Organisers of the East Midlands iFestival have announced that 2009’s celebration of innovation will take place between 6th March and 17th April.

The iFestival will launch on 6th March to coincide with National Science and Engineering Week.  Following this, businesses from across the region will attend an Innovation Expo.  A celebratory Gala Dinner will bring proceedings to a close at the end of the six-week period.

Co-ordinated by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the Regional Science and Industry Council), but involving a myriad of partners, the iFestival promotes and celebrates the importance of innovation in both the public and private sectors.

Earlier this year, 158 events were staged across the East Midlands, as part of the 2008 iFestival, focusing on the need of both public and private sector organisations to be more innovative in their thinking and operations. Next year, East Midlands Innovation expects to grow the calendar of events still further and engage with more people from across the region than ever before.

David Wallace, Innovation Director at emda said: “In the current economic climate, the need for companies to develop and commercialise innovative ideas is more important than ever.

“The 2008 iFestival was a great success and highlighted the need for people in business, education and other organisations to think and work innovatively. Many new initiatives and collaborations have been inspired as a result of the iFestival and I am looking forward to seeing even more people participating in it in 2009.”

An annual event, the East Midlands iFestival was first staged in 2007 and each year encompasses an inspiring, inclusive programme of events, designed to help foster a culture of innovation in the region. The iFestival aims to engage a wide range of people young and old, business and public sector workers, along with communities and organisations supporting or involved within an innovation environment.

Innovation is regarded as a key driver in creating a dynamic, knowledge focused East Midlands economy and it is identified as a strategic priority in the Regional Economic Strategy.

Improved productivity in an increasingly competitive global market means that businesses and organisations in the East Midlands must put innovation at the heart of their core activities, if they are to flourish and stay ahead of the game.

For further information about the iFestival and East Midlands Innovation please visit www.eminnovation.org.uk

-ENDS-

Issued on behalf of the iFestival by Lava. For further information contact Matt, Louise or Stuart at Lava on 01522 842 800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk / louise@lavapr.co.uk / stuart@lavapr.co.uk

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