Business Peak District Digital & AI Summit

Schedule

Tue Mar 03 2026 at 08:30 am to 12:00 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Palace Hotel & Spa Buxton | Buxton, EN

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Cutting Through the Hype: Practical Digital & AI Insights for Peak District Businesses
About this Event

About the Event

The Digital & AI Summit brings together Peak District businesses to explore one of the most significant shifts facing organisations today: the rapid rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence.

At recent Business Peak District networking events and the 2025 Annual Conference, our member businesses clearly identified AI and digital innovation as areas of strong interest. In particular, businesses want to better understand the real opportunities and potential threats emerging at pace β€” and how to respond in practical, commercially sound ways.

This summit has been designed directly in response to that feedback.


Why Attend?

Many BPD members have expressed a desire for practical advice and real-world guidance, especially from fellow business owners who are already using AI effectively within their organisations. This event focuses on cutting through the hype to explore what AI and digital tools can realistically do for businesses today β€” and how to get started.


The timing is critical. Digital connectivity challenges across the Peak District are now being actively addressed, opening up new opportunities for local businesses to embrace innovation. As these barriers reduce, the potential to leverage AI and digital technologies increases significantly.


However, businesses that fail to engage risk falling behind. Urban-based business communities are rapidly accelerating their digital knowledge and capabilities, as seen through the growth of smart cities and data-driven enterprises. Without action, rural and semi-rural businesses could find themselves at a growing competitive disadvantage.


What You’ll Gain

  • A clearer understanding of AI opportunities and risks for your business
  • Practical insights from business owners who are already using AI successfully
  • Ideas you can take away and apply, regardless of business size or sector
  • An opportunity to network with like-minded Peak District business owners facing similar challenges
  • Businesses will also have the opportunity to exhibit at the event. To register for an exhibition stand please follow this link: https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/bpd-digital-ai-summit-exhibition-stand_u8o80qwxcq/


Who Should Attend?

  • Business owners and directors
  • Senior decision-makers
  • Representatives of businesses who are curious about AI but unsure where to start
  • Organisations looking to stay competitive in a fast-changing digital landscape


About the venue

The Victorian Palace Hotel sits in five acres of landscaped gardens in the spa town of Buxton. Ideally located on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this event will take place in the stunning High Peak Ballroom.

The Palace Hotel is easily accessible for visitors from all over the UK, whether by road or rail; positioned just 250 yards from Buxton Train station and around an hour by road from Manchester, Sheffield, and Derby.


This Summit is about helping our Peak District business community move forward together, ensuring local businesses are informed, confident, and ready to seize the opportunities offered by digital and AI innovation.


Agenda

πŸ•‘: 08:30 AM - 08:50 AM
Registration, Networking & Exhibition
πŸ•‘: 08:50 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome from BPD Chair
Host: Dr Peter Dewhurst, Business Peak District
πŸ•‘: 09:05 AM - 09:25 AM
Setting the Course for your AI Strategy
Host: Matt Neal, Elitech Solutions

Info: Practical tips on what to do and where to start


πŸ•‘: 09:25 AM - 09:45 AM
Is Your Business Ready for AI?
Host: Ajay Kapadia, Cut The Mustard Digital Transformation

Info: The missing middle between AI ambition & AI impact


πŸ•‘: 09:45 AM - 09:55 AM
Break
πŸ•‘: 09:55 AM - 10:15 AM
AI Myth Busting
Host: Neil Chandler, Nelop Systems
πŸ•‘: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Business Peak District Case Studies
πŸ•‘: 10:30 AM - 11:10 AM
Panel Q&A Session
πŸ•‘: 11:10 AM - 11:15 AM
Closing remarks
πŸ•‘: 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Exhibition, Networking & Refreshments
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Where is it happening?

Palace Hotel & Spa Buxton, Palace Road, Buxton, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

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