AWISE – Innovation for Regional Australia

Calling for AWISE 2023 Sponsors

Building on our experience from five years of Innovation Summit & EXPO events and armed with the insights received via the 2022 annual round table discussions we’re building a program of events for AWISE 2023 which is planned as a series of face to face and hybrid events during the Victorian Government’s 8th Annual DIF festival (23rd August through 6th September 2023).

Are you interested in helping us to build Digital Literacy and Innovation in the region of Albury-Wodonga. If so, we’d love to hear from you and how you could help with resources, people or funding to build and delivery our 6th annual AWISE program. Please contact us via Tier One on 02 6051 5600 or email innovate@awise.world.

Building a AWISE World

Welcome to the home of the Albury-Wodonga Innovation Summit & EXPO (AWISE). Since 2017 we’ve been exploring and celebrating annually Innovation and the impact and opportunity it presents to Regional Australia.

At AWISE 2020 we looked at how through the use of Optimism and Innovation we can as a community Reflect, Adapt, and Thrive post 2019/2020 Bushfires and the CoVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. In 2021, due to Victorian CoVID-19 lockdowns, our planned return to a face to face event was sadly like so many other events cancelled at the last minute.

Australians, particularly in regional communities, are a resilient bunch so we returned in 2022 by delivering a number of face to face events including our Innovation Round Table event on the 15th September 2022. The Innovation Round Table event brought together key stakeholders in the community from local government, universities, not for profits, and industry took at Innovation and Digital Literacy in the region to identify challenges and opportunities.

AWISE 2022 - Innovation Round Table

Tackling Innovation & Digital Literacy

At the Innovation Round Table event for 2022, which was hosted in Wodonga on Thursday 15th Sept, we explored not only Innovation but also Digital Literacy and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the region in the next couple of years. With over 30 stakeholders across universities, TAFEs, local government, health, and industry, we listend to Ilena Young from Startup Shakeup and discussed what the region needs to help shape the AWISE 2023 program.

AWISE 2020 Session - Wednesday 9th December

Why Digital matters more than ever

As our final session for 2020, our guest speaker Andrew Charitou looked at how digital has changed, and continues to change, the opportunity for transformation in Australian business. He will also provided an overview of the recently announced NBN Business Fibre initiative and the opportunities it presents, particularly to regional businesses.

Presenter: Andrew Charitou, National Manager ICT Channel at NBNCo

Please use the Social Media networks below to share with someone you think may be interested.

On Thursday 3rd September, as part of a launch for the AWISE 2020, “The Optimism Man” himself,  Victor Perton, lead a panel on a stimulating and uplifting look at how we can all spring into the new season, embrace optimism, and start innovating for a better future.

We were pleased to welcome Scott OBrien to the virtual AWISE stage on the 2nd December. The above video was a quick interview with Scott ahead of the session where we asked what makes Scott Optimistic? Visit here for the session recording

About AWISE

AWISE (Albury-Wodonga Innovation Summit & EXPO) is an annual event hosted from Wodonga in North East Victoria to explore, celebrate, and learn about
advancements in Innovation locally, nationally, and globally.

Run as a full day event with a conference, workshops and innovation expo, it brings together industry, business, and education institutions. In 2020, due to the state government lock downs and social distancing, we ran the program over a series of webinars and workshops throughout the months of October and December. Sadly in 2021, due to last minute state-wide lockdowns, the event was postponed at the last minute. In 2022 we returned with a number of smaller face to face events including the annual Innovation Round Table.

2022 Innovation Round Table

At the Innovation Round Table event for 2022 we explored not only Innovation but also Digital Literacy and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the region in the next couple of years. With over 30 stakeholders across universities, TAFEs, local government, health, and industry, we listend to Ilena Young from Startup Shakeup (See their 2022 Digital Inclusion report) and discussed what the region needs to help shape the AWISE 2023 program for its planned return to a face to face format for the first time in over three years.

For 2022 we had a great crew to help us facilitate and run the round table event. Thanks a million to our supporters.

2020 Innovation Summit

Due to the Victorian COVID lockdowns in 2020 we had to pivot and deliver an online online program . The program ran over a 10 week period (October to December 2020) with great sessions an a broad range of Innovation topics. Despite being a last minute change we still managed to reach hundreds of locals as well as thousands that would not previously had the opportunity to attend.

Above is a video of the “Robots in the Workplace” session which was one of many great session that was delivered. To see more sessions visit here.

2019 Innovation Summit

In 2019 the Innovation Summit & EXPO was rebranded to AWISE (or The Albury-Wodonga Innovation Summit & EXPO). The AWISE event was held at The Cube in Wodonga on Wednesday 4th September 2019.

Thanks to all the partners, sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and of course attendees that made the 2019 event possible and a special thanks to Victor Perton (The Optimism Man) for providing his uplifting master of ceremonies services and asking us all….what makes you optimistic?

Unfortunately due to the COVID19 pandemic, we were unable to prepare a video wrap for 2019. Check it out in photos on the Event Wrap page.

2018 Innovation Summit

The 2018 Innovation Summit & EXPO was held in Wodonga on Friday 7th September 2018. The day comprised a workshop delivered by Google in the morning followed by an afternoon Innovation Summit which included presentations on Innovation in Energy, the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality, Recruiting and Retaining Talent in the Modern Workforce and more.

Above is a brief recap video of the 2018 Innovation Summit & EXPO hosted in Wodonga on 7th September 2018

2017 Innovation Summit

The 2017 Innovation Summit & EXPO was held in Benalla on Thursday 31st August 2017. The day comprised a think tank of regional co-working followed by an afternoon workshop delivered by Google and an evening Innovation Summit which included presentations on Innovation in Energy, Building an Innovation Culture, Innovation Coworking, Retail Marketing, Digital Marketing and more.

Above is a brief recap video of the 2017 Innovation Summit & EXPO hosted in Benalla on 31st August 2017

If you have any queries the AWISE event please contact Tier One.

Would you like to participate in AWISE or other similar events as a speaker, exhibitor, or sponsor? If so, please get in touch and we’ll be pleased to keep you in the loop regarding upcoming opportunities to engage in the region.

AWISE is run annually to coincide with the Victorian Government’s Digital Innovation Festival (DIF). This year DIF will run from Friday 21st August to Saturday 5th September.

For more information about DIF and the other events running during the festival please visit the DIF Website.