INTERTECH 2004 EXTENDS THE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

The region's leading international technology partnering event gave regional businesses an ideal opportunity to forge new links with companies in the UK and overseas.

InterTech 2004 was staged on October 11 and 12, and was organised by County Durham Development Company (CDDC), the inward investment and business development arm of Durham County Council.

The event, held at County Hall in Durham, attracted companies and business agencies from around the world, including Scandinavia, Germany, the USA and China, all coming to explore new links with technology companies in the North-East.

Businesses from throughout the North-East and the rest of the UK were also well represented.

During the two days, more than 250 delegates and day visitors took advantage of around 500 face-to-face meetings which offered an ideal platform for establishing new business relationships.

A networking reception at NetPark, the North East Technology Park, hosted by the North East's Centres of Excellence, gave InterTech delegates the chance to extend their knowledge network even further.

Speaking at InterTech's opening ceremony, Councillor Ken Manton, leader of Durham County Council, emphasised the complementary nature of the event and the ambitious NetPark project, which is being developed near Sedgefield by a partnership led by the County Council.

Councillor Manton said: "NetPark is central to our strategy for County Durham in the 21st Century, called Dynamic Durham and designed to drive forward the economy of the County. The vision acknowledges the role to be played by the knowledge-based economy in securing the North-East's future."

It is a belief shared by regional development agency One NorthEast, one of the key sponsors of InterTech. The agency's Director of Business and Industry, David Allison, said: "InterTech 2004 is a hi-tech showcase for the North-East. Innovation is vital and the event is important in terms of making contacts with companies in the UK and overseas.

"This region is looking for entrepreneurs prepared to take a risk and run with an idea. That is something we are looking to encourage in the North-East."

Delegate Sharon Benoit, director of international business development for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission in the USA, was impressed by InterTech.

Speaking of her reasons for attending, she said: "It would be wonderful if our university in Orlando could form a partnership with the University of Durham, or if a partnership could start between two technology companies, one in Orlando and one here in County Durham.

"And if an Orlando company wants to expand into the UK, we'll help them."