Discover a Digital Boom at Conference

News release

6th March 2013

When searching for a digital business to design a website, develop an app or create a new piece of software, Lincolnshire isn’t always the first place people think to look.

But scores of digital businesses which can do just that are planning to prove how much the county can offer by showcasing their skills and services at the free onlincolnshire Digital Conference this month.

Fifteen firms including experts in search engine optimisation, web design, graphic design and live streaming will all be exhibiting on Wednesday 13th March at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lincoln. They were invited to take part as members of the onlincolnshire Digital Business Cluster, which offers business support and free workshops to businesses in Lincoln, East Lindsey and Boston.

Stuart McFarlane from CDI Alliance, which has organised the conference on behalf of onlincolnshire, said: “The exhibition will give people the chance to find out how much talent there is in Lincolnshire. People will have the opportunity to ask the digital experts some of those hard-to-answer technical questions or simply how an exhibitor’s product or service could help grow their business.

“The exhibition is a great addition to the conference and an area not to be missed. There will also be an opportunity for businesses to find out more about getting free business support and advice to help them go digital in 2013. Just find the CDI Alliance stand for more details.”

Exhibitors include Lincoln-based video production firm Epix Media, web design agency TJS and SEO Traffic Lab from Gainsborough.

More than 150 people have already booked tickets, with bookings still being taken. The idea is to inform, engage and connect Lincolnshire businesses so they don’t get left behind the rest of the UK when superfast broadband arrives. The conference is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Rowan Booth, Project Manager at First Media Solutions, a web development and digital media company based in Louth, said her firm plans to bring along some examples of recent projects, information about the solutions they can offer as well as being on hand to chat to at their stand.

“We want to demonstrate our many years’ experience in the digital industry,” said Rowan, whose firm works with companies such as The FA, CAPITA and the University of Hull. “With products and services ranging from web design to conferences and e-learning systems to multimedia content, we have plenty of ideas for how businesses can reach more customers through the use of digital technology.”

Social media guru John Popham will host workshops offering advice and guidance on using Facebook and Twitter or setting up a blog, while five speakers will offer expert advice on the day, including keynote speaker Rob Wilmot, a digital expert and one of the founders of Freeserve. Delegates will have a chance to take part in a question and answer session with all the speakers.

Lincolnshire County Councillor Kelly Smith, Executive Member for Finance and HR, said: “The digital conference will be a perfect opportunity to find out more about some of the innovative companies we have here in the county. The county council will soon be rolling out first-class broadband across Lincolnshire, so it’s important that businesses start exploring the benefits of digital technology. Hopefully, many of those coming along to the conference will be inspired to try something new.”

Keep up to date by visiting www.onlincolnshire.org, following @onlincolnshire and #godigital2013 on Twitter or by joining the onlincolnshire Business Support group on Linkedin.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

About the conference

• The conference will take place between 8.30am and 12.30pm at DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln on Wednesday 13th March.
• Stephen Parry from Lloyd Parry will explain how companies can encourage their employees to be more creative and innovative; Trefor Davies from Timico Technology Group will look at the technologies available and offer examples of how some Lincoln-based businesses have benefited from new digital services; Jonathan Fitzgerald from Lincolnshire County Council’s communications team will demonstrate the power of social media; Richard Duxbury from Lincolnshire Media will explain how the media industry has adapted to the digital age to continue provide news to the local community.      

• The full list of exhibitors is:

Epix Media

TJS Design

First Media

Bright Spark Studios

Timico

AB Internet

BT

SEO Traffic Lab

Lava Communications

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce

Community Lincs

Lincolnshire Media – This is Lincolnshire

KM Media - County Life

Onlincolnshire

CDI Alliance

About onlincolnshire

• onlincolnshire is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013
• Some Internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 7.6 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney

Tags: