
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Beyond Conference at Salford’s MediaCity—a true epicentre of creativity and innovation. This wasn’t just another event; it was a vibrant coming together of thinkers, policy makers, creators researchers, founders, academics, enthusiasts, writers, musicians, actors, designer, technologists, problem solvers and investors to explore the intricate connections between research, development (R&D), emerging technologies, education and the creative industries.
It was my first time attending a Beyond Conference and this year’s theme revolved around the concept of 'Creative Cities', the them struck a chord with me because it provided a lens to examine the innovative ecosystems shaping not just Salford, but cities around the world. As someone deeply invested in my hometown Birmingham with its developing emerging tech and creative clusters, I found myself reflecting on how these conversations align with the transformative works happening in across my own city. I'm fascinated by connecting the dots between diverse subject matters and I find it really exciting when serendipitous moment happen through conversation, chance meetings and cross-collaboration and that's exactly what the conference provided. It became the perfect opportunity to learn, discover, and share. In fact It challenged me to step out of my usual ambi-verted deep-thinking state and embrace the vibrant energy- sparking my curiosity, igniting my inspiration and reactivating my collaboration muscle.
Engaging with others at the Beyond Conference allowed me to craft a new tapestry of connections, I started weaving together ideas from different disciplines and it reminded me why I enjoy, when people and places amplify creativity and connection and it also reminded why diverse perspectives is the crucial ingredient to spark transformative ideas and I believe that's what helps make a truly creative city.
Creative Cities: A Global Perspective

The conference showcased what makes a city truly “creative”
From strong talent pipelines and bold strategies to nurturing policies and vibrant cultural networks. Salford itself is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with sustained focus and investment. Its rise as a powerhouse for media and technology, home to media studios and theatres including the BBC, ITV and the iconic Lowry theatre - serving as an inspiring blueprint for other cities. I was proud to champion the innovation taking place across my own city in Birmingham. Through my work leading a programme funded by Innovate UK’s Further Education Fund, I’ve witnessed first-hand how collaboration between education, government, and industry is unlocking creative potential for business leaders across different industry sectors -and preparing them to thrive in a digital economy. It was a pleasure to share Birmingham’s story with representatives from cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, Canada, and even India. I had the opportunity to sit in on conversation, panel discussion, roundtables and workshops to learn how governments, local authorities, and funding bodies are cultivating creativity in their regions. Hearing from innovation hubs, higher education institutions, and policymakers revealed an exciting commonality:
A shared commitment to using technology and creativity to drive societal progress.
These conversations highlighted the importance of Birmingham’s growing role as a tech hub and my city’s growing reputation for pushing boundaries in fields like immersive technologies, AI, and sustainability.
A Platform for Innovation and Collabor'ACTION!
I was very impressed by the amount of things to do, see and experience the Beyond conference, there waer many performances and fringe events and networking opportunities around Media City to attend, two standout spaces at the conference—the Immersive Futures Lab and the Creative R&D Expo—truly captured the theme of innovation. Being able to experience projects featuring virtual reality, spatial audio, and AI tools was thrilling, not just as a tech enthusiast, and artist but as a consultant i was able to explore the art of the possible and even share new ideas. for example:

Metaverse Museum
I had the pleasure of experiencing the immersive Metaverse Museum & Gallery experience designed by the University of Glasgow - which was had similar idea concepts to my own VR Art gallery prototype TEVR and I was able to suggest how AI integration and Avatar - museum tour guides could be included in advanced integrations of the next design phase as this is something I believe will become a popular feature for experiencing immersive digital worlds.

