Speaker Programme

KEY

MAIN STAGE

SPEAKERS HUB

Arena Balcony

7:45am

As part of Torbay Business Forum

Topic:

Torbay Business Forum Breakfast

Presenter:

Torbay Council, Milligan, Willmott Dixon

10am

Topic:

Could Your Business Survive a Cyber Attack?

Presenter:

Marc Rocker, Cyber Insurance Executive, Brown & Brown UK

Summary

Every business is now a technology business – and every business faces cyber risk. Marc Rocker, Cyber Insurance Executive at Brown & Brown, will cut through the technical jargon to explore the real cyber threats facing businesses of every size. From protecting your data and operations to understanding what happens when an incident occurs, Marc will share practical, straightforward guidance to help businesses strengthen their cyber resilience, manage risk and be better prepared should the worst happen.

Cybercrime isn’t just an IT problem – it’s a business risk. How prepared are you?

10.45am

Topic:

Demystifying AI Search (with Ducks!)

Presenter:

Connor Van Bussel, SEO Executive, Bigwave Marketing

Summary

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is changing. AI models like ChatGPT and Claude are affecting the wider world of digital marketing and creating new fields. All kinds of confusing acronyms are popping up to describe these changes – AIO, GEO, AEO, LLMO – but what exactly is AI search and why is it important?

How does it impact real business, especially at the local level? What trends are reshaping Google and how is the best way to prepare for the future? Demystifying AI Search (with Ducks!) pulls back the veil of acronyms and jargon, using a duck-themed business to show what these terms actually mean for you and your business.

11.30am

Topic:

You won't believe this was made in Torbay

Presenter:

Hi-Tech Cluster / The Epic Centre

Summary

From photonics and microelectronics to aerospace, marine technology, MedTech and AI – discover some of the extraordinary technology being developed right here on the English Riviera.

1.30pm

Topic:

Title TBC

Presenter:

Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive, English Riviera BID Company

2pm

Topic:

From Airshow to Agatha Christie: How Torbay’s growing events and culture calendar is driving growth

Presenter:

JP Hedge and Rachael Kiddey – Torbay Council culture and heritage with Ben Tisdale, Torbay Literary Festival and Matt Newbury, Agatha Christie festival

3.15pm

Topic:

More than a network - How Do You Build a Community People Want to Belong To?

Presenter:

Speaker TBC

Summary

What turns a group of people into a genuine community? Our panel of community and networking leaders explores belonging, shared purpose, engagement and the human connections that keep people coming back – from building a community from scratch to protecting its culture as it grows.

“When you hear the word community, what does it actually mean to you?