Apple co-founder in Derry~Londonderry for one of Europe’s largest business events

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will take the stage at Derry~Londonderry’s Millennium Forum today (Thursday May 30^th) as the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC) hosts EBN Congress , one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious business events, in the city.

The major three day conference, which will feature an unparalleled line-up of 50 top-class speakers, officially got underway yesterday (Wednesday) with pre-programme meetings and events, including a drinks reception hosted by Derry City Council, but begins in earnest today.

Made possible by the support of principal sponsors Invest NI, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and ILEX, the congress has attracted speakers from as far away as China and Australia, and delegates from all over Europe, as well as a local business audience.

Wozniak will provide the headline address at 10am, with other speakers today (Thursday) including Sir Tim Smit KBE, famous for his work creating the Eden Project which is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’; USA based Richard Florida, the best-selling author on the economic importance of the creative industries and described as an ‘intellectual rock star’; and Benjamin Southworth, Deputy CEO and Head of Community of the Tech City Investment Organisation in London.

A full programme and speaker list are available at: http://www.noribic.com/ebncongress

Some 550 delegates have signed up to attend the congress, exhibition space at the Millennium Forum conference venue is sold out with over 40 exhibitors confirmed, and sponsorship has exceeded targets with another 19 well-known private and public sector organisations from throughout Northern Ireland joining the top-line support from Invest Northern Ireland, DCAL and ILEX.

Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC says: “In my experience there has never been a line-up to match this in Northern Ireland.  Focusing on the themes of Digital, Social and Cultural Innovation, the breadth of expertise and experience on offer is nothing less than awesome.  Our European delegates and those from closer to home will not only be informed and inspired but also entertained by an eclectic mix of cultural experiences so it really is a conference with a difference. ”

Ilex’s Interim Chief Executive Mel Higgins said: “Ilex is delighted to support the EBN Congress which has chosen the first ever UK City of Culture to host its prestigious international conference.  This event has drawn people from all corners of the globe, many of whom are seeing the city for the first time. It will help project Derry~Londonderry as a location of choice for investment and will have a substantial economic impact, generating over £700,000 for the local economy.

The Congress will showcase our ambitious regeneration programme and we’re particularly pleased that delegates are holding their gala dinner in the Venue 2013 where they will see for themselves the ongoing transformation of Ebrington into a new shared public space”.

In addition to the Principal Sponsors, the EBN Congress is supported by SEUPB’s INTERREG IVA Programme, the Irish BICS, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB), Derry City Council, Pi Communications, the Nerve Centre, Learning Pool, Bombardier, Concentrix, Matrix, Carson and McDowell, Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP), Seagate, North West Regional College (NWRC) the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Tayto and Bushmills.

DUCKLINGS have been taking their first faltering waddles at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, outside Comber, Co Down.

The popular Downy Duckling Tours have returned and will take place every Saturday and Sunday in June at noon, 2pm and 3pm, and on a Wednesday at 3pm. Families will have a unique opportunity to see and discover how ducklings develop inside an egg and break free from the shell into a young bird that you can meet whilst exploring the duckling nursery.

We will take you to our egg room to see the incubators, where we will use a technique called candling to show you ducklings developing inside their eggs at different stages – from one week of development all the way through to ducklings trying to hatch! If you are lucky enough to come on a day when a duckling has just hatched in our hatching incubator, you will be able to meet it up close!

You will also tour our indoor duckery and finally visit the outdoor duckery, where our older ducklings enjoy five star accommodation with a heated coop and their first swimming pool!

Rearing ducklings in our duckery helps us to save rare birds from extinction. Here at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, we are breeding endangered Hawaiian geese (Nene), critically endangered Laysan ducks, and many more. Due to the late spring these ducklings haven’t hatched yet, but there will be others in the duckery for you to see. The work of WWT’s aviculturalists in places like our duckery has allowed them to develop skills they are now using all around the world to save the world’s rarest species, including the Madagascar pochard and spoon-billed sandpiper, both critically endangered.

Tours are included in price of admissions, due to popular demand pre-booking is essential. WWT members are also required to book their space although they will not be charged. WWT members must arrive promptly 15 minutes before tour otherwise there space will be reallocated.

