizers frequently seek her engaging and informative keynotes, and she is always happy to share her insights with others looking to achieve their full potential. Whether you’re looking to overcome stress, find your purpose in life, or simply improve your overall well-being, Dr. Reena Kotecha is a speaker you won’t want to miss.

 

Megan Rossi

Dr. Megan Rossi is a professional female motivational speaker who has made it her mission to educate people about the importance of gut health. As an expert in the field, she has authored two highly acclaimed books, ‘Eat Yourself Healthy’ and ‘Eat More, Live Well.’ They have been recognized as Sunday Times bestsellers.

Her books have reached a global audience, inspiring countless people to take control of their health and happiness by caring for their gut. In addition to her written work, Megan founded The Gut Health Clinic in London, where she offers virtual appointments on self-care to patients worldwide. With her wealth of knowledge and passion for the subject, Megan is one of the best female motivational speakers to book for your next event.

 

Why should you book women motivational speakers for your event?

As society progresses towards gender equality, more women in business take on leadership roles in various industries. Booking a female motivational speaker for your empowerment event is not only a gender-inclusive move but also provides a unique perspective and relatability for your attendees.  These speakers are also experts in breaking down complex topics into easily digestible concepts for audience members of all backgrounds and ages.

Women motivational speakers can share their personal stories of overcoming adversity and achieving success, inspiring and empowering a diverse group of individuals. By booking a woman as your keynote speaker, you’re promoting diversity and inclusion and amplifying the voices of women.

Overall, booking inspirational female speakers is a great way to motivate and empower women in the workplace. With the right speaker, you can create an unforgettable event that will leave a lasting impact on your audience. Every speaker is featured with a comprehensive profile that showcases their accomplishments, career highlights, and why they are the ideal choice for your event. So, start now!

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Image Credit: Felicity Aston by Eugene Kaspersky | Flickr shared under CC 2.0

Events, Healthcare, Newport, News

ICC Wales to host Royal College of Nursing Congress 2024

Newport-based venue becomes the first in Wales to host the event

ICC Wales, Newport’s state-of-the-art convention centre, has been confirmed as the first Welsh venue to host the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Congress in its current format, which will take place in June 2024.

The five-day event, which is expected to welcome more than 2,000 delegates, is set to boost the local economy by £5.8m, with attendees from all parts of the UK seeking accommodation in hotels across Newport and Cardiff.

The Congress will take exclusive use of ICC Wales with its sister venue at Celtic Manor Resort supporting by providing accommodation, meeting spaces for fringe events and by hosting the event’s main dinner.

The RCN Congress is the ultimate opportunity for nurses to network with peers, hear from exceptional keynote speakers and take part in hot-topic debates about the issues affecting the nursing workforce.

The announcement that the 2024 event will take place at ICC Wales from June 2-6 strengthens Wales’s status as a destination for healthcare meetings and business events in general, with the RCN previously holding its Congress in major UK cities including Brighton, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Belfast.

Commenting on the announcement, ICC Wales Chief Executive Ian Edwards said: “We’re excited to be the first Welsh venue to host the Royal College of Nursing Congress next spring. This event is one of the largest and most important association conferences in the UK and it was right at the top of our target list when we launched the ICC Wales venue in 2019.

“Bringing it here so quickly, when you consider the closures caused by Covid, is a fantastic endorsement of the exceptional and expansive facilities we have at ICC Wales, and the trust that event organisers place in our dedicated team.

“The economic impact calculations also underline the benefits that these big conferences bring to the visitor economy in Wales with the event’s accommodation requirements being met by not just our venues within the Celtic Collection, but also by hotels across the cities of Newport and Cardiff.”

Helen Whyley, Director, RCN Wales, said: “As the Director of the RCN here in Wales, I am delighted that we will be hosting RCN Congress at the ICC, in Newport, in 2024. RCN members from across the UK will be welcomed to Wales with open arms, to network, share knowledge and participate in the UK’s largest nursing event.”

The RCN Congress is the latest in a series of large-scale healthcare events due to take place at ICC Wales in the coming year, including The British Renal Society’s UK Kidney Week and the British Elbow & Shoulder Society annual meeting in June, The British Society of Echocardiography’s conference in October; The UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) and the British Society of Interventional Radiology annual meetings, which will both take place in November.

