Amazon Web Services (AWS) is among five major tech firms backing the return of a major cloud computing conference in the North East this week.
The AWS North Community Conference will return for its second year on Thursday 15 October at The Baltic in Gateshead, bringing together developers, engineers and tech leaders to explore the latest developments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI).
AWS, CGI, Scott Logic and TrueNorth are backing this year’s conference alongside North East technology consultancy Leighton, which founded and organises the event.
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It follows the inaugural event in 2025, which attracted more than 150 attendees, 24 speakers and six ‘AWS Heroes’, where leaders shared insights and discussed how AWS is changing the way organisations build, innovate and scale software solutions.
This year’s conference will focus on developments in cloud technology, modernisation, migration, serverless computing and AI, with speakers and technical experts from across the UK and beyond.
Colin Eberhardt, CTO at Scott Logic said: “The North East has a fantastic technology community, and events like AWS North play an important role in bringing people together to share ideas and explore how technology is evolving.
“At Scott Logic, we’ve always valued that kind of open exchange, especially when it’s in our home city of Newcastle, so we’re really pleased to support this year’s conference. I’m also looking forward to being part of the speaker line-up and joining some great conversations around the future of software engineering and AI.”
The conference is being organised with support from AWS advocates including AWS Community Builder Steve Morland, AWS Serverless Hero and Leighton’s AWS Practice Lead Lee Gilmore, Principal Solutions Architect Mark Sailes, and AWS User Group Leader and Solutions Architect Dan Pudwell.
Usman Shahid, Associate Director at TrueNorth, added: “At TrueNorth, we believe the tech sector is at its strongest when its people come together to share ideas, build relationships and learn from one another.
“We’re proud to sponsor AWS North Community Conference and support an event that brings some of the region’s brightest technology leaders, developers and innovators together. It closely reflects our own commitment to strengthening the local tech communities in the areas we serve, and creating more opportunities for its people and businesses to thrive.”
Claire Cundill, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Leighton, said the backing of the five businesses reflected a shared commitment to supporting the region’s tech community.
“The North East has a thriving technology community, with talented people and ambitious businesses doing exciting things with cloud technology. Bringing organisations together to share knowledge and experience is an important part of helping that community continue to grow.
“We’re delighted to have AWS, CGI, Scott Logic and TrueNorth on board alongside Leighton. Their support reflects a shared commitment to the region and to creating opportunities for people and businesses working across the technology sector.”
Over the course of the day, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from speakers working across the AWS ecosystem, explore practical approaches to solving technology challenges and connect with peers from across the region.
The full agenda is available online, with tickets on sale via Eventbrite for tech businesses, SMEs, developers, engineers, industry leaders, academics and students.
Pictured: the AWS North team from left to right – Lee Gilmore, Dan Pudwell, Mark Sailes and Steve Morland.