Also another date for your diary; Saturday 15 June, Fathers Go Feral is a Father’s Day event with a difference. Now into the 6th year this one books quickly. A chance for dads everywhere and their kids to learn about bush craft, camp out under the stars in WWT Castle Espie’s Wetland Centre’s woodland and learn more about nature. Starts at 7pm on Saturday 15 June; adults £30; children £20. Booking is essential with the centre in advance.

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10.00am to 5pm. Access to the car park, shop, Loughshore Café and Art Gallery is free.  For more information on these and other events please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie

Nigel Grainge, the man that discovered Thin Lizzy, Sinead O’Connor and the Boomtown Rats to name a few, is making his way to Derry from Los Angeles as a guest of his co-A&R, local man Patrick Cutliffe.

He hopes to leave Northern Ireland/Derry with at least one artist he can intro to a major label or publishing deal. Nigel is connected to major labels and publishers throughout the US and UK and has a vast network in the music industry. He can, and will, make things happen if he discovers the right act/s.

Background

Patrick has been working as Artist & Repertoire (A&R) alongside Nigel, www.nigelgrainge.com, for 4 years discovering music talent worldwide and bringing artists to the attention of major record labels. In the summer of 2010, in Los Angeles, Patrick sat in on an A&R panel with Bob Geldof, Nigel Grainge (Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats), Rupert Hine (Tina Turner, Underworld), Damion Damizza Young (Snoop Dog, Mariah Carey) and Conor McNicholas (Ex NME Editor).

Patrick’s dream and passion has always been to help independent artists worldwide to monetise their business and get the recognition they deserve. He set up his own company Artists Live Limited in August 2012 to exploit the use of emerging online technologies, for the promotion of original independent musicians to showcase their wares and make a living.

The company’s key platform, CHOORPY.com is a unique, global, music-discovery, digital content web platform, where event organisers, musicians and music fans come together and do business. In terms of its market positioning, it’s akin to a combination of Airbnb.com for Event organisers and Elance.com for musicians. CHOORPY will launch in Ireland, in the fourth quarter of 2013. Watch this space.

Nigel says, “Nearly all the great things in my career have come from Ireland. I have no idea how that happened, but starting with Thin Lizzy, The Boomtown Rats, Sinead O’Connor, and even Mike Scott and his Irish connection have led to great things. I haven’t been back since those days and feel that an opportunity to see a bunch of raw but carefully pre-selected talent may well uncover a potential gem or two. My talent has always been to follow my hunch and if I unearth a gem or two I have enough really good connections out there to help make things happen!”

Patrick says, “Now that I’ve got the attention of world class A&R, I foresee great things happening for local artists. We now have the appropriate channels in place and the global network that has always been lacking here on the ground. I hope and plan to build on this and showcase the outstanding music talent and culture that we have here in Ireland.”

In March 2013, Patrick started an online ‘Independent music revolution’ with Choorpy and it’s taking off like a helium balloon:

• Independent musicians promoting independent music, only,  http://www.facebook.com/choorpy

• Connected to A&R scouts worldwide

• Choorpy Blog is reaching 35+ countries worldwide in just over 2 months –

http://choorpy.tumblr.com

• Facebook posts reached 2.5 million people within 1 week – http://goo.gl/bgpvM

Good Luck! We will be in contact with the artists who make it through to audition with further information.

Patrick Cutliffe

CEO/Founder

Choorpy.com

If you would like further information about this subject, or would like to schedule an interview with Nigel Grainge, please contact Patrick Cutliffe at, information@choorpy.com

Join Shaun the Sheep and his flock for some baa-rilliant family fun at Meadowbank Sports Arena on Saturday 1^st June from 1pm to 5pm as part of the Magherafelt Strawman Festival.

Family favourite Shaun the Sheep and friends will host the Championsheeps LIVE! for the first time in Northern Ireland.  Come along and help us give Shaun the Sheep a very warm welcome, and be among the first to take up the challenges presented by the farmyard themed games, featuring a range of amusing activities from Shirley sheep space hoppers, a farmyard assault course and a naughty pig’s sack race.

Challenges on the day will include:

Shirley’s Pieathlon – Race a Shirley-shaped sheep hopper while trying not to drop the piece of cake you’re carrying and avoid the fruit obstacles that stand in the way at the same time!

Free Range – Lift the chickens and see what you find: If it’s a chick, take it back to the safety of the henhouse; if it’s an egg, balance it on the wooden spoon and take it to the wicker basket.

