One of Europe’s largest and most prestigious business events will take place in Northern Ireland’s second city in May with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak as headline speaker.
The European Business Network (EBN) Congress, which annually boasts international decision-makers, investors, and business angels amongst its high-powered audience, will take place in Derry~Londonderry between 29th and 31st May, which this year is open to a local business audience.
Hosted by The Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC) in association with Invest NI, it will take place over three days at the Millennium Forum and a number of other venues around the themes ‘Digital’, ‘Cultural’ and ‘Social Innovation’.
Speaking in Northern Ireland for the first time Steve Wozniak, has been a Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than thirty years. In 1976, Wozniak co-founded Apple Computer Inc with Steve Jobs, helping to shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products.
It is the first time this major programme of events will take place in Northern Ireland, and one of the first times it will be in the UK. Past host cities during its 22-year history have included Budapest, Naples and Toulon. Last year it was in Lappeenranta in Finland.
The event was attracted to Northern Ireland this year in part because of Derry~Londonderry’s status as UK City of Culture as well as NORIBIC’s long-standing involvement in the European Business Innovation Centre Network.
EBN Congress 2013 will include a series of events and exhibitions, including the Digital, Cultural and Social Innovation networking Villages, and promises to provide a significant economic boost to the city due to the spend by delegates, who will come from all over Europe, as well as the positive image of Derry~Londonderry it will present to influential people.
Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC, says it will be a programme with a difference that will do the city and Northern Ireland proud.
“We are absolutely delighted to have secured the Congress for Northern Ireland as it is a fantastic and very highly thought of event, and even more pleased to have signed up Steve Wozniak as headline speaker. We are now finalising the remaining list of international keynote speakers, befitting the kind of audience this conference attracts. The programme, which will include a large cultural element, will also showcase the very best that the city has to offer, and we can’t wait to unveil it to the delegates,” he adds.
Joining Invest NI as sponsors of the event include, the Irish BICs, Derry Visitor & Convention Bureau (DVCB), SEUPB’s INTERREG IVA Programme, the Department Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and the Department for Employment & Learning (DEL).
Further information about the event and registration is available at: http://www.noribic.com/ebncongress