Food and drink sector businesses are being invited to a free
event to discover more about the support for innovation that's
available in the East Midlands.
The Food and Drink innovation Network (iNet) is staging two
events as part of its Innovation Showcase 2011 on March 23rd. They
will turn the spotlight on support and funding for innovation
generally, as well as more specifically about the latest
engineering technologies that could overcome current manufacturing
challenges.
Held at East Midlands Conference Centre, University Park,
Nottingham, the events are open to firms working in
Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire,
Northamptonshire and Rutland, and are designed to feed the strong
appetite for innovation in the food and drink sector across the
East Midlands.
"The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Showcase events are the
perfect chance for food and drink businesses in the region to
discover the help that's available for innovation," said Richard
Worrall, director of the Food and Drink iNet, which encourages
innovation in the sector by providing support and promoting and
co-ordinating innovation activity for businesses, universities and
individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East
Midlands.
Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet
is one of four regional iNets that has developed an effective
network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge
with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The first event, Get Connected, which runs from 8.30am to 2pm,
offers the opportunity for food and drink firms to meet iNet
advisers, discover details about current support and funding for
innovation, find out how to become part of the innovation network,
and to update themselves on key topics for the sector.
This will be followed by a second iShowcase event, which runs
from 1pm to 5pm, which is aimed at bringing together food and drink
businesses and engineering companies. Organised under the
Championing Innovation between the Engineering and Food Sectors
(ChIEFS) project, it's an opportunity for food processors to meet
engineers, explain their needs and discover ways that engineering
firms could help design and create innovative solutions to problems
experienced by food manufacturers.
It will provide an introduction to the ChIEFS project, give
examples of successful collaborations between engineering firms and
food and drink businesses that have already occurred, and provide
an update on the latest advances in hygienic design, as well as
offer food manufacturers information about the latest engineering
technologies.
A networking lunch will be held between the two sessions.
To book a free place at one or both iShowcase events or for more
information, call 0115 9758810, or visit the events section of
www.eminnovation.org.uk/food
The Food and Drink iNet aims to build on the tradition of
innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping
to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to
help research, develop and implement new products, markets,
services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the
Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday,
Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the
University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park,
Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.