Business Forum Events 2010 23rd June – North East Access to Finance
Following previous successful meetings of the Gateshead Business Forum, we are delighted to invite you to our next event.
Being held on Wednesday 23rd June at Bewicks Restaurant, Civic Centre, Gateshead from 7.30am until 9.00am, the event will offer a chance to network with other Gateshead Businesses as well as the opportunity to receive advice from North East Access to Finance.
As the region emerges from recession, companies’ ability to grow and seek new markets will be critical in adding value to the regional economy.
Alastair Smith from North East Access to Finance will provide information on the comprehensive range of support on offer for businesses in the North East as well as the range of private finance initiatives.
You can book your place on this free event by emailing businessforum@gateshead.gov.uk| or by telephoning (0191) 4332803.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Gateshead Digital Summer Festival
Gateshead is celebrating all things digital as a major international festival celebrating the digital age gets into full swing this month.
The first of its kind in the region, it runs until 10 July with events aimed at industry experts from throughout the UK and Europe, as well as local businesses and the public.
Under the banner ‘Gateshead Digital Summer’, up and coming festival highlights include:
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‘GameHorizon’ – a games conference with opportunities for games industry executives to see sneak previews of yet-to-be-released video games. (29 & 30 June at The Sage Gateshead)
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Music is the theme of lots of events including: Making music on your computer, making your own Karaoke; how to sample your favourite songs and making the most of music downloading – all at The Sage Gateshead.
Rounding off the festival on 10 July – is the launch of Game Hero 2010 – a FIFA 2010 tournament played out in public between 96 of the best video game players in the region. (10 July, MetroCentre).
Council Leader Mick Henry said: “This will be a hugely important event for the region’s growing digital business community, who will have the chance to showcase their own products and hear what the rest of the digital world has to say.
“This industry sector is a crucial part of Gateshead’s plans for the future and although this will be the event’s inaugural year, we are confident that this will become an important event in the borough’s – and the country’s – conference calendar.”
Gateshead Digital Summer is being jointly co-ordinated by Gateshead Council and Codeworks, the centre for digital innovation.
For further information, visit: www.gatesheaddigitalsummer.com|, or sign up for regular updates and latest news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gatesheadsummer|
Free social media guides
Following all the hype surrounding social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, online communication experts at The Centre for eBusiness have investigated ‘social media’ and discussed its place within the traditional marketing mix.
Not surprisingly, The Centre for eBusiness discovered that although social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn offer many business benefits, like all marketing activity, it remains crucial to assess whether the platform is right for you and your customers. If it’s not, then a great deal of time and effort can be misdirected, this is a pitfall that The Centre wants to help the region’s business people avoid.
With this in mind, The Centre for eBusiness has developed a range of simple resources, both general and platform specific, to provide SMEs with support in this area. If you are considering ‘tweeting’, getting LinkedIn or being part of the biggest country in the world (that’s Facebook), then the first step is to get your hands on these simple guides, and get clued up before you make the decision to proceed, or not.
To receive your copy of ‘Ancient Techniques, Modern Tools’ or platform specific guides to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn which includes top tips, glossaries and overviews simply email morag.robertson@centreforebusiness.eu| and allow The Centre for eBusiness to increase your understanding and save you time.
Developing SME Expertise scheme
The Developing SME Expertise scheme is funded by One North East. Its aim is to retain skills and help companies in the North East
It does this by part funding an employee to go on placement from a North East based SME company that may be undergoing financial difficulties and placing them with a company who requires those skills.
The scheme also acts as a matching service for those companies looking for skills
The main details of the scheme are:
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60% of the employee’s placement salary costs are grant funded (Maximum eligible salary costs is £20,000), the other 40% of salary costs are met by the company who acts as the host for the employee.
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Grant is paid monthly
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Placement does not have to be full-time
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Free advice, placement company identification, and guidance on administration
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Scheme ends March 2011
Benefits of the scheme are:
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Company retains skills and is ready for upturn in sales
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Overheads are reduced
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Staff return with greater commercial experience
The scheme is delivered by the North East Enterprise Alliance (NEEAL)
To find out full details, please contact Chris Craig at the North East BIC on 0191 5166064 or e mail on chris.craig@ne-bic.co.uk|
Partnership plans to lead in UK digital out of home sector
Audio visual specialist Blaydon Communications has forged a partnership with one of the only 3D content providers in the UK to position itself at the forefront of the fast expanding Digital Out Of Home (DOOH) sector.
Partner company Stereografix Ltd, based at St. Peters, Sunderland is the brainchild of Saif Chaudhry and is set to address the big question currently taxing 3D technology commentators – “We have the technology, now where’s the content?”
In March, Blaydon Communications was confirmed as the northern channel partner for the Luminis 3D digital signage system. The Luminis system offers 3D ‘No Glasses’ lenticular technology which allows for 3D signage and point-of-sale display visible to the naked eye. The two companies intend to create a Centre for Excellence in 3D DOOH technology the north east of England.
Blaydon Communications managing director Paul Dougherty says:
“The DOOH industry is in its infancy and we have worked to identify the leading suppliers of 3D hardware, and identify those technologies which will provide a robust platform for 3D point-of-sale and display. Our partnership with Luminis means we can provide the necessary hardware and support, then work with Stereografix to ensure top quality content.
The Great North East Debate
17th June, 6-8pm, Gateshead Old Town Hall ‘Question Time’ panel to answer public and business concerns on climate change £10 (+VAT) includes drinks reception
This ‘Question Time’ style event will focus on a range of topical local concerns on the effects of climate change across the
region. Questions may include, ‘How has climate change impacted on the future of the steel industry in Teesside?’, ‘What will the average temperature be in Berwick in the year 2050?’ or ‘Which parts of the region will be underwater?’
The panel has been carefully chosen to provide full dialogue across the spectrum of climate change issues in order to understand potential regional vulnerabilities and help formulate appropriate future planning policy.
Panel:
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Sunand Prasad Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects
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Jed Griffiths Former President of the Royal Town Planning Institute
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Dr David Toll Chairman of the Northern Geotechnical Group
If you would like to register for this event please contact Jennifer Read.
E: jennifer.read@inst.riba.org|
T: 0191 261 7441