Organised by Sofia Municipality in co-operation of Consulting Cluster Veritas and Association of Business Clusters Bulgaria on behalf of TCI Network, the TCI European Conference 2018 become an opportunity to expand the worldwide knowledge and understanding about the entire Balkan region and neighboring countries, about active and successful cluster networks, economy development and future plans for clusters co-operation.

The 3-day conference followed the agenda:

Day 1 dedicated to cluster tours, where delegates had the opportunity to choose between visits in two cities (Plovdiv & Sofia), exploring a technology park and industrial zone, learning for:

• Technology & Innovation
• Information and Communication Technology
• Machine Building
• Automotive, Transport and Logistic

Highlights form Sofia Tour

• Presentation Sofia Tech Park // Presented by: Mihail Iliev, Ch. Expert, Innovation and Projects Directorate at Sofia Tech Park
• Lab Presentation - Cybersecurity // Presented by: Yavor Papazov, expert cyber-security
• Lab Presentation - High Performance Calculations // Presented by: Ivo Iliev, expert in high performance computing
• Presentation BESCO - The Bulgarian Start-up Association // Presented by: Natanail Stefanov, Chairman of the organization

Lunch on behalf of Sofia Tech Park

• Information & Communication Technology Presentations

 

 

 

Highlights for Plovdiv Tour – Machine Building, Automotive, Transport & Logistic

• Visit at Industrial Zone Maritsa, part of Trakia Economic Zone
• Visit “16+1 Logistic hub and Pavilion for e-commerce”
• Visit Industrial Zone Rakovski, part of Trakia Economic Zone
• Presentation of Plovdiv municipality, Cluster Trakia Economic Zone, Cluster Education -qualification hub Trakia
• Lunch on behalf of Plovdiv municipality

 

After the busy day of travels and presentations delegates of the TCI European Conference had a chance to expand the knowledge about Sofia history, as well as to continue networking at a welcoming reception at the Sofia Largo.

 

 

The Conference was officially opened with welcoming words and remarks by Alberto Pezzi (TCI), Alexander Manolev (Deputy Minister of Economy Bulgaria) and Rosen Plevneliev (President of Republic of Bulgaria 2012 - 2017).

Being announced as "Industrial Polices" day (day 2), provided a platform, where delegates experienced keynote presentations from Dr. Ulla Engelmann, Head of Unit for Clusters, Social Economy and Entrepreneurship within DG GROWTH, European Commission, Dr. Peter Wostner, Head of the Smart Specialisaton Unit, Slovenian Government and Rosen Plevneliev, President of Republic of Bulgaria 2012 – 2017.

Rich in content and shared experience and values were all parallel sessions introduced across both conference days. The overall programme gathered 6 plenary sessions and more than 16 different parallel sessions with also a wide range of presentations and interactive sessions. An incredible inspiration for all delegates were the learnings provided by Ifor Ffowcs-Williams, CEO, Cluster Navigators Ltd, New Zealand, presenting “How to build a good cluster from the beginning?” and “Managing clusters initiatives”.

 

 

Interactive workshops provided advanced training on cluster management and on two of the working groups active in TCI; Madeline Smith, Head of Strategy at the Institute of Design Innovation, Glasgow School of Art and member of TCI Board of Directors presented the TCI Evaluation Group and Merete Daniel Nielsen, from Cluster Excellence Denmark and member of TCI Board of Directors presented the group on Organisational Development.

 

 

 

 

Every delegate took a copy of the special Sofia conference edition - Shared Views, a shared publication of shared knowledge, inspiration and ideas.

 

 

The experience gained, and the knowledge shared during the TCI European Conference in Sofia will be certainly remembered and discussed over and over again. The gathering turned to be much more than a conference - it was a platform for networking and building new bridges.

 

 

 

“It was a great pleasure to host and organise this event!  As organisers, we are not only proud to bring the conference to Bulgaria and to welcome such a distinguished delegation but hope that the event will serve as one solid brick in the bridge that links us all in Europe to a shared and prosperous future. It is an honor to be part of the global cluster family and we hope we will all continue looking for new #opportunities!”, said Teodora Jilkova, for and on behalf Consulting Cluster Veritas and organizing team of TCI European Conference 2018.

 

We would like to take this opportunity and thank all our partners, supporters, sponsors suppliers, media partners and friends, who have believed us and walked with us on the path of “Turning challenges into opportunities”.

Conference image gallery: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1z2VDOx9o-KeL94xEEGfNGRQdXSKO0pWG

All conference presentations could be found on: https://www.slideshare.net/TCINetwork

 

 

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