A delegation from Manchester has begun a month-long mission to the United States to promote the city as a world-leading hub for the creative tech industries.
It’s been led by Manchester’s inward investment agency, MIDAS, and will take in trips to Kidscreen Summit, the world’s leading conference on children’s entertainment, in Miami and the Games Developers Conference in San Francisco.
The final leg of the mission will see a Manchester delegation host a series of events in LA in conjunction with UK Trade and Investment. This will be complemented by one-to-one meetings which will aim to persuade US businesses to take a look at what Manchester has to offer.
The mission will conclude at the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas, next month.
MIDAS executive director Sarah Kemp
MIDAS will be represented by executive director Sarah Kemp and Martha Sama, business development manager for creative, digital and media.
Kemp said: “Manchester has been innovating and disrupting technology for over 200 years and it is now home to one of Europe’s most important creative and tech hubs, yet ask people overseas about the city’s history of innovation and they’ll probably say it starts and ends with the industrial revolution.
“These events present a real opportunity to change that perception by educating thought-leaders and those working within the creative industries about just how pivotal the city has been in pushing the boundaries of modern technology and how we are continuing to excel at this, especially in the realm of creative technology.
“We’re delighted to be able showcase what the city has to offer and partner with MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest purpose-built creative media and digital technology hub, The Landing, BBC and EONReality.
“From animation and children’s media, to games development and the latest technological innovations, Manchester has a truly world-class and competitive offering, and that is the message we want to spread to US investors.”
