About Beyond
WHAT MAKES BEYOND DIFFERENT?
WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS RESEARCH AND IDEAS BECOME ACTION.
Since 2018, BEYOND has toured the UK, building a global community around creativity, research and innovation. Each edition responds to the questions of its time — from CreaTech and the Creator Economy to innovation districts and new models of collaboration — bringing together creative industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, technologists and funders to explore how new thinking moves from research into practice. To date, BEYOND has reached over 52,000 people worldwide. Run on a not-for-profit basis, all surplus is reinvested back into the conference to keep it growing and innovating.
Creative R&D at the core
Research, experimentation and applied innovation — not just trends.
Global outlook, regional impact
International delegates alongside strong regional partnerships.
Space for emerging talent
The Emerging Innovators programme platforms the next generation of creative researchers and practitioners.
Time to connect and talk
Longer breaks and networking time, built into the programme from the start.
what happens at BEYOND?
BEYOND Festival and Conference is a multi-day programme designed to spark ideas and turn them into action.
BEYOND 2025 highlights
Conference programme
Keynotes, panels, provocations and short talks curated to move between the big picture and the practical.
Showcases and EXPO
Creative R&D in front of the people who can take it further — designed for exploration, not passive viewing.
Workshops and Labs
Small, practical sessions. You leave with something you can actually use.
Social programme
Built for the unplanned conversations — the follow-up from a panel, the idea that turns into something.
Festival events
Talks, performances and gatherings across MediaCity, opening BEYOND to wider communities.
WHO IS BEYOND FOR?
BEYOND attracts a diverse and interdisciplinary audience, including:
industry leaders & practitioners
To explore new tools, ideas and collaborations shaping the future of creative work.
Researchers & academics
To share cutting-edge research, build partnerships and connect with industry.
Policymakers & funders
To understand emerging trends, support innovation and inform strategy.
Innovators, startups & investors
To showcase new projects and discover talent and opportunities for growth.
Journalists & cultural commentators
To engage with the conversations shaping creativity, technology and society.
BEYOND 2025 attendees
Our global reach
35 countries were representated at BEYOND in 2025
Afganistan
Australia
China
Columbia
Czech Republic
Egypt
France
Georgia
Germany
Hong Kong
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
South Korea
Kosovo
Netherlands
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sri Lanka
Turkey
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Live-stream viewers on YouTube:
Great Britain
South Korea
Indonesia
Georgia
Taiwan
HOW WE BUILD THE PROGRAMME
The BEYOND programme is built from the ground up each year by a dedicated curatorial team, working closely with programme partners the Arts and Humanities Research Council and British Council, and strategic partners MediaCity, GM Business Growth Hub, Salford City Council and the University of Salford.
Since 2024, MediaCity has been the home of BEYOND — one of the UK's leading creative technology and innovation districts. Together with wider festival and industry partners, these relationships shape the themes, speakers and content that make up each edition.
The programme is also informed by the wider BEYOND community — past delegates, practitioners and researchers who contribute ideas, flag emerging issues and help connect the right people. A strong editorial hand and the people closest to the work, rather than a fixed agenda, keeps BEYOND looking over the horizon, not following the crowd.
WHO PRODUCES BEYOND?
BEYOND is produced by BEYOND Studio, whose team of experienced producers, designers and event professionals handle everything from programme curation and partnership development to the design and delivery of the conference experience itself. Every detail is considered — because the environment in which ideas are shared matters as much as the ideas themselves.
2026 Conference and Festival Partners
Programme Partner
Festival Partner
Production Partner
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More Information
BEYOND 2025
BEYOND 2024
BEYOND 2023
BEYOND 2022
BEYOND 2021
BEYOND 2020
BEYOND 2019
BEYOND 2018
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