Shropshire Digital Summit set to help businesses thrive in the age of AI
Businesses across the Marches are invited to discover how digital technology and artificial intelligence can support their growth at the Shropshire Digital Summit 2026.
Photo from last year’s Digital Summit
Delegates will gain practical ideas to help them attract and retain customers, work more efficiently and use AI with greater confidence.
Organised by Shropshire Growth Hub, InSynch and Invest Telford, the Summit will take place at Shrewsbury Town Football Club on Tuesday 29 September 2026, from 9am to 4.30pm. The day will include expert talks, practical breakout sessions and plenty of opportunities to meet other businesses over networking and a buffet lunch.
The main contract funding the work of the Shropshire Growth Hub is the Marches Growth Hub (MGH) core funding through the Department for Business and Trade.
Making sense of AI and digital change
AI is changing how businesses reach customers, market their products and manage everyday tasks. With so many tools and new developments to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Under the theme “Win, Retain and Connect in the Age of AI”, the Summit will help businesses cut through the noise and focus on where digital technology can make a real difference.
Speakers will explain how businesses can embrace new technology while keeping people, customers and trust at the centre of everything they do.
Experts from Intuit Mailchimp, Autm, Marketing 101, Start Tech and InSynch will share practical advice on customer engagement, digital marketing, cyber security, data governance and the responsible use of AI.
Matt Potts, service manager for economy, funding and skills at Shropshire Council, said:
“Our businesses tell us they want practical support to help them navigate the rapid changes in technology. The Shropshire Digital Summit is designed to bring together expertise, real-world examples and peer-learning so that businesses feel confident to take advantage of the opportunities available and make informed decisions about the best way forward.”
Understand your customers and use AI with confidence
Keynote speaker Daniel Rowles, CEO of Target Internet and Senior Lecturer at Imperial College Business School, will show businesses how to get more value from the people who already visit their websites. He will also look at how changing online behaviour affects the way customers find and choose businesses.
Daniel said:
“I’ve spent my career helping organisations adapt to digital change. AI is moving quickly, and that can feel overwhelming. But while the technology keeps evolving the application of basic marketing principles is a constant. Rather than just chasing the latest trends, my aim is to help businesses cut through the hype and focus on what really matters.”
Other speakers will show businesses how to use email, SMS and WhatsApp to communicate with customers more effectively. They will also explain how businesses can prepare to use AI safely, protect the information they hold, and make better use of the knowledge, skills and experience already within their teams.
Practical ideas to use straight away
Erin Scullion, digital marketing consultant at InSynch said:
“We’re delighted to be back for the third Shropshire Digital Summit with the fantastic local growth hub team, Invest in Shropshire and Telford teams. Every year, this event equips local SMEs with practical, actionable insights from industry experts, which they can put to work straight away. We also see it as much more than just a learning experience, it’s a vital opportunity for our local business community to connect, collaborate, and grow together”
Alongside the main talks, experts will lead breakout sessions that give delegates the chance to develop their skills.
They will reveal why some websites struggle to turn visitors into customers, how to write better prompts to get more useful results from AI, and how to use AI to support content creation without losing the business’s personality and tone of voice.
Book your place
The Shropshire Digital Summit 2026 is open to businesses based in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Herefordshire. Each business can book up to two places.
Book your place at the Shropshire Digital Summit 2026
Notes to editors
- Shropshire Growth Hub is the business support service within Invest in Shropshire at Shropshire Council.
- The Shropshire Digital Summit 2026 is organised by Shropshire Growth Hub, Invest Telford and digital marketing agency InSynch.
- Businesses can find further information and book places via the Shropshire Digital Summit Eventbrite page.
- Keynote speaker Daniel Rowles is CEO of Target Internet, Senior Lecturer at Imperial College Business School and host of The Digital Marketing Podcast. He has more than 25 years’ experience in digital marketing and is the author of four bestselling books on the subject.
