The Thinking Digital Conference is returning to the Glasshouse (previously known as the Sage, Gateshead) in May 2024, bringing together some of the best and brightest to discuss technology, ideas and the future.
What is the Thinking Digital Conference?
The Thinking Digital Conference is a two-day event held in Gateshead, where hundreds of attendees come together to take part in workshops and listen to talks on science, technology and business. Thinking Digital is now in its 16th year, and is a huge event for the North East. As well as giving attendees the opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names in technology, science and the arts, it is also a huge networking opportunity for organisations and businesses in the region.
Thinking Digital’s founder, Herb Kim, came to the UK from New York in 1997. After getting involved with TED in the US, Kim wanted to capture the energy and energy of those discussions and create an event for the North East which focused on innovation, ambition and bringing together top entrepreneurs from all around Britain. Thinking Digital was established in 2008, and in the 16 years since the event has grown to one of the most popular conferences for science and technology enthusiasts in the UK.
What happens at Thinking Digital?
Whilst the schedule for Thinking Digital 2024 is yet to be announced, there are a number of regular events that attendees can expect from the conference.
Pre-Conference Workshops
Before the conference speakers begin, Thinking Digital usually starts with their series of Pre-Conference Workshops. These workshops are held by industry professionals, which attendees have exclusive access to as part of their conference ticket. For those who learn by doing, rather than by listening, these workshops are a perfect way to engage with the latest business, technological and scientific advances.
Thinking Digital Startup Competition
The Thinking Digital Startup Competition has been a part of the Thinking Digital Conference since 2013. Ten startups are given the opportunity to pitch their business to attendees and a panel of judges. Attendees are invited to pick one of the finalists, with Thinking Digital’s expert panel selecting the other. One of these finalists will be crowned the winner of the Thinking Digital Startup Competition.
Previous winners have been awarded prizes including £1000, a free legal support package, hot desk membership, tickets to the next Thinking Digital conference and a professionally recorded pitch; everything that a startup needs to take their idea from a dream to a fully fledged business. The startup competition has been a popular feature of the conference for the last 11 years, and we expect it to return in 2024.
Speakers
The highlight of the Thinking Digital Conference is, of course, its incredible lineup of speakers. These talks focus on technology, science, business, ideas and the future, with attendees hearing from some of the greatest speakers and innovators from around the world. Whilst the line up for 2024 is still to be announced, 2023 speakers included cryptocurrency critic Ben McKenzie, autonomous transport technologist Amanda Prorok, and generative AI CEO Sean Williams.
Ready to get your ticket?
You can register for Thinking Digital now to receive your pass for the pre-conference workshops, pre-conference dinner, live talks and access to the afterparty. Tickets are available on their website.
