Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) has confirmed that its annual Launch Digital and Gaming Conference will this year be opened by Ed Vaizey MP, the Coalition Government's Minister for Culture, Communication and the Creative Industries.

Mr Vaizey, the Minister for Communication, Culture and the Creative Industries, will open the one-day conference - which embraces all forms of gaming and digital media entrepreneurial development as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week - at Birmingham Science Park Aston on Wednesday 16 November.  

Previously run as the Future Digital & Gaming Conference, the event will provide delegates with an insight into the latest online tools, computer games, and mobile products and services. Leading speakers from the digital industries will also share their knowledge, and delegates will have an opportunity to get hands-on with cutting-edge innovations.

Dr David Hardman, chief executive officer, BSPA, said: "The UK games industry is the second largest in the world after the US, with the West Midlands home to 21 per cent of the UK games workforce. This region has understandably become the hub for games and digital media and it therefore makes absolute sense to stage this event at Birmingham Science Park Aston.

"At BSPA we are pioneering the concept of 'science parks without walls', enabling a free and frank exchange of information and ideas regardless of physical boundary and Global Entrepreneurship Week is the perfect platform from which to do this."

The event is supported by a broad cross-section of industry professionals, with an 18-strong Conference Advisory panel volunteering their time to develop the conference sessions. This year's Advisory Panel includes representatives from Microsoft-owned games developer Rare, IndieCity, Birmingham Metropolitan College, Google UK, The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE), NESTA, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Sam Collins, Commercial Manager at UKIE and member of the advisory panel, said: "The association for UK Interactive Entertainment is delighted to be supporting the Launch Conference at Birmingham Science Park Aston. The event will give invaluable support and insight for individuals looking to get into our exciting industry and also those businesses looking to enhance their existing activities. UKIE's vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world to develop and publish interactive entertainment. We strongly believe that this conference can play its part to help achieve this vision".

Global Entrepreneurship Week is an internationally-recognised opportunity to showcase and celebrate all of the amazing work that entrepreneurs engage in all year round.