This morning, 24 June 2015, the London Stock Exchange hosted the launch event for the International Festival of Business 2016 (IFB) – taking place over three weeks next June in Liverpool, welcoming the world’s smartest business leaders and thousands of international business delegates. It was also announced that HSBC, DLA Piper, Heathrow Airport, PwC, Siemens and Virgin Trains will be supporting the event.
At today’s event the WBA also announced that next year’s Wi-Fi Global Congress (WGC) will be taking place in Liverpool as part of the IFB, on 27 – 30 June, 2016. The WGC is leading the field in showcasing current technological developments and innovation in the unlicensed and Wi-Fi industry, including Carrier and Public Wi-Fi developments and will be instrumental in providing a platform for wireless connectivity at the IFB event.
Commenting on the WBA’s involvement, Max Steinberg CBE, Chair of IFB 2016 said, “The second International Festival for Business, will be a meeting place for those wishing to forge new connections, make deals and generate further interest in export trade for the UK around the globe. The Wireless Broadband Alliance’s Wi-Fi Global Congress is an integral part of that experience. It’s a very welcome addition to the Festival and will no doubt initiate some important opportunities around ubiquitous Wi-Fi and other emerging technologies.”
WBA Co-Chair Chris Bruce (center) celebrates the announcement with Max Steinberg CBE FRSA of Liverpool Vision (right), and Ian McCarthy, festival director for the IFB (left).
The festival will be a meeting place for those wishing to reach new markets, to forge new connections and to secure new customers from key markets around the globe. At the launch a group of more than 150 stakeholders heard from speakers including Anna Soubry MP and Sir Terry Leahy about the success of the previous IFB, including how it had participants from more than 90 countries and had resulted in more than £300m of trade.
WBA Co-Chair Chris Bruce, of BT Global Services, also represented the Alliance on a panel chaired by Manus Cranny from Bloomberg TV and including Sir Terry Leahy, Ian Stuart from HSBC and Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, which discussed plans for the event including expected benefits and what businesses of all size could gain from attending.
WBA Co-Chair Chris Bruce (right) discussing next year’s Wi-Fi Global Congress with Ian Stuart, Head of UK, Co-Head of Europe,Commercial Banking HSBC.
The WBA is delighted to be presenting the next UK Wi-Fi Global Summit at IFB. Commenting on today’s news Shrikant Shenwai, CEO of the WBA said, “The global gathering has an international reach that is perfectly aligned with WGC and provides a significant platform for comprehensive Wi-Fi discussions in 2016. Wi-Fi is central in the creation of a Connected Society, connecting users, devices, cities and businesses together, and the IFB is one of the best places to initiate conversation and plans around wireless business innovation.”
Don’t forget: before next year’s event in Liverpool, the WBA will be hosting the Wi-Fi Global Congress in San Jose, CA, from 12 – 15 October, 2015. Visit this page for all of the information.
This blog was written by Edward Howson of Temono.
