| 2009: European Year of Creativity and Innovation – The European Parliament |
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| WELCOME MESSAGE |
Dear Friends, Colleagues,
Welcome to Thessaloniki
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It is a great pleasure for us, the CITY College of Thessaloniki, together with the South East European Research Centre (SEERC) to host the 2nd International Conference for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Regional Development (ICEIRD-2009) on 24-25 April 2009 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
This year’s annual conference theme is "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Crossroads Triggers, Catalysts and Accelerators for Sustainable Regional Development". ICEIRD 2009 is jointly organised with fourteen Universities/Institutions, namely CITY College and SEERC (Greece), The University of Sheffield (UK), Ss. Cyril and Methodius Business Start-up Centre in Skopje, (F.Y.R. Macedonia), George Washington University (USA), Georgia Southern University (USA), S.C. ICTCM S.A. – Mechanical Engineering and Research Institute (Romania), Urenio - Urban and Regional Innovation Research Unit (Greece), The University of Novi Sad (Serbia), Tilburg University (Netherlands), Cardiff’s Metropolitan University (UK), University of Tampere (Finland), Sophia University (Bulgaria), University of Liverpool (UK) and Gea College (Slovenia).
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| The Conference directly fulfils the mission of ICEIRD which is to support the development of South East Europe by providing a multi-disciplinary forum for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in the field of innovation/entrepreneurship and regional development. ICEIRD 2009 aims to provide an effective channel of communication between decision-makers (government, ministries and state agencies), researchers (universities, research and development centres, start-up centres and incubators), practitioners (SME leaders and managers) and persons involved in the latest research and scientific developments and practice on innovation and entrepreneurship; they will come together to discuss topics that are of currency, relevance and significance for national competitiveness and for sustainable regional development. These will be addressed in a 2-day event where more than 60 papers will be presented from over 20 countries. ICEIRD2009 aims to: |
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- raise the level of awareness about innovation, entrepreneurship and competitive advantage
- strengthen the regional and international network among representatives from SEE countries and those from EU member states
- consolidate intra-SEE networks of SMEs, Start-up Centers and Incubators
- understand barriers that prohibit the blooming of entrepreneurship in the global economy
- promote best practices in innovation research and business development
- facilitate regional partnerships and innovation networks
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| Thessaloniki is both, a city with a glorious history of 2400 years, and a cosmopolitan modern city full of life. We have chosen one of the best hotels in the centre of Thessaloniki to host the Conference, we have enriched the agenda with many interesting activities and we will make sure that all the latest developments in the science and art of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Regional Development will be presented and discussed during the 2nd ICEIRD 2009. |
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| We hope that all the delegates will have a successful Conference, along with the chance to enjoy some of the traditional Greek hospitality for which our country is widely known. |
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| We would like to cordially welcome you all to the 2nd International Conference for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Regional Development (ICEIRD-2009) on 24-25 April 2009 in Thessaloniki, Greece. |
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Dr Panos H. KETIKIDIS
Chairperson of ICEIRD 2009 |
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