Digital High Street 2013 | Dean Clough Mill, Halifax Day One: Monday 13th May 2013

9.30

digihighst.com | #digihighst
11.50

Welcome & Introduction Alistair Johnston, Producer, Digital High Street 2013 Opening view from towns: the confusion and uncertainty facing the high street So many companies selling answers, but what are the right questions? Current research on how consumers really use their high streets. Who they are, what they're doing and how things are changing. Chris Wade, Chief Executive, Action for Market Towns WHAT DOES GOOD DIGITAL STRATEGY LOOK LIKE?

CASE STUDY from Crouch End: Getting your town centre noticed through collective marketing online Using the potential of the internet: How UK towns are gaining attention with very small budgets Finding a common voice for local traders How to involve the whole community What wed do differently were we to do it all again Clare Richmond, Founder, The Crouch End Project

9.40

12.10

10.00

Regeneration through digital empowerment: the view from Manchester Democratising technology: How do we create a digital city, enhancing skills and employment prospects? Co-ordinating digital policy for the Manchester region Using 'hands-on' work with the local community: developing transferable skills through making Launching in June: bringing a digital workshop and hackspace to the heart of the Northern Quarter Demonstrating what digital technologies can achieve Dave Carter, Head, Manchester DIgital Development Agency (MDDA) Manchester City Council Rachael Turner, Director, MadLab (Manchester Digital Laboratory)

How virtual high streets allow independent UK shops to compete with global online stores How diverse independent retailers become a community on the online high street: case studies from whats working If you cant compete on price, compete on community: How small traders can benet from communal branding How your high street can plan for the growing importance of a virtual presence Loaye Agabani, Founder, MyHigh.St

12.45

LUNCH: Breakouts in all rooms. Take your lunch and join in, or put your feet up and reect on the morning! Masterclasses from 13.15: see breakout agenda COMING SOON TO A HIGH STREET NEAR YOU Chair: Martin Blackwell, CEO, Association of Town and City Management

10.30

How safe is your town from technology marketing? The essential guide to tech marketing tricks, from a recovering tech marketer Understanding key inuencers, and why town teams are today's target Box-pushers, slideware, RFIs, future-proong: terms you should know before approaching tech suppliers Jane Johnston, Co-founder, Redlab, former software marketing director

14.30

CASE STUDY from Reading: How smartcards and smartphones are connecting retailers and shoppers

How we used existing infrastructure to connect 22,500 residents to MoLo contactless rewards Empowering independents retailers through omni channel marketing - the impact on local business How we reached out to involve the community in our technology pilot, and whats next for Reading

Guy Douglas, Project Manager, ATCMMoLo Project

15.00 15.30

10.45

Engage a new generation: how your high street can surprise and entertain Why entertainment, interaction and surprise are the keys to thriving retail Younger consumers are different: responding to ever shorter attention spans Ideas on what works to engage a new generation Ross Bailey, CEO, Appear Here

Coffee, Ideas Exchange and Exhibition Whats being trialled in towns right now, and how will these technologies change your high street? Mini presentations from projects, followed by Q&A: Building your town centre online, from basic story telling to augmented reality William Perrin, Founder, Talk About Local Connecting independent Herefordshire retailers through e-commerce and online deliveries Richard Garnett, Founder, OpenHighStreet How and why we crowdfunded free wi for the whole of our town Chris Campbell, Strategy Director, SpaceHive

11.00

Coffee, Ideas Exchange and Exhibition CLUSTERING: HOW INDIE RETAILERS FIND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ONLINE

11.30

How online marketplaces can empower the creators and makers the high street ignores Offering easy e-commerce and a communal brand to reach a mass audience Why marketplaces offer a better strategy for makers and indie retailers Where the High Street can still be effective James Boardwell, Founder, Folksy, the UKs biggest online marketplace for handmade work
16.30 17.00

End of Day One: Informal discussion and exhibition Drinks reception at the extraordinary IOU gallery, highlighting the innovative work of arts companies on the high street. Talk a short walk to the nearby 1904 pub - join us at reserved tables. Real ale, good food and poker on tap.