The venue has also confirmed medical events for 2024 including the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland’s annual meeting in March, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Spring Conference in April, and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland’s (ACPGBI) annual meeting in June and July.

Events, News, North Wales

Exciting Weekend for Aber Falls Visitor Centre, with Sunday Market and a new Limited Edition Whisky Release on Monday

As the warm weather promises a pleasant bank holiday, North Wales Distillery and Visitor Centre, Aber Falls, is set to make it even better with two new reasons to visit this weekend.

Sunday 28 May – Aber Falls Distillery Market

On Sunday 28th May, the popular Aber Falls Market returns.  As well as produce from the distillery, the markets will offer a range of treats from local businesses across North Wales, including popular favourites  Kirsty Williams Ceramics, Eryi Candles and Dave Swinburn – you’ll find something for everyone.

  • What: Aber Falls Markets
  • When: 10am- 4pm Sunday 28th May
  • Where: Aber Falls Distillery, Station Road, Abergynegregyn, Llanfairfechan, LL33 0LB.

Vendors include:

  • Kirsty Williams Ceramics
  • Lucy Bowman Jewellery
  • The Crafty Guillemot
  • Sarah’s Gardens
  • Eryi Candles
  • Jeffrey Stars
  • Dave Swinburn
  • Just Moo
  • Battle Green

Monday 29 May – New Limited Edition Whisky Release – Just 635 bottles

The Limited Edition releases from Aber Falls are always a massive hit at the Visitor Centre – so when they release their brand-new sauterne Distiller’s Cut whisky, with just 635 bottles available at its Visitor Centre from Monday 29th May, don’t be surprised if it sells out fast.

Made from just one single sauternes cask, this Single Malt is very distinctive and light amber in colour. The exclusive Distiller’s Cut delivers sweet grape, soft toffee, syrup, and creamy berries on the palate, alongside hints of nut and rich oak.

With long and lingering sweet fruit notes, this limited-edition whisky is an expression of some of the characteristics that contributes to Aber Falls’ Single Malt Whisky.

Dr Kirstie McCallum, Master Blender at Aber Falls Distillery, said:

“This is the first Distiller’s Cut released in 2023, and we’re very excited for consumers to experience this unique liquid. Thanks to being a Welsh distillery, we are truly able to experiment with flavours.”

Aber Falls whiskies are distilled and matured in North Wales, between the foothills of the Snowdonia mountains and the Menai straits. They are crafted using 100% Welsh malted barley and rock-filtered water taken from the Aber Falls Waterfall and are crafted by a team of local people.

The Aber Falls Distiller’s Cut Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 47% ABV and available to purchase from Monday 29th May at the Aber Falls Visitor Centre at an RRP of £75.

 

AV, AV tech, Events, News

AT Communications Sets Sights On Touring With The First 4K Panasonic UE160 PTZ Cameras In The UK

Groundbreaking Panasonic PTZ delivers stunning images in challenging lighting conditions and dramatically reduces moiré effect when shooting against LED walls.

 One of UK’s leading AV hire companies, AT Communications (ATC), is the first in the UK to stock Panasonic’s latest generation 4K AW-UE160 PTZ cameras with ambitions to expand its position in the music festival and touring sector. As soon as the company saw a demonstration they recognised immediately that this was the rental and staging camera that would help them achieve their ambitions.

“The moment we saw the UE160 in action, we knew it was a game changer,” said James Speer, Rental Manager at ATC. “What really caught our eye was the moiré filter, the quality of picture and the interfaces. We were looking at the next generation PTZ camera.”

ATC is a specialist in the corporate and events markets and has its sights sets on expanding further into the touring and festival space from its Midlands and London bases. The company can provide a full service from design to show with the largest revenues coming from its LED wall hire.

“We wanted new PTZ cameras that would work effectively with the LED walls and when Panasonic offered us a demonstration, we were keen to see what the latest generation could offer,” explained James. “This latest Panasonic UE160 PTZ camera is on another level. We were proud to have been the first in the UK to have them and they went straight out on tour. It’s still early days but the client reviews are that this is the next chapter in PTZ cameras.”

The UE160 4K PTZ camera features a newly developed 4K 1” MOS sensor that offers the highest sensitivity of Panasonic’s entire PTZ line-up. Production teams shooting at venues can easily capture clear images even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Meanwhile, the UE160’s new optical low pass filter reduces the effect of moiré for clearer picture quality when shooting against an LED wall, which is especially important for touring, festival and events. Its high-speed frame rate will help broadcasters capture slow motion shots in HD, while seamless integration with the robotic camera system brings live broadcast-style movements to the PTZ, resulting in a dynamic and highly engaging video production.

Along with the outstanding high sensitivity of F14 / 2,000 LX and its High-Bandwidth NDI capability, the UE160 is also the first ever compact PTZ camera to support SMPTE ST2110, an IP transmission standard for the broadcasting industry, and wireless transmission with a 5G mobile router (via USB tethering). It supports return input and a rear tally lamp that can also be lit in yellow, which are essential for combined operation with system cameras. In addition, it is equipped with a cropping zoom function that can output multiple angle video with a single camera and 2x high-speed output (HD) from SDI/HDMI.

For the full customer story visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/case-studies/AT-communications-first-4k-ue160-ptz-cameras-uk

Events, Tech, Tech Events, Technology

Outer space, smart cities, economics and immortality: Dublin Tech Summit unveils future forward lineup

Panels and speeches on futurism, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, social media and more set to take place at Ireland’s largest tech conference

Dublin Tech Summit (DTS) has, today, revealed details of some of the futuristic talks, panels and interviews happening across multiple stages at this year’s event. These include out-of-this-world keynote speeches from Africa’s first astronaut, Sara Sabri, and José Luis

Cordeiro, Director of The Millennium Project, on how technology can hold the key to immortality.

Dublin Tech Summit, which is now in its 7th year, takes place at the RDS in Dublin on May 31 and June 1, 2023.

The biggest event of its kind to date, DTS 2023 will host hundreds of tech leaders from all over the world who will address over 8,000 attendees through a wide range of cutting-edge talks, panels, interviews, demonstrations and more. As Ireland’s largest tech conference, DTS23 will also highlight Ireland’s role as a tech hub for Europe and the wider world, showcasing the present and future of what technology has made possible and what lies ahead.

DTS23’s latest announcement embraces a wide range of topics at a time when innovation is evolving faster than ever. These include:

  • From Space to Earth: Fireside chat featuring Sara Sabry, founder of the Deep Space Initiative and the first woman from the continent of Africa to travel to space, and Dr.

Norah Patten, a leading figure in Ireland’s space and aeronautics landscape

  • The Death of Death – Singularity and Immortality by 2045: Keynote speech by engineer, futurist and transhumanist José Luis Cordeiro, Director of The Millennium

Project

  • Smart Cities and Urban Tech: Panel discussion between Rob Brown, Founder and CEO, KERB, Aisling Dunne, Head of Public Policy, BOLT, Brian O’Rourke, CEO and Co-Founder, Cityswift and John Cormican, Site Lead, Jaguar Land Rover
  • Shattering the Illusion of a Fully Secure System – Why You are Not as Safe as You Think: Fireside chat featuring Rickard Carlsson, CEO of, Detectify, and Ambika Kapur, VP of Networking and Advanced Security, VMware
  • The Making of an Interspecies Economy: Keynote speech by Cecilia Tham, Co-founder + CEO, Futurity Systems, accompanied by Herbie the Robot
  • Large Language Models: What Comes Next? Keynote speech by AI pioneer and Founder of SingularityNET, Dr. Ben Goertzel
  • The Transformation of Society by Advancing AI: Human and Robotic Perspectives: Fireside by Janet Adams, COO, SingularityNET alongside Desdemona the Robot from The Jam Galaxy Band
  • From Facebook Friends to Co-Founders: The Risks and Rewards of Starting a Business with a Stranger: Fireside conversation between Ulrika Lilja and Claudia Gärd, Co-founders of Gofrendly
  • Entrepreneurs: The World Needs You: Keynote speech by Adam Cheyer, partner at Project Voice Venture Partners and Co-creator of Siri, to open the Ignite Stage Pitch Competition
  • Artificial Intelligence in the Data Protection Context: Fireside chat between Sean Hurley, Assistant Commissioner with the Data Protection Commission, and Barry Scannell, leading AI law expert

Throughout the two-day event, DTS23 will examine the latest innovations affecting employees, and industries amid an ever-changing tech ecosystem. While the ongoing slowdown is causing prolonged uncertainty, the rapid development of AI and the move toward sustainability, are presenting opportunities for many industries to grow and evolve. All points of view will be represented at DTS23 as panelists, moderators and attendees examine and debate innovation that will help improve the sector in 2023 and beyond.

