Conference on Economic Regeneration Via Creative Industries
14th March 2007
The potential of the creative industries to regenerate the UK economy will be discussed at a major conference in Leicester later this month.
Bookings have opened for the Create 07 conference at De Montfort University on Tuesday 27 March, organised by UK Business Incubation (UKBI), which works to create successful new enterprises and entrepreneurs by leading and promoting the development of high quality business incubation throughout the UK and overseas.
Sponsored by the East Midlands New Technology Initiative Creative Industries Centre for Knowledge Exchange - a partnership between De Montfort University in Leicester and the University of Derby- the event is expected to attract delegates from around the country because of the growth of the sector in the region.
Project Manager for the East Midlands NTI Creative Industries Centre for Knowledge Exchange, Lorna Hamilton-Brown said: "We're delighted to host and sponsor this event because sharing university expertise with creative industries is what we're about; a partnership to make the most of this flourishing sector for students, academics, employers and employees here in the East Midlands."
Topics covered will include the growth potential for the creative industries and their significance to the economy.
Malcolm Buckler, Chief Executive of UKBI, said: "As the creative industries play a growing role in transforming regions all over the UK, we consider the importance of the sector in regenerating an area.
"This event will look at examples of how creative industries support has regenerated areas in the East Midlands region and further a field, as well as debate and answer the questions surrounding the industry. Increasingly, the sector is seen as a key regeneration tool and its support through business incubation has reaped incredible economic and social rewards."
CREATE 07 runs from 10:00am until 4.30pm in De Montfort University's Queens Building, Mill Lane, Leicester. For more details go the UKBI website: www.ukbi.co.uk/index.asp?PID=476
As well as the keynote address by Mike Candler, Leicester City Council's Director of the Cultural Quarter Project, sessions will include:
- The Creative Industries - A Powerhouse for the future? by Peter Chandler, Centre Manager, Leicester Creative Business (LCB) Depot, and Clare Hudson, Creative Leicestershire.
- Academia supporting Creative Industries - purely because they're the "next big thing"? by Peter Ford, New Product Development Centre at De Montfort University.
- What makes Creative Industry Incubators so different? with Sally Denton, from Business Space, Designer Forum, Bill Macbeth of the Textile Centre, Stephen Whaley from the University of Westminster, and speakers from UKBI.
There will also be an optional tour of the ground-breaking Institute of Creative Technologies (IOCT) at De Montfort University and the New Product Development Centre.
For further information or to be kept informed about IOCT activities, please contact:The Director, Institute of Creative Technologies,
De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH
Tel: (+44) 0116 250 6146
Email: eedmonds [at] dmu.ac.uk
www.ioct.dmu.ac.uk