MATRIX, the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel is to sponsor the Beyond2021 Conference which is being held this year in a hybrid fashion, with live events taking place at Belfast’s Titanic Hotel.

Now in its fourth year, BEYOND is a unique, annual gathering of current and future innovators focussed on R&D across the creative industries. The conference programme features over 40 speakers from across the creative industries from renowned and established names to rising talent.

Building on the success of the previous three annual BEYOND’s, the 4th conference in October 2021 will offer a hybrid experience from Belfast, with two days featuring expert speakers, including keynotes, panel discussions, think pieces and provocations, Q&As and plenty more. It also includes two exhibitions showcasing UK excellence in research-driven creative innovation with a showcase and poster exhibition of innovative projects and research.

There is a big space opening for the Creative Industries to lead the way with mission driven research and innovation to reimagine, reinvent and reinvigorate place.

BEYOND 2021 will take the theme of place to look at how the Creative Industries are forming the heart of new vibrant cultural and creative economies.

BEYOND will convene Creative Industry leaders, researchers, policy makers, creators and artists to understand:

  • How place influences the shape these economies take
  • How the success of creative places can be locked in for the long haul
  • How we build talent pipelines to meet the ambitions
  • The role of imagination, risk-taking and research
  • How creative technologies augment and connect places both real and virtual
  • The roles of identity and diversity in places and spaces
  • How these place-based creative economies link to each other and the wider world

It can’t be understated the importance that the creative industries plays within Northern Ireland by supporting around 50,000 jobs and estimated to contribute £1billion in GVA to the local economy by 2025.

MATRIX has carried out extensive research on the creative sector showing that it has the potential not just to grow within itself, but also to assist in the development of non-creative industries, offering solutions in areas like life and health sciences, sports tech and mapping technologies.

Supported by a strong further education sector and two world-class universities, both with a track record of deploying innovations in the commercial sector the future looks bright for the NI Creative Industries.

BEYOND2021 takes place in Belfast on 20/21 October

Full event details are here: BEYOND 2021 – Matrix (matrixni.org)