Europe

November 2008, Estochkholm, Sweden
VINNOVA published a paper in which companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology in Denmark are compared to those in Sweden

12 February 2009, Barcelona, Spain
22@Barcelona, in collaboration with TCI Network, ACC1Ó (Center for Innovation and Business Development - Catalan Government) and the Barcelona City Council, will celebrate the 3rd Symposium on Urban Clusters at Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB) on 12th February, 2009.

On the occassion of the 11th Global Conference in Cape Town, a TCI German Contact Point was set up. Under the direction of Klaus Haasis, member of the TCI Board of Directors, this regional initiative develops new services with its members and serves as information point in the German speaking area. Furthermore, it provides support for the preparative activities for the 12th TCI Annual Global Conference in Leipzig, Germany, 22-26 June 2009.

1-2 December 2008, European Parliament, Brussels
The Knowledge4Innovation platform will formally launch its policy instrument "The Lisbon Forum of the European Parliament" on 1-2 December in Brussels.

Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness is TCI organizational member since it was founded in 2006 with the objective of providing support to public bodies, socio-economic agents and all the higher education centres in the Basque Country in aspects related to competitiveness. Through this interaction with different agents, Orkestra combines scientific and real-world knowledge in ‘orchestrating’ the Basque Country towards sustainable competitiveness. Research is focused in four key areas: Clusters, Regional Development and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Welfare.

23 October 2008, Europe
Europe INNOVA awards TCI member Christoph Beer as best Cluster Manager 2008. Christoph Beer is the manager of tcbe.ch-ICT Cluster Bern (Switzerland) and an active member of TCI since 2005.

11-12th November 2008, Malmö, Sweden
The 4th International Conference on Service & Innovation will guide you to make wise decisions about the future. The way forward is to compare your company or your research with companies or researchers that are even better at transforming to the new service economy. Meet over hundreds of Swedish companies such as Ericsson, TeliaSonera, The Astonishing Tribe, Scandvision, TetraPak any many many more. Together with research groups and policymakers this conference will be a meeting ground for future actions.

17-18 November 2008, Paris, France
The biggest European event for cluster cooperation expects to have around 800 participants from over 25 countries.
“For Europe to tap the full potential of its clusters, they must also achieve a critical mass and strategic orientation through more and better trans-national European cooperation, across national borders. This raises the prospect of generating world-class European clusters.”

13-14 November 2008, Sophia Antipolis, France
The 13th and 14th November, under the French presidency, in Sophia Antipolis (France) the European Minister conference on the clusters has taken place. Expected were 27 European ministers charged with the politics of clusters ( or their representatives), as well as the European Commissioners end employees of the European Commission.

30 November 2008, Europe
What skills do cluster managers need to fulfil their tasks? What kind of trainings are necessary to meet their future challenges? The first large scale survey supported by PRO INNO Europe on the skills and training needs of European cluster managers is aimed at proceeding towards a clearer job profile and preparing the ground for future trainings on a European scale. Your participation is important: Cluster Organisations and Clustermanagers should participate. This survey is completed by cluster practitioners, for cluster practitioners.