Hunter Innovation Festival
Highlights
- Explore interactive exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge technologies and ideas from the Hunter region.
- Engage with industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs at stimulating panel discussions.
- Network with creative minds during evening sessions in a vibrant atmosphere.
- Immerse yourself in diverse sectors like energy, aerospace, and health at this dynamic festival.
The Hunter Innovation Festival is a premier event showcasing the brightest ideas and technologies emerging from the region. The festival serves up an exciting program of interactive exhibitions and stimulating panel discussions.
Visitors immerse themselves in a dynamic environment of forward thinking and creativity. Whether guests are looking for groundbreaking startup pitches or insights into artificial intelligence, there is something for all technology enthusiasts.
Industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs take the stage to share their knowledge. Both local professionals and travelling delegates fill the venues to connect and collaborate.
The event stands out by uniting diverse sectors like energy, aerospace, health and advanced manufacturing. Attendees take a journey through the interactive showcases and enjoy networking with creative minds during the evening sessions.
Images and Video
Dates & times
- Next occurrence:
Features
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
- Employs people with disabilities.
- Staff are trained in disability awareness.
- Accessibility information and photos, including of a bathroom, room and/or floor plan on their website (can be emailed on request).
- Asks all visitors if there are any specific needs to be met.
- Website meets <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/" target="_blank">WCAG 2.0</a> accessibility standards
- Assistance with booking arrangements (includes providing clear itineraries with written instructions on what to do at various destinations)
Communication
Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)
- Staff are trained in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges.
- Uses Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)
- A quiet space is available at the venue/ facility.
Vision
Caters for people who are blind or have vision loss.
- Braille and tactile signage on all information and paths of travel are available.
- Information in large print is available.
- Digital communication materials (hard copy information also online) is available.
- Uses easy to read fonts in their signage and communication materials (Helvetica and Arial).
- Staff are trained in customer service for people with vision loss (training would incorporate way finding and communicating with people with vision loss).
- An appropriate area for toileting an assistance dog is available.
- Raised tactile buttons in lifts are available.
- Handrails on all stairways
- Exit signs which are visible at a ground level (high level signs are difficult to see in a fire) are available.
Hearing
Caters for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Staff are trained in communicating with people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
- Caption all entertainment (TVs, live shows, performances) is available.
- Visual alerts for emergencies (Include flashing light) are available.
- A low noise reception areas with hearing loss friendly acoustics and adequate lighting for viewing facial expressions (includes common areas which are free of background noise, background music) is available.
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
- Uses floors/coverings which are slip resistant, firm and smooth
- Uses non-slip tiles in the bathroom or slip resistant matting
- Grab rails in the bathroom
- Seating in common areas including reception area
Physical – Wheelchair
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
- Step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
- A doorbell or intercom at an accessible height and display a contact number (accessible height is 900mm-1100 mm)
- A step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
- Step free access to restaurant, lounge and bar
- Step free access to the conference or function room
- Accessible seating areas in theatrette
- Lifts with enough space for people using a mobility aid to enter and turn around to use the lift buttons. Buttons are at accessible height.
- Doorways which are easy to open and have lever handles (doorways 850mm or wider when open and not heavy).
- An accessible public toilet which is unlocked.
- A wheelchair accessible toilet / shower and change room is available.
- A wheelchair/scooter charging station (power point) in an accessible location is available.
- At least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high).
- Wheelchair accessible transport options available in the general vicinity (provide information on name of the operator, phone and website link to individual providers for private vehicles, community transport train, mini vans, hire cars, buses, taxis, ferry, tram, light rail etc in their access statement).
Physical – High support needs
Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person.
Allergies and intolerances
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
- Modify their cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc).
- Staff are trained to respond to allergic reactions.
- Complies with The Food Authority requirements for allergy management in food preparation.
- Equipment to respond to anaphylactic shock such as epi–pens and defibrillator.
- Toiletries which are chemical and fragrance free (if requested).
- Linen that is chemical and fragrance free (if requested).
Access & Inclusion
An access and inclusion statement is available on the business website.
- https://www.thenex.com.au/accessibility
Plan more around this area
Newcastle, NSW 291 on King
Not your ordinary accommodation venue with some of the best of local art works creating a vibrant spirited venue.
Newcastle, NSW Cityscape
Experience city living at its very best. City, harbour and ocean views can be seen from every window and both balconies.
Newcastle West, NSW 
Mercure Newcastle
Newly refurbished Mercure Newcastle offers the best location Newcastle has to offer.
Cooks Hill, NSW Industrial Luxe
Inner city warehouse living at its very best.
Newcastle, NSW Waterside
Kick back and enjoy the light and airy stylish one bedroom apartment on Newcastle Harbour.
Newcastle, NSW Little National Hotel Newcastle
Little National Hotel is conceived for the business, conference and leisure guest who demands smart luxury and high amenities in a super-prime location.
Newcastle, NSW Nioka Steakhouse
Nioka Steakhouse, conveniently located on the Honeysuckle boardwalk, provides a premium dining experience with spectacular views of Newcastle Harbour. Its waterfront setting with relaxed, yet
Newcastle, NSW Roundhouse
Positioned on the rooftop of one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings, it’s hard to imagine a better vantage point of Newcastle’s harbour, coastline and beyond.
Newcastle, NSW Romberg's
Romberg’s, named in honour of the building’s original architect Frederick Romberg, is positioned on Crystalbrook Kingsley’s rooftop and offers perhaps the city’s most cinematic views.
Newcastle East, NSW Urban Restaurant & Wine Bar
Opening in 2022, Urban brings some of the finest European-style dining and ambience to the Hunter.
Newcastle, NSW Wharf 350
With prime positioning on the Honeysuckle promenade and a breathtaking vista of the harbour, Wharf 350 is something to be experienced.
Newcastle, NSW Coal and Cedar
This award-winning bar with speakeasy vibes has an underground allure that makes it a stand-out on the Newcastle bar scene.
