Attendees at Inspirefest 2015 – will we see you and your team there in 2016? Image via Conor McCabe Photography
At a time when we can get informed via webinars, YouTube and social media, it is easy to forget the benefits for you and your team of the live experience, but little can beat the sense of inspiration you feel in a room charged with positive ideas and progressive minds.
Inspirefest 2016 is an international sci-tech festival, which also celebrates diversity and inclusion in STEM, that will take place in Dublin’s docklands this summer.
Following on from Inspirefest 2015, which featured speakers including MakeLoveNotPorn founder Cindy Gallop, Spacehack founder Ariel Waldman and games developer Brianna Wu, this year’s event will feature contributions from venture capital legend Jeanne M Sullivan and Nilofer Merchant, described as the ‘Jane Bond of innovation’.
A festival that encourages diversity of thought, as we believe that leads to greater innovation, Inspirefest is an amazing place to bring your employees to help them look at the challenges and opportunities of the sci-tech industry from a different perspective.
Here are seven reasons why you and your team must attend Inspirefest 2016.
1. Catch the habit of highly effective people
Cindy Gallop at Inspirefest 2015. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
Stephen Covey refers to ‘sharpening the saw’ in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Sometimes you have to escape from the work of ‘work’ and sharpen your knowledge and skills outside the workplace. You’ll return from Inspirefest energised and empowered with new ideas and approaches that will make you and your team more knowledgeable, effective and efficient.
2. Learn to build diverse teams and great company culture
Attendees on their way into Inspirefest 2015. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
Chances are you already know that diversity and inclusion lead to more effective teams, more innovative thinking and better financial returns for organisations. However, it can be hard to cut through the ‘expert’ clutter, and execution can be the greatest challenge. You and your team will learn from progressive, international leaders that have cracked the code in their own organisation.
3. Be inspired by the leading minds in tech and innovation
Ariel Waldman at Inspirefest 2015. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
Enjoy two full days of inspiring talks and discussion with incredible international thinkers who are leading the way in science, tech and innovation. Unlike the sprawling exhibition-style events that are becoming the fashion, Inspirefest is a boutique sci-tech event with some 3,000 attendees over two days, allowing you to genuinely rub shoulders with role models and business leaders from the worlds of technology and the sciences.
4. Reward and empower your team
Attendees at the Inspirefest Fringe in Merrion Square Park. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
It might be obvious, but getting out of the office and bringing your team to an event like Inspirefest is investing in your company and investing in your team. It demonstrates that you and your team are worth it, that you still have things to learn, and that you can get better at what you do and bring fresh thinking back to the workplace. Inspirefest offers a unique mix of networking, learning and fun in one package. It is a truly unique opportunity to reward and empower your team in 2016.
5. Relish an event curated by experienced content creators
Brianna Wu speaking at Inspirefest 2015. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
The challenge with the web is that we sometimes believe we have all information at our fingertips and, in a way, we do. However, information overload and clutter means we rarely actually access the best thinking in our fields. But Inspirefest is run by a team with decades of experience in content editing and curation. While content is often an afterthought at events, at Inspirefest it literally takes centre stage: one stage with the most inspiring speakers from around the world.
6. Take advantage of an unrivalled opportunity to make connections for life
Attendees relax in the Google Recharge Lounge at Inspirefest 2015. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
We all benefit from the likes of social media to make connections, but there is nothing like the live experience to make true connections for life. Inspirefest offers a wealth of opportunities to mix and mingle with your peers and like-minded professionals – over coffee, lunch or a drink at our legendary Inspirefest Fringe in Merrion Square Park. You may find yourself sitting near the perfect business partner, supplier, customer or, indeed, mentor. Or, if you don’t make it, your biggest competitor may be sitting in your seat.
7. Network at a summer festival in the park
Loah performing at the Inspirefest Fringe 2015. Image via Conor McCabe Photography
Your ticket price includes free access to our legendary evening Fringe festival with top music acts, spoken word, comedy, film screenings and art in a leafy Georgian park in the heart of vibrant Dublin city. At Inspirefest, we believe that conferences do not need to be dry affairs that feel like, well, work. At Inspirefest, you will be enchanted and inspired while you learn from thought-provoking and challenging speakers from around the world. You don’t have to be a master networker or an extrovert to enjoy Inspirefest – amazing connections happen organically and naturally.
Inspirefest is Silicon Republic’s international event connecting sci-tech professionals passionate about the future of STEM. Join us again from 30 June to 2 July 2016 for fresh perspectives on leadership, innovation and diversity. Get your Early Bird tickets now.
Groups can enjoy a further 10pc discount on tickets; Early Bird offer ends on 16 March, so act fast!
Updated 22 June 2016 at 11.20am: An earlier version of this article cited #iLookLikeAnEngineer founder Isis Anchalee as a speaker at Inspirefest 2016. Unfortunately, Anchalee can no longer make it to the event due to personal commitments.
