2018 #BCTECH Summit breaks attendance record

The 2018 #BCTECH Summit officially wrapped up yesterday, drawing in an estimated 9,000 participants to nearly a dozen conference-related events over three days. 3,000 delegates connected with over 270 exhibitors and watched more than 200 speakers who highlighted the transformations technology is driving across all industries and its impact on how we work, live and play.

Main stage at the #BCTECH Summit (BC Innovation Council)

“There is no better indication of the robust and dynamic state of B.C.’s tech industry than this event—which has touched a record number of people for a third straight year,” said Shirley Vickers, President & CEO of Innovate BC, which delivered the event in partnership with the Government of B.C. “The #BCTECH Summit is where industry meets innovation, and the significant involvement of technology leaders, investors, senior government officials, students, researchers and business executives in every industry shows an unquenched thirst for innovation and collaboration in this province.”

The #BCTECH Summit showcased ground-breaking research from around province, as well as innovative ideas and practices that will improve the quality of life for the people of B.C. and will promote sustainable economic development.

Thought-provoking sessions, panels and keynotes by global thought leaders featured highly among many other conference highlights:

• 150 investors that represent $225B in capital watched 45 of B.C.’s most promising startups pitch in the Investment Showcase.
• Approximately 2,000 high school students participated in Youth Innovation Day to learn about the jobs of the future and a career tech.
• Over 220 B2B Meetings were matched between 38 technology buyers with 98 local technology solution providers.
• Delegates from16 countries and four continents complemented a strong international presence of companies including Title Sponsor Microsoft, Google Cloud, Lululemon, Amazon, Blue Origin, Lyft, Lockheed Martin, Sage, WeWork, LinkedIn, Salesforce, IBM and RBC.
• Premier John Horgan announced tech and innovation investments including over $102.6 million in funding for 75 research projects in B.C. and $10.5 million for entrepreneurial training for post-secondary students.

Jigsaw CEO, Jared Cohen, was one of 200+ speakers to hit the #BCTECH Summit stage (BC Innovation Council)

In addition, Techfest, which is a unique recruiting event that attracts up to 1,000 attendees, more than 300 career opportunities and up to 15 hiring companies, will be held this evening at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The #BCTECH Summit is the largest tech conference in Western Canada and is held annually in Vancouver, British Columbia. To watch videos of this year’s talks and for #BCTECH Summit updates, visit www.bctechsummit.ca

About the #BCTECH Summit

The #BCTECH Summit is delivered in partnership by the B.C. Government and the Innovate BC (formerly BC Innovation Council). As the largest technology conference in Western Canada, this two-day event showcases B.C.’s vibrant tech industry, builds cross-sector opportunities for business, and explores the latest ideas and innovations that are fuelling our local economy.