Catch up on
Eastbourne DigiFest 2024
We are thrilled to share videos of the lineup for Eastbourne DigiFest 2024. Catch up on what you missed on Thursday 10th October - in the Main Hall and the Wiltshire & Dorset and the Somerset Rooms.
Need a reminder of the schedule? View it here.
Main Hall
Tom Fielder
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In a world where darkness rises, only one hero can turn the tide... with the power of AI.
At DigiFest, Switchplane's Tom Fielder explains how he is using AI to take on his mortal enemy. Touching upon a number of ways both AI and automation can be integrated into your work and home life with humour and insights, he explores the possibilities of AI now and in the future to outsmart competition, solve complex problems, and gain strategic advantages.
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Tom founded Switchplane, an Eastbourne-based software development and AI company, with his brother, Joel, over two decades ago. As Director and CTO, his focus is driving the firm forward technologically and ensuring Switchplane can technically deliver anything a client may ask for, in a robust, scalable, and infrastructurally-sound way.
Tom is a strong proponent of the use of AI and automation in business to help humans perform better (rather than replacing them!). He enjoys heading up projects for our clients, for projects such as the life-saving Stay Alive app working with Grassroots Suicide Prevention, and acting as a technology consultant both within and outside the business. In recent years, he has become known for his excellent TedX-style presentations and is a popular speaker.
Switchplane specialises in building custom apps and web platforms to bring about meaningful change for businesses across the UK. They have grown from a couple of desks in a converted garage to a successful, firmly established SME with a team of 12.
Panel session
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This panel-based session offers essential insights for entrepreneurs seeking to get their business or product idea off the ground. Hear from start-up advisors and founders, as they discuss their own experiences, tips and advice around business planning, collaborating, marketing and fundraising. This session aims to equip start-ups with some helpful knowledge and tools to start their business journey with confidence.
Start-up mentor and commercial advisor Greg Mccallum, will moderate the panel and be joined by: Fiona Anderson, Innovation and Growth Specialist; Samantha Harland, Business Advis
Sarah Ticho
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This talk will explore the development of award-winning XR experience Soul Paint. Drawing from arts and health method, body mapping, learn how the experience has been expanded into an immersive experience, narrated by actor and activist Rosario Dawson, and its expansive applications across storytelling, healthcare and research.
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Sarah Ticho is a multi-award-winning artist, consultant, and entrepreneur specialising in health, wellbeing, and immersive storytelling.
She is the creator of SOUL PAINT, an XR experience narrated by Rosario Dawson, which won the SXSW Special Jury Prize and Best Health and Wellness at The Games for Change Awards in 2024. As co-director of the XR Health Alliance, she supports the equitable adoption of immersive technology for healthcare across strategy and policy. Her work is featured in Forbes and BBC, and she speaks at festivals and institutions globally.
Dan Wallman
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In today's rapidly evolving job market, the role of employers extends beyond traditional boundaries. Being a "Tech Talent Champion" means fulfilling a critical need for employer leadership in shaping the skills landscape to create a diverse and robust pipeline of new talent in the region, essential for the growth and sustainability of businesses in East Sussex.
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an Wallman has been a leader in creative and digital skills for over 20 years. He first founded Dv8 Sussex, a creative college for young people, in 2003 and led the organization until 2021. Afterward, Dan transitioned into consultancy, where he supported the skills system through his role as the Digital and Creative Sector Lead on the Sussex Local Skills Plan. In this capacity, Dan led deep dive reports that outlined skills gaps in Digital and Creative, working closely with local employers to identify where these gaps lay and advising the skills system on how to better meet employer needs.
In response to these findings, Dan founded TechNative Digital in 2022, with the mission to close the digital skills gap. The TechNative Academy focuses on designing industry-led software development bootcamps for adults aiming to move into tech careers, while also leading projects to help people move into tech careers and to support schools and colleges to collaborate more closely with the tech industry.
In East Sussex, TechNative is leading the Digital Futures Accelerator Project in collaboration with Skills East Sussex. Launching this autumn, this initiative will engage schools across East Sussex in a competition to design an innovative digital product.
Mo Kanjilal & Ellie Hale
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Join Mo from Watch This Space and Ellie from Reflect Digital as they explore the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the creative, digital and tech industry.
They will highlight current research and provide practical advice on what you can implement today to encourage DEI within your businesses. You will come away with a better understanding how different people working together can create better outcomes, and how you can create the environment to facilitate positive change.
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Mo Kanjilal is Co-Creator at Watch This Sp_ce, a multi-award-winning diversity and inclusion company.
