DIF2019 PROGRAM Official Festival Events Each year a series of events are scheduled in the lead up to the Festival. Kicking off in February with the open call for event partners. Minister Pakula launched DIF2019 at the annual Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) Ministerial Forum on 28 February in Melbourne to a room of tech industry leaders. Major events were announced including the AIIA National iAwards as a centrepiece of DIF, the Digital AI Summit, Pearcey Oration and The Churchill Club Tech Trends Debate. This initial program was updated in May to time with Melbourne Knowledge Week.
[3] DIF2019 Launch 06.08.19
In 2019 a series of events called DIF Mixers were introduced in the lead up to the Festival. Held on Tuesday afternoons at the Victorian Innovation Hub in June and July the Mixers offered opportunities for over 200 people to connect and contribute. Collaborating around the Festival themes provided a framework for the DIF Hub 2019 program during the second week. The DIF2019 Launch was held on 6 August. Key event partners delivered their “DIF Pitch”, sold the benefits of attending their event, offered special deals and even gave away a few tickets. The event was captured by the DJPR Newsroom and featured on the Victorian Connection -. “Digital Innovation Festival leads the way across Victoria”. [3]
[4] DIF2019 Opening by David Latina 23.08.19
The Official DIF2019 Opening was a sold-out event. Hosted by David Latina, Deputy Secretary, Jobs, Innovation and Business Engagement, DJPR, at the Victorian Investment Centre on Friday 23 August. Hosted jointly with the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), the event focused on cybersecurity with a compelling “‘live hack” demonstration. The event provided AISA with an opportunity for advance promotion of Australia’s largest cybersecurity event which the Association hosted in October at the MCEC. [4] Recognising the value of this form of crosspromotion, other major event hosts are looking to forge strategic partnerships with the Festival in 2020. In keeping with the broad geographical nature of the Festival, DIF closing events were held across the State
[5] Closing Event Student Tech Jobs Expo VEIT 06.09.19
on the final day including the Victorian Engineering and Graduate Tech Jobs Expo at Fed Square. [5]
2019 Inside the DIF ezine
Page 6
