The DIF2022 Festival is back to delight with debates, pitch nights and more! One of the things we’ve discovered over the last couple of years is that flexibility is crucial, and so the DIF2022 Festival offers a hybrid events program. Drawing from experience combining the benefits of remote access and in-person networking, this year’s program will offer a combination of in-venue, live-streamed and on-demand events, ensuring everyone can participate. The Festival will see the return of in-person events at DIF Hubs across the state in coworking spaces, local libraries and corporate suites. More details will be announced soon. From 24 August to 7 September, DIF2022 will showcase and celebrate Victoria’s digital and tech ecosystem, bringing together visitors from across the state and the region to share ideas, network and learn new skills. The DIF2022 Festival is the highlight of the Digital Innovation Futures annual program of events. Discover some of our feature events The DIF2022 Festival program is now live with more events being added daily. Below are just a few of this year’s feature events: The in-person Women in Emerging Tech Conference [has been so popular it is almost sold out and will now be live-streamed by Deloitte Digital so no one will miss out on the fantastic line-up. As DIF is all about the intersection of digital technologies and innovation, the inspiring Melbourne Connect precinct is the perfect venue for the Festival’s opening and closing events. The Festival Opening Debate will focus on the critical topic of cyber security, hosted by the Australian Information Security Association as part of the annual Cyber Day on 24 August. The Festival will wrap up on 7 September by looking to the future with the ever-popular Top Tech Trends Debate, hosted by The Churchill Club. ACS Victoria hosts our first DIF Hub Day at their Tech Innovation Hub Docklands. Opening morning with Bradley Deacon on Cyber Jobs and The Pearcey Foundation Roundtable will also explore the challenges of the future of work. The Emerging Innovation Summit 2022 (EIS'22) is a future-shaping event that offers the attendees a rare opportunity to learn from the world’s best innovators and thinkers with 35 speakers and 20 expert panelists. Opening on Sunday 28 August via Zoom then into the CBD for some interactive fun at Foy's Arcade hosted by ISPT. Why not spend a weekday exploring outdoor emerging innovation at Yering Station, in the Yarra Valley on Tuesday 30 August. We love a pitch night, and this year we have three! Startup Victoria is on the lookout for Inspiring Young Founders for their August Pitch Night. Silicon Beach will host two pitch nights, one virtual and one in-person. Infoxchange and Connecting Up are back with a dedicated webinar series for not-for-profits to support their digital transformation journey. The Committee for Melbourne is bringing its members together to tackle the opportunities and challenges of the digital economy. The Committee will host the Smart Cities Summit with nbn co, and an online forum with Public Libraries Victoria showcasing makerspaces from Docklands to Wodonga. Future jobs are in the spotlight with the return of the Victorian Engineering/IT Careers and Startup Jobs Expo on the closing day Wednesday 7 September via livestream. Enjoy DIF2022 in three ways Everyone is welcome and to make it easy to access, you can participate in one of three ways: 1 / Online 2/ In-person 3/ On-demand Join a DIF Live event online at set dates and times Attend an in-person event at a local DIF Hub or partner venue Engage with on-demand content on the DIF Online Event Hub anywhere, anytime It's not too late to #MaketheDIF The DIF2022 Festival has been launched but there are still opportunities to be involved by posting a session as part of the DIF On Demand program by the deadline 20 August. It’s FREE to be a DIF Event Partner! All are welcome to attend events and we encourage you to create your shortlist and register early so you can make the most of your DIF2022 experience. Interested in being part of this year's DIF2022 Festival? START HERE
DIF2020 Program We can all do with a little help navigating so we have created a daily program as we pivot the program to deliver our first fully online festival. Check out the themes and get ready for DIF2020. Still deciding when to have your event? Why not schedule your session on the day that will best showcase your talents! Feature Events The Regional Growth Summit - 03.09.2020 How to get your business to stand out Are you a passionate and purpose-driven business owner who wants their business to stand out? Then the Regional Growth Summit is for you. Join and meet fellow regional, rural and outer metro business owners in these interactive sessions with networking opportunities. Participate in a marketing Masterclass or Workshop, or simply be inspired by stories of regional and rural Australian businesses. This one-day virtual summit is based on the 25eight Group's 'teach, not tell' philosophy. It's where you can hear from other businesses who have used strategic thinking, technology and marketing as an enabler to create positive change in their business. If you're ready for inspiration combined with practical actions that you can implement immediately sign up now! Find out more The Digital and Data Future - 27.08.2020 Economic Recovery post COVID-19 COVID19 has been the “wrecking-ball” that has crashed through the world economy. This crash has crystallised the value of digital and data in our new world. Charting a course in new markets, business models, operations, technology (automation, robotics and IoT) are essential for business’ survival, growth and diversification. We will explore the challenges, opportunities and pathways in the new economy. This half day event will feature key messages and speakers from the Victorian Government, a series of practical case studies of work completed through the North and West Melbourne Data Analytics Hub and a panel discussion featuring key executives from tech companies Empirics and Directed. Find out more Now is time to jump at the opportunity to be part of the DIF2020 Festival with a few weeks to go get involved. Whether you're a returning or new event host there join this week's DIF Community Call the second last before we kick off. Still not sure? Book a quick 15-min DIF Event Idea Pitch chat or a 30-min DIF Event Deep Dive call with the DIFvic team to run through your ideas and let us know what support you need to successfully be part of this year's DIF2020 Festival. Register for the 30th July DIF Community Call Book a call with the DIFvic team Dates for your diary! 10 June - DIF2020 Festival Submissions Open 5 August - DIF2020 On Demand Submissions Open 12 August - Event Submissions Close to make launch program 21 August - DIF2020 Festival Opens 4 September - DIF2020 Festival Closes 21 October - DIF2020 On Demand Closes Please register your account submit your event listings by the due dates