News
26 Feb 2010: 2010 iFestival
DONCASTER’S highly successful involvement in the 2009 iFestival, is to be repeated this year to greater effect.
The event, which celebrates innovation, began in the East Midlands as a result of the East Midlands Regional Innovation Strategy but has aspirations to grow into a national event.
It traditionally lasts for six weeks, usually across March and April, with the first week deliberately aligned to National Science Week. Subsequent weeks focus on transport, food and drink, health care and sustainable construction.
The whole programme follows the Edinburgh Festival model with several core events and a number of “fringe” activities under the “iFestival” banner.
Last year’s Sustainable Transport event held in Doncaster, in which Beta played an important role, attracted more than 100 attendees and was the first cross-border event held in partnership between Yorkshire Forward and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
Doncaster is keen to participate this year, only this time the programme will comprise a series of smaller, much more focused events culminating in Doncaster’s very own iFestival.
Beta Technology is taking the lead on “Showcasing Innovation in Manufacturing”, hosted by Cooper Lighting & Safety, the highly successful Doncaster company which has won major overseas contracts recently including installing the high performance lighting for the new Abu Dhabi Formula One circuit and the adjoining Yas hotel.
Even at this relatively early stage the line-up is impressive. “We already have eight events signed up,” said Ben Micó, Beta’s project manager for the event. “It is the perfect place for us to expand our knowledge base and for businesses with an interest in innovation to meet and discuss new ideas. “We are delighted too that the breadth of events is such that it will appeal to a very wide audience.”
Already booked are:
Digital Region – So What? 22nd March, The Hub. Exploring the business opportunities available through the development of the Digital Region and its application.
Yorkshire Science and Technology Network: 23rd March, Doncaster Racecourse. Focus on the low carbon economy and the regional response to the Copenhagen conference. Also includes discussions relating to new generation biofuels versus food security.
Digital Region Dragons’ Den: 9th April, The Hub. Entrepreneurs are being asked to pitch ideas that will maximise the business opportunities presented by the digital region to a panel of experts who, if impressed by the idea, will be able to offer business support to take the idea from conception to reality.
Food and Drink Automation and Robotics: 13th April, CenFRA offices. CenFRA (Centre of Excellence for Food and Drink Automation and Robotics) are to host an open day which will promote the services and support available through CenFRA and promote business-to-business networking.
Enterprise Europe Yorkshire: 13th April, Doncaster Racecourse. Focus on innovation capacity.
Showcasing Innovation in Manufacturing: 20th April, Cooper Lighting. This event will promote the level of innovation in the manufacturing industry within the Borough. It will be hosted by an internationally renowned manufacturer, Cooper Lighting, and showcase local and regional businesses.
Promoting the Innovation Offer in Doncaster: 21st April, The Point. Launch of the Doncaster Interreg funded Innovation Project and promotion of Business Link Innovation Vouchers.
For further information please contact:
www.betatechnology.co.uk or contact Ben Micó, Principal Consultant, 01302 322633, ben.mico@betatechnology.co.uk
