By Meshi Taka CEng FICE
For years NWG’s annual Innovation Festival has firmly established itself as a vibrant hub for groundbreaking innovation in the North East, with a ripple effect felt across the nation.
Doubt our claim? Look up the origins of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) to see this festival’s far-reaching impact.
National Underground Asset Register is an ‘industry changer’ – Water Industry Journal
Innovation Festival: Eight Years of Fun, Community, and Groundbreaking Ideas
In its eighth year it continues to be a beacon of creativity and progress, infusing a sense of community, fun, and enjoyment into this week-long extravaganza.
With inspirational speakers, daily dashes, hackathons, a variety of sprints, and an impressive exhibition showcasing a wide range of suppliers, products and projects, there was something for everyone.
And let’s not forget the delicious food, treats and evening events.
Last year, Project Groundwater Northumbria (PGN) hosted a weeklong sprint and the results of that effort have been seamlessly integrated into our project’s delivery plan. We also made great contacts and potential long-term contributors.
In short, it was an experience well worth our time.
This year we focused on community engagement and the Innovation Festival provided a unique platform to interact with a diverse audience, from professionals to schools and local communities.
Did We Meet You at Our Stand?
The excitement was palpable as we looked forward to meeting everyone at our stand, but little did we know that the turnout would surpass our expectations!
The exhibition hall buzzed with energy as guests and exhibitors mingled, forming connections. The free face painting proved to be a crowd-pleaser, and the tantalizing aroma of fish and chips signaled lunchtime, especially at the nearby stands.
Visitors had the chance to view clips from #ThePGNPodcast and educational material on groundwater flood risk and try out our quiz and survey.
It was truly delightful to witness numerous attendees stopping by, engaging in conversations, trying out our quiz and taking the survey.
Women in STEM (WiSTEM): Exploring the Power of Inclusion
On Tuesday (9 July) evening PGN sponsored the Innovation Festival’s WiSTEM networking event. A brilliant gathering hosted by the amazing Dani Wallace (Queen Bee).
Dani electrified the room with insightful lessons inspired by bees. She delved into the concept of confidence, different personality types, collaborating with diverse personalities and unlocking one’s full potential.
SHOW UP – WISE UP – RISE UP
We heard inspiring keynote addresses from Heidi Mottram (NWG’s CEO) and Monisha Gower (NWG’s Asset Director).
Heidi emphasized the importance of mentors, portraying them as the ‘bank engine’ in your journey. They are the ones who inspire you to push forward when self-doubt creeps in.
The spotlight was on the significance of inclusion in the workplace, Meshi Taka and Lowri Robbins (NWG Project Manager) moderated the panel discussions. The dynamic panel featured senior leaders and change influencers not only from the local region and nationally but also from as far as Iceland.
The conversations covered employee retention, the value of building robust networks, the impact of allyship, the importance of speaking up and advocating for others, avenues for professional development, and strategies for overcoming challenges.
Speakers emphasized the role of champions and allies, the necessity of establishing measurable goals, the visibility of diverse representation, and the creation of safe environments conducive to tackling tough discussions.
This event drew a large and diverse audience, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering inclusivity in our workplaces.
We are so proud to have been its headline sponsor.
Pop-Up Podcast: Capturing Community Voices
On Wednesday, our podcast production partners (Flamingo Heights) set up a special recording session for PGN at the podcast pod.
This one-of-a-kind session sought to capture diverse range of community voices, regional, national and even international.
It delivered – a massive thanks to all of the amazing festival attendees that contributed.
Currently in production, we are excited to share this with you soon so watch this space.
Celebrating Success at the Innovation Festival
And the cherry on top of it all was when our very own Lynn Chapman clinched the “Top Tapper of the Week” title by a significant margin!
Congratulations, Lynn – we always had unwavering faith in your abilities.
As the week drew to a close, we found ourselves exhausted yet invigorated.
Join us next year to witness how the Innovation Festival continues to mold the future with its distinctive mix of innovation and networking.
Thank you for reading.
