What is La Baule WIC?

World Investment Conference

7th World Investment Conference

The first La Baule World Investment Conference was held in 2002, and the event has taken place annually ever since. The success of the first six World Investment Conferences, organized with the support of the European Commission, has won recognition as a forum for high- level debate bringing together more than 1,000 global business leaders, top European officials, academics and experts from around the world.

Experience shows that it is an excellent opportunity to present new input and to design concrete proposals for enhancing European attractiveness and boosting Investment, talent, technology and innovation. Experience shows, too, that the Conference is an ideal marketplace for policymakers and investors seeking opportunities, innovation and partnerships. On this occasion, Ernst & Young announces the results of its annual survey of the attractiveness of Europe and its regions.

2nd Transatlantic Green Platform

This dynamic was launched according to the Transatlantic Dialogue initiated by Günter Verheugen in Washington in November 2007 and the Bali Forum findings for fighting against global warming. It aims to foster transatlantic cooperation for clean technologies and green energies. Every year, this business convention puts on the stage the most innovative U.S. and European Clean-Tech and Green-Tech companies for emerging new technologies and links them up with venture capitals and technology users. This event is also a conference, bringing together North American (US and Canada) and European key players to exchange best practices, develop transatlantic cooperation in Clean- Tech and Green-Tech and last but not least to provide new solutions to the global warming. In 2009, it will be focused on “Global Cities – Green Growth”.

1st Brainpower Forum

In 2009, this European platform will gather the key players in High Education and corporate leaders in Europe for making higher education a lead market. As the European Union has created the European Institute of Technology for training people and attracting the best students from abroad, specially in the context of the likely shortage of skilled labour, Europe needs to promote the quality of its business, science and law Universities and change the ranking established by Shanghai University. Human capital needs to be the first priority on the European agenda for building the innovation and knowledge society raised by the Lisbon Agenda.

3rd Global Tech Showcase

This business convention aims, as the Lisbon strategy claimed, to turn Europe into a market place for fast-growing innovative companies. For two years, the California Technology Showcase has brought into Europe the 40 most promising starts-ups in ICT and Biotech, selected from over 800 jewels of the Silicon Valley for selling their innovation to Europe’s technology users or doing business with European players in innovation. In 2009 the CTS will become the Global Technology Showcase with fast growing companies from around the world. It will be focused on: “ICT for E-Cities”.