Bath Digital Festival returns this July
Bath Digital Festival (BDF) is returning to the city this summer to bring you a stellar selection of engaging workshops, keynotes and panel sessions.
Organised by techSPARK, the largest tech network in the West, the week-long event will take place from Monday 10th – Friday 14th July.
The full schedule for the festival is set to be announced soon, but in the meantime make a note in your diary for a week which promises to be filled with exploration, innovation and inspiration. The festival will showcase the groundbreaking tech and digital innovation which is fostered in the city, with sessions hosted across multiple iconic locations.
A key belief behind BDF is that tech conferences should be fun, engaging and open to all, regardless of experience. From exploring ways in which innovation can save our planet, to storytelling in tech, BDF will be encouraging everyone to participate through interactive seminars, workshops and activity.
This year, BDF will be covering five essential themes: Curiosity, Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking & Celebration, and Climate. Each topic will define a different day, meaning attendees can fully immerse themselves. Across the week, the themes will highlight the diversity and vibrancy of Bath’s tech community.
Lucy Paine, techSPARK Community Manager for Bath, said, “We are really excited to be curating the Bath Digital Festival in 2023. Our key ask to the community is: What conversation are you going to start? There are keynote sessions, workshops, showcases and celebrations all in planning to ensure there is something for everyone. The festival will appeal to anyone working in or interested in the digital and tech space including those looking to work in the industry. It’s going to be an amazing week.
“We’re particularly excited to see how individuals and organisations across the city will interpret our five themes.”
THE FIVE THEMES IN MORE DETAIL…
Curiosity – Let’s investigate the future and explore new worlds. This could be science fiction or what’s in action already, using old tech in new ways, forming an idea vs the reality of executing it. Monday could be crystal ball gazing or demonstrating practical applications for exciting new solutions. Let’s get excited about the future, starting now.
Creativity – Technology is nothing without the story. We are a city of creatives. Tuesday we’ll be unpacking how the story has changed, our relationship with audiences, and how we will engage in the future, online and in person. Let’s use this day to share our visions, showcase solutions and get creative.
Collaboration – We can change the world if we work together. We are a tech community built around collaboration, bringing ideas and passion together. On Wednesday, let’s look at the world differently, help and listen to each other to build strong conversations.
Critical Thinking & Celebration – What do we need in place for our technology revolution? The vision needs a strategy, it needs to be secure, well considered and ready for whatever the future brings. On Thursday we’ll be getting into the details and debate the challenges.
Climate – Building a better world. Our climate ranges from our mind to our planet, from micro changes at a personal level to global conversations. What can we do today for a better tomorrow? On Friday we bring the week together into the how. What are the next steps for us all?
Sharing his thoughts on techSPARK curating the festival for 2023, techSPARK Managing Director, Ben Shorrock, said, “Bath is techSPARK’s home, the place it all started for us, and we’re so pleased to be curating Bath Digital Festival this year.
“Expect the usual techSPARK flavour for the week. We’ll be bringing the brightest minds in South West tech together, facilitating valuable connections and building core relationships, all against the backdrop of an exciting festival.
“Thanks to the solid foundations of BDF, we know it’s set to be an awesome week full of sharing knowledge and we’re looking forward to putting a techSPARK spin on the festival.
“After the success of curating the Bristol Technology Festival (BTF) in October 2022, the whole techSPARK team are delighted to be taking on BDF. With the likes of BT and Google Garage scheduled to deliver events, it’s already shaping up to be a fantastic week.”
As part of the week, techSPARK’s regional tech award scheme, the SPARKies is to be hosted in Bath on Thursday 13th July. The annual event will once again bring people, businesses and innovators from across the South West together to celebrate innovation, start-ups and scaling businesses.
Ben, added, “It’s been 11 years since we held our first ever SPARKies in the centre of Bath, and we can’t wait to be returning the party to its roots this year.”
If you’re interested in getting involved in Bath Digital Festival email Lucy Paine at: lucy@techspark.co To find out more about the SPARKies visit: www.sparkies.techspark.co
