KickStart

Conference and Transatlantic Innovation Marketplace

Venue: Glasgow Caledonian University
Dates: 3-4 December 2009

CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPERS
The KICKSTART project is pleased to announce a call for papers for the ISLAE conference to be presented on 4th December and subsequently published in a book “Innovation Support in Latin America and Europe: Making Sense of the Interplay between theory, practice and policy in innovation and innovation systems. The papers should cover at least one of the following topics:

1. Innovation and innovation systems

2. Innovation, Competitiveness in Turbulent Times

3. Knowledge Exchange, Creativity and Enterprise

4. Commercialization of Innovation (including issues, such as IPR)

5. Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building Policy Dimensions

6. Innovation in Latin American

7. Lessons Learnt from Innovation Practice (in Latin America) More details on the programme and format for papers will be announced in the next two weeks.

OBJECTIVES

The Transatlantic Innovation Marketplace will allow Latin American institutions, support bodies and companies involved in innovation to have direct contact with their counterparts from the United Kingdom and Europe, to allow them to explore opportunities of mutual benefit and to promote collaboration between the two regions.

VENUE AND SPECIFICATIONS

The market place will be located in the Saltire Centre of Glasgow Caledonian University where each participant will be invited to set up a stand of approximately 3x3 m. This exhibition will be held over two days (3-4 December) with a reception and official opening on the evening of Thursday 3rd December. All participants from Latin America will be asked to fill in a short questionnaire describing their particular interest and specialisation in order to ensure that the most appropriate counterparts are invited to the event. There will also be an opportunity to take part in group visits to companies and institutions involved in particular sectors (ICT, food and drink, etc.). These group visits will be organised according to the demand of the participants. This event offers a unique showcase for Latin American partners and their associates and all participants will be expected to provide suitable promotional material for the stands supplied. If a participant has any special requirements in terms of space or equipment they should inform the organisers as soon as possible so that every effort can be made to meet their demands. In parallel with the market place, the First Conference on Innovation Support in Latin America and Europe will be held on Friday 4th December. The Conference will offer a comparative insight into Latin American and European approaches to innovation, the management of innovation and innovation in practice and finally the exploitation of innovative ideas in and for a Latin American and European context. The event is expected to attract over 150 delegates and 80 papers, with a mixture of academics from Europe and Latin America, business professionals, public institutions and representative support networks (including Chambers of Commerce, trade bodies. European Commission etc.).

PRICES

Participants outside the KICKSTART Consortium will have to pay for their travel and accommodation although costs for the stands etc. will be free. Hotel rooms at preferential rates have been block booked at the Radisson Hotel (venue for the conference on Friday 4th)