Carina R&D & Leadership 2026

R&D AI Acceleration for Teams & Leaders

Four days of hands-on AI workshops, hackathons, keynotes, and leadership immersion. Building the future of energy software — together with 70 of your peers.

21–25 July 2026Bristol, United KingdomBristol Marriott Royal Hotel
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What to expect
Learn, build, pitch, lead
A staged journey from frameworks to working prototypes. Teams will tackle real client-facing business challenges using AI, coached by R&D leaders and industry guests.
01

AI/R&D workshops

Contextual frameworks, best practices, and leadership in AI development processes. Learn the theory, then apply it.

02

Hackathon

~10 teams of 6. Pre-assigned teams, AI R&D coaches, solving pre-selected client-facing Carina business needs. Build a working prototype.

03

Pitch & present

Polish your pitch in 3–5 minutes. Explain the problem, the solution, the impact. Demonstrate the outcome. Judged by leaders.

04

Keynotes & deep dives

Success stories from Carina teams, keynotes from Volaris, Harris, and guest CSI speakers. AI & R&D tech deep dive tracks.

05

Leadership immersion

Carina Leadership programme runs Saturday–Tuesday. Best practices, lessons learned, and presentations from Carina teams and guests.

06

Organic growth

Friday's dedicated workshop on the AI Accelerator initiative. Share results and lessons from P1 AI Acceleration work.

Agenda
Four days, one mission
From AI theory to working demos. Each day builds on the last.

Monday — Arrivals & welcome

R&D AI Accelerator participants arrive. Evening welcome event combining the AI Accelerator, Leadership Immersion, Datamine, and local Carina offices.

All day

Arrivals & check-in

Check in to the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel. Registration and welcome pack available throughout the day.

Arrivals
Evening

🎉 Welcome Event

Combined welcome evening for the AI Accelerator, Leadership Immersion, Datamine, and local Carina office teams. Venue TBC — details to follow.

Combined groups

Tuesday — Learn & build

Morning: full group AI/R&D workshop. Afternoon: hackathon teams form and start building.

08:30

AI/R&D Workshop: Learn & Theory

Leadership in AI development process. Learning, tips, and best practices.

Full group
10:00

Hackathon kick-off: Idea & Problem

Clear problem/need. Define solution/concept. Teams split across breakout rooms.

Team breakouts
10:30

Morning tea

Break
11:00

Hackathon: Prototype & Build

AI Dev Build Plan. Clear problem/need and defined solution/concept.

Team breakouts
12:30

Working buffet lunch

Break
13:30

Hackathon: AI Enabled Build

Prototype, iterate, build. Check: problem, solution, early demo or logic.

Team breakouts
15:30

Afternoon tea

Break
16:00

Build, refine & iterate

Continue building working examples.

Team breakouts
17:00

Pitch coaching & wrap-up

Plan outline, demo prep, pitch and sell.

Full group
Evening

🍺 Bristol Ale Trail

Joint evening for Leadership Immersion and AI Accelerator crews. Bristol's independent craft ale scene — a proper welcome to the city.

Combined groups

Wednesday — Pitch day

Morning: final build & polish. Afternoon: hackathon presentations judged by leaders.

08:30

Hackathon: Refine & polish

Improve clarity, validate usecase, tighten value prop.

Team breakouts
10:30

Morning tea

Break
11:00

Pitch Coach: Prepare your pitch

3–5 minutes: the problem, the solution, why it matters, demonstrate outcome or MVP.

Team breakouts
12:30

Working buffet lunch

Break
13:30

Hackathon: Final polish

Communicate and sell. Final pitch preparation.

Team breakouts
15:30

Afternoon tea

Break
16:00

Hackathon Pitch: Judged by Leaders

Leaders delivering feedback and practicing decision-making skills.

Full group
Evening

🍸 Cocktail Night — The Glass Boat

Evening drinks and cocktails aboard the Glass Boat on Bristol Harbour. AI Accelerator crew.

AI Accelerator

Thursday — Keynotes & deep dives

Full day in plenary. Success stories, guest keynotes, and AI & R&D tech deep dive tracks.

08:30

AI & R&D Keynote Presentations

Success stories from Carina teams. Keynotes from Volaris and/or Harris guests.

Full group
10:30

Morning tea

Break
11:00

Best practices & guest speakers

Microsoft, AWS, or Anthropic AI guests. Lessons learned from Carina teams.

