The Hunter Innovation Festival has been an annual event since 2007 and in true innovation style there have been many iterations of how they have presented the festival. This year, in developing the festival theme, many exciting collaborations have resulted in a diverse and stimulating program, with a theme of Smart Ideas.
Hunter Innovation Festival coordinator Christina Gerakiteys says that collaboration is crucial to the success of any business.
“As businesses find diversification essential to their long-term sustainability, we are seeing more and more left of field collaborations taking place,” Christina said. “Great examples are the increasing number of collaborations between fashion designers and big brands, including the successful partnership between Stella McCartney and adidas and closer to home, Peter Morrissey and Big W.”
“Our events this year are collaborations between the University of Newcastle and Hunter TAFE, between New Institute and Newcastle NOW, between The Business Centre and Davies Collinson Cave. Our strategic partners including Hunter Research Foundation are cross promoting and sharing social media campaigns.”
The Hunter Innovation Festival will serve as a platform to exchange ideas about trends occurring on a global level and what is happening in the Hunter region.
“By keeping abreast with new ideas and technologies, and marrying those with our humanity, collectively we will be unstoppable in creating a vibrant city where opportunities are plentiful,” Christina concluded.
The Hunter Innovation Festival will run from 14 – 17 July. Visit www.hunterinnovation.biz for a full list of events and speakers.
Image | A panel at the NBN studios in 2014 – Lauren Devine (The Devine Life), Laurence Schuberth (one80 Digital), Paul Siderovski (SiDCOR Chartered Accountants), Lisa Messenger (Collective Hub).