The Leeds Digital Festival returns next month, with organisers promising the most diverse range of events in its seven-year history.
The event started in 2016 with just 50 events and now regularly hosts over 250 events, with an increasingly international flavour.
This year will see delegations from India, Poland and Estonia, as well as guests from over 60 countries attending the many online events that are part of the Festival.
The Festival takes place from 19th-30th September, mainly across venues in Leeds city centre but there are also events in York, Harrogate and Wakefield. Events range from breakfast briefings to full-day conferences in FinTech, MedTech and data. Over 98% of the events are completely free of charge.
Highlights over the two weeks include The Digital Twin Consortium holding its first ever annual conference outside the US, Code4000 discussing their coding programme for prisoners at HMP Humber, CGI hosting a ‘cyber escape room’ in a 40-foot shipping container in Leeds city centre, and the Director of Media Partnership at Meta, Peter Hutton, will be flying in from Silicon Valley to speak at Digital Sport North.
Crisp will explain how social media is accelerating ESG agendas, Production Futures will encourage careers in film and TV at the Backstage Academy, Bruntwood SciTech will launch their Female Founders Incubator, and The Data Shed and Nexus Leeds are hosting a medtech showcase.
The Festival is sponsored by a number of national and local firms and organisations, including Crisp, TPP, BJSS, the University of Leeds, Leeds City Council, Sky Betting & Gaming and Aire Logic.
“This year’s Leeds Digital Festival is set to be the most exciting yet, with homegrown tech talent collaborating with some of the biggest global brands,” said Stuart Clarke, festival director.
“Whether you’re organising an event or attending, we’re looking forward to seeing you in September.”
Adam Hildreth, founder and CEO of Crisp, said: “The Leeds Digital Festival is unique in its open nature and the breadth and depth of its events. As a proud Leeds-founded tech firm, we’re really pleased to be sponsoring the Festival again and helping to tell the world about the talent and innovation we have in the city.”