Homegrown success stories to speak at Canterbury Tech Summit

September 12 marks this year's upcoming Canterbury Tech Summit, and organisers those lucky enough to attend will not be disappointed.

Event manager Nina Lamb says the summit's theme this year is 'Amplify' as it echoes the energy of the tech industry.

"If Kiwis are to maintain our significance in this fast-evolving tech world, we must increase volume both in noise and mass," Lamb explains.

Speakers from homegrown tech firms including Rocket Lab, RedShield Security, FaceMe, and Trineo will take centre stage at the summit as they share their experiences and technologies with 700 attendees.

Topics include 'working with digital humans', 'latest defence strategies against hacking', 'New Zealand's role in space', and many more.

According to Canterbury Tech chair David Carter, New Zealand has an incredible tech industry that showcases innovation.

"Our no.8 wirers, risk takers and techpreneurs are creating newer, better, faster and more efficient solutions that are selling around the world. It's no surprise the NZ Government is aiming for ICT to be our second-largest contributor to GDP by 2025," he comments.

Sigmoid Curve's managing director Harold Hillman will open the summit with a keynote. He has seen how increasing change is impacting businesses to day.

He believes that if New Zealand is to reach its GDP goal, it's critical our tech firms get it right from the get-go.

Hillman will demonstrate how authentic leadership and genuine connection management can lead organisations through change with a collective sense of ownership and commitment to strong results.

The conference will provide tips on agility, collaboration, and transformation, investment, and international expansion.

Attendees will also be able to attend workshops with speakers from Microsoft, Callaghan Innovation, Assurity, and NEM NZ. The workshops will cover the latest developments in artificial intelligence, blockchain, organisation-wide innovation, and Team Dynamics.

An exhibition area will again complement this industry-led conference that will be held at the Air Force Museum in Wigram.

The conference will be held on 12 September 2018 at the Air Force Museum in Wigram, Christchurch. Tickets cost $350 and pre-conference workshops range from $50- $75 per person plus GST, with discounts for students and members of Canterbury Tech. A light lunch and networking refreshments are included. To register visit www.techsummit.nz.

The 2018 Tech Summit is sponsored by: Jade, Trineo, Assurity, Trimble, Cryptopia, Media Suite, Catalyst, Callaghan Innovation, ChristchurchNZ, estar, Sourced, Signal, Sequent, New Zealand Trade - Enterprise, Eagle Technology, The Testing Consultancy, Vocus Communications.

 It is supported by the AI Forum, Ministry of Awesome, Vodafone Xone, NZ Tech, Canterbury Angels, TUANZ, Green House, and the UC Centre for Entrepreneurship.