Organisers of the East Midlands innovation Festival (iFestival) have announced dates for the fourth annual celebration of innovation. The 2010 iFestival will take place over a six- week period between 12 March and 23 April, picking up the momentum from last year's iFestival, where more than 20,000 people attended 177 events.
The 2010 iFestival will launch on 12 March with many events expected to take place involving businesses, universities and public sector organisations from across the region. The events programme will kick off with an innovation EXPO (iEXPO) and a celebratory dinner will bring the iFestival to a close.
Further programme highlights will include four core events linked to the innovation networks (iNets) namely Food & Drink; Healthcare & Bioscience; Sustainable Construction and Transport, a series of innovation finance roadshows and low carbon themed events as well as opportunities to hear from high profile innovators and business experts.
Co-ordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Science and Industry Council), but involving numerous partners and stakeholders, the iFestival promotes and celebrates the importance of innovation in the public and private sectors.
Last year, the iFestival saw Piccy Products, a Nottinghamshire based children's tableware company, win £10,000 of innovation support to develop their business idea and participants had an opportunity to hear from guest speakers including Gerald Ratner, Kell Ryan, Luke Johnston, Richard Farleigh and Rachel Elnaugh.
"Now is an even more important time for innovation in the region, as it is a key driver of post-recession growth. We are almost at the end of our first Regional Innovation Strategy which has resulted in many successes. Our second strategy, known as RIS2, is in the final stages of development and will be launched at the start of the 2010 iFestival," says Professor Barry Stickings, Chair of the East Midlands Innovation Council. "The iFestival is an important element in this strategy, which aims to boost our innovation performance and in turn help the region achieve its full economic potential.
"The iFestival is engaging more and more people each year from our schools, universities, businesses and communities. I am sure that many new initiatives and collaborations were launched as a result of the 2009 iFestival and I am looking forward to seeing even more people participating in this year's events."
David Wallace, Innovation Director at emda, concluded: "Innovation is needed to adapt to an ever-changing commercial, social and technological environment. At emda, we are committed to raising the profile of innovation support for organisations and individuals so it is important that the iFestival offers a range of events that will not only showcase and promote the talents and achievements of the region's successful innovators, but will offer practical skills and advice to help people think and work innovatively. I am sure that the 2010 iFestival will be our best yet!"
An annual event, the East Midlands iFestival was first staged in 2007 and each year encompasses an inspiring, inclusive programme of events, designed to help foster a culture of innovation in the region. The iFestival aims to engage a wide range of people young and old, business and public sector workers, along with communities and organisations supporting or involved within an innovation environment.
Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge focused East Midlands economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.
Improved productivity in an increasingly competitive global market means that businesses and organisations in the East Midlands must put innovation at the heart of their core activities, if they are to flourish and stay ahead of the game.
For more information, visit: www.eminnovation.org.uk