The economy of tomorrow will belong to those who prepare for it today
Story sponsored by Hunter Business Chamber.
Learn about the latest in virtual reality and drone technologies and build business connections at the new Hunter Business Innovation event.
Tickets are now on sale for the event on Tuesday May 14, hosted by the Hunter Business Chamber and sponsored by Jacobs.
Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes said the new Innovation Series was designed to promote the benefits of innovative approaches to business and connect established business operators with entrepreneurs.
"Innovation is at the core of business success; the businesses that thrive are those that are prepared to experiment, adapt and change," Mr Hawes said.
"We want to showcase some of the great case studies of innovation success locally and help facilitate the all-important partnerships and collaboration that inspire business innovation."
On the night, attendees will hear from two key speakers - Young Chin from Jacobs and Jackie Dujmovic from Hover UAV.
Jackie started Hover UAV four years ago, and it's now one of the quickest growing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) companies in the country. While she'd previously worked in maritime, having children prompted a career change.
"We were one of the first companies working with drones. And there was no real reason I got into it, I didn't have an aviation background, but I could see the potential that drones and robotics had," she said.
Early on in the business, Hover UAV won a drone trial for NSW Department of Primary Industries at multiple sites to monitor for the presence of sharks.
"We invented the shark alarms that are on the drones to warn swimmers, and have seen it through from the research phase to full implementation, including developing the training - we just trained 300 lifeguards in New South Wales. And now it's an everyday tool on our beaches," she said.
Hover UAV now works with a wide range of businesses, including working with Google on a drone delivery project, delivering food, coffees and pharmaceuticals. Jackie's team have also been called upon to advise on UAV projects worldwide.
"A lot of organisations knew drone technology could benefit their industry but they didn't know how, or how to do it safely or how to write policies and procedures. So we started helping companies with that compliance. And how they can implement technology and push regulatory boundaries but still do it in a safe way," she said.
"The construction and agriculture industries are some of the fastest growing industries working with drone technology. Often they want to do it but don't know how to implement it and do it safely and efficiently. And that's where we can help."
Jackie said many of the hurdles businesses can face around UAV aren't specifically about the drone technology itself.
"With new technology, the technology's there but it's about informing the public and getting public acceptance of that technology," she said.
"And at the moment we're hiring people for jobs that haven't existed before. We're creating completely new jobs, so there's a lot of hurdles in creating those opportunities."
In his talk, Young Chin from Jacobs will show VR was incorporated into the $730m Blacktown Hospital Stage 1 and 2 project, and the $300m Concord Hospital redevelopment program.
Attendees will have an exclusive, first-hand opportunity to experience both VR and drone technologies, along with the chance to network and build business connections.
Tickets to the event are $79 for members, $89 for LCC members, and $99 for non-members, which includes gourmet canapes and drinks.
The Hunter Business Innovation Event is on Tuesday May 14 from 5.30-7.30pm at Fort Scratchley, Nobbys Rd, Newcastle. The event is part of the Hunter Innovation Festival. Book tickets here.
Story sponsored by Hunter Business Chamber.
