IFB: One year on – five months to go
It is now a year since Prime Minister
David Cameron launched the
International for Business 2014 and
with just five months to go festival
planning is proceeding at great pace
with much achieved already.
Not only has the IFB team secured a
host of business champions and
renowned entrepreneurs who are
pledging their support for the
Festival, but globally recognised
organisations are partnering IFB
including BT, one of the world’s
leading providers of
communications services; the
Financial Times, one of the world’s
leading business news organisations;
and CNN International, one of the
world’s leading news broadcasters.
“What we have achieved so far in so
short a time is hugely encouraging,”
said Max Steinberg, IFB 2014
Chairman.
“A festival of this size and scale
would normally be several years in
the planning, but our team is
working flat out to deliver a
stunning and relevant programme
that will help showcase the best of
British business and industry to the
world.
“IFB will offer the best opportunities
for businesses and organisations in
the region to meet with counterparts
from across the UK and from
overseas - USA, Russia, China,
India, Europe, the Middle East and
Latin America – to sell their
products and services and make
significant relationships that can
meet their own ambition.”
The continued commitment of the
government has also recently been
underlined by a special IFB
reception at 10 Downing Street,
while minister for Cities Greg Clark
announced that IFB is to take over
two floors of Merseytravel’s new
landmark building at Mann Island
to create an IFB Hub which will be
the trade and nerve centre for the
six-week festival.
The IFB Hub, based on the third
and fourth floors, will include a
special Mayoral conference room
where Liverpool Mayor Joe
Anderson will host a number of
significant international meetings
during the course of the festival,
plus a media centre, exhibition
space, meeting rooms and event
space.
the Hub for the duration of the
festival with the National Law
Society and the Institute of
Chartered Accountants (ICAEW)
offering legal and financial support
and advice to any UK businesses
attending the festival.
Julie Simms, partner at DWF who is
leading the F&P Services steering
group, said: “We have involvement
from two large national associations,
and discussions are taking place with
others, which will mean a dedicated
presence throughou Ёѡ