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Beyond IoT 2021 Doubles Conference Capacity - Highlighting the Benefits of a Virtual Event Setting
28 January, 2021
Beyond IoT, the hugely successful tech conference returned for its fourth consecutive year on the 25th of January, 2021.
In the past twelve months, many industries have had to adjust to an ever-changing landscape and Beyond IoT conference was no exception. The event moved online for its fourth year, mirroring its main focus: The Digital Revolution.
In the past, the conference has welcomed up to 600 attendees, but by moving to a virtual conference platform, which was designed, built and managed by the Nimbus Research Centre team, Beyond IoT was able to double these numbers - an incredible example of innovation in action!
The Beyond IoT conference has always been centred around providing a platform for organisations to upskill, network and grow their business. Even in a virtual setting, the conference organisers achieved this, with 25 workshops running for the duration of the event.
The workshops have long been a unique selling point for the conference. Taking on board positive feedback from the 2020 event, Beyond IoT welcomed back tech giants Arrow Electronics and Microsoft for Start-Ups. The firms took attendees of the workshops through the process of utilizing new tech and accessing the vast amount of funding available.
The major topics broached at this year’s conference included Cybersecurity, Industry 4.0 and The Digital Transformation. The change to an online, virtual format allowed for a more diverse range of guest speakers. Industry experts and thought leaders from the UK, US and Asia allowed for exciting dialogue and interesting talks.
The conference welcomed guest speakers such as Dr Sally Eaves of Oxford University, who delivered a keynote on AI and Ethics. Other speakers of note include Professor Sanjay Sarma, MIT; Laura Knausenberger and Nicolas Chaillan, US Airforce Civilian Tech Transfer; Dr Sandrine Crener, Harvard University and Andrew Bickley, Arrow Electronics.
Beyond IoT offered attendees a refreshing take on virtual conferencing, with access to three stages: Industry Europe, Industry Asia and Research. Mixed reality elements meant guests received more engagement than ever before. Attendees were also given the chance to win an incredible range of prizes, intended to aid innovation. The prizes included 3D printers and Microsoft Azure Software.
Richard Linger, Nimbus Technology Gateway Manager at MTU, highlighted the importance of the sponsors of the event: “They made it possible for us to open the event up to students across the country. This contribution to facilitating access to current information and networks is key to building the future technologists”.
In continuing its adaptation to the constraints of the global pandemic, Beyond IoT extended its offering to include a limited podcast series in the run-up to the event. The series launched two episodes a week and included topics ranging from Tech for Good to showcasing the incredible Irish entrepreneurs who have harnessed it to solve problems in society, the environment and healthcare. Even though the conference has come to an end you can listen back to the podcast series here.
