Thinking Digital Opening Party

Date: Wednesday 13 May
Time: 5pm 'til late
Venue: Eye on the Tyne, Newcastle
Cost: Now FREE thanks to 4iP

THANKS to the rather lovely 4iP, the Opening Party on Wednesday 13 May is now FREE for all Connect members (regardless of whether you're coming to the full conference).

Channel4’s 4iP is a £50m innovation fund to stimulate public service digital media across the UK. In practice, that means supporting great ideas for websites, games and mobile services which help people improve their lives.

We're delighted to have them joining us at Thinking Digital so they can meet as many North East digital companies as possible.

The party will kick off at 5pm with an open bar to begin with. Food will also be available from around 6pm.

To get your FREE place, enter the promo code openparty_connect at http://tinyurl.com/dy5pvb(click on'enter a promotional code').

PLEASE NOTE: the page the link above takes you through to is headed 'Thinking Digital University'. But when you enter your promo code you'll be able to register for the party on its own. So don’t worry.

Thinking Digital University

Date: Wednesday 13 May
Time: From 2.30pm
Venue: Live Theatre or The BALTIC
Cost: £25 +VAT for Connect members (£50 +VAT non-members)

THERE are still some tickets left for Connect members to attend Thinking Digital University – your chance to learn from and be inspired by the world's leading experts in digital innovation, marketing and business.

Taking place on Wednesday 13 May from 2.30pm, we're running three special university-style sessions – looking at social media, DIY gadgetry and practical wisdom for small businesses – the day before the Thinking Digital conference.
Sessions to choose from

There are three sessions to choose from, each beginning at 2.30pm.

1) Social Media Masterclass hosted by social media expert Stowe Boyd with guests JP Rangaswami of BT, Paul Smith of the Guardian & aka 'Twitchhiker' and Alex Hunter of Virgin. This class will explore where social media/technologies are today and where they are headed tomorrow.

2) Show & Tell: Gadget DIY hosted by Ian Forrester of the BBC with guests Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino of TinkerIt & Arduino, Interaction Designer Andy Huntington, Friispray, Adrian McEwan (Bubblino) and Ant Miller of the BBC.

Inspired by the recent success of the UK Maker Faire and Thinking Digital conference speaker Johnny Chung Lee, this session celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of a new breed of hardware 'hackers'.

3) Practical Wisdom hosted by Mike Southon, FT columnist and author of The Beermat Entrepreneur. His guests will include Andrew Barke of Google, Harry Drnec former CEO of Red Bull, Andy Redfern of EthicalSuperstore.com and Mssrs Barry Vitou and Danvers Ballieu of Winston & Strawn.

This informative, insightful and entertaining session will leave you inspired to take on the many challenges all businesses are facing in today's tough environment. Issues covered will range from leadership, management, marketing, and tips on how to use and avoid using lawyers.

How to book

To attend a Thinking Digital University session (plus access to the Official Opening Party) on Wednesday 13 May costs £25 +VAT.

To book your place and to find out more, go to http://tinyurl.com/dy5pvb and enter the promo code: tdu_member.

GTI Business Breakfast

Date: Friday 15 May
Time: 7.30-8.30am
Venue: Barbour Room, The Sage Gateshead
Cost: Now FREE thanks to GTI

GATESHEAD Technology Innovation (GTI) is running a special business breakfast on the second morning (Friday) of Thinking Digital – a perfect opportunity to meet fellow Connect members and conferencedelegatesover a nice free breakfast.

Running from 7.30-8.30am in the Barbour Room at The Sage Gateshead, the freebrekkie will also give you the chance to take part in a 'high-speed' networking session.

Again, the Business Breakfast isopento you regardless of whether you're attending the full conference.

For more info and to register for your FREE place, simply email leeanne.bennett@codeworks.net