Technology

Posted on May 17, 2018 by staff

UK VR & AR event to welcome top tech companies

Technology

Manchester is set to welcome leading innovators from the world of immersive technology for an exhibition and conference aimed at opening up new opportunities for UK businesses.

The two-day conference on June 21-22, hosted by the Creative AR & VR Hub at Manchester Metropolitan University, will see technology giants such as BT and Microsoft exhibiting the latest augmented and virtual reality technologies alongside a programme of talks and presentations from sector-leading experts.

Following a landmark agreement earlier this year between Manchester Metropolitan and the South Korean government organisation Gyeonggi Content Agency, the conference will develop new business partnerships and investments for Korean immersive technology companies in the UK.

Dr Timothy Jung, director of the Creative AR & VR Hub at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “This is an exciting time in the AR/VR sector, with the Gyeonggi Content Agency investing £200,000 to bring business delegates to our exhibition and conference.

“The event is an opportunity to introduce UK businesses to these delegates and explore the innovative ways that immersive technology can be used to benefit organisations of all sizes in a range of different markets.”

The conference is supported by the Department for International Trade, which is currently exploring future collaborative trade and investment opportunities in the sector.

Nigel Jones, sector specialist for Digital and Creative at the Department for International Trade, said: “Immersive technologies are a real strength right across the Northern Powerhouse and this conference is another great example that is shining a light on it for businesses locally, nationally and internationally.

“I am looking forward to speaking at the event myself and also to hear from companies about their plans to establish a base here.

“Having already met with Gyeonggi Content Agency, I am keen to meet with them again and build upon the excellent relationship they have established with Manchester Metropolitan University.”

Gyeonggi Content Agency is a public organisation based in Gyeonggi Province dedicated to reinforcing the competitiveness of the culture content industry and, with agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding with Manchester Metropolitan, is contributing to economic growth through its support for the content industry.

Dong-Kwang Ahn, director of content industry division at Gyeonggi Province, said: “The AR & VR Conference is a very meaningful event which will progress our collaborative agreement with Manchester Metropolitan, setting a benchmark in the mutual development of immersive technology.

“Through Gyenoggi Content Agency, Gyeonggi Province will continuously support global AR & VR partnerships and in particular new business opportunities with UK immersive technology companies in the future”.

More than 250 delegates will meet world-leading immersive technology companies from South Korea including SKonec Entertainment, Looxid Labs and Thirteenth Floor.

They will be joined by leading experts from the UK from a wide range of companies including BBC R&D, Microsoft Hololens and Unreal Engine.

The conference will be taking place at the Manchester Metropolitan Business School in the heart of Manchester on June 21-22.

Speakers include director of BBC R&D Adrian Woolard, technical Evangelists at Microsoft UK Pete Daukintis and Mike Taulty, AR/VR lead at PwC Jeremy Dalton and managing director of ESL James Dean.