Business Peak District Digital & AI Summit 2026
** CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATIONS IS WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY**
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 — 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 — 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.
Plus, we will be providing refreshments and breakfast baps for all attendees!
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 challenge
- Businesses will also have the opportunity to exhibit at the event.
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
EVENT PROGRAMME
08:30 – 08:50 Registration / refreshments / exhibition / networking
08:50 – 09:00 Welcome/Introduction
09:05 – 09:25 Matt Neal, Artificia1
“Setting the Course for Your AI Strategy: Practical tips
on what to do and where to start”
09:25 – 09:45 Ajay Kapadia, Cut The Mustard Digital Transformation
“Is Your Business Ready for AI? The missing middle
between AI ambition & impact”
09:45 – 09:55 Refreshments
09:55 – 10:15 Neil Chandler, Nelop Systems
“AI Myth Busting: What AI really is, and why it matters practically”
10:15 – 10:30 BPD Member Digital & AI Case Studies
10:30 – 11:10 Panel Q & A
11:10 – 11:15 Closing Remarks (PD)
11:15 – 12:00 Refreshments / Networking / Tour of Exhibition Stands
12:00 Close
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, our 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.
If your business is based in Nottinghamshire, please refer to the East Midlands Chamber Digital & AI event on the 16th March. Details here
** CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATIONS IS WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY**
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 — 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 — 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.
Plus, we will be providing refreshments and breakfast baps for all attendees!
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 challenge
- Businesses will also have the opportunity to exhibit at the event.
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
EVENT PROGRAMME
08:30 – 08:50 Registration / refreshments / exhibition / networking
08:50 – 09:00 Welcome/Introduction
09:05 – 09:25 Matt Neal, Artificia1
“Setting the Course for Your AI Strategy: Practical tips
on what to do and where to start”
09:25 – 09:45 Ajay Kapadia, Cut The Mustard Digital Transformation
“Is Your Business Ready for AI? The missing middle
between AI ambition & impact”
09:45 – 09:55 Refreshments
09:55 – 10:15 Neil Chandler, Nelop Systems
“AI Myth Busting: What AI really is, and why it matters practically”
10:15 – 10:30 BPD Member Digital & AI Case Studies
10:30 – 11:10 Panel Q & A
11:10 – 11:15 Closing Remarks (PD)
11:15 – 12:00 Refreshments / Networking / Tour of Exhibition Stands
12:00 Close
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, our 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.
If your business is based in Nottinghamshire, please refer to the East Midlands Chamber Digital & AI event on the 16th March. Details here
