BEYOND 2024
NOVEMBER 25-27
MEDIACITY, SALFORD
City Stories. Influential Leaders. Bold Strategies. Game Plans. Creative Policies.
BEYOND 2024 comes from MediaCity, Salford, where the last decade has seen a transformation of Greater Manchester's creative economy, now a key part of the north-west’s identity.
This year, we explore the innovative potential of Creative Cities, using MediaCity’s story as a launch pad amidst a new era in UK government.
What makes a world-leading creative city? With compelling stories from the UK and around the world, we’ll explore the building blocks and game plans that have brought creative cities to life.
We'll hear how innovation can flourish, and how technology will shape future city regions.
We'll delve into the roles of creative networks, hubs, cultural and research institutions, talent pipelines, networks, policy and culture.
We'll learn about bold strategies placing creativity at the heart of urban growth, the rise of new creative cities, and how they navigate the challenges of change.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS
AVAILABLE NOW!
We are excited to announce Early Bird tickets for BEYOND 2024 are now on sale.
Secure your BEYOND 2024 Early Bird tickets at the 2023 price of just £399+VAT - saving you more than £100 compared to our next ticket release. Plus, we’ll cover the booking fee!
Tickets include access to the full conference, partner events, exhibitions and social activities.
Concessionary rates are also available. See the ticket page for details.
2024 Programme
Intro
Intro
Intro
Intro
Join us for a thought-provoking programme developed in partnership with the British Council and featuring a host of expert speakers, short talks, panels and audience Q&As bringing new industry insights and opportunities, all focused on this year’s core theme, the global creative economy. And there’s more including a whole series of sessions from our partners, a showcase of pioneering R&D projects and plenty of networking opportunities.
What’s On
What’s On
Conference Programme
The two day conference in London (21–22 November 2023) will feature expert speakers, keynotes, panel discussions, think pieces and provocations, Q&As and plenty more including a series of sessions from our partners and a Research Symposium.
Immersive Futures Lab
The Immersive Futures Lab at BEYOND will give access to the very latest uses of technologies from Virtual Reality to Haptics, Spacial Audio and more. Play with early-stage prototypes demonstrating new types of content and uses of the tech, and meet the people behind some pioneering projects.
Special events
We will have a variety of additional activities alongside the main programme including networking and social events in and around our central London venue.
Get Involved
BEYOND 2023 is offering a range of opportunities for individuals and organisations to showcase their projects and research, host discussions and workshops, as well as meet new partners, funders and collaborators.
Themes
Themes
BEYOND GLOBAL
The 2023 programme will explore the global landscape of creative economies, how they grow, the challenges and opportunities, their new forms and the huge potential for UK creatives to collaborate.
Join us to make the connections and spark the conversations to unlock the vast potential of international creative collaboration.
Attend
Attend
Attend
Attend
This year BEYOND sets out to explore the global landscape.
There is a growing worldwide recognition of the power of the creative industries to drive innovation, growth and social change, from ambitious strategies to transform whole nations to small, equitable initiatives to sustain and grow creative communities.
What opportunities does this vast ecosystem offer for creative research and innovative creative business collaborations? Where are UK creatives driving change and where do international actors have new policies and methodologies we need to understand?
Join us at BEYOND 2023 to expand your creative horizons and networks
For Business
- Connect with creative innovators, thinkers, experts and researchers
- Discover the latest innovations and creative technologies shaking up and redefining our sector
- Case studies from groundbreaking projects
- Experience first-hand demos from pioneering projects
- Find collaborators, researchers and funders to build your organisation’s capabilities
- Explore international and inward UK investment opportunities
For Researchers
- Discover recent developments in the creative arts
- Connect with creative industry pioneers
- Experience and engage with practice-led research projects
- Connect and collaborate with leading creative tech businesses and industry stakeholders
- Indulge in a core programme of thought-provoking panel debates and roundtables
- Interact with local and international tech enthusiasts and experts
BLOG
BLOG
Why you shouldn’t let running a business get in the way of creativity
Guest post by Becki Cohen, Programme Manager - Digital Creative and Tech Sector, GM Business Growth Hub. “Creativity is essentially a lonely art. An even lonelier struggle. To some a blessing, to others a curse”, or so American graphic designer Lou Dorsfman...
BEYOND Community Case Study: Marc Boothe
Building Bridges Through Creative Technology: A BEYOND Journey by Marc Boothe As the Brixton-based Founder and Creative Director of B3 Media, a creative arts network, I established back in 2000, I've had the opportunity to witness countless 'aha' moments. These...
BEYOND Community Case Study: Ami Aubrey
As part of our new blog series, Community Case Studies, BEYOND chats to Ami Aubrey, Programme Producer for Bedford Creative Arts. Ami tells us about her two previous experiences at BEYOND, and how the conference has helped her and her organisation to grow,...
ON-DEMAND
ON-DEMAND
2020
2019
BEYOND 2022
BEYOND 2022
Cardiff, October 2022
BEYOND 2022 headed to Cardiff, taking place right in the heart of the Welsh capital. Delegates enjoyed showcases, dinners and networking at the iconic Cardiff City Hall and National Museum Cardiff over a 3-day programme.
It was a pleasure to welcome BAFTA-nominated Jason Mohammad as the conference MC. He was joined by a speaker line up featuring Sophie Howe (Future Generations Commissioner for Wales), actor Michael Sheen and futurist world-builder Alex McDowell addressing questions crucial to our future creative industries, with themes focused on understanding what part the creative industries should play in designing a zero-carbon future.
