Hosting the 2019 TCI Network Global Conference gives Flanders the unique chance to showcase its clusters and its expertise in cluster development, while providing ample occasions for international networking. This hosting opportunity was secured by Flanders Investment & Trade in partnership with Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and VisitFlanders.
Highlighting its hosting role, Flanders has pulled out all the stops in strengthening its clusters in recent years. As part of its official cluster policy, the region has launched various innovative business networks. These networks aim to create a dynamic within a group of companies, and are expected to implement a concrete action plan:
Launched over a year ago, Flanders’ spearhead clusters constitute a second type of cluster in the region. These initiatives boost long-term and cross-sector collaboration projects for enhanced innovation in some of Flanders’ most advanced and promising sectors: chemicals (Catalisti), food (Flanders’ FOOD), energy (Flux50), logistics (VIL), maritime activities (Blue Cluster) and sustainable materials (SIM).
Putting Flanders’ spearhead clusters on the global map is a key goal of Flanders Investment & Trade, as part of ‘Vlaanderen Versnelt’ or ‘Flanders Accelerates’. This refers to the official internationalization strategy aimed at promoting the region’s global potential in five main domains:
As a leading global network, TCI Network unites organizations and professionals with expertise in cluster policies and competitiveness. These experts come together once a year to share knowledge and experience in an open, flexible and practical context. In 2019, Antwerp will be a fitting scene for this event.
Download our ebook to find out more about how Flanders supports innovation through cluster development.
