Digital West conference returns to ATU Mayo

ATLANTIC Technological University (ATU) Mayo and ATU iHubs will host its popular annual Digital West conference titled 'Digital Disruption: The Aftershock' in the Mayo campus on Tuesday, January 31, in partnership with the Mayo Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

Academics from the ATU School of Business and guest speakers from a range of companies will share new and emerging digital technologies and future predications for SME innovations at this, the fifth annual Digital West conference.

Speakers will look at how organisations benefitted from rapid digitalisation and anticipated the next emerging digital trends for regional enterprise.

Speakers include John Gallagher, Head of Accelerated Growth for the UK and Ireland, who will speak on Bridging the Gap - Transforming Irish Businesses Through Digital; Brenda Mannion, Mersus Technologies, COO, who will speak about Leveraging Immersive Technologies for Learning and Development; and Valerie Butler, ATU, Chair for the BSc (honours) in Computing and Digital Media.

Very beneficial for SME networking will be the exciting presentation to be given by The Innovation Exchange’s Oonagh Fox. Jane Mangan and Myles Upton, Candor Chartered Accountants, and Ciaran Crean, CEO of the highly successful Mick's Garage, will also bring their expertise to the table.

Patrick Rowland, CEO, Elverys, will explain how rapid digitalisation has benefitted Elverys, leading it to create a first-in Ireland Amazon-like robotic warehousing system.

There will also be a showcase from regional digital enterprise (for more information on this contact the organising committee via the emails below or via the DigitalWest.biz website).

Chairperson of the Digital West committee, Dr. Noreen Henry, ATU lecturer, said: “Digital West is the first innovative event of the year, and has gained a reputation across the region and nationally for anticipating and informing local and regional enterprises of the key technologies and important emerging enterprise development trends.

“Following on from previous events on homeworking, cybersecurity and innovation, this year’s conference explores the digital aftershock. Now that the SMES and regional enterprises are up and running online, and trading virtually, what is the next competitive edge? What is the next strategic step and who is taking it?”

This is a significant event on any local, regional or national SMEs’ calendar. Places fill up very quickly. See https://digitalwest.biz/ for more information and to register your interest.

Further information can be obtained from Noreen Henry, chairperson of the Digital West committee and ATU Technology lecturer, email noreen.henry@atu.ie, or Dr. Janine McGinn at Janine.mcginn@atu.ie.