From June 15 to 18, 2011, Toulon in South of France was the host city of the 20th edition of EBN Annual Congress which included also the RETIS (French Network of Technopoles and BICs) Annual Congress.

Under the label “Creative innovation, Inspired Entrepreneurs, Smart Networks”, Over 400 participants attended this big event and networked together to discuss new technologies, new initiatives, new rules, and new trends! (Program at http://www.ebn-retistoulon2011.com/NewDisplayPage.aspx?pid=50)

In preparation to the event, EBN had launched a Call for Speakers for the DigiBIC Award focused on creative industries & digital applications. 12 digi-enablers and 12 digi-entrepreneurs, from inside the EBN & RETIS networks, were invited to showcase their best practices and remarkable achievements at the Toulon Congress across the 6 workshops on Friday 17th June 2011 (http://www.ebn-retistoulon2011.com/NewDisplayPage.aspx?pid=60 ). Nicolas Rouhana, Director of Berytech Technological Pole, was selected among the Digi-enabler finalists in the category “High-impact awareness, for shaking the ecosystem”, and Cyril Hadji-Thomas, CEO of Keeward (a company hosted in Berytech Technology & Health) was selected among the digi-entrepreneur finalists in the category “Creative Marketing, breaking rules fast”. Both Mssrs Rouhana & Hadji-Thomas had excellent reviews and exposure for their presentations.

The first day was dedicated to EBN & EU Projects meetings (http://www.ebn-retistoulon2011.com/NewDisplayPage.aspx?pid=411&lg=1 ). Berytech is part in the “Soft-Landing Club” pilot initiative being setup by EBN and whose main goal is to foster the internationalisation of SMEs. The Soft Landing programme offers a cost-effective solution for incubator and cluster client companies to establish an overseas sales presence, to boost international business development, and to grasp global partnership opportunities.

The Annual General Meeting of EBN members was also held during the Congress, to listen to the Management 2010 report and strategy for 2011. The AGM also elected partial renewal of new board members; Nicolas Rouhana was elected as representing the non-EU members for a first 3-year mandate on the Board of EBN (http://www.ebn.be/DisplayPage.aspx?pid=5). Mabrouk!

For more information on the Congress, visit http://www.ebn-retistoulon2011.com/