CONSTRUCTING PLACE-BASED COMPETITIVENESS IN TIMES OF GLOBAL CHANGE

TCI Network is holding its 15th Annual Global Conference in the Basque Country (Spain), 16th-19th October.

Hosts: Basque Government & Orkestra (Basque Institute of Competitiveness)

Registration for the 2012 TCI Conference is open from the 1st March to the 15th October.

The theme of the 2012 TCI global conference is 'Constructing Place-based Competitiveness in Times of Global Change'. While much attention has been given to firm- and cluster- level strategies for competitiveness, there is less analysis of how these combine in the construction of city, regional, national or cross-border strategies for ensuring sustainable competitiveness and development. The construction of this "place-based" competitiveness presents important challenges: both for competitiveness policies; and for firm and cluster management. Moreover, these challenges are heightened given the rapid changes in relationships, institutions and contexts that characterise today's global competitiveness environment. The conference will provide a unique opportunity for policy-makers, cluster practitioners and academics to advance our understanding of these challenges, and to work towards practical solutions.

Hosted in a part of the world renowned for building competitiveness strategy from the strengths of its firms and people, the conference will also offer an opportunity to share and reflect on the competitiveness trajectory of the Basque Country, a region with strong tradition, experience and results in cluster and competitiveness policy. Delegates will have the chance to explore some of the region's innovative clusters - renewable energy, machine tools, wine and tourism ... - and unique experiences such as the city regeneration of Bilbao or the cooperative organisation of Mondragon.