Full group
12:30

Working buffet lunch

Break
13:30

AI & R&D Tech Deep Dive Tracks

Carina teams present. Guest presenters. Legal, compliance, and process.

Full group
15:30

Afternoon tea

Break
16:00

Closing presentations

Guest presenters. Final wrap-up and key takeaways.

Full group
Evening

🎳 Sport Night — Lane 7

Bowling, ping pong, and more at Lane 7. Full group evening out.

Full group

Friday — Organic growth & close

Half-day workshop on the AI Accelerator initiative, followed by lunch and departures.

08:30

Organic Growth Initiative Workshop

Workshop and AI Accelerator. Initiative Investing 202.

Full group
09:30

P1 AI Acceleration: results & lessons

Share results and lessons from P1 AI Acceleration work.

Full group
10:30

Morning tea

Break
11:00

Carina teams & guest presentations

Final sessions and close.

Full group
12:30

Lunch & departures

Final working buffet lunch. Safe travels!

Close
Venue
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
A grade II listed Victorian hotel on College Green, next to Bristol Cathedral and the harbourside.
Hotel exterior
Bristol Marriott Royal HotelCollege Green, Bristol — our home for the week
Palm Court
Palm CourtOur main plenary — three-storey Bath stone walls and stained-glass ceiling
Lancaster Suite
Lancaster SuiteBreakout room with high ceilings, bay windows, and chandeliers
Terrace
Palm Bar TerraceOutdoor space for breaks and evening drinks
Palm Bar
Palm BarInformal breakouts and refreshments
Bedroom
Deluxe Double BedroomYour room for the week — breakfast included

Spaces we'll be using

Palm CourtMain plenary & dinner space
Lancaster SuiteBreakout & presentations
WindsorHackathon team space
HanoverHackathon team space
YorkHackathon team space
Royal SecretHackathon team space
Palm Bar & TerraceInformal overflow & breaks

Good to know

  • Accommodation, breakfast, and all meals are covered.
  • Dedicated high-speed Wi-Fi conference network throughout.
  • Power outlets and extension cables in all rooms.
  • On-site parking available (subject to availability).
  • ~10 min taxi / ~20 min walk from Bristol Temple Meads.
  • International flights via London Heathrow, then direct train (~1h 40m).
Logistics
Everything you need to know

✈ Getting there

  • International flights: Fly into London Heathrow, then direct train to Bristol Temple Meads (~1h 40m).
  • From the station: ~10 min taxi or ~20 min walk.
  • By car: On-site parking available.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Bristol.

⛩ Accommodation

  • Accommodation is covered — no need to book separately.
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM · Check-out: 12:00 PM
  • Leadership arrivals: Sat/Sun 19–20 July.
  • R&D arrivals: Sun/Mon 20–21 July.
  • Departures: Friday 25 July after lunch.

☕ Food & drink

  • All meals are covered throughout the event.
  • Breakfast each morning, lunch daily, and dinner each evening.
  • Morning and afternoon tea, coffee, and snacks.

⚡ What to bring

  • Laptop and charger (power provided in all rooms).
  • Any hackathon prep from your team's pre-work.
  • Smart casual dress code throughout.
  • Comfortable shoes — Bristol is worth exploring.

🌎 About Bristol

A vibrant harbour city known for its creative culture, food scene, and maritime heritage. The hotel sits on College Green next to Bristol Cathedral.

💬 Stay connected

  • Wi-Fi: Dedicated conference network, no extra cost.
  • Questions: Email Ellie or Scott and we'll get back to you.
  • People: Browse attendees in the directory below.
People
Attendee directory
Find your peers and connect before the event. Click a card to see their full profile.
🔍
48 attendees registered
JP
Javer Perez
Lead of AI
Zyght
MH
Murray Hipper
Principal Software Engineer
Acquire - Geoscience
FT
Fabio Teixeira
Chief Architect
Nexo
NW
Nicolas Whiting
Senior Software Developer
Envirosoft
JM
Jose Eduardo Pronto Matias
Senior Developer
NEMS
KM
Kieran McCluskey
Development Manager
Acquire - Geoscience
PM
Phil Marnweck
Development Manager
Acquire - ESG
CH
Chris Herridge
CTO
Ascertra
Registration

Ready to join us in Bristol?

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Submit travel dates & topicsQuestions? Get in touch