Landmark event to take place in July.
The United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) has published the full agenda for its major event at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre on 10th-11thJuly 2014, celebrating the 30th anniversary of its’ formation.
Over 50 speakers will address the delegation of science park heads, including international speakers flying in from Barcelona and Australia. The event will be headlined by Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities & Science, and closed by Phil Smith, CEO of Cisco UK & Ireland and Chair of the Technology Strategy Board.
The two-day 30th Anniversary Summit comprises an international conference sponsored by intellectual property specialists Marks and Clerk, an exhibition sponsored by BEST Network (the largest, privately owned network of science parks) and an awards dinner sponsored by IT and telecoms service provider essensys. The dinner will be hosted by Dr Michael Mosley; writer and presenter of BB2’s The Story of Science and the face of science and medicine on The One Show.
Over 800 delegates are expected to attend the conference and exhibition, many from overseas. This event will be the biggest gathering of the professionals responsible for running the UK’s network of science parks and innovation centres, since UKSPA celebrated its 25th anniversary in Manchester in 2009. There are now well over 100 science, technology parks and innovation centres that are members of UKSPA, accommodating some of the most cutting edge businesses in Europe and managing a host of initiatives to support start-ups and growing technology businesses.
Paul Wright, CEO of UKSPA said: “It’s very exciting to have the full conference agenda in place. Hearing from over 50 of the best industry speakers will be such an incredible way to mark our 30th Anniversary Summit. With over three months still to go until the major event, over half of the exhibition stands have already been taken, with enquiries coming in each day. This is going to be a fitting showcase for the latest trends and innovations across the science park industry.”
UKSPA’s exhibition will feature 52 stands and two sponsored seminar theatres. For the first time, the exhibition will be open to members of the public, as well as all conference delegates.
Six awards will be presented at a glittering awards dinner for over 500 people on the evening of Thursday 10th July. Awards will be presented to the most successful company located on a science park, the most successful innovation environment, the most innovative project, to the location with the best track record for developing start-up businesses, to the most innovative partnership, and for design and sustainability. The deadline for award entries is Friday 30th May 2014.
