Back in 2013, the landscape of meet-ups in Leeds was very different. Whilst there were plenty of user groups and topic-specific events, there was a gap for something more general purpose. I personally craved something that held talks with the diversity and intrigue of TED, but on a local level. I wanted to invite the community to share experiences, ideas, fun projects and promote exciting discussion.
Since then, I’ve hosted a lot of talks.
From producing a budget film to selling your company to a silicon valley giant. From advice on living with ADHD to cryptography basics. From how to keep your mental health in check within a world of digital distractions to partnering up with the fantastic She Does Digital to host one of our busiest events to date. And of course, we started the conference right in the heart of Leeds, founded in 2017 and MC’ed by the fantastic Phil Hawksworth.
All events take advantage of the hybrid platform. This means that people can tune in to the events from the comfort of their own home, or attend in-person. Accessibility of the events themselves as well as the content to watch later is hugely important.
I believe everyone should have access to these kinds of events for free. Every talk event has been and always will be free, kept alive by the sponsorship of those in the community or funded directly through my company. Even the paid conference feeds back into the more regular events, providing a sustainable model to support the community.
I believe in the type of community that can exist from these events. I want us to have a safe space to share experiences and inspire each other without barriers. To this day, I’m proud of every event we’ve hosted, and I’m committed to ensuring this continues as the broader technology community in Leeds continues to grow.
Here are some nice things people have said about Hey! Presents.
Visit Hey! Presents