Maritime, Logistics & Energy to take centre stage at IFB2014

Jim Teasdale, Chief Executive, Mersey Maritime Group

Britain’s Maritime, Logistics and Energy businesses will take centre stage in the UK this June in what is being described as the business equivalent of the 2012 London Olympics.

Over 250, 000 business visitors are expected to descend on the northern UK city of Liverpool to attend the International Festival for Business 2014 – a six-week business jamboree which aims to connect UK businesses into international markets, bringing together the smartest entrepreneurial minds and the best business opportunities.

The IFB 2014 events calendar is programmed around seven business growth themes aimed at showcasing the ‘Best of British’ and engaging an international audience. They are: Maritime, Logistics & Energy; Higher & Further Education & Research; Cities, Enterprise & Urban Business; Manufacturing, Science & Technology; Knowledge, Professional & Financial Services; Low Carbon & Renewables; as well as Knowledge, Creative & Digital.

The Maritime, Logistics & Energy thematic is organised jointly by Mersey Maritime and Shipping Innovation, organiser of last year’s highly successful London International Shipping Week (LISW). It will be held in the two weeks from June 9th, 2014 and will host over 40 themed events.

Jim Teasdale, Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime Group, welcomed his sector’s involvement, stressing that the extensive, and growing, list of events “forms the basis of a considered and comprehensive programme which aims to showcase our sector in all its breadth and rich diversity, and mark the start of new and increased trade opportunities for the UK.

“Our members and partners have risen magnificently – with an enthusiasm that seems to be hard-wired into the DNA of Liverpool people – to the challenge of working with us to create a programme of events which will draw in visiting delegates from every corner of the world. And despite many months of planning, we still expect this to be the tip of the iceberg as UK businesses become increasingly aware of the opportunities of getting involved.

“I am delighted that Mersey Maritime is working in partnership with Shipping Innovation Ltd who are fully committed to bringing their experience, expertise and market knowledge to Liverpool to make the Maritime, Logistics & Energy thematic the huge success it deserves to be.”

He added: “We see IFB 2014 as the business equivalent of the 2012 London Olympics; and, with the industry’s backing and that of the excellent festival delivery team at Liverpool Vision, we are convinced that Maritime, Logistics and Energy within the IFB, will be the highlight of 2014.”

Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, Director of Shipping Innovation, added: “The two weeks of focused maritime, logistics and energy events during IFB 2014 will bring thousands of people to Liverpool and highlight the multiple business opportunities in this fast-developing region. It will also deliver new investment that will not only benefit this historic maritime and trade-oriented city, but also the north-west of England and the rest of the UK”

The Maritime, Logistics & Energy events website has been launched and further information can be found by clicking on: www.maritimelogisticsandenergy.com