Bringing Big Ideas to the Great Exhibition of the North

Supported by academia and big business as part of the GX programme within the Great Exhibition of the North, the aim of the programme is to foster new partnerships, identify opportunities and trigger exciting innovative ideas. Crucially, the GX programme strives to deliver greater investment to the North East region.

The workshops will run between June and September and will showcase how Emerging Technology is unlocking a new era of transformation within a wide range of sectors. This includes: Advanced Manufacturing, Transport, Healthcare, Culture, Cities and Satellites. The workshops will take place at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead.

With an inspiring line-up of keynote speakers consisting of experts from leading employers in the region, GX will celebrate the innovative achievements of the North East and ultimately seeks solutions to the challenges outlined in the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The key focus areas addressed will include adapting to an ageing society, reducing carbon emissions through cleaner, greener and safer mobility and utilising AI and machine-learning to transform manufacturing practices and drive economic growth.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to shape and deliver this exciting programme as part of the Great Exhibition of the North” said Marianne Amor, who will manage the programme for Urban Foresight. “We’re passionate about connecting businesses to new ideas and helping SMEs to realise new commercial opportunities. It is also a real bonus to be able to do this in our home region as part of the landmark Great Exhibition of the North.”

The GX programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. Urban Foresight will deliver the programme in partnership with Gateshead Council, Gateshead College and the Digital Catapult.