+++++ Session Update +++++

We have added a new session to the programme entitled Creative London. Graham Hitchen from the London Development Agency, Alan Freeman, Economicst at the Greater London Authority, and Ron Peck from Team Pictures will talk about its creative industries and its role in the wider world. In the wake of the GLA's report Creativity: London's Core Business, this promises to be a very stimulating session.

This session replaces the Cultural Diversity and Cultural Enterprise session, which we have had to cancel because of illness.

+++++ Major Insights to be Revealed at Creative Clusters +++++

Some major new pieces of work will be unveiled at Creative Clusters.

Paul Jeffcutt will be revealing the results of Queens University Belfast's Creative Enterprise projec, an 18 month in-depth investigation of the creative economy of Norther Ireland and reporting to 4 government depts (from Education and Training to Culture and Industry) to shape their policy action in relation to the creative economy.

Phil Wood from Comedia will be sharing the results of his intensive survey of East Midlands Creative Industry sector, which according to the Phil is 'the largest survey of its king, anywhere, ever.'

++++ SimCity for the Arts Council +++++

Brenda Rawson from Cultural Initiatiives in Silicon Valley will be giving demonstrations of a fascinating tool for cultural policy makers called the Great Cities Simulator. This is a strategy game, a SimCity for Arts Councils, in which the player has to manage the fortune of a fictional entrepreneur's 500 million dollar Rennaissance Foundation, deciding how to balance expenditure between different policy objectives in such a way as to lead Silicon Valley to a 'Belle Epoque'. The player has to choose achieve a balance between education work and arts programming, between capital projects and audience development. Sound familiar?

+++++ Delegates from Round the World ++++++

Creative Clusters is a truly international event, with delegates now booked in from fifteen countries, including Japan, the USA, Australia, Russia, Finland and Bulgaria. We look forward to welcoming you to Sheffield.

+++++ Focus on Sheffield First for Investment ++++++

The city's inward investment agency, Sheffield First for Investment has announced that it is pleased to support the forthcoming Creative Clusters Summit Conference.

Working to support companies in reaping the benefits of relocation to the city, as well as supporting the expansion of indigenous companies, Sheffield First for Investment is turning its attention to the Creative Industries. David Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Investment explains: Sheffield's Cultural Industries Quarter is currently home to one of the largest creative and digital cluster in the UK, and the Creative Industries is a strong area of economic growth. Sheffield First for Investment is keen to support this growth, and working with the Creative Clusters team will provide businesses with more access to the support services that Sheffield First for Investment offer.

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Creative Clusters is supported by Sheffield CIQ Agency, Financial Times, Sheffield First for Investment, Digital Content Forum, Department of Trade and Industry, Trade Partners UK, Yorkshire Forward, South Yorkshire ICT Sector Board, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, European Regional Development Fund, Council of Europe, Inspiral, Business Link South Yorkshire and Wired Workplace.

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Please spread the work about Creative Clusters by copying this email on to colleagues and to any networks or lists you belong to. Many thanks.

Warm regards, Simon Evans, Conference Director

---Our website is at http://www.creativeclusters.co.uk