During a career in international technology corporations leading global teams, Mo worked on creating diverse, inclusive teams. After working in smaller companies on similar initiatives, she co-created Watch This Sp_ce during the pandemic. The company works with organisations across sectors to help them understand why inclusive teams matter, what changes they need to make and how to help people work better together.
Mo is also a TedX Speaker, Charity board Trustee, a Non-Exec Director, and Author. Watch This Sp_ce’s first book ‘The Inclusion Journey’ is now published by Kogan Page.
Rowena Bird
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As part of “The Lush Hour”, Rowena will speak with Alex about the early days of Rowena’s beauty career, her role in establishing and growing Lush to the global cosmetics retailer it is today, and in shaping the brand’s ethical foundation.
Discover her passion for pioneering sustainable packaging solutions and her enduring commitment to ethical sourcing.
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Drawn to the beauty industry from an early age, Rowena trained and qualified as a beauty therapist before fortuitously joining the creators of Lush in their small manufacturing company of the time, Constantine and Weir (C&W) and the team has been together ever since.
Co-Founding Lush in 1995, Ro has had many roles within the business, ranging from opening stores and training on customer service standards to overseeing Lush’s expansion with business partners and coining the term creative buying. It’s this that inspires Lush’s team of ethical buyers, who are responsible for sourcing all the raw materials and establishing direct relationships with farmers. Ro is passionate about pioneering new materials and methods to create compostable, recyclable or refillable packaging where necessary, and going naked where it's not.
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A look back at the history and ethics of British cosmetic global brand Lush, then a look forward into the future with exclusive insights into new innovations in AI, Web 3 and the Metaverse plus a look at Lush’s first consumer hardware product: BathBot.
Adam Goswell
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Adam Goswell leads technology research and development at Lush. He’s at the forefront of innovating the company’s approach to tech, and is currently heading up the development of new tools using AI, machine learning and augmented reality. Most recently, this has included developing AI technology to help remove packaging from cosmetics.
Adam has a background in design and UX, which means he is passionate about all things digital, including digital ethics. Adam ran Lush’s first digital ethics campaign alongside campaign group Access Now, on Black Friday 2016, which saw Lush shut down its website globally to raise awareness of internet shutdowns.
Lush is increasingly part of the global tech community, providing open source solutions where before only closed/proprietary technology existed. This is in line with a company ethos that aims to give more than it takes, act transparently, push innovation and transform industry standards.
Dr Sanaz Fallahkhair
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This presentation looks at human-centred AI, highlighting the partnership between human creativity and machine intelligence. It focuses on user-friendly design, ethical issues, and enhancing human abilities, as well as how businesses are increasingly turning to AI and robotics to gain a competitive edge.
The presentation will cover real-world examples from different industries, showing how AI and robotic solutions can be applied. The discussion will also delve into how the UCD lab at Brighton can help businesses use AI for decision-making, streamlining operations, personalising experiences, and creating technological solutions.
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Dr Sanaz Fallahkhair is a Principal Lecturer in Human Centred AI and Interaction at the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, University of Brighton.
She leads and manages Brighton User Centred Design Laboratory, which provides Research and Consultancy in the area of Human Centred AI, User Experience Design (UX), Product Development, and UX testing and Evaluation.
On personal level, Sanaz is passionate about technologies and publicly advocates for Women in STEM. She is engaged with social communities to outreach to younger generation through social media encouraging girls and women to study STEM related subjects, keen environmentalist, yogi and cyclist.
Stefan Stanislawski
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The full fibre revolution is creating local, regional and national full fibre networks, breaking the Openreach monopoly and creating choice for consumers.
Quality connectivity in the UK has lagged behind Europe, but that has now changed. Companies like Lightning Fibre are using private investment to roll out Full Fibre, and rural areas will be reached through a government-backed scheme, BDUK.
Full Fibre is more reliable that old copper-based networks, and greener too.
What is now important is that consumers make the switch to full fibre; this will encourage more investment in this new technology and enable Openreach to eventually retire the copper network.
In this session, find out more about the Full Fibre revolution, why it’s important and what the future holds for Digital Britain, as our broadband requirements are set to continue to rise!
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Stefan Stanislawski has enjoyed a long career in telecom finance and strategy across over 70 countries. Partly by accident, he invested in a Swedish fibre operator almost 20 years ago (Sweden was the first country in the world to move away from copper to real fibre full broadband).
He then started the ‘regulatory revolution’ that now enables Lightning Fibre and Connect Fibre (both of which he is CEO) to use existing Openreach infrastructure to create a new full fibre network whilst minimising disruption to residents and businesses.
