Message from the President
Professor Nigel Lockett
It was a pleasure to welcome old friends and newcomers to the 34th ISBE Conference hosted at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield. The delegate survey confirmed the positive soundings taken during the conference - with 96% of respondents saying that they would come to a future ISBE conference. We got the balance between good quality papers and opportunities for newer researchers to fully participate about right. I am particularly grateful to Dr Andrew Hird (conference chair), the track leaders and track review teams. The three main reasons for attending were networking (65%), to present papers (49%) and to keep up to date (46%). A well-attended Doctoral Day and lively workshops preceded the main conference.
This will be my last conference as your President and I would like to specifically thank Lorraine and Chris for all their hard work 'behind the scenes' and 'front of house'. Certainly, my enjoyment of the conference is greatly enhanced by their hard work and attention to detail. From a wider perspective the ISBE Yorkshire and the Humber conference has been a success - good presentations, plenty of networking and well supported by our sponsors. This year the high-level sponsors included: Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Sheffield and the University of Leeds.
No sooner has the Sheffield conference finished then we are deep into the planning for Dublin in November 2012. Again, we want to maintain the quality of the papers and provide more opportunities for networking. The Croke Park Conference Centre and adjacent hotel will be the centre of our activities but we are planning events at the Old Jameson Distillery and the gala dinner at the Clontarf Castle Hotel. Our two Special Interest Groups (Gender and Enterprise Network and Social and Sustainable Enterprise Network) will have a higher profile and we are currently discussing new tracks. Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh will be chairing the ISBE 35th Conference in Dublin. Early indications are that we can expect a high level of attendance and are guaranteed a warm welcome. I look forward to seeing you in Dublin next year and wish you and your families Season's Greetings!
Kind regards
Nigel
Prof Nigel Lockett FRSA - ISBE President, Professor of Enterprise and Director of the Leeds Enterprise Centre at the University of Leeds
