Banksy’s auction shredder prank was simulated on stage by an ex-Robot Wars judge to an entertained audience at the inaugural Digital Disrupt event last week.
Held at Cowes Yacht Haven after the Isle of Wight Council’s more formal Digital Island Conference, Digital Disrupt was an evening of presentations and networking, lubricated by a subsidised bar. Around 180 people welcomed the opportunity to meet like-minded folks with a techy interest, Isle of Wight experts, and others looking for digital support for their businesses.
Co-organiser Cat James, director of Ryde-based marketing company Pinkeye Graphics explained:
“A bunch of us conceived the idea of Digital Disrupt over pizza about six weeks ago. The council generously offered us the use of Cowes Yacht Haven after its own conference, and our concept just flowed from there. The main idea of Digital Disrupt was to be an ‘unconference’; with more bar-room networking than formal sessions.”
Benjamin Dyer, CEO of East Cowes-based Powered Now, who co-organised the event, has added:
“The Island is a great incubator for digital businesses but some of these small companies may just effectively be one person in their shed. It was nice to invite lone tech workers, plus other larger organisations, to an event where they could mingle and connect with each other in the real world. Quite a few of the delegates had met each other online, and were delighted to finally shake hands over a drink.”
As well as meeting other technology entrepreneurs, the guests at Digital Disrupt enjoyed stimulating talks and demonstrations by maker and engineer Dr Lucy Rogers, IBM master inventor Professor Andy Stanford-Clark and the Island’s own Mart Drake-Knight, who gave an enlightening talk about the processes behind Rapanui’s Teemill factory in Freshwater.
Grant Hesse, whose company North Wind Digital supported the event said:
“For a first event, Digital Disrupt exceeded our expectations. Will there be another? We’re already working on it!”
Find out more about Digital Disrupt at www.digital-disrupt.co.uk, where you can sign up for updates.
