Inward investment programme Business Birmingham is inviting leading UK and international digital companies to experience the region’s thriving industry for themselves, by taking part in showcase event ‘2DigitalDays’.
Taking place on 13th and 14th November, 2DigitalDays targets businesses that are looking to expand or establish a base in a new location. Business Birmingham will be providing tailored itineraries for each delegate as an opportunity to meet local companies and support networks such as Birmingham Science Park, and explore what Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull have to offer.
The wider Birmingham region is home to more than 12,500 digital and technology firms, which employ more than a fifth (21%) of the UK’s games workforce. Research for Business Birmingham has identified digital media as a key sector for attracting investment into the city region. As a result, a number of new economic developments have been designed to support the growth of this industry.
Birmingham’s city centre Enterprise Zone is introducing measures for the creative industries, ICT and digital media sectors such as business rates relief, improved digital connectivity and relaxed planning. In addition, an IT, electronics and communications (ITEC) park in Longbridge – one of the city’s new Economic Zones – will provide bespoke shared facilities for businesses wanting to grow in the area.
Wouter Schuitemaker, Investment Director at Business Birmingham, commented: “Digital media is a growing, vibrant industry and competition between international locations to attract these companies remains fierce. We have a great deal to offer digital businesses – from the training provided by Birmingham Ormiston Academy and Gamer Camp, to financial incentives provided by Birmingham city centre’s Enterprise Zone and the wider region’s communications and transport infrastructure.
“It is crucial to raise the area’s reputation as a centre for digital media and games development, so we can entice the next generation of Googles and Amazons to consider Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull as the right destinations to locate in.”
Delegates are also able to attend LAUNCH: Future Gaming & Digital Conference at Birmingham Science Park, which will be held as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Hosting 300 industry experts and new talent, LAUNCH will feature demonstrations and expert speakers – including Rod Cousens, CEO of Codemasters and Suresh Sudera, Head of Games at Vodafone Group – throughout the two days.
Dr David Hardman MBE, CEO of Birmingham Science Park, said: “Birmingham’s current offer to digital companies is very strong, but with the development of the Digital Plaza at Birmingham Science Park, it will become truly world class.
“The first building in the proposed £35 million Digital Plaza development will be called iCentrumTM. It will feature a £1 million ‘living lab’ showcase for state-of-the-art collaborative technologies, which will be created by global network and communications giant Cisco. This is a significant coup for Birmingham as it promotes itself as a leading Smart and connected digital city.”
For more details about 2DigitalDays, please email [email protected] or visit www.businessbirmingham.com.
