20 September 2012, Groningen, The Netherlands

In the creative sector, cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing have always been powerful catalysts of innovation. So one can argue about the role of the creative industries in cross-sectoral knowledge transfer and therefore in the innovation ecosystem, in smart and sustainable growth.

With project partners from the EU North Sea Region Hamburg, Bremen, Oldenburg, Kortrijk, Høje-Taastrup, Göteborg, Dundee, Newcastle, Delft and Groningen much work has been carried out in developing and exchanging expertise and experience in the field of creative knowledge clusters, hotspots/incubators, entrepreneurship and transnational networks. Time for sharing and debating!

The conference consists of two parts. The morning programme features a film about the most interesting and appealing projects. A publication describes the results of best practices. Besides the results, we have speakers who stimulate and inspire. This will take place under the chairpersonship of journalist and publicist Tracy Metz, who is an expert in the domain of urban issues.

MPE Ms. Marietje Schaake will put forward a message on the European Agenda 2020: Creative Europe. Ms. Schaake is a member of the Cultural Committee of the European Parliament and was called Europe*s Most Wired Politician by The Wall Street Journal.

Keynote speaker Mr. Victor van der Chijs is Managing Partner at OMA, globally operating architects. He is the industry leader who heads the *top team* Creative Industries, charged with exploring ways of stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. Mr. Van der Chijs is also chairman of the independent strategic Dutch Creative Industries Council. One of the focusses of the Council is on cross-overs with the creative industries. OMA partner and founder Rem Koolhaas was Ambassador of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. The topteam creative industries consists of representatives from creative companies, research institutes and government. The key objective of the project is to give entrepreneurs more scope for their activities and enable them to grow.

Also part of the programme is the Best Collaboration Award 2012 ceremony. The Best Collaboration Award arose with the aim of rewarding the best example of collaboration in the North Sea Region. Last year's award was granted for the outstanding co-operation between companies from the creative industries, science and scientific research. The 2012 edition emphasis lies on best collaborations between the creative sector on one hand, and government and politics on the other. Five awards will be handed out by Ms. Lise Espersen and Mr. Carsten Westerholt, North Sea Region, Programme Secretariat.

In the afternoon, you can experience the current situation with regard to temporary use of space and the genesis of creative hotspots in the European North Sea Region. Frank de Vries, City Councillor for Urban Planning, shows how Groningen, in addition to the developments at the Open Lab Ebbinge, is now gaining experience with the *temporary zoning policy experiment* on the SuikerUnie (former beetsugar refinery) grounds.

Temp.architecture will give a presentation of the results of its research into temporary use of space. In this, they examine the differences and similarities between various occurrences in European partner cities. They have looked at the lessons that can be learned and at the way in which temporary use of space can be applied to generate a good climate for the creative sector, or may even lead to an other, better, area development. New earnings models will arise as work progresses.

Finally, the exhibition entitled Creating Space for the City will be opened by Prof. René Boomkens, full professor social and cultural philosophy. In his research he focusses on the social and cultural philosophy of modernity, interpreted as modern experience, with special attention to the crucial role of the city and of urban culture. From 1998 until 2002 he was special professor of pop music at the University of Amsterdam. This exhibition by TeMP Architects provides an up-to-date overview of how empty premises and vacant lots can be assigned a different function, at least temporarily, while simultaneously making a contribution to the creative knowledge city. At this conference, you will be in the (international) company of professional colleagues, entrepreneurs and experts (triple helix).

And what about lunch beat ? Europe*s latest dance craze! Re-energize with DJ E-1000 Emilio Brandão, the Portugese lunchbeating architect from Sweden. Enjoy the local food while dancing!

Signup online at the conference website: http://g3c.nl/en/ccc-english

Project website: www.creative-city-challenge.net

Project file on North Sea Region website, including reference to related cluster project DANS: www.northsearegion.eu