The Andrews Labor Government has delivered a major boost to the state’s thriving tech and innovation ecosystem, announcing one of the biggest tech conferences in Australia is coming back to Melbourne in 2019.
Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula today joined with Australian Computer Society (ACS) chief executive Andrew Johnson to confirm the Reimagination Thought Leaders’ Summit and the Digital Disruptors Awards will be held in Melbourne for a second successive year.
Reimagination brings together local and international leaders from across the tech sector to share their views on the key challenges and opportunities being created by an increasingly digital world.
The associated Digital Disruptors Awards celebrate and showcase the achievements of Australia’s most outstanding tech talent.
Both events showcase Victoria’s growing tech sector to the world – the high-profile events were held in Sydney before the Labor Government attracted them to Melbourne, the nation’s innovation capital.
In 2018 Reimagination attracted more than 1,000 people to Melbourne from across Australia and around the world.
The ACS is Australia’s peak body for digital tech professionals and has recently expanded its Innovation Hub in Melbourne to cater for the growing tech sector.
Reimagination and the Digital Disruptor Awards join a long list of notable digital and innovation events supported by the Labor Government including CISCO Live, the TechDiversity Awards and the Digital Innovation Festival – a two-week celebration of Victorian’s tech capabilities across August and September.
Victoria’s tech and ICT sector comprises more than 19,300 businesses supporting more than 137,000 employees and generating revenue upwards of $36 billion every year.
Reimagination and the Digital Disruptors Awards will be held on 4 December at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“By supporting Victoria’s tech and ICT sector we are ensuring that Victoria remains the innovation capital of Australia and a growing tech hub in the Asia-Pacific.”
“We’re bringing the biggest events to Victoria, so our local startups and SMEs have every opportunity to grow and thrive, boosting the economy and creating jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Australian Computer Society chief executive Andrew Johnson
“Victoria is home to some incredible tech talent and we are excited that the Reimagination Thought Leaders’ Summit will once again be hosted in Melbourne.”
“We thank the Andrews Government and Minister Pakula for their continued leadership on innovation.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020