IRCs bring European innovators together at STI2

From 17-21 September, Brussels Expo will host Europes largest trade fair for the industrial equipment, automation and electronics sectors. More than 1,000 exhibitors and over 60,000 visitors from 100 countries are expected to attend STI2 (Service & Technology for Industry and Installation 2002).,

To coincide with the fair, Belgiums three Innovation Relay Centres (IRCs) IRC Brussels, IRC Wallonia and IRC Flanders have joined forces to organise a two-day Partner Meeting Event, providing a unique opportunity for participating SMEs and research institutes to meet with potential industrial partners from all over Europe and further afield.
The purpose of this brokerage event, which will be held on 19-20 September at the Technopol/IRC Brussels stand at STI2, is to provide a platform for some of Europes most innovative companies and research centres in the industrial equipment sector to present new technologies and research. It will also be a chance for them to meet possible partners for future R&D projects and to negotiate technology transfer agreements. Over 80 SMEs and research institutes from Belgium, Slovenia, Italy, France, Germany, Greece and the UK are already lined up to attend.
In keeping with the focus of STI2 trade fair, the technologies and research on offer will be in the following service and technology sectors: ,· Automation, Domotics, Immotics, Security, Access Control,· Industrial equipment ,· Industrial electronics ,· Electrical engineering ,· Hydraulic and pneumatic components,· Climate technologies ,· Electro-mechanics,· Electronics,· Lighting,· Subcontracting ,· Traditional and alternative energy
In the run-up to the meeting, an on-line catalogue of 83 technology offers and requests has been put together, giving details of the technology offers and requests and allowing participants to select in advance the companies or research institutes they wish to meet face-to-face. Fourteen IRCs from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, and the UK will be on hand to facilitate the meetings.
In addition to the brokerage event, two technology missions (seven companies from Slovenia and nine companies from the UK) have been organised during the event with a view to establishing potential partnerships with Belgian companies.
Business and technology journalists are invited to attend the Partner Meeting Event. This is the perfect opportunity to hear about the latest technological developments and research in Europes industrial equipment sector. A cocktail will be organised at 18.00 on 19 September at the Technopol Brussels stand stand 3332, Hall 3.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PRESS REGISTRATION, CONTACT: ,Jacques Evrard, Technopol/IRC Brussels, ,Tel. [phone], e-mail: [e-mail],Background information on the Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) network,? The network of Innovation Relay Centres provides a specialised transnational technology brokerage service for knowledge-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, research institutes, universities, technology centres and innovation agencies.
? The first IRCs were established in 1995 with the support of the European Commission, as members of an integrated pan-European platform to stimulate transnational technology transfer and promote innovation services. Today, 68 IRCs, with almost 250 offices employing over 1,000 people in 31 countries, form an integrated European technology transfer network, the largest of its kind in the world. Their success in stimulating transnational technology transfer based on brand recognition, close links with enterprises and universities, and the effectiveness of the tools and procedures developed by the network is unique.,? Most IRCs are operated by consortia of regional organisations with established reputations in local research and industrial communities. These include innovation agencies, Chambers of Commerce, regional development agencies and university technology centres. Altogether, almost 250 partner organisations are involved, ensuring a local presence in most regions of Europe. IRC staff are experienced specialists with backgrounds in business, industry and research.,? Each IRCs approach, procedures and skills have been developed in response to the technological structure and business culture of the region it serves, and each has developed close ties with the local community of technology-based firms. At the same time, all IRCs draw strength from their membership of a European network. The strong technical and personal links within the network equip each IRC to broker technology transfers quickly and efficiently. In many regions, IRCs have established themselves as the service providers of choice for companies wishing to internationalise their research activities, their marketing operations or their supply chains.,

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