Leeds Digital Festival 2024 officially kicks off in the city with the festival launch party on 12 September.
The exclusive event is an opportunity for organisers to thank sponsors and supporters for their contribution to Leeds Digital and the lasting legacy it provides to the region’s thriving tech sector. The launch is hosted by sponsors Leeds Building Society at its Sovereign Street HQ.
The occasion also gives guests details on the immersive festival programme, which will include over 200 diverse events taking place from 16 to 27 September across various venues in and around the city.
Now in its ninth successive year, the 2024 festival's key theme is how it drives the upskilling and recruitment of workers across Leeds City Region’s booming tech scene. As it does every year, the event also aims to inspire and encourage collaboration, highlighting the strength of the city's tech economy to a global audience.
Stuart Clarke MBE, festival director, said: "There is a great deal of anticipation as we prepare to showcase Leeds in the digital spotlight with the staging of the ninth successive festival in the city. The generosity of sponsors enables us to deliver the all-year-round Leeds Digital platform and host the Leeds Digital Festival each September, along with the mini-fest in April, for the benefit of the entire tech and digital community in Leeds.
“The benefits to the city are huge, establishing Leeds as the fastest growing digital economy outside of London and playing a valuable part in helping Leeds City Region’s tech sector to generate £6.5bn for the UK economy annually. This year’s launch event is a chance to strengthen existing relationships and establish meaningful new connections.”
The festival celebrates all the tech achievements within the Leeds City Region, which includes Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield. Event hosts, attendees, and speakers from other areas are welcomed every year.
Jay Patel, head of technology at Leeds Building Society, said: “We’re looking forward to being involved in the Leeds Digital Festival again and are privileged to be launch sponsors. As well as hosting the official launch party, we will be playing an active role in the festival programme, running events covering a range of topics, including cloud data, diversity and intersectionality, and how to make digital thrive in businesses.
“Leeds Digital Festival is a crucial event that celebrates the fantastic digital work delivered by businesses across Leeds and the contribution that the city is making to the rapid evolution of the UK and global tech scene.
“Our involvement and continued support with the festival again this year closely aligns with our own aims to innovate and inspire those working in tech, or considering a progressive career in the digital sector.”
Leeds Digital Festival is the UK's largest open platform tech event and the biggest outside London. The programme's open and inclusive nature enables everyone, from startups to global organisations, to host events. Most events are free to attend to ensure they remain accessible to all.
The festival is supported by premier sponsors BJSS and PEXA, executive sponsors Accenture, DWP Digital, Glean, Lloyds Bank, Nexus University of Leeds, Flutter, and a host of associate sponsors.
The complete programme is now available to sign up on leedsdigitalfestival.org
