A series of events is taking place next month to celebrate Newport’s contribution to the rich culture and history of Welsh innovation.

The events are part of the Wales Festival of Innovation, a fortnight-long celebration of discovery and invention, which will see a host of interactive events take place across the country from the June 19 to 30.

The festival aims to provide communities in and beyond Wales with the chance to discover the wealth of ground-breaking work taking place across the country, and inspire others to do the same.

With new events added daily, Newport’s 2017 offering is set to be the strongest showing since the festival first launched in 2014.

The first of Newport’s events will take place on June 20 when the eighth ABUHB R&D Conference arrives at The Christchurch Centre. The conference will highlight recent innovations from local universities as well as the health board, for all those interested in the progress of clinical research within Wales.

On June 21 the Who Knewport event will shine a spotlight on the industry leading SME innovators who are driving Newport’s technology revolution. Guests will have the opportunity to join entrepreneurs from Wolfberry Cyber Security, J French Consultants, Interceptor Solutions, and iVat, find out where and how the innovation ‘spark’ started the journey to commercialising it and learn from their experiences. The event will also include interactive workshops to allow guests to explore how innovation, coupled with market-leading expertise, commercial development and determination is creating a ‘digital revolution’ in Newport.

On June 29 June, Wales’ decision makers will have a unique opportunity to join the experts of the Office for National Statistics, the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics. The event will provide a rare opportunity to discover how the statistics, analysis and research produced in Newport on a daily basis, has a major impact on the national economy and society.

On June 30, the ICE Bridge to Schools initiative will arrive at Newport High School to enhance pupil awareness of how civil engineers build the infrastructure of our society. The highly practical workshop will see pupils build a full bridge construction that they can cross themselves.

The Wales Festival of Innovation is led by the ESTnet (the technology network for Wales) and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) with the support of industry partners and Welsh Government.

Last year saw the festival break all previous records with more than 60 events held across the length and breadth of the nation.

Festival spokesperson Idris Price, who is also a director of ESTnet (the technology network for Wales), said: “The Festival of Innovation returns with a clear goal to build on the unprecedented successes of 2016, to champion the unique culture of innovation that exists in every region in Wales. With the fantastic support of innovators in Newport we are certain to achieve our goals.

“All too often the contributions made by Welsh businesses, universities and entrepreneurs are not given the credit they rightly deserve. We hope that this year’s showcase will allow many more to discover the inspiration innovation that exists on their doorstep.

“We know that this is only the tip of Newport’s innovation iceberg. If you have something to celebrate, I urge to join the Festival and be recognised for the contribution you are making.”

Businesses, universities and other organisations interested in hosting events as part of the 2017 Wales Festival of Innovation can register and make a submission by visiting: www.festivalofinnovation.org/get-involved.html.