19.00 - Late

Digital High Street 2013 | Dean Clough Mill, Halifax Day Two: Tuesday 14th May 2013
9.30

digihighst.com | #digihighst
12.45

Welcome & Introduction Alistair Johnston, Producer, Digital High Street 2013 PLANNING FOR A RADICALLY NEW HIGH STREET

LUNCH: Breakouts in all rooms. Take your lunch and join in, or put your feet up and reect on the morning! Breakout sessions from 13.15: see breakout agenda

9.40

Essential elements of strategy where retail is past its prime Thinking beyond retail: The essentials of digital policy for the reality of our towns Strategy for high streets the other side of 'peak' retail: considerations and compromises. Should we just 'get out of the way'? Dull, sensible digital policy? Why local government should give business and creative sectors the limelight Co-ordination of strategies at local and national level Neil McInroy, CEO, Centre for Local Economic Strategies

WHEN THE CHAINS LEAVE... HOW TO PUT THE HEART BACK IN THE HIGH STREET Chair: Nigel Goddard, Co-founder, Totally Locally
14.30

CASE STUDY: Nobody really wants to have the Council as their mate How Doncaster Council is successfully using social media to enhance the town's reputation, counteract negativity and promote retail What many local authorities still don't get about social media - addressing those misunderstandings Why personality is the key to developing an audience - just who is Donny Towncentre? Being positive: how to to develop a real sense of community and genuine enthusiasm for your town Setting objectives, selecting content, the discipline of managing social media 365 days a year Roy Dean, Town Centre Manager, Doncaster Council, 14,000+ social media followers

10.00

Consumer analysis: How Can Retailers Succeed in the Digital Decade? Why selling online may not be for everyone: evaluating whether its for you or your town How to avoid the digital arms race: ndings from the new IMRG retail report What is good digital practice? And what gets in the way? Andrew McClelland: Chief Operations & Policy Ofcer, IMRG

10.30

TRINITY LEEDS KEYNOTE: Why the future of retail is exciting, spontaneous and in town Why 21st century retail must include digital and leisure The importance of a common brand and compelling story The need to partner with the city, not compete against it Offering something the out of towns cant, with entertainment, excitement, food and diversity. David Laycock, Centre Director, Trinity Leeds

15.00 15.30

Coffee, Ideas Exchange and Exhibition INSPIRATION: How digital innovation can be used to strengthen communities and increase the social capital of our towns Mini-presentations from inspirational projects, followed by panel Q&A: How social media can quickly and simply bring people together to solve problems Dan Thompson, Author, Pop-up Business for Dummies, Founder, #WeWillGather Bringing digital making and building to the high street Christopher Jarratt, Founder, Assemble & Join, micro-manufacturing in Waterloo, London How we made an online neighbourhood, fostered community and brought down vacancy rates Euan Mills, urban designer, Chair, Chatsworth Road Traders and Residents Association Mobilising cash mobs for the benet of independent shops Karen Mercer, Co-Founder, My Coffee Stop, winner of Archant London Business Innovation Award Chaired by: Nigel Goddard, co-founder, Totally Locally

11.00

Coffee, Ideas Exchange and Exhibition BEATING AMAZON AT A DIFFERENT GAME: HOW TO COMPETE WITH THE ONLINE GIANTS Chair: Clare Rayner, The Retail Champion

11.30

ANALYSIS & CASE STUDIES: How innovative indie retailers are growing bricks & mortar business with new digital ideas Lessons for the independents on a rapidly changing high street

What you can learn from UKs most innovative retailers: keeping stores relevant in a digital age Examples of whats working now: big screens instore, staff tablets, websites How customers are really using your stores website Understanding the growing importance of next day digihighst.com | #digihighst delivery and click and collect Sharing whats behind those buzz words: Creating an immersive experience, being the brand Building a business on return customers Creating a community, not just a shop Paul Turner Mitchell, Director, 25 Ten Boutique, retail columnist, Drapers and The Guardian Jo Davies, Founder, Black White Denim, Everywoman Retail digihighst.com | #digihighst Leader of the Year 2012 Jared Myland, Owner, OK Comics, Best Independent Retailer, Retail Therapy Awards
12.15

16.30

End of Digital High Street 2013 Want to continue your conversation? We recommend The Totally Locally Cafe (onsite, open until 6pm) or The 1904 Pub (short walk, open until 11pm)

Q&A