The Business and Design Centre in Angel, North London formerly a Royal Agricultural Hall is a grade II listed building.  Saved from being destroyed in 1981, five years later the hall was transformed into a three storied, interconnected compound for trade, exhibition and conferences.  This is the UK’s first integrated venue of this type and therefore a fitting place for Innovate 08 to assemble a pow-wow for ideas-people.
Innovate 08 was all about introducing you to new opportunities and methods in which business technology and strategic ideas can assist your business positively.
The full day encompassed a networking spectrum of exhibitions, showcases, conferences and talks.  The exhibitors and the topics of discussion flowed from communications, marketing and business support in the environmental, technological and industrial and design communities.
With Kristy Wark as master of ceremonies, speakers took to the large stage proffering anecdotes of their experiences and the importance to nurture and develop innovation and innovative enterprises in the UK.   As Iain Gray, Chief Executive of The Technology Strategy Board who hosted this event said “We want to make the UK a global leader in innovation”.
One of the highlights of Innovate 08 was the Great Innovation Debate.  Panelists Richard Farleigh, Ian Pearson MP,  Max Boisot, Julian Hailes took on the audience in an interactive discussion on “The challenge of balancing the needs of society with the individual and how to maximize the business opportunities this presents.” Although at times audience and panelists opinions differed on the topic matter, this allowed everyone to walk away with questions of why, and how? 
Question are vital for an Innovator; innovation starts with questions, then looks for solutions or ways in which to reach a conclusion.
The root of Innovate 08 was to provide a platform for all of these Innovators to network and build up communication between businesses sectors and organisations.  Considering this conference is in only it’s second year, it will not be surprising if Innovate 09 will be bigger, better and booked out like this year.

By Sonja Fowler