Get Fit with the Flock – Get fit with a hula hoop challenge whilst wearing ears just like Shaun the Sheep and friends.

Sheep Shape – Add your creative touch to the growing farmyard scene by creating Aardman style Naughty Pigs out of clay. Use your newly created model as a prop in Animate It! Then take your masterpiece home to share with friends and family.

Naughty Pig Sack Race – Dress up as a Naughty Pig and race your challengers to prove that you’re the fastest porker in the yard!

This amusing event has been developed jointly by SGA Productions and Aardman Animations, the award-winning animation company and creators of the popular Shaun the Sheep series.

In addition to the Championsheeps LIVE! the Strawman festival will feature a Carnival of Strawmen and special characters, junk art workshops by the Big Lottery Live and Learn project, puppet shows, mega inflatables, local food stalls, it’s a knockout, rodeo sheep, face painting and many more enjoyable activities – guaranteed fun and laughter for the whole family!  Children are also welcome to come along in cowboy fancy dress to join in with our country theme.

Sharon Arbuthnot, Arts & Events Officer with Magherafelt District Council said: “We are delighted to be hosting the  Championsheeps LIVE! for the first time in Northern Ireland.  We are really looking forward to meeting Shaun the Sheep and his flock, and experiencing the hilarious farmyard challenges to help launch our inaugural Strawman Festival.  It’s an exciting new fun activity for our event, and we would encourage people to come along and give it a go, it really will be tremendous fun.”

Admission to the event will cost just £1 per child, adults go free.

An innovative Northern Ireland social enterprise is set to be in the limelight at one of Europe’s premier business events this week as a finalist in the prestigious DigiBIC Awards which will be presented at the three-day EBN Congress.

The Derry~Londonderry-based firm, which allows charities, social enterprises and other organisations to measure and report on their outputs and social impact, is in the running for the top prize alongside companies from Luxembourg and Italy.

Founded in 2006 with the support of the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC), Social Impact Tracker has increased its user-base by 600% since 2010 and has continued to expand its sales in export markets.

The DigiBIC Awards, which will be presented on the final day of EBN Congress (Friday 31^st May) in Derry~Londonderry’s Millennium Forum, reward businesses and research institutes from across Europe who have worked together to successfully deploy digital technologies in the Creative Industries.

Dr Bernard Toal, NORIBIC Chief Executive, says that he is delighted Social Impact Tracker will feature in the awards when the congress is taking place in its home town.

“EBN Congress 2013 will hear from and involve some of the world’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs, so it is a fantastic platform for Social Impact Tracker to be recognised for its innovation and growth. We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to the awards on Friday,” he adds.
Peter MacCafferty of Social Impact Tracker says: “We’re thrilled to be shortlisted from so many companies across Europe for the awards and to be highlighted at EBN Congress which is such a huge, high profile event. We’ve come a long way in the last three years, and we see being a finalist in these awards as fantastic recognition.”

Headlined by Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, EBN Congress will feature an unparalleled line-up of 50 top class speakers from throughout Europe and as far away as China and Australia. The event is being made possible by sponsorship from organisations including principal sponsors Invest NI, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and Ilex.

Over 450 delegates have already signed up to attend with new registrations coming in on a daily basis.  Exhibition space at the Millennium Forum conference venue is sold out with over 40 exhibitors confirmed and a growing waiting list.  Sponsorship has also exceeded targets with top line support from Invest Northern Ireland, DCAL and ILEX as well as another 19 well-known private and public sector organisations from throughout Northern Ireland.

In addition to the Principal Sponsors, the EBN Congress is also supported by SEUPB’s INTERREG IVA Programme, the Irish BICS, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB), Derry City Council, Pi Communications, the Nerve Centre, Learning Pool, Bombardier, Concentrix, Matrix, Carson and McDowell, Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP), Seagate, North West Regional College (NWRC) the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Tayto and Bushmills.

More information about DigiBIC Awards:

http://www.digibic.eu/newsarticle.asp?slevel=0z87&parent_id=87&renleewtsapf=49

More information about EBN Congress:

www.noribic.com/ebncongress

More info about Social Impact Tracker:

http://www.socialimpacttracker.org/

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (May 27 – June 2).

• Belfast Continental Market, Belfast City Hall, May 24 – 27.  The Belfast Continental Market makes a welcome return to the city with traders from 26 countries including Morocco, India, Belgium, France, Russia and Spain.  From Crepes to Curry and Paella to Noodles, there will be something to make everyone’s mouth water.

• Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, Ballycastle Town and Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim, May 24 – June 2.  Enjoy the stunning scenery, diverse attractions and local culture of Ballycastle town and Rathlin Island with everything from sailing to food stalls and guided walks to fun competitions on offer.

• May Day, Downpatrick and County Down Railway, Co. Down, May 27.  The perfect chance to take a trip to Inch Abbey and sample the delights of a real steam train and rail travel at its most traditional.

• May Day, Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim, May 27.  Medieval archers practice shooting with the longbow and display their prowess.  Come along and experience the power of one of the oldest and most effective projectile weapons.

• Brookborough Community Festival, Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh, May 28 – June 1.  A four day festival with lots of events and activities taking place including a 10k fun run, a donkey derby, a soapbox derby and much more.

• Alice in Wonderland – The Ballet, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, May 30.  Basing his ballet on Lewis Carroll’s much-loved children’s books, Alice in Wonderland is a mix of imagination, eclectic music and joyful dance that will delight all ages.

• Romeo and Juliet National Theatre, Waterside Theatre & Arts Centre, Co. Londonderry, May 30.  Set against a vibrant backdrop bursting full of excitement, colour, dancing and live song, a company of eight recreate the most famous love story of all time.

• Tynan Country Fair and Military Exhibition, Tynan Rectory, Co. Armagh, June 1.  Event highlights including a military vehicle exhibition, a gun demonstration, clay pigeon shooting, a dog show, home baking and craft competition, pony rides, a duck race and country fair stalls.

• Carnivale of Colours, St Columb’s Park, Co. Londonderry, June 1 – 2.  This year’s festival is bigger, better and more colourful than ever before with the very best of international street theatre and local acts interspersed with an eclectic mix of side shows and attractions to guarantee lots of laughs and a truly magical experience for folks of all ages.

• Strangford Lough Maritime Festival, Portaferry and Strangford, Co. Down, June 1 – 2.  Celebrating Strangford Lough and Lecale’s ancient and modern maritime traditions, world renowned wildlife and stunning landscape with loads of free activities for all the family.

Down

Recreate the summer steam train excursion of yester-year with our steam train along the edge of Belfast Lough. This summer excursion on Saturday 25^th May will offer passengers steam train travel from Bangor station to Belfast Central station and return. For the historically minded, the steam train will offer a unique chance to travel south from Bangor on the former Belfast and County Down Railway line to Belfast. Departure times: Bangor Station 13:35;  Belfast Central 15:15.  For all our County Down events click HERE.

Tyrone

The Factory Girls comes to the Burnavon Cookstown on Thursday 23^rd May. It tells the story of five women facing the threat of redundancy, who stage a lock-in in a shirt factory in Co. Donegal when faced with losing their jobs.  The characters are five strong and independent women: Ellen, Una, Vera, Rosemary and Rebecca who take on the boss and the union. These “girls” may never get back their jobs, but their brief adventure has brought each of them the insight that will give them the courage to soldier on. Described as a truly realistic play filled with humour, charm, fine acting and staging, this is a heart-warming play that will tug at every emotion.    For all our County Tyrone listings click  HERE.

Fermanagh

The Puppet Lab presents EACH PEACH PEAR PLUM at the Ardowen Theatre on Wednesday 22nd May.  Adapted from the book by Janet and Allen Ahlberg, Each Peach Pear Plum is set in a delightful green meadow with a river running through it, songs and music bring a variety of nursery rhyme characters to life on their way to Mother Hubbard’s for some Plum Pie.  This performance is suitable for children aged 3+ and their families.  For all our County Fermanagh listings click  HERE.

Derry

Tamlaght O’Crilly Vintage Rally Group are holding their annual Vintage Fair and Rally on Saturday 25th May 2013 from 12pm-4pm.  There will be music by Fiddler Adam, Simon Peters and others, as well as animals and retriever dogs on show. With a variety of stalls, games, bouncy castle,  huge display of vintage vehicles and tractors there is something for all the family. There will also be free craft and cookery workshops, health checks and advisory services. Admission £5.  For all our County Derry/Londonderry listings click HERE.