Freeaim VR Shoes
I met with the founder of Freeaim shoes, Ashley Foxcroft and experienced a live demo trying out the Freeaim VR shoes which are basically autonomous robotic shoes with motorized omnidirectional platforms that allowed me freely roam naturally in any direction whilst being fully immersed in a VR space and experience.
i climbed hills, ran through rocky terrains, walked on water, passed through portals and killed a few zombies along the way - saving the world from a dreadful zombie apocalypse - thank me later!
Bonza Music
One of my favourite experiences was discovering a company called Bonza Music, which is revolutionising the way musicians collaborate using low latency technology and enhanced sound definitions. That I had the opportunity to test out out! And as a musician singer, songwriter this technology is truly game changing, particularly for rehearsing remotely, saving costs on studio and rehearsal rooms, or even learning music - from tutors who are remote - I see so much potential with this technology to enhance the experience of collaboration for musicians all over the world. I met with the Founders, and creators of the software and had a little sing to test out the virtual studio rooms and sound pre-sets which were incredible! and I Can't wait to see how this technology transforms and evolves in the near future!

BXRN - Black in XR Network
A standout moment for me at Beyond 2024 was being part of the BlackXRNetwork UK (BXRN) mixer. Co-founded by Tara C Williams and an official partner of this year’s conference, BXRN unapologetically created a vital and visible space for Black creatives and technologists working in immersive development. It was a moment to be seen, heard, celebrated, and, most importantly, supported. I was deeply grateful for this safe and empowering environment, which allowed Black professionals and enthusiasts to connect, collaborate, and learn. While we were a minority within the broader conference audience, there was a palpable sense of community as we made a concerted effort to acknowledge one another, share our experiences, and discover shared passions.
BXRN is far more than a network—it’s a beacon for progress. Rooted in diversity, inclusivity, and equity, it actively addresses the stark underrepresentation of Black British, African American, African, and Caribbean communities in the immersive tech landscape. Whether it’s augmented, virtual, or mixed reality, BXRN is paving the way for a more inclusive future through its work to uplift and empower.

The conference offered so much more than I could possibly put into words—it was a whirlwind of powerful conversations and sparks of inspiration. These shared moments, though fleeting, have already begun to influence how I work, communicate, and create. I left feeling deeply empowered to expand my impact in this space, particularly by supporting more individuals and organisations to become truly future-ready.

I took the opportunity to mentor individuals whose potential I recognised, encouraging them to refine and develop their ideas. I’ve since followed up with new connections to amplify their ventures through meaningful conversations and shared insights. This experience also reignited my passion for unlocking and sharing the formula for successful collaboration, particularly with people from under-represented and ethnic backgrounds who might hesitate to share their ideas out of fear of vulnerability. Often, this hesitation can slow or even halt progress, as trying to navigate challenges alone can feel insurmountable.
That’s why I’ve been inspired to empower others with my approach to collaboration, which I’ve coined Collabor’action—a method designed to activate purposeful, safe, and trusting collaborations. This term reflects a philosophy of turning connections into meaningful action and fostering environments where ideas can flourish without fear. The conference was filled with incredible intersections of creativity and technology, served as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we work together. From local innovation hubs to global tech partnerships, the momentum I witnessed mirrors the energy and potential I see in my hometown - Birmingham and beyond. Now, more than ever, I’m inspired to continue championing collaboration and innovation to unlock new opportunities for all.
Connecting the Dots
What resonated most deeply was how the conversations around Creative Cities acknowledged the role of education in shaping the future. As someone leading projects that bridge industry and education, I was heartened to see higher education institutions and policymakers so invested in embedding creativity into city ecosystems.
Birmingham’s story stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the global examples shared at the conference. Whether it was insights from Glasgow or the innovative approaches being adopted in Canada and India, it was inspiring to see how cities worldwide are activating innovation to tackle complex challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and population growth.
Looking Ahead
I'm still buzzing and processing my excitement about the future of our cities. For Birmingham, the opportunity is clear. By continuing to invest in emerging tech clusters, strengthening our partnerships with Innovate UK and others, and fostering cross-sector collaborations, we’re not just participating in the global conversation—we’re helping to lead it.
Let’s Talk
What do you think makes a city truly creative?...
How can we ensure that emerging technologies are harnessed for the benefit of all?...
Let’s keep the conversation going above and Beyond!
Connect with me
I’m passionate about driving innovation, empowering creativity, and fostering meaningful collaborations. If this resonates with you or if you’re interested in exploring how we can work together to shape the future, let’s connect!
💼 LinkedIn: click here
🌐 Website: www.marikabee.com
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