Digital future focus for local tech summit

BENDIGO will soon play host to digital summit with the aim of bringing together government, industry, and community stakeholders.

The two-day event seeks to inform a draft policy for the future of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, or ‘Industry 4.0’, in the Loddon Mallee region.

Keynote speakers include City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf, former New South Wales Government minister Victor Dominello, chair Regional Development Australia Loddon Mallee Leonie Burrows.

Management consultant company Delos Delta is facilitating the summit, and group CEO and managing director Australia, Brook Dixon, said the main goal is to continue to position the region as a hub for digital technology, innovation, and employment.

“First of all, we’re looking to showcase and promote all the fantastic digital achievements, industry and activity, and innovation that’s already happening in Bendigo and the region,” he said.

“There’s a fantastic array of things in terms of digital agriculture, health, education, advanced manufacturing, and many other examples, and there’s plenty of opportunities for people to get involved to invest, to participate, attract new jobs etcetera.

“Secondly, I think it’s to learn from other parts of Australia, and to exchange knowledge intelligence, not only with regional areas, but with metro areas.

“I think this is a fantastic event for Bendigo and the region.

“These sort of events, digital, smart tech, IOT (internet of things), they generally happen in the capital cities, so I think it’s a fantastic coup for Bendigo to be hosting this event.

“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for Bendigo really to cement itself as an innovative, forward-looking region, to turn up in numbers, and really stamp your reputation as a region that is go ahead and beyond the capital cities.

“We just don’t see these sort of world-class events in the regions very often. Bendigo deserves to have it, and we’re hoping that the local businesses and local leaders turn up in force.”

According to Delos Delta’s Lightcast document 2021, ‘Industry 4.0’, or jobs associated with digital technologies, contributed 4000 jobs across the Loddon Mallee region that year, through categories such as construction, resource extraction, IT, and engineering roles.

More information about the summit, which runs from 24 to 25 August, as well as registration, can be found via bit.ly/3scBORS.