He is proudly involved with a fibre development project in Zambia that is bringing better and cheaper broadband including donating connections to local schools. Additionally, he is part of an IoT (Internet of Things) business and C2-AI, a company that applies AI to medical data.
Wiltshire & Dorset Room
Dan Wallman
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Dan Wallman has been a leader in creative and digital skills for over 20 years. He first founded Dv8 Sussex, a creative college for young people, in 2003 and led the organization until 2021. Afterward, Dan transitioned into consultancy, where he supported the skills system through his role as the Digital and Creative Sector Lead on the Sussex Local Skills Plan. In this capacity, Dan led deep dive reports that outlined skills gaps in Digital and Creative, working closely with local employers to identify where these gaps lay and advising the skills system on how to better meet employer needs.
In response to these findings, Dan founded TechNative Digital in 2022, with the mission to close the digital skills gap. The TechNative Academy focuses on designing industry-led software development bootcamps for adults aiming to move into tech careers, while also leading projects to help people move into tech careers and to support schools and colleges to collaborate more closely with the tech industry.
In East Sussex, TechNative is leading the Digital Futures Accelerator Project in collaboration with Skills East Sussex. Launching this autumn, this initiative will engage schools across East Sussex in a competition to design an innovative digital product.
Tyler Mortimer-Wise
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Suitable for Instagram newcomers and those refining their business on the app, this session provides practical tips and actionable insights on how to build a presence on Instagram.
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Tyler Mortimer-Wise is someone who has supported and helped young people, and adults, through TechResort. He is also apart of the Youth Advisory Board for Adventures & Wisdom Institute.
Outside of part-time work, Tyler is a freelance photographer and web designer.
Brian Drinkwater
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In 2023 the UK’s creative industries grew at twice the rate of the rest of the economy, accounting for £126 billion.
87% of people in the UK have a smartphone, including almost all 16-24 year olds. Many claiming this essential in their life.
Yet, over half of UK employers believe that young people are leaving full-time education without sufficiently advanced digital skills.
Whilst UK government noted a significant digital skills gap, estimated to cost the UK economy £63 billion per year in lost potential gross domestic product (GDP).
The effect of AI is to be seen and will create opportunities we are not yet aware of.
These are issues for people of all ages, with government, businesses, and individuals having their part to play.
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Brian has worked in the Creative Digital & Technology (CDT) sectors for over 30 years including stints as a freelancer, as a media production lecturer, within television and production working to senior leadership level in operations, and as a board director.
Since moving to Eastbourne in 2016 Brian has launched Kyle Partnership, a CDT consultancy, and is a keen advocate for CDT businesses and educational institutions throughout Sussex.
Russ Miles
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We've all been there. The blank stares. Shuffling of feet. A sudden pathological interest in staring at their feet or their hands. Your carefully curated slide deck of facts, figures and features that should have ignited everyone's interest in your latest "Technology push to better things (TM)" hovers on the your slide pleading for "Any Questions", succeeding only in lighting up a room of confusion, yawns, or downright despair.
Whether your technology sinks or swims doesn't depend alone on your facts, figures and features. People need more. They need to know why they care. They need stories.
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Russ Miles is a technical product owner at Clear.Bank, author with O'Reilly Media, and former engineer and engineering consultant to Apple, Amazon, AWS, Disney and Netflix (and many open source companies of his own).
Gracie Da Silva
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Take a real break over lunchtime at DigiFest with this “I am pausing” session. This immersive workshop includes experiencing a live Pause as well as learning about the nervous system and stress, plus time for a quick Q&A.
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Gracie is a qualified Holistic Health, Life and Movement Coach with experience in helping hundreds of people in transforming their wellbeing in body, mind and life. Entering into the world of health after a career in corporate events, Gracie has a passion and understanding for how best to support professionals to thrive in life and business.
Rose Radke
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Do you have an audience, or a community?
If you’re in the arts, hospitality, tourism or tech industries, chances are you have an audience. But what would happen if that audience became a community, and what’s the secret to transforming it into one?
During this session we’ll explore why you should build a community, and some secrets to making it successful.
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Rose Radtke is a brand and community strategist on a mission to help people-driven organisations discover and articulate who they are, and grow their audiences authentically and organically. Her philosophy evolves year-on-year as the world changes, but belonging always remains at its core.
Joe Egan
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We've all been there. The blank stares. Shuffling of feet. A sudden pathological interest in staring at their feet or their hands. Your carefully curated slide deck of facts, figures and features that should have ignited everyone's interest in your latest "Technology push to better things (TM)" hovers on the your slide pleading for "Any Questions", succeeding only in lighting up a room of confusion, yawns, or downright despair.
