Shropshire Digital Summit 2025

Open to businesses based in the Shropshire Council area

• Date: Tuesday, 23rd September 2025
• Time: 9:15am – 4:15pm
• Location: The Wroxeter, Wroxeter, Shrewsbury, SY5 6PH
• Networking and buffet lunch included

The Shropshire Digital Summit returns for 2025, bringing together digital experts, business leaders, and local enterprises for a full day of insight, innovation, and inspiration. Hosted at The Wroxeter, this dynamic event is designed to help Shropshire businesses harness the power of digital tools and strategies to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

What Will Be Covered

The Future of Work - Leveraging AI for Productivity, Efficiency & Innovation - with Daniel Rowles

• Key AI trends reshaping work and business
• Practical tools and prompts you take away and use today
• Making the most of the opportunities and avoiding the pitfalls of AI

Show Up First: Smarter SEO for 2025 - with Eddy Webb

• Understand how search behaviour has shifted to zero-click results, voice assistants, and AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.
• Learn how to create content that Google and AI want to quote featured snippets, FAQs, and conversational answers.
• Discover how to increase your visibility in AI search tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT.
• See how to track AI-driven traffic and opportunities in Google Analytics 4 and Search Console.

The New Playbook for Building Communities & Growth on Social in 2025 - with Erin Scullion

The days of simple social media are over. In 2025, the most successful brands are mastering a new kind of social funnel, transforming casual viewers into loyal customers and even brand advocates.

This talk will give you an insight into how your social media strategy needs to carefully consider each step of the funnel to generate sales and enquiries from an arguably difficult channel for conversions. In this session, we will consider:

• Discovery (The Scroller)
• Consideration (The Follower)
• Conversion (The Shopper)
• Advocacy (The Superfan and Unprompted UGC Creator)

Think Like a Hacker, Defend Like a Pro: Three Rules to Bulletproof Your Business - with Joe Hormenoo

• A Three-Point Framework: Instantly apply a non-technical, three-rule system to lock down your organisation’s cyber defenses.
• Practical Checklist: Walk away with clear steps for securing your people, your systems, and your AI tools. no jargon required.
• Hacker’s Mindset: See everyday technology through an attacker’s eyes so hidden risks jump out at you first.
• Active Defence Culture: Empower every team member to spot and stop cyber threats before they escalate.

AI in Video Marketing: Creative Ally or Corporate Risk - with Mike Chinn

• What is the state of AI Generated video?
• How can I use AI with my video marketing?
• What should I be careful of?

The Story After the Code: Rehumanising the Digital Day - with Warran Brindle

We’re living in a world where AI can write a speech, build a brand, even mimic a human voice in seconds…but it can’t replace the feeling you get when someone’s words truly land.That’s where the magic still lives in the human part.

Key Points

• Why people matter more than platforms – After a day filled with AI, automation and data, it’s easy to forget the human heartbeat behind it all. Here’s why real connection will always win.
• Storytelling that sticks – How to use rhythm, emotion and structure to create stories that not only get heard, but remembered and acted on.
• Your brand as a living story – Practical ways to turn your business into a narrative people believe in, trust, and want to be part of.

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Breakout Sessions

Get hands-on with practical digital skills in our expert-led breakout sessions:

Mike Chinn – How To Film a Testimonial Using Your Phone. Learn simple techniques to capture authentic, high-quality testimonials using just your mobile device.

Erin Scullion – Fuel Endless Content Creation: Tools to Discover Your Core Pillars. Discover how to identify your brand’s content pillars and unlock a stream of ideas that resonate with your audience.

Eddy Webb – Live SEO Keyphrase & Snippet Research. Watch live demonstrations of SEO research in action and learn how to optimise your content for visibility and impact.

Lunchtime Bonus: Free Website Health Checks

You have a website – but is it working?

During lunch and breakout sessions, drop in for a free website health check with Shaun Carvill.

Learn what really matters for online success from someone with 30 years of hands-on experience

Get clear, jargon-free advice you can act on immediately – no fluff, no sales pitch

Ask your own questions live and walk away with practical tips to improve your website today

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Lunch & Networking

Buffet lunch and networking, providing ample opportunities to speak to our business specialists and other businesses.

If you have any food allergies, please email growthhub@shropshire.gov.uk, to see if we are able to accommodate your requirements.

Please note: this does not include general food preferences. A vegetarian option will be available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Booking Information

Booking is easy – just register via the Eventbrite listing.Please note: Each business may register up to 2 attendees.

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Who is it for?

Shropshire businesses, looking to enhance their digital presence and leverage the latest technology and marketing strategies to drive growth.

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Meet Your Specialists

Daniel Rowles is CEO of Target Internet, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College Business School and host of The Digital Marketing Podcast. With 25+ years’ experience, he has helped organisations including the BBC, Mercedes-Benz, L’Oréal and Accenture build digital capability and competitive advantage. Daniel is the author of four bestselling books on digital marketing and a regular contributor to the CIM. His focus is demystifying emerging technology, especially AI , and turning it into practical actions that drive measurable results.

