TechNExt Conference is a week-long celebration of tech in the North East. The five day event is held across multiple locations, from Northumberland to Tees Valley, and includes workshops, discussions and showcases on every aspect of technology.
TechNExt Conference 2024 will include four main curated events; Industry Dinner, Mainstage, Tech Talent Live and the Festival Party, as well as the Festival Fringe for independent events around the North East.
Industry Dinner, 18th June 2024
TechNExt’s Industry Dinner is being held in Sunderland, and is an opportunity for attendees to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs, business owners and innovators. This is held at the end of the second day of the five day event. The Industry Dinner in 2023 saw attendees offered a completely vegetarian menu, with the option to choose a meat alternative if they preferred, as a part of the organisers’ commitment to sustainability and their ‘Good Festival’ ambition. According to Beaconhouse Events, 55% of last year's attendees ate a meat-free meal as a result.
Tech Talent Live, 19th June 2024
The Industry Dinner is followed the next day by Tech Talent Live, which is a drop-in event for those wanting to find out more about the tech industry in the North East, speak to employers and think about careers in tech. Tech Talent Live will also include drop-in CV workshops for anyone wanting to improve their CV for potential tech employers, as well as short talks from North East entrepreneurs. This event is completely free, and held at the Hilton in Gateshead. If you’re a tech employer, you can book a stand at Tech Talent Live here.
Main Stage, 20th June 2024
The Main Stage is TechNExt’s central event of the week, and is a day of talks from industry professionals and tech pioneers at the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle. The theme for this year is ‘Tech with Purpose’, and speakers will be discussing their perspectives on how technology can improve lives and shape the future.
Principle speakers have been confirmed for 2024, and include David Gray, founder of virtual elderly and dementia care companion GG Care, Avril Chester, founder of technology charity and platform Cancer Central, Tracey Follows, CEO of futures consultancy Futuremade, Jude Pullen, inclusive designer, inventor and independent consultant, and Eleanor Harry, founder of HACE: Data Changing Child Labour.
Festival Party, 20th June 2024
The curated showcases come to an end on the 20th June with the TechNExt Festival Party. This informal event will bring together all the attendees for a final celebration in the centre of Newcastle, for an evening of meeting, networking and connecting with other entrepreneurs, business owners and tech lovers. As with the Industry Dinner, TechNExt are once again demonstrating their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint by offering an entirely vegetarian buffet at Revolucion de Cuba. The Festival Party is the perfect way to round off your week, with good food, drinks and company.
Festival Fringe, 17th - 21st June 202
As if all of these events weren’t enough, TechNExt is also offering attendees 50 more events as part of their TechNExt Festival Fringe. Festival Fringe welcomes other organisations and businesses holding their own events as part of the TechNExt Conference. These events will be free of charge, and could be focused on anything tech related from coding, AI and data to digital technology, cyber security and startups. If your business has an idea for TechNExt’s Festival Fringe, they can apply to host an event here. There is funding available, and the TechNExt team can help you with venues, speakers and scheduling.
