Convince your boss: 8 reasons why you have to be at Inspirefest

9 Jun 2015

Inspirefest 2015 is a sci-tech conference and fringe festival taking place in Dublin on 18-20 June. Photo by Connor McKenna

We’ve been getting requests for help from people who want to explain to their bosses why they need to be at Inspirefest 2015, so we’ve put together this list to ensure you won’t miss the sci-tech event of the year.

You’ve seen the stellar line-up, you’ve heard about the amazing Fringe Festival, and you know you simply must be there for Inspirefest from 18 to 20 June – but how do you convince your boss of the value of all-new, and very different, sci-tech event?

Well, here’s a good place to start.

1. Inspirefest is the first of its kind

Inspirefest 2015 attendees will be the first to experience a very different, welcoming environment at a unique event that will have some 70pc female speakers and attendees. It’s the first event of its kind to be hosted in the world, and it promises to be truly remarkable.

2. The world’s leading minds in tech, science, innovation and leadership will be there

As an Inspirefest attendee, you will have the opportunity to learn from the leading minds in tech, science, innovation and leadership globally – from former Hillary Clinton advisor Shelly Porges and games developer Brianna Wu, to Science Hack Day founder Ariel Waldman and advertising and marketing giant Cindy Gallop. Plus there will be visiting international leaders from Intel, Google, Dell, Fidelity, Accenture and many more.

3. Inspirefest is a great networking opportunity

At Inspirefest, you will mingle with some of STEM’s leading figures and professionals as well as your peers in tech, science, innovation, business and academia. Attendees are coming from all over the world and networking isn’t just limited to the conference arena, as there’s also a rocking Fringe Festival offering nights of entertainment and socialising. This outdoor event will turn conventional conference networking on its head with indie Irish music acts, film premieres with director Q&As, lively panel discussions and, above all, food and chat.

4. The Inspirefest schedule unpacks a wealth of knowledge

Our carefully curated line-up of keynote speakers and panelists means you won’t need the power of omnipresence to soak up a wealth of knowledge on today’s most innovative technologies, which you can then bring back to your workplace.

5. Inspirefest will empower attendees with lessons in leadership

Inspirefest attendees will learn critical leadership lessons from some of the greatest international minds, imparting wisdom from their personal experiences in both business and life.

6. Inspirefest will help you to stay connected to a diverse community

Through Inspirefest, you can build your connections before, during and after the event. Using the Inspirefest app (exclusive to attendees) you can connect with like-minded members of the science, technology and business communities – and only those you want to connect with.

7. Inspirefest will showcase why diversity matters in STEM

The key takeaway from Inspirefest will be the importance of diversity in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). A growing body of research shows that companies with greater diversity in their workforce fare better in terms of innovation and the bottom line.

8. Inspirefest is changing the ratio

Does your boss talk about the importance of diversity in the workforce? Well, Inspirefest is the first event of its kind to kick back against the white, male, middle-class majority in STEM – and, indeed, business – events. In supporting this event, employers everywhere can expect more of the same: conference panels with a more diverse set of speakers, providing more valuable insights than ever before.

Be inspired this 18-20 June at a sci-tech event like no other. Inspirefest 2015 is Silicon Republic’s international event taking place in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Merrion Square in Dublin. Book your tickets now for fresh perspectives on leadership, innovation and diversity in STEM.

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com