Branson Backs Liverpool In Its Enterprise Ambition
26 Jan 12
Virgin Founder Joins Leading Entrepreneurs At Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2012 At ACC Liverpool.
ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, will welcome Sir Richard Branson to the city's Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) 2012 – the world's largest global gathering of startup champions.
Sir Richard, who is backing Liverpool's mission to be a world capital for entrepreneurship, was announced as headline speaker at the Congress' Main Event at the waterfront venue on 13 March.
Sir Richard has given his support to Liverpool as it takes steps to transform itself into a globally recognised home of entrepreneurship.
He said: “A strong economy needs to encourage entrepreneurs to create and grow their businesses. It is great to see the Kauffman Foundation backing Britain by bringing the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, a showcase of entrepreneurial talent, to Liverpool this March. I'm very happy to be supporting the event."
Sir Richard will be joined at ACC Liverpool on 13 March by business heavyweights including former Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy, the UK Digital Champion and founder of Lastminute.com, Martha Lane Fox, and Lord Michael Heseltine, former Deputy Prime Minister and founder of the Haymarket publishing group.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said: “The Global Entrepreneurship Congress will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that Liverpool has to offer to a worldwide audience of business people and budding entrepreneurs.
“Announcing speakers such as Sir Richard Branson adds to the buzz that is sweeping the city ahead of the GEC and we look forward to welcoming this high-profile business event to ACC Liverpool.” Other participants at the first ever GEC to be held in Europe are Paul Lindley of Ella's Kitchen, who has recently won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Orange National Business Awards; Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct and Company Shortcuts; former ‘Dragon’, Doug Richard, founder of School for Start Ups; and Steve Felice, president of consumer, small and medium business at Dell Inc.
GEC 2012 (9-16 March), whose headline sponsor is Lloyds TSB, will gather 3,000 entrepreneurs in one place to celebrate enterprise and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to be their own boss. Events will take place at ACC Liverpool from 12-15 March (inc).
The Congress is hosted by Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, Global Entrepreneurship Week and the Kauffman Foundation – the world’s largest foundation dedicated to entrepreneurship.
The Congress aims to unleash the potential of aspiring businesses through a week of events which will explore the concept of winning in business:
Who Dares Wins - a celebration of the best in the business
Who Cares Wins - nurturing talent to unleash ideas
Who Shares Wins - inspiration to accelerate your business
Max Steinberg, CEO of Liverpool Vision, said: “Global Entrepreneurship Congress is a landmark international event and we are thrilled to be the host city for 2012. When we secured this prestigious event we wanted to attract a wide range of entrepreneurs and thought leaders and Sir Richard Branson is a major capture for Liverpool’s GEC and adds yet another outstanding name to a stellar list of speakers and participants.
“The Congress forms a key part of our ambition to encourage and celebrate entrepreneurship in Liverpool and create a meaningful legacy for the city.”
Jonathan Ortmans, chairman of GEC and president of Global Entrepreneurship Week, said: "Richard Branson is a visionary leader and we are honored to have him join the Global Entrepreneurship Congress. His experience and insight will be invaluable to the GEC, the premier inter-disciplinary forum for startup champions from around the world."
Throughout the week there will be a whole range of established GEC events such as the Kauffman Foundation’s International Research & Policy Roundtable, ‘Your Big Year’, Software City and Cleantech Open as well as themed days including women’s entrepreneurship, social enterprise and Liverpool Business Fair.
The GEC is also being supported by Liverpool Community College, Liverpool Community Health, Liverpool John Moores University, ARUP and Cosmopolitan Housing.
Tickets for the GEC Main Event on Tuesday 13th March are available from www.gec2012.com
For more information on packages available, sponsorship opportunities and the Congress programme visit www.gec2012.com You can also follow GEC 2012 on Twitter @gec2012 and join the Facebook page www.facebook.com/gec2012