Eddy Webb is the CEO and Founder of InSynch, one of the UK’s leading digital marketing agencies. With over 25 years of experience advising businesses on all aspects of digital strategy, Eddy has been doing SEO since before Google existed! He has worked with thousands of businesses to improve visibility, drive traffic, and convert leads into results.Eddy has also worked on major government-funded projects and advised local authorities on shaping their digital marketing strategies. He likes to cut through the noise and give clear, actionable insights that drive real outcomes.

As a Digital Marketing Consultant at InSynch, a leading digital agency with 20 years of experience, Erin specialises in helping businesses achieve their goals through powerful content, social media, and influencer marketing strategies. Her work is integrated into InSynch's signature Total Digital Marketing methodology, which ensures every digital channel works together seamlessly. She partners with brands across the UK and worldwide to enhance their online presence, build communities, and drive measurable growth.

Joe Hormenoo is a certified ethical hacker, author, and cyber-security advocate known for turning everyday vulnerabilities into teachable (and often hilarious) moments. After a long career in software development, Joe earned his hacking stripes at Round Cyber and went on to help family, friends, and business plug gaps in their digital defenses, everything from smart toasters to enterprise networks and drones.He’s the author of You’ve Been an Absolute Joy to Hack: A Hacker’s Favourite Small Business Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them), in which he demystifies cyber risks with real-world stories, practical fixes, and a healthy dose of humour. Whether he’s simulating a breach on a live website, Auditing for Cyber Essentials or accidentally hacking an internet-connected food dispenser, Joe’s mission is to make cyber-security as intuitive as locking your front-door.An engaging storyteller and seasoned presenter, Joe partners with growth hubs and trade bodies to equip SMEs with no-nonsense, non-technical strategies that stop breaches before they start and leave audiences both informed and entertained.

Shaun Carvill has spent over 30 years helping businesses turn their websites into serious performers; generating leads, boosting visibility, and driving real-world results. No fluff. No jargon. Just strategies that work.

As Managing Director of Clickingmad Ltd - a leading UK digital agency - Shaun has advised everyone from global names like the BBC, Virgin, Argos and Mars Inc., to national organisations like NCVO and major players in almost every sector. His track record speaks for itself.

What sets Shaun apart is his straight-talking, no-nonsense style. He won’t bombard you with tech-speak - he gives clear, honest, and practical advice you can actually use. Whether it’s SEO, user experience, accessibility, or digital strategy, Shaun focuses on what really moves the needle.

On the day, Shaun will be available to offer personalised advice to delegates on their own websites and wider digital strategy, so come prepared with your questions. If you’re looking to turn your online presence into a true driver of growth, he’s the person to talk to.

Stone’s Throw Media was founded in 2011 by Mike Chinn and Matt Weston, who met while studying media at the University of Wolverhampton. Today, the company employs a team of 9 and works with both household brands and ambitious SMEs placing it in the top 3% of video production companies in the UK.With a reputation for combining creativity, strategy, and measurable impact, Stone’s Throw specialises in animation, promotional video, and live event coverage. The team has delivered content for sectors including healthcare, education, software, construction, manufacturing and the public sector.From NHS trusts to Premier League football clubs, their work is trusted to inform, inspire, and engage audiences across the UK and beyond.

Warran Brindle is a strategic branding expert with over 30 years’ experience helping brands grow locally, nationally, and internationally. Founder of GoodThing, a tech savvy, human hearted, brand first agency for the new era.He works with purpose driven businesses to create sustainable strategies, bold creative, and communications that connect. His work blends strategic insight with creative excellence, helping organisations grow profitably while making a positive impact.Warran has shaped brands across food and drink, technology, charity, and education, from grassroots projects to household names.He believes the best brands don’t just look good, they do good.

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FAQs - Important information about your booking

Q: Is this event free?

A: Yes, this event is FREE for businesses based in the Shropshire Council area (excluding Telford and Wrekin)

Q: What if I can't attend?

A: If you are unable to attend, we kindly request 72 hours' notice. Please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite to allow others to take your place. (Due to limited resources we are unable to do this for you)

Q: What if I am based outside of Shropshire and want to attend?

A: If you are based outside of the Shropshire area and wish to attend, please contact the Shropshire Growth Hub via the event listing. They will provide you with further assistance and guidance. (Please note bookings from outside of this area cannot be accepted and will automatically be cancelled. Thank you for your understanding)

Q: Is there parking available?

A: Yes, parking is avaialble at the venue.

Q: What if I register but don't attend on the day without notifying event organisers?

A. Failure to attend without prior notification may result in declined bookings for future events. Thank you for your understanding.

Q: Will refreshments be provided?

A: Yes, tea/coffee and a buffet lunch will be provided.

If you have any food allergies, please email growthhub@shropshire.gov.uk, to see if we are able to accommodate your requirements.

The Boring Bit

Data Protection

Details that you provide us with on booking will only be used in connection with this event offered by Marches Growth Hub (the data controller) and its partners, which include the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and event partners. If the business has any question in relation to how the information the business provides, and in particular any personal data, will be processed and disclosed, please email the Shropshire Growth Hub on growthhub@shropshire.gov.uk

📸 Photography NoticeWe’ll be capturing photos during the event to share highlights on our social media channels. If you’d prefer not to be photographed, please speak to a member of staff on arrival.