Armagh

The May bank holidays at Armagh Planetarium are out of this world. Join in on Monday 27th May for the Planet Aliens workshop where you will design and make your very own model alien with the help of the fantastic Emerald Garrison sculptors.  The Emerald Garrison will also be demonstrating how they have created some of their amazing props and sets using clay.  This is a hands-on workshop where you will get the opportunity to create your own unique sculpture to take home. Each workshop will last approximately 40 minutes where fun is guaranteed for all the family. All we ask is that you use your imagination!  For all our County Armagh listings click HERE.

Antrim

Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, an exciting new annual celebration of our rich local maritime history, culture, music, and food will take place between 24th May and 2nd June 2013, located on the stunningly beautiful landscapes and waters between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island on the spectacular north coast of Ireland, right in the heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens.  With on the water and seaside based ‘get involved’ activities including kayaking, diving, paddleboarding, surfing and more, historic and modern sea craft, dinghy and yacht racing, competitions, local and historic talks, tours, guided walks, open days and exhibitions there will be something to interest everyone including plenty of family friendly activities. The Festival will also include a special seafood themed food and craft market with cookery demonstrations, and a Can’t Cook Won’t Cook challenge by local Councillors. Local cafes, bars and restaurants will also be offering special menus and events throughout the event to celebrate our unique food offering. In the evenings there will be a wealth of entertainment to choose from including music, drama and films including great local, national and international singers and bands. For all County Antrim listings click HERE.

Belfast

As the city gets set for summer, Belfast is playing host to some magnificent ships that have sailed the high seas at the Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival, 25-27 May. The festival will celebrate the city’s unique maritime heritage alongside Titanic activities that will include tours, talks, exhibitions and drama as well as family friendly entertainment and music throughout the three days.  For all our Belfast events listings click HERE.

This year’s festival has been themed around the retro delights of the 1940’s and 50’s and offers something for everyone!

To kick off the festival organisers have arranged a special cinema showing of ‘Grease’ at the McNeill Theatre, Larne, on Friday 31^st May.  This promises not to be any old screening but a musical showing where the audience can sing-along with word to the songs appearing on screen!  There will be prizes for the best dressed and the ticket price includes refreshments during the evening.  Tickets cost £5 and are available from Larne Tourist Information Centre on 028 28 260088.

The following day Larne Town Centre will be awash with colour as the festival parade heads down Main Street.  The parade will feature local young people who have recently learned to stilt walk, as well as local schools, groups and sports clubs.  There will be live music at Broadway Bandstand along with circus entertainers and face painting from 2pm.  The parade will set off from Larne YMCA at 3pm moving onto Victoria Road, Agnew Street, Main Street, High Street, Pound Street and back to St John’s Place.  There is still time to get involved in the parade by contacting Rachael McMaster on 028 28 263047 or email mcmasterr@larne.gov.uk.

The festival will be in full swing on Sunday 2^nd June at Larne Town Park with a 1950’s Jamboree.  You are encouraged to bring your own picnic and refreshments as this event is part of the Big Lunch Project.  We have games to suit the era as well as colourful walkabouts and amazing circus performers.  Rock around the clock in our arts and crafts tent or get your face painted.  There will be plenty of vintage cars and motorcycles to peruse and a special fancy dress competition.  We are looking for the best 1950’s costumes with categories for all ages!  FirePoise will be closing the day with a two-person swing inspired fire performance.  The event starts at 2pm and finishes at 5pm.

Larne Alive is encouraging the public to park in the Larne Town centre car parks and walk to Larne Town Park for this event.  Parking is available at Agnew Street, Fairhill, Narrow Gauge Road, and Riverdale.  There will be no parking allowed along Bankheads Lane to ensure access to the park for emergency services.

There will be parking available at the Town Park Car Park, Larne Leisure Centre and Town Centre Car Parks.  The event will take place from 2pm – 5pm.

On Saturday 8^th June the AES Ballylumford Larne Half Marathon will take place and Larne Alive have put on some special town centre entertainment to encourage all walkers and runners on their way.  The ALS Band will be performing live at Broadway Bandstand from 10am – 12pm.  Full details of the Half Marathon can be found on www.larnehalfmarathon.webs.com.

The final event of the festival will be a special vintage-style tea dance held at Larne Town Hall on Saturday 15^th June, 2pm-4pm.  Special Guests Swingabella will be providing the music.  There will be a short dance lesson prior to the dance at 1.30pm, with tea and cupcakes served for afternoon tea.  This is open to all ages.  Tickets are £5 and available from Larne Tourist Information Centre on 028 28 260088 or email Larnetourism@btconnect.com.

