The Assembly will be a hugely significant event in the context of the current European wide search for methods of encouraging much needed economic growth via SMEs, which is why both European Vice President Antonio Tajani, in charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship, and H.E. Dr Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus (our hosts), have both agreed to speak at the Conference.
The conference will take place over a day and a half, starting at 0900 on Thursday 15th November and finishing at lunchtime on Friday 16th November. The informative and interactive programme will include:
The Big Debate
An opportunity for two teams of experts to freely debate the effectiveness of different methods in helping SMEs achieve growth, followed by an audience vote.
Small Business / Big World
A panel session led by key business leaders and policy makers giving their views and predictions on what business environment SMEs should expect over the short term and how the Small Business Act can help them to meet the challenges.
Delegates will have the opportunity to put questions to the panels and have a choice of workshops to attend on subjects such as:
Improving SME Access to Finance
Opportunities in the Global Green Economy
Improving SME Access to Global Markets
Ministers from many European countries will be at the conference together with senior officials such Mr Daniel Calleja, the EU SME Envoy and Director General for Enterprise and Industry, European Commission.
http://www.facebook.com/MrSmeForEurope
There will be numerous opportunities during the conference to network with other senior colleagues from business organisations and the European Commission, politicians, policy makers, SME Envoys, MEPs, business owners, academics and opinion formers from every European member state; including at the gala dinner of European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2012 in Limassol on the evening of Thursday 15th.
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/best-practices/european-enterprise-awards/index_en.htm
This invitation includes a place for you at conference and at the dinner plus transport between the venues and your hotel. Please note that entry to the SME Assembly and Gala Dinner is by personal invitation from the European Commission only; it is not extendable to another person or persons and cannot be transferred without our express permission. Your invitation will be held open until 1200 September 28th after which it may be voided to allow others to attend. The European Commission is committed to financially supporting attendance at the Assembly for representatives of national business organisations, however, given the current economic climate, please consider whether you require tax payer funding for your trip. You will be given the opportunity to opt out of the reimbursement process when you accept your invitation.
To accept your invitation please follow the link and confirm your details:
On behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry, I very much look forward to welcoming you to Cyprus at 2012’s key business event for those who seek to help SMEs go for growth.
For any question you may have about transferring your invitation or about the conference, travel, logistics or accommodation please contact the SME Assembly Secretariat:
smeassembly@lowassociates.co.uk T: +44 7796 136773