EVENTS IN THE YEAR OF FOOD AND DRINK SCOTLAND 2015
Building our future across the Highlands and Islands
Stay up to date with business events across the Highlands and Islands at www.hie.co.uk or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. April 2015
Issue No. 02
“A REMARKABLE 50 YEARS” a word from Alex Paterson Welcome to the second edition of our 2015 events newsletter. This is focused on developing a legacy from our 2014 events programme in addition to promoting the Year of Food and Drink and marking the 50th anniversary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. We are looking forward to using this themed year to promote our excellent food and drink offering at a wide range of events and supporting our businesses to make the most of the additional global marketing opportunities presented by the Year of Food and Drink. Tourism remains a key sector for HIE and in the last 50 years the region has seen a dramatic transformation from a place of economic disadvantage to a world class destination to visit. This was confirmed in a recent TripAdvisor list in which Arran, Skye, Lewis and Harris have been named among the ‘best UK islands’ based on tourists’ reviews. Food and drink has played a critical role in the region’s economic development and continues to be hugely important for all parts of the Highlands and Islands. This month entries opened to the 11th Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards which will recognise and celebrate the fantastic natural larder of this region. We look forward to working with our partners and businesses this year to deliver a successful Year of Food and Drink. For more information click here: www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com
INVERNESS CAMPUS LAUNCH Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is developing the Inverness Campus as a worldclass location and home to an exciting new collaboration of business, academic and community activity. It is an inspiring location which will help Inverness flourish as the Campus is expected to create new education & research opportunities and many new jobs over the coming years. Ruaraidh MacNeil, Inverness Campus project director at HIE, said “Our plan for Inverness Campus is to create a world-class setting for business, research and education. With over 30 acres of parkland and landscaping, it is as much a place for the local community as it is for those studying, living and working here. We are looking forward to Inverness Campus opening to the public in May this year”. The £100million development is home a number of key organisations including the headquarters of Inverness College UHI and the University of the Highlands and Islands, Britain’s newest university. This outstanding facility will welcome students from August 2015, apply now to study here. The first phase of the 215 acre Inverness Campus will be opened from Saturday 16 May to members of the public who are welcome to visit Campus and experience the 30 acre parkland area. It will be open from this date onwards for you to come along and explore the beautiful paths and cycle ways and to walk across the iconic ‘golden bridge’. This spectacular feature will join the internationally recognised Campus to the adjacent Life Science District and beyond to the city centre. www.invernesscampus.co.uk