EUROPE WEEK 16-20 JUNE
EUROPE WEEK 16-20 JUNE
Organised in partnership with the International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE), EUROPE WEEK will be one of the busiest weeks of the whole Festival, with an extensive programme of business and cultural events attracting delegations from around the world.
International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE – www.ibde.org) is a London-based non-profit organisation whose aim is to provide leadership in promoting international trade and investment flows through facilitating dialogue and resource-sharing between the global business, policy-making and diplomatic communities - with a particular goal of giving a voice to emerging economies as drivers of the next stage of global development as well as promoting international businesses worldwide.
EUROPE WEEK has been planned to be one of the highlight trade and investment showcases of the IFB 2014, to coincide with the Global Economic Forum, the annual meeting of Executive Bureau of United Cities and Local Government, the BT Global City Leaders Summit and Accelerate 2014.
Many of the delegates to these and other events will want to visit the IFB Hub at Mann Island to take advantage of the free business services available to registered IFB Business Club members.
The Hub will be the focal point for dedicated EUROPE WEEK activities, featuring a series of events showcasing trade and investment opportunities including:
- Emerging Europe – Grow Your Business in Central and Eastern Europe: 16 June
Co-organised in partnership with UKTI’s Central Europe Network, this Forum provides an excellent platform to explore business opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe (the 9 countries of Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia)
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/emerging-europe-grow-your-business-in-the-cee-tickets-11295903351?aff=eorg
- Nordic Baltic Network: 16-17 June
Meet representatives from the Nordic and Baltic markets (Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Iceland) and hear about current business opportunities in the region through a series of presentations and one-to-one meetings.
- Macedonia Investment Forum (Multi-Sector): 17 June
The Government of Macedonia, presents “Investing in Macedonia” which will feature speeches, presentations, panel discussions and networking breaks. Guests will have the chance to listen to, meet and have conversations with the Macedonian Prime Minister and his economic team, along with business leaders who have invested in the country.
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macedonia-investment-forum-tickets-11295807063?aff=eorg
- UKTI - Market Event – Benelux: 19 June
A one-day conference, giving British companies a chance to explore current Benelux business opportunities. The event will offer market insight, support and inspiration through a series of seminars and workshops.
http://www.ifb2014.com/UK-Trade--Investment-Benelux-Day-e24.html
- Doing Business in Macedonia: 20 June
One day event where delegates will have the chance to listen to, meet and have conversations with the Macedonian senior government representatives, along with business leaders who have invested in the country, consultants, economists and officials from international financial institutions.
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/doing-business-in-macedonia-tickets-11753668539
EUROPEAN COUNTRY GUIDES
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) provides Country Guides outlining opportunities in all European markets: visit http://opentoexport.com/countries/ for more information.
HUB EXHIBITORS
In addition to attending events, visitors to the Hub will be able to discuss opportunities and seek advice from a range of exhibitors including:
International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE): www.ibde.org
Seago Line/Maersk Group: www.seagoline.com
The Isle of Man Department of Economic Development: www.gov.im
Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce/British Chambers of Commerce: www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk
Liverpool University: www.liverpool.ac.uk
University of Chester: www.chester.ac.uk
UK Trade and Investment: www.gov.uk/ukti
Maersk Line: www.maerskline.com
Confederation of British Industry (CBI): www.cbi.org.uk
Institute of Directors (IoD): www.iod.com
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): www.fsb.org.uk
EEF – the Manufacturers’ Organisation: www.eef.org.uk
Trade Association Forum (TAF): www.taforum.org
Exhibitors will be happy to have one-to-one meetings with delegates to discuss specific matters and areas of interest. To arrange a one-to-one appointment with one or more of the Exhibitors, please contact Anne Marie Kerwin at akerwin@liverpoolvision.co.uk.
HUB EVENTS
In addition to Europe Week events, the Hub will also host several other events including:
19 June: UKTI Aid-Funded Business Service - Sector Focus: Water, Environment & Climate Change. This event will provide UK companies with an insight into the International Aid-Donor Agencies’ activities in the Water, Environment and Climate Change sector.
Merseyside Brussels Office will be hosting a number of Seminars for SMEs – dates to be confirmed.
OTHER FESTIVAL EVENTS
There is an impressive array of events taking place outside the Hub, full details of which can be found on the IFB website (www.ifb2014.com). The following events may be of particular interest to delegates with an interest in:
THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
- IBDE Global Economic Forum: 16-18 June www.ibde.org
High level Forum will consist of a number of panels exploring trade and investment opportunities in Europe, USA, China, India, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.
CITIES, ENTERPRISE AND URBAN BUSINESS
- The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Executive Bureau: 17 & 19 June
The event, which is for members of the UCLG Executive Bureau, will attract delegations from as far afield as Canada, South Africa, Senegal, France, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, China, Sweden, New Zealand and many other countries.
- The BT Global City Leaders’ Summit : 18 June
This will be one of the highlights of IFB 2014. More than two hundred city leaders from around the world will come together to examine a common challenge: how to generate sustainable economic growth.
- Top Cities Have the Best Quality of Life: 16 June - evening event
http://www.ifb2014.com/Top-Cities-Have-The-Best-Quality-of-Life-e112.html
All major urban centres describe themselves as being business-friendly. The target audience for this seminar is city leaders and delegates, especially residents of cities who have a passion for the urban environment.
- PlaceEXPO: Future Cities: 17 June http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/programme.html
PlaceEXPO: Future Cities will promote exportable skills to developing countries and emerging city leaders around the world. The target audience will be businesses interested in working in China, UAE and other rapidly developing economies.
- Liverpool International Waterfront Forum: 18-19 June www.liverpoolwaterfront.org
This event will bring together speakers from Copenhagen, Liverpool, Shanghai and New York who are experts in the fields of waterside regeneration and city waterfront promotion.
- Accelerate 2014: 20 June www.Accelerate2014.co.uk
ACCELERATE 2014 brings together high profile, entrepreneurial keynote speakers from different business sectors to inspire delegates wanting to kickstart their own business or take their current business to the next level.
MARITIME, LOGISTICS AND ENERGY www.maritimelogisticsandenergy.com
- Harnessing the Strength of Shipping Innovation: 17 June
A major one day conference that will focus on the crucial role the shipping and port sectors play in driving forward the growth in UK trade globally.
- Shipping in Changing Climates: Provisioning the Future: 18 June
This event is aimed at shipping sector stakeholders interested in the future of shipping. Plenary talks will be followed by panel discussions to draw attention to debates relevant to the shipping sector and raise the profile of the climate change challenge to strategic planning.