Whether your technology sinks or swims doesn't depend alone on your facts, figures and features. People need more. They need to know why they care. They need stories.
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Founder and Managing Director of Pacer, a Customer Experience specialist Shopify Agency, Joe started his career in Marketing Strategy and has spent the last 10 years in Ecommerce.
During that period, Joe's experience has taken him from Sydney to London and finally back home to Eastbourne where he now runs a remote-first agency servicing brands in the UK, US and Europe.
Ellie Hale
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In today's competitive market, engaging and retaining customers requires more than just excellent products or services. In this talk, we will explore the dynamic world of gamification and its powerful impact on customer behavior and loyalty.
Gamification, the integration of game-design elements into non-game contexts, has emerged as a transformative strategy for enhancing customer engagement. By leveraging elements such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, businesses can create compelling experiences that motivate and inspire customer interaction.
This session will cover:
Understanding Gamification: We'll begin by defining gamification and its core principles. Discover how these elements tap into intrinsic motivations, driving customers to engage more deeply with your brand.
Designing Effective Gamification Strategies: Learn how to design gamification initiatives that align with your business goals and resonate with your target audience.
Case Studies and Success Stories
Measuring Impact and ROI: Gain insights into how to measure the success of your gamification efforts. We'll cover key performance indicators, customer feedback, and how to refine your strategy based on data-driven results.
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Ellie has an experienced background in sales and business development, having been a pioneering account manager for Groupon's expansion into Australia and New Zealand. In her subsequent role within E-Learning, she distinguished herself by spearheading webinars and cultivating a robust client community.
For the past six years, Ellie has leveraged her expertise to advise and support over 1,000 independent agencies, enhancing their network and fostering a vibrant community. Currently, as Partnership Director at Reflect Digital, she is at the forefront of integrating advanced digital marketing strategies with insights into human behavior.
Ellie's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility in networking and events is evident in her recent initiative, AgencyLand. Launched just last month, this platform aims to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry, reflecting her commitment to creating a more equitable professional landscape.
John Haynes
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Attending this talk might just save your (working) life.
We’ve all read the headlines about AI and how it might impact the way we work and live.
Join John as he takes us into the future, exploring on what might happen to all of us if technology continues to follow its current path - and how we can apply first-principle thinking to reimagine ourselves and the world we occupy.
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John Haynes is a bold and strategic product designer that specialises in taking ideas from 0-1. He believes that the role of design is to provide strategic foresight, laying track in front of the company train. He has more than 10 years experience building complex digital products and specialises in artificial intelligence.
Somerset Room
Garry James
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Not awareness, not clicks: you can get sales from Instagram for any business, whether a law firm, a tech startup, or a phone company.
Join this workshop to learn about the benefits of running Instagram Ads and how you can get real leads and sales which actually help your business.
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Garry is a marketing professional who lives locally on the South Coast. He has worked in marketing for tech companies, entertainment companies and B2B companies. His frank and friendly approach to marketing focuses on results instead of marketing fluff.
He is currently CMO at FOUNDRY, a fast-growing coworking brand, with their first location in Eastbourne.
Greg McCallum
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Practical, commercial and strategic insights shared from a career working in and advising startups, CEOs and senior operators across various industries, geographies and scales.
Greg will also act as moderator on our Navigating the Start-Up Journey panel discussion.
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Known as the 🚫🐂💩 Startup Mentor and Commercial Advisor, Greg Mccallum works with Founders, Founding Teams and Senior operators globally to assist with launching, scaling and/or improving startups and scaleups.
Greg has a background in running high-performing global sales and marketing teams, executive leadership and is a multiple-time founder and current Co-founder & CEO of Peer, the fully remote skills audit service and platform.
He is also the host of the Founders Unplugged podcast and author of The Handy Little Book of Sales Terminology.
Samantha Harland
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In this practical session, Samantha Harland explores how creating the perfect pitch is about more than raising capital. You'll learn how to tailor your pitch for different stakeholders - whether you’re seeking investment, building partnerships, or engaging customers. The workshop includes essential tips on building a pitch deck that captivates and persuades, helping you communicate your vision with clarity and impact.
Samantha also joins us for the Navigating the Start-Up Journey panel.
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Samantha Harland is an experienced programme leader, business advisor and innovation consultant known locally for her leadership in government-funded business support initiatives and her expertise in fostering business growth.
With a rich background in FMCG and global corporates, she excels in designing transformative business support programmes and has delivered business support for the likes of Digital Catapult, Wired Sussex, Plus X Innovation & NatWest.
Samantha’s approach integrates practical insights with strategic thinking, empowering startups and scale-ups to navigate and excel in rapidly changing markets.
