Nottingham will host the fourth Clusters Linked Over Europe (CLOE) Conference on Wednesday December 12 to Friday December 14 2007.

CLOE is a European network that provides a platform for managers and businesses across Europe to exchange experience and information on the management of successful networks of businesses, suppliers, and associated institutions in a common field or business sector. Earlier this year, Nottingham was invited to become a full partner in CLOE and was involved in supporting the network to secure CLOE’s successful bid to the European Commission for fast track funding through the new EU “Regions for Economic Change” strategy.  

A key part of the fast-track project, the Nottingham CLOE Conference – “From Ideas to Jobs” – will be held at Nottingham’s bioscience and innovation incubation centre, BioCity. Cluster management specialists and experts from the CLOE member regions will attend the conference, as well as senior officials from the European Commission, DG Regional Policy. As well as providing an opportunity to exchange experience and share best practice, it will also set the stage for exploring opportunities for collaborative European R&D projects, as well as for developing links to support the internationalisation of businesses.

Nottingham is looking forward to welcoming guests from all of the CLOE member regions to the city, including the lead CLOE partner, Karlsruhe, Nottingham’s German twin city of nearly 40 years.  

“Nottingham is very excited to be hosting this International conference. The conference promises to further raise Nottingham’s profile in Europe and, ultimately, put Nottingham’s businesses in an excellent position to benefit from being part of well managed interorganisational networks as well as develop trading links across Europe through this broad network of contacts” added Simon Green, Director, Sustainable Development, Nottingham City Council.