A host of the brightest lights from the UK and global tech industry have urged business leaders to think about how digital technologies are drastically changing the world.

They were speaking at Digital 2016 held at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort, organised by Innovation Point and sponsored by Welsh Government.

Around 2,000 delegates listened, learned and done business at the UK leading technology event over the two days, with Wales’ first billionaire opening the second day with a focus on the future.

Sir Terry Matthews, who owns the resort, told the audience how the move to 5G – nicknamed in America the ‘candy store’ - is set to open up a world of opportunity for businesses in Wales.

He urged Welsh business leaders to think and plan ahead, as the unrelenting pace of digital advancements continues to shape the way we live and work.

The tech entrepreneur went on to tee-off on the Celtic Manor’s Ryder Cup 2010 golf course using an entirely 3D-printed golf club designed and created uniquely for Digital 2016 by Fab Lab Cardiff, based at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Key speakers across the two-day event focussed on the future of digital technologies with Welshman David Buttress, CEO of online food order service Just Eat, enthusing that there is no reason why Wales can't become a leader in technology; Martyn Baker from Twitter commenting that video has become a ‘game-changer’ in terms of interaction between companies and consumers; and Daniel Burlacu from Google also drawing attention to the rise of video content with a prediction that it will account for 69 per cent of data traffic by 2017 and commenting that if YouTube were a country it would be the worlds’ largest, eclipsed only by China and India.

Jeremy Silver, CEO of the Digital Catapult, which develops breakthroughs for the UK around data, said people must be aware of how our relationship with physical things as businesses or customers is changing, drawing inspiration from companies like Uber, AirBnB and Spotify. Streaming live from the US, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Marshall Van Alstyne agreed that many of today’s top tech companies don't supply content or physical assets, but instead provide systems or applications.

Wales could take inspiration from success stories such as Uber - the world’s largest taxi company which owns no vehicles - and AirBnB, the world’s largest hotelier which owns no real estate.

Innovation Point, the company behind Digital 2016, is working together with Welsh Government at the heart of the funding community where new, developing and disruptive technology ideas are looking for ways to grow. By matching the right organisations with the right opportunities they are aiming to make it easier for companies in Wales to build partnership collaborations and secure the investment needed to transform business ideas into reality.

David Warrender, CEO of Innovation Point, the company behind Digital 2016, said: “Digital 2016 has highlighted some of the best technology Wales has to offer and showcased the imagination, innovation and business sense that is putting our region on the map globally. Business meetings have been taking place between companies across the two days and the message is that we’re here, ready and willing to help realise these discussions through support in accessing funding, expertise or networks. Innovation Point will continue to drive the momentum of this success, helping Welsh businesses create opportunities and wealth.”