{"id":854,"date":"2022-03-11T09:37:58","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T09:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/?p=854"},"modified":"2022-03-11T11:17:00","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T11:17:00","slug":"celebrating-dorsets-innovative-future-futurefest21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/2022\/03\/11\/celebrating-dorsets-innovative-future-futurefest21\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Dorset\u2019s innovative future – #FutureFest21"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Digital Dorset team on location for #FutureFest21 \u2013 this was our \u2018Countryside of the Future\u2019 day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Introduction:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you think of Dorset what springs to mind? Rolling hills, farms, a stunning coastline, Thomas Hardy and a haven for tourists perhaps?<\/p>\n

With no motorways, no cities and an, on average, older population, the chances are Dorset and digital are not two words you would naturally put together. But you would be wrong\u2026<\/p>\n

Dorset Council is making national and international waves in the world of digital and we have a strong and positive story to tell.<\/p>\n

For two years running now, a significant way of telling those stories and showcasing Dorset\u2019s innovative and ambitious vision, has been through our Festival of the Future.<\/p>\n

In 2020, our first Festival of the Future, was entirely virtual due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n

It included 60 online sessions covering a wide range of topics and was held during Digital Leaders week \u2013 attracting a large and varied audience.<\/p>\n

Throughout that week we showcased the innovation taking place in Dorset, provided insight to the different aspects of digital, and discussed the future opportunities digital provides.<\/p>\n

The festival was a huge success and we knew we wanted to do it again in 2021.<\/p>\n

Our festival had generated an energy and excitement in what had been, and continues to be, difficult times.<\/p>\n

It highlighted the role digital has in making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit, and how it will help with our recovery from the pandemic.<\/p>\n

The word \u2018digital\u2019 can sometimes feel irrelevant to people. Our festivals focus on the future, to excite people, and engage as wide an audience as possible.<\/p>\n

Digital Dorset is raising awareness through these festivals. Our work is crucial in developing and maintaining talent & skills, attracting investment, playing a crucial role in economic growth, and, most importantly, improving the lives and wellbeing of our residents.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

#FutureFest21 \u2013 from online to hybrid<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our first festival had done the job we wanted \u2013 it raised awareness of our work and created excitement for the future.<\/p>\n

But how could we match that, and even better it, for 2021?<\/p>\n

The answer was something we never attempted before \u2013 a hybrid event.<\/p>\n

With Covid restrictions easing, we seized the opportunity to take our festival on tour while not forgetting our hugely important online viewers.<\/p>\n

We began the year brainstorming ideas with people from across the council and other organisations to help shape our hybrid event.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s festival would be very different.<\/p>\n

We decided to focus on a different topic area each day \u2013 business, education, tourism, countryside and health & social care – and broadcast from different locations across Dorset. The festival would be held over five days in October. \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It would mean marketing to different audiences, location scouting, script writing and perhaps the most testing of all, testing the tech!<\/p>\n

None of us our film makers but it was fun learning lessons on the way!<\/p>\n

And we got to test our new-found skills in a special trailer for #FutureFest21 \u2013 now viewed nearly 600 times on our YouTube channel.<\/p>\n