Joel Fielder
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Feel like you spend all your time firefighting, being pulled from pillar to post? Frustrated that you can’t find the time to drive your business forward? Or are you doing all the right things but not seeing the results you deserve?
It could be down to your systems and processes.
In this session, Joel explores how systemisation turns chaos into order, and turns order into growth. Together we will cover:- Why good systems unlock growth
- Things to think about before you systemise
- How and where to start
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Joel founded Switchplane, an Eastbourne-based software development company, with his brother, Tom, in 2003. As CEO, his focus is more on the commercial side of the business, though he still enjoys writing code on a daily basis too!
Switchplane specialises in building custom apps and web platforms to bring about meaningful change for businesses across the UK. They have grown from a couple of desks in a converted garage to a successful, firmly established SME with a team of 11.
Chloe Jenden
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Challenge yourself over lunchtime at DigiFest with this content creation session hosted by Chloe Jenden from Future Youth Media. This immersive workshop will challenge you to learn the basics of creating impactful social content to elevate your brand; conceive, shoot and edit your own winning concept all in 40 mins.
A panel of our Digital experts will choose the winning Ad by the end of the day with a prize giving and end of day screening.
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Chloe Jenden is the founder of FYM. She worked for 8 years as a Media Coordinator and Picture Producer for the BBC News and went on to write, produce and direct her own short films and freelance promos, music videos and virals for a range of international clients.
In 2011, She spent 2 years setting up a film school in Haiti where she taught film theory and practice to students of varying ages and experience. The Cine Institute is now an established audio-visual school offering University level education to Haiti’s youth.
Alongside running Future Youth Media, Chloe develops scripted drama for Film and TV working with some of the most predominant filmmakers in the UK.
Emma Pearce
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Whether you are a business director, marketing team member or studying, a clear understanding of SEO is essential.
Why?
Well, can you swallow the fact that you could be wasting all your time and budget developing a website, only for it to remain invisible in Google search results?
Can you immediately recognise if your website has been SEO’d properly?
You will after this workshop - without getting techy.
This session with Emma Pearce will strip back SEO to ensure it is no longer a mystery.
And you can confidently grasp what it is all about, understand what you need to do (or ask someone to do) and, importantly, identify if the fundamental aspects have been completed.
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Emma Pearce is an experienced Marketing Consultant and SME Marketing Speaker. She has been running her marketing agency, based in the Eastbourne area, for over 16 years.
Pearce Marketing helps SME business owners and Directors to feel confident in their marketing strategy and get results.
Specialising in marketing strategy and customer feedback, as well as delivering a flexible service for traditional and digital marketing implementation.
Emma has an excellent reputation as an engaging speaker that always provides practical takeaways. Last year at DigiFest she received fantastic feedback for her LinkedIn workshop. This year she is back with unmissable SEO tips.
Her career includes roles with national and multinational companies in the UK and overseas.
Visit the Pearce Marketing team on their stand in the exhibition area. They are happy to help with some free marketing advice, as well as offering to provide a free, plain-English, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) check for your website.
Holly Newman
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Suitable for Instagram newcomers and those refining their business on the app, this session provides practical tips and actionable insights on how to build a presence on Instagram.
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Founder of With Love Media, Holly Newman is a single mum who has built a global business organically using Instagram only. She enjoys teaching others how to do the same.
Daniel Andersen-Tuffnell -
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In today's digital age, LinkedIn has emerged as an indispensable tool for tech leaders seeking to expand their influence, connect with like-minded professionals, and drive their organisations forward. This session, led by Dan, a seasoned business coach and LinkedIn strategy specialist, aims to unlock the full potential of LinkedIn for tech leaders.
Through this interactive workshop, attendees will explore strategic networking, brand building, content creation & curation, engagement techniques, and analytics & optimisation.
Dan will share actionable insights, derived from his extensive experience as an executive mindset mentor and Master Practitioner in NLP, tailored specifically for leaders in the creative, digital, and tech sectors. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge to transform their LinkedIn presence, enhancing their leadership capabilities and amplifying their impact within the tech community.
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Dan is an accredited business coach and leadership expert, an executive mindset mentor, a Master Practitioner in NLP, and a specialist in LinkedIn strategies for growth. Additionally, he is an experienced personal and professional development trainer. He demystifies the complex to help overstretched, time-poor leaders and organisations improve their business performance. Developing the right business mindsets will help you remove your self-doubts, stay on course, and avoid the risk of failure. He helps businesses differentiate between perspectives, assumptions, and judgements, providing high accountability and enabling you to generate outstanding results.