Third year of TechXplore gets underway on 3rd September 2015.
Now in its third year, the biggest ever TechXplore event was launched today and sees an unparalleled list of speakers from the US, UK and Ireland gather in Belfast on 3rd September for the digital technology event. Set to ‘tech’ Belfast forward, TechXplore offers those attending unlimited access to global experts in digital start-ups, music tech, media tech, health tech and a range of investors. Bespoke workshops with global experts will also be available to limited numbers of attendees. The day will be rounded off by Northern Ireland’s first ever dedicated TechCabaret full of comedy, tweets and quizzes for geeks.
TechXplore organiser and partner at MW Advocate, Carl Whyte was joined by event partners Edel Mullan from Belfast City Council and Kathryn Walls from Mills Selig to launch the event today at Belfast City Hall. Speakers confirmed so far include leading music industry figure and investor Jon Vanhala, US publishing expert Amanda Hale, Storyful Managing Editor Áine Kerr and digital music guru Bill Campbell. This will be Bill and Amanda’s first visit to Belfast. A range of local firms and participants will also be speaking and TechXplore favourite and BBC The Apprentice Tweeter David Levin will also be dropping in. The event will be compered by BBC Panorama’s Declan Lawn.
“TechXplore is now Belfast’s largest home-grown technology event and this year offers an unmatched number of speakers and events including multiple opportunities to meet industry experts and investors. 2015’s event also includes Belfast’s first ever TechCabaret showcasing a tech take on traditional Belfast comedy and music,” said Carl.
“The event is now Belfast’s largest and best-value home-grown technology event and has the sole aim of helping and inspiring people across Belfast, the UK and Ireland to bring their tech ideas to the world. We’ve developed an exciting and affordable day and event which anyone with an interest in technology can afford to attend,” he added.
Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee at Belfast City Council who are the event’s principal partner said: “The Council is committed to promoting start-ups, supporting growth, encouraging innovation and promoting Belfast as a dynamic business location.
“TechXplore plays a vital part in allowing local companies to learn from and build connections with national and international experts within the tech industry. It is also significant in supporting those who work here to access global markets.”
Kathryn Walls, Director at Mills Selig, event partner said: “Mills Selig works with a range of technology companies across Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to see so many prominent speakers at this year’s TechXplore. Building a vibrant technology start-up and business network is vital if Belfast and Northern Ireland is to compete on the global market and events like this allow people here to access global expertise.”
Full details of the programme can be found at http://www.techxplore.co/ where tickets can also be purchased.
Panellist Biogs
Amanda Hale, Talking Points Memo
Amanda Hale is Vice-President, Advertising & Creative Solutions at Talking Points Memo where she manages, SHIFT@TPM, TPM’s in-house creative and content studio. She was previously Advertising Director at The Nation, where she created and launched a successful bi-partisan business partnerships with National Review called The Purple Network. Coverage of projects she has managed has appeared in Ad Week, Folio, Digiday, Media Industry News and Slate.
Áine Kerr, Storyful
Áine Kerr is Managing Editor of Storyful; the first social media news agency in the world. She was formerly Head of Content and Political Editor with the company. She is an experienced online and print journalist who covered Irish current affairs and politics for seven years with The Irish Times, The Irish Examiner and The Irish Independent. She is also an experienced media commentator on TV and radio and a lecturer in online journalism with Dublin Business School.
Jon Vanhala, Crossfade Partners
Jon Vanhala returns to Belfast after a successful turn on the Investor panel at TechXplore 2014. This year he will focus on his first love, Music. Having started his career at Universal Music, Jon went on to become Senior Vice President at Island Def Jam Music Group. He now works with start-ups, with a particular interest in music, whether it’s new bands or apps.
Bill Campbell, Barefoot Media
Bill has over 25 years experience in the music industry. He started in the mail room and worked his way up to Senior VP for Digital Business Development at Sony Music. Bill then set up Barefoot Media LLC and works with start-ups including a number of new streaming services.
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On Friday 5 February, 15 traditional flute and whistle players will compete for the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal in a final to be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and this year for the first time a Musicians’ Convention will be held on Saturday as part of the weekend’s events, intended to help and advise traditional musicians on a host of subjects. The events will take place in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.
