THE Hunter is set to stage its first NewTech summit with host Novotel Newcastle Beach's general manager Edmond Power keen to make it an annual affair.
Barely three months into his role, Mr Power said the September 6 event would unite some of the best minds in the digital and technology space.
Backed by the City of Newcastle, speakers will cover advances in Fintech, Facebook and the rollout of its new digital currency, the importance of data and cyber security, content creation and digital marketing.
Mr Edmond said the seed to stage the event was planted before his appointment to the Newcastle role when he had read about the criteria for a city to be considered a successful digital hub. Factors included having a good university, a great arts and dining culture, affordable housing and a supportive local government.
"I thought Newcastle is a city that meets the criteria," he said, adding that council and local companies had been supportive of the hotel's plans to stage NewTech.
"Is it a heavy-hitting tech capital yet? No, it has a long way to go - but you can see all the seeds and foundations are there and we need people who are happy to take risk and collaborate because digital touches every part of our lives. It makes sense that it is a central industry that gives the economy longevity and delivers employment opportunities."
Mr Power believes Newcastle is "on the verge of greatness" with its rapidly diversifying economy.
Already in discussions with local and state government organisations to make NewTech a multi-day event in 2020, Mr Power said his aspiration was to make it a permanent fixture that would benefit local businesses.
He believes the event is needed in Newcastle because the the tech industry is "a little fragmented".
He said NewTech was important to "put great minds in one room and push them to conspire and collaborate".
"The only other element that is required is making sure the ideas aren't a bubble of enthusiasm that pops when people realise no money is available and that's why I think NewTech will have a role in connecting people with job opportunities or capital and that would be ideal and the missing piece of the puzzle," he said.
NewTech's speakers include Novocastrian Matt Purcell, Craig Browning from OAS Technology, Michelle Adams from Accor, Mark Shaw from OFX and Duncan Waterman from D-EDGE. An after-dark networking cocktail event at Fort Scratchley will round out the day's theme: "We live in the present, with an eye to the future whilst celebrating the past.'
Details at novotelnewcastlebeach.com.au.
