Today will mark the opening of Britain's biggest business event since the 2012 Olympics as Prime Minister David Cameron launches the International Festival of Business in Liverpool.
Running for 50 days, the International Festival for Business aims to generate more than £1.7bn in contracts and £100m of foreign direct investment over the next five years.
IFB 2014 will be the biggest trade fair in the UK in more than 60 years. More than 250,000 people from 80 countries will take part in over 200 events promoting manufacturing, technology, science and more.
The Manufacturer is hosting a number of events around the UK as a part of the International Festival for Business. These include:
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Conference – 11th June, 2014 – Birmingham
- Annual Lean Management Journal European Conference – 25-26th June, 2014 – London
- Manufacturing Sustainability Conference (incorporating Energy Management) – 9th July, 2014, Manchester
- Energy Management Conference (incorporating Manufacturing Sustainability) – 9th July, 2014 – Manchester
- Flexible Workforce Conference – 9th July, 2014 – Manchester
On Monday the Prime Minister David Cameron told an audience of 250 chief executives that British innovation is alive and kicking.
“One of the things I love about Britain is that we are a nation of geniuses,” he said.
“Almost every invention worth inventing, we’ve had a hand in it. Almost every type of industry there has been, we’ve excelled at it. I’m proud that we’ve always been at the centre of the world for enterprise and business; at the top of the tree when it comes to innovation and creativity. That is what has provided us with jobs, revenue and economic security – and a platform to extend our power and global reach.
“There’s nothing more important in my long-term economic plan for Britain than making this the most creative country on earth – at the forefront of the latest industry, making things and selling them to the world.
“Let me say a bit about the role I see myself playing in this. Of course, it’s to make sure Britain is the best place in the world to start, finance and grow a business; to make sure we invest in science and skills; to make it easier for people to get their ideas off the drawing board and onto the factory floor – and we are doing all those things.”