Further guest speakers and panels are set to be announced over the coming weeks. Dublin

Tech Summit is supported by 80 industry partners and will showcase 150 start-ups throughout the site. In addition, the DTS by Night programme will see a range of venues around Dublin and beyond host informal networking events that are set to bring the city back to life.

Tickets for this year’s event are on sale now. For more information, please see https://dublintechsummit.tech/.

Commenting on the upcoming Dublin Tech Summit for 2023, Managing Director, Tracey Carney said: “With just a matter of weeks until Dublin Tech Summit 2023 kicks off, we are thrilled to unveil just a selection of the topics set to be covered. Every stage will see true thought leadership presented and new ideas explored, along with innovative solutions to some of the most important challenges ahead for the world in the coming years. We look forward to welcoming the tech world to Dublin.”

 

Image credit: Dublin Tech Summit

Events, News

Stirling SpiritFEST 2023 – Scottish Spirit Festival set to return to Stirling this October

Tickets have gone in sale for Stirling SpiritFEST 2023, the 10-day celebration of Scottish spirits that returns again this autumn. Hosted in the iconic Scottish city, Stirling SpiritFEST begins on Friday 27th October 2023 with an opening night gin tasting, and incorporates both the long-established Stirling Whisky Festival and Stirling Gin Festival.

Among the exhibitors at this year’s festival will be Rock Rose, Gin Bothy, Tomatin Distillery, regular exhibitors Indie Brands, Douglas Laing, Downpour and Pilgrims, with masterclasses hosted by Tomintoul, Stirling Distillery and Marussa Beverages plus many more.

The 10 day SpiritFEST offers a range of spirit workshops and masterclasses, alongside many unique drinks-based events at venues across Stirling throughout the week. The full list of events can be found on the SpiritFEST website. The two showcase events, the Stirling Gin and Stirling Whisky Festivals, take place on Saturday 28th October and Saturday 5th November respectively.

The Stirling Whisky festival, which launched in 2012, is set to be bigger than ever with some of the most prestigious names in the Scottish Whisky industry attending. The festival has welcomed thousands of whisky enthusiasts to the heart of Scotland over the years, showcasing over 100 of the country’s finest whiskies. Attendees can also sign up for whisky masterclasses run during the afternoon and evening sessions.

The Stirling Gin Festival – one of the first gin festivals to launch in the UK back in 2014 – is set to kick off the first weekend of action in the city. Celebrating the best in Scottish craft gins, the event will see popular cocktail masterclasses run through the day, and provide gin lovers with the chance to sample the gins of a wide range of craft distilleries and enjoy some on the day discounts to boot.

Event organiser June McCann spoke of the SpiritFEST 2023; “Our inaugral SpiritFEST was a massive success with people travelling from across the UK to attend our events. As well as our gin and whisky festivals, we will host a range of intimate events over the 10 days including our spooky gin tasting and ghost walk at the Old Town Jail, a glass blowing and whisky tasting evening with Angels’ Share glass and a Rum event too!”. Visit the event webpage for the latest list of events: https://stirlingdistillery.com/pages/spiritfest

The festival is a great opportunity for Scottish brands to promote their products as well as encourage visitors to explore local Stirling businesses as they descend on the beautiful, historic city.

Several of the festival’s events are expected to sell out quickly, so spirit enthusiasts are encouraged to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or via the Stirling Distillery website.

For businesses interested in becoming an exhibitor at the 2023 SpiritFEST, or if you’re a local business and would like to be included in the festival brochure, please email info@stirlingspiritfest.com.

Sláinte!

 

About Stirling SpiritFEST

Stirling SpiritFEST is a 10-day long festival of Spirits in Stirlingshire. Established in 2012 with the launch of the first Stirling Whisky Festival followed by the Stirling Gin Festival in 2014. It is a successful Scottish event management company founded by Cameron and June McCann who own Stirling Distillery. Their sell out events are attended by guests from all over the globe.

 Visit the Your Stirling website with local tips and places to visit in the city.