Member Article

IFB 2014 manufacturing, science and tech offering revealed

Miracle materials, nuclear energy, world-beating life sciences and best of British advanced engineering will take centre stage in front of a global audience this summer, as the organisers behind the biggest international business festival in the UK reveal their latest programme plans.

The International Festival for Business (IFB) has unveiled its first round of events for the country’s manufacturing, science and technology (MST) business communities.

The announcement was made at the Make it Britain conference organised by EEF, the voice of UK manufacturing and official IFB sponsor in recognition of the lead role it has played in developing what is the largest and most diverse of the IFB’s key themes.

The conference was attended by the Business Secretary Vince Cable MP and 800 leading industry figures, including several already involved with the festival, such as Juergen Maier, MD of Siemens UK and Ireland and an IFB Ambassador.

Held at various venues across the Liverpool City Region and the North of England, the programme will include:

· British Business Embassy opening event - 9 June 2014, Liverpoo

International Trade Expo -10-11 June 2014, Liverpool

Graphene Ultimate Advanced Material – 12-13 June 2014, Manchester

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (CPOP) and Northwest Automotive Alliance - 13-15 June 2014, Cheshire

UKTI ICT Sector Event - 24 June 2014, Sci-Tech Daresbury

Nuclear UK - 25 June 2014, Warrington

Global Manufacturing Festival - 25 June 2014, Sheffield

Bio Hub at Alderley – 26 June 2014, Cheshire

Catalysing Growth in the UK Chemicals Industry - 27 June 2014, Liverpool

UKTI Advanced Manufacturing Sector Event – 7 July 2014, St. Helens

Made in the UK awards and exhibition - 21-22 July 2014, Liverpool

More MST events will be confirmed between now and June, when the global business festival launches.

These will include a dedicated Make It Britain expo and a further programme of breakfast, daytime and evening events being organised by EEF in conjunction with Siemens throughout the week commencing 23 June.

In addition, EEF will endorse IFB 2014 at 30 of its Member Connect events taking place across the UK.

IFB received a ringing endorsement from EEF CEO Terry Scuoler in his conference speech.

Mr Scuoler, who is also an IFB Ambassador, said: “This event is unashamedly celebrating the success of British manufacturing, our pride in British manufacturing and the part we play in the business and economic success of our nation.

“We are marking this important festival with our campaign to Make It Britain, for manufacturing, for investment and for growth. As an international showcase, the IFB is an important opportunity to support business and industry in the UK.”

Max Steinberg, chairman of IFB, said: “The UK’s manufacturing, technology and science industries are something to be proud of and each will feature prominently throughout IFB.

“There are some truly world-class events and I urge all businesses and industry professionals to take advantage of these outstanding opportunities.

“To receive the endorsement of EEF as the voice of UK manufacturing as well as have the continuing support of the UK Business Secretary underscores the importance UK PLC is placing on the International Festival.”

This announcement follows the launch of the IFB’s Business Club initiative, which aims to set up 5,000 meetings for UK businesses with potential new customers, partners and suppliers through a bespoke business brokerage service.

Companies which sign up for the IFB Business Club, which is free to join and launched in February, will be able to access a range of facilities and services during the 50-day festival.

Members will have the unique opportunity to gain business advice via one-to-one appointments and business brokerage sessions with specialists in particular sectors and markets, from both the UK and key international markets.

Advisors will come from a range of key bodies, including Santander, UKTI, CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, as well as EEF themselves.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .