BT has today announced its support for CultureTECH, a new media and technology event, which will take place in Derry-Londonderry at the end of August.  The company’s involvement will see up to 200 young people being invited to attend the event for free.

CultureTECH is a four-day festival of digital technology, media and music which combines an industry conference, live music and an extensive programme of free, family-friendly events. With over 700 conference delegates already confirmed, and an estimated 8,000 members of the public expected to attend the wider festival, it will be one of the biggest technology events in Northern Ireland this year.

As part of their support for the event, BT will provide 200 festival passes which will be distributed to young people through a variety of community groups, schools and other organisations.  Young people can also register their interest directly at www.culturetech.co/kids

In addition, BT’s involvement will see the communications and IT company supporting events and workshops across gaming and online business. In partnership with the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, BT will host a full day of digital business workshops on Wednesday, August 29th at The Playhouse. BT is also the main sponsor of an all-day games tournament, which will take place from 10am to 11pm on Saturday, September 1st in the Millennium Forum theatre in the city.

Peter Morris, Corporate Services Director, BT said, “We are delighted to be involved in what is certain to be a huge new event in the Northern Ireland calendar, and would like to encourage community groups, schools, and youth groups to avail of the free tickets.  BT has made a multi-million pound investment as principal partner of Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013, and technology is one key strand of our contribution.  Technology is the great enabler – helping people to be creative, to grow their enterprises, to improve their lives – and now, at the touch of a button this region can share its talent with the rest of the world and store it online for many future generations to enjoy.”

Over 90 speakers are confirmed for the event including Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Director of the Barbican, and Kath Mainland, CEO of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Nearly 50 music acts will also perform, including Derry electronic act The Japanese Popstars, Fighting With Wire, Paul Woolford and More Than Conquerors. The highlight of the festival will be a free, outdoor concert featuring Duke Special which will take place in the city centre on Saturday, September 1st.

Festival organiser, Mark Nagurski, commented: “Working with BT to deliver these events was an obvious choice and we are truly excited to have them involved. In particular, we can’t wait to welcome so many young people to the festival, which will be the real legacy of the event.”

The CultureTECH festival takes place August 29th to September 1st in Derry and features an industry conference, film screenings, games tournament and live music events across the city.  Further information and tickets are available at www.culturetech.co.

ENDS

Editors Notes:1. Culture Tech is four-day festival of digital technology, media and music featuring over 70 speakers, 40+ music acts and a range of screenings, gaming events and digital arts installations2. Conference speakers include representatives from Google, Channel4, ITV, boxee.tv and Glasgow 2014, The Barbican. A full list of speakers and events by industry is available on request3. For more information on BT in Northern Ireland please visit www.bt.com/ni

For more information please contact Aiken PR

Paul McCarthy paul@aikenpr.co.uk  or Lyn Sheridan lyn@aikenpr.co.uk028 90663000

About BT:

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group’s revenue was £18,897m with profit before taxation of £2,445m.British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.btplc.com