nextmedia, the publisher of iothub.com.au, has acquired the IoT Festival from sports technology company Vumero.

The event, to be held in Melbourne in June 2019, provides an opportunity for delegates and sponsors to meet and learn about key IoT issues.

Previous speakers have included people from Microsoft, Telstra, Google Cloud and Meat & Livestock Australia. The festival’s panels have included people from Swinburne the University, Melbourne Water and Thinkxtra.

The event compliments nextmedia’s technology publications, which include iothub.com.au, business technology site iTnews and IT channel publication CRN.

IoT is a popular theme with iTnews readers, explained nextmedia Managing Director Hamish Bayliss. “We also know that the Internet of Things is considered the next big growth opportunity for Australia’s IT channel, the readers of techpartner.news,” Bayliss said. In response to that trend, a new stream for the IT channel will be added to this year’s event.

Nextmedia is the “perfect home” for the IoT Festival, said Johann Odou, Executive Director of Vumero. “We were excited to see their plans for growing the event and we are confident they are well equipped to develop what is already Australia’s premier IOT event,” Odou said.

Nextmedia and Vumero previously ran the Australia & New Zealand Sports Technology Awards as a joint venture. Vumero will now wholly own that event.