For more information please contact Larne Tourist Information Centre on 028 28 260088.

Ilex has joined Invest NI and DCAL as a principal sponsor of EBN Congress, the biggest international innovation conference in Northern Ireland this year, which is being organised by NORIBIC (Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre).

Matt McNulty, Interim Chair of Ilex and Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC, were pictured making the announcement.

Dr Bernard Toal, chief executive of NORIBIC says that given Ilex’s strategic role in the economic growth of North West, Ilex’s support is particularly welcome.

“The congress focuses on the three key areas of the ‘One Plan’ for the regeneration of the city that Ilex has driven – social innovation, cultural innovation and digital innovation. So Ilex’s support for the congress is both extremely welcome and very significant,” he adds.

Matt McNulty, Interim Chair of Ilex added: “Ilex is delighted to support the EBN Congress in Derry~Londonderry.  Not only will this conference draw people from around the world to the city, it will positively promote its regeneration in line with our ambition of the One Plan. It will also project the city as a location of choice for investment and will have a substantial economic impact, generating over £700,000 for the local economy.”

Topping the programme for the three day conference (29^th-31^st May) will be Steve Wozniak, who 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.

EBN Congress 2013 will include a series of events and exhibitions including the Digital, Cultural and Social Innovation networking Villages.  It will begin on 29^th May with a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Derry, followed by a cultural welcome event in the Craft Village.  The Millennium Forum will then stage the main conference on 30^th and 31^st May with a Gala Dinner and Concert showcasing many local acts at The Venue at Ebrington on the Thursday evening (30^th May).

Further information about EBN Congress is available at: www.noribic.com/ebncongress

Ilex urc was established to promote the physical, economic and social regeneration of Derry~Londonderry and has specific responsibility to manage and re-develop former military base Ebrington (26 acres) www.ilex-urc.com

“Prepare to be stimulated, inspired and amazed,” says Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC) as the final countdown begins to one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious business events.  The EBN Congress is now only 10 days away from its debut appearance in Northern Ireland to be held in Derry~Londonderry from 29^th-31^st May 2013.

Headlined by Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, the Derry-based organisers NORIBIC, have secured an unparalleled line-up of 50 top class speakers from throughout Europe and as far away as China and Australia. Over 450 delegates have already signed up to attend with new registrations coming in on a daily basis.   Exhibition space at the Millennium Forum conference venue is sold out with over 40 exhibitors confirmed and a growing waiting list.  Sponsorship has also exceeded targets with top line support from Invest Northern Ireland, DCAL and ILEX as well as another 19 well-known private and public sector organisations from throughout Northern Ireland.

Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC says that the EBN Congress provides a unique opportunity to hear and engage with some of the world’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs.  “In my experience there has never been a line-up to match this in Northern Ireland.  Focusing on the themes of Digital, Social and Cultural Innovation, the breadth of expertise and experience on offer is nothing less than awesome and we cannot wait to get started.  Our European delegates and those from closer to home will not only be informed and inspired but also entertained by an eclectic mix of cultural experiences so it really is a conference with a difference.  There are still a few delegate places left and with a specially reduced fee specifically for Northern Ireland businesses we would encourage registration without delay.”

Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder, will be joined by Sir Tim Smit KBE, famous for his work creating the Eden Project which is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’; USA based Richard Florida, the best-selling author on the economic importance of the creative industries and described as an ‘intellectual rock star’; and Benjamin Southworth, Deputy CEO and Head of Community of the Tech City Investment Organisation in London.

EBN Congress 2013 will include a series of events and exhibitions including the Digital, Cultural and Social Innovation networking Villages.  It will begin on 29^th May with a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Derry, followed by a cultural welcome event in the Craft Village.  The Millennium Forum will then stage the main conference on 30^th and 31^st May with a Gala Dinner and Concert showcasing many local acts at The Venue at Ebrington on the Thursday evening (30^th May).

In addition to the Principal Sponsors, the EBN Congress is also supported by SEUPB’s INTERREG IVA Programme, the Irish BICS, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau (DVCB), Derry City Council, Pi Communications, the Nerve Centre, Learning Pool, Bombardier, Concentrix, Matrix, Carson and McDowell, Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP), Seagate, North West Regional College (NWRC) the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Tayto and Bushmills.