More than 1,000 people from Jersey and around the world tuned into the first virtual Jersey TechWeek.
The event blended physical guests with remote attendees in a week-long series of online TV programmes which explored themes from fintech to digital health and smart islands.
Guests included representatives of government and industry, as well as speakers from Carlsberg, Ocado, Microsoft, Clear Bank, and Google’s former global head of learning and development.
Key themes included the way technology and digital adoption has been fast-tracked during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the use of rich multi-layered sources of data can be visualised to help policymakers make smarter evidence-based decisions.
Jersey TechWeek, organised by Digital Jersey, which is dedicated to the growth of the digital sector, saw the Digital Jersey Hub in St Helier converted into a dynamic TV studio where talks, presentations and panel discussions seamlessly connected speakers in the island with those in Washington, Singapore and numerous European cities.
Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta said: “We planned Jersey TechWeek around the phrase ‘not another webinar’, and the team certainly delivered. We produced around 20 hours of rich, content-packed programming across the week to shout about Jersey to the world, and to bring the best in the world to the island. It was heartening to see our local telecoms companies, government, myriad local businesses, and enterprising individuals all playing their part and sharing their knowledge and wisdom, as well as their challenges and problem-solving know how.”
As the TechWeek Media Partner, Channel Eye interviewed many of the speakers. Managing Director, Tim Bullock said: “Running a virtual event actually gave many benefits, including being able to attract global speakers who wouldn’t normally be able to travel to Jersey. Our island’s strengths and capabilities were showcased to the world”. You can catch-up with the interviews and TechWeek content here.
The entire week’s programming is now available to watch on the Digital Jersey YouTube channel.
Jersey TechWeek concluded with the launch of the Jersey TechAwards which celebrates the island’s digital industries. Nominations are being sought across 13 categories including two new categories covering technology during lockdown and technology for sustainability.
Entry details and more information about the awards is available here.
Mr Moretta added: “2020 has been a challenging year, in one way or another, for everyone in Jersey. It’s also been the year that, again and again, technology has been at the heart of innovative solutions, from online education to the government’s track and tracing systems to the new Jersey Covid Alert app. I really want to use the Jersey TechAwards to shine a bright light on these efforts which are helping us all to get through this pandemic together as a community.”
For more information on virtual Jersey TechWeek sessions, speakers and sponsors click here.
