Chinwag takes UK digital SMEs on trade tours to New York and Texas!
PRESS RELEASE: London, UK, Wednesday 9 July 2008. Digital SMEs are set for a business boost in the shape of a chance to visit the renowned Web 2.0 Expo in New York in September 2008 and the vibrant SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas in March 2009, thanks to a trade mission organised by Chinwag for UKTI (UK Trade & Investment).
Chinwag has been nominated as the UKTI's designated partner for the ‘Digital Mission’ to take small-to-medium-sized agencies, start-ups and other businesses in the digital sector on two separate visits to the US to make business contacts and market their services at two of the most celebrated and influential global web events.
The mission to New York City from 14-19 September 2008 is for 25 UK companies, while the March trip takes 40 UK companies to SXSW Interactive in Austin from 13-17 March, 2009. Both trips revolve around a busy conference-related itinerary mixed with high-profile networking events and individual meetings with US companies and potential investors.
Entries are welcome from companies ranging from marketing agencies through to ecommerce operators, mobile service providers and start-ups. Companies will be selected by a judging panel of industry experts and commentators including TechCrunch UK Editor, Mike Butcher, and Codeworks CEO, Herb Kim.
Entry for the Digital Mission is now open at http://www.digital-mission.org which provides more details on each trip, and the closing date for NYC entries is Wednesday 23 July. Chinwag and the UKTI oversee the travel arrangements and itinerary, including one-to-one meetings and PR, while attending companies receive discounted travel costs.
Chinwag CEO, Sam Michel, said: “The Digital Missions to NYC and Austin represent a major opportunity for UK participants to make connections and build fruitful business relationships against the vibrant backdrop of hugely successful events. Working with the UKTI and the broader web community on this initiative is a natural progression of our aim: to be a connecting rod for ideas and talent across new media.”
For more information or to enter your company, please visit:
http://www.digital-mission.org
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
About Chinwag
The Chinwag community is a focal point for digital media practitioners in the UK and beyond (http://www.chinwag.com). Founded in 1996, it has grown into a community media company that publishes websites, discussion forums and blogs supporting the people and companies who work in the digital industry. In February 2007, the Chinwag Live events series launched (http://live.chinwag.com), topical panel discussions that have also gone on tour to the Internet World and Ad:Tech conferences, and recently extended to Manchester. Chinwag also publishes Chinwag Jobs (http://jobs.chinwag.com), the leading recruitment website for digital marketing, media, technical and design positions.
About UKTI
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can help companies rise to the opportunities and challenges of globalisation. It works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, while also encouraging the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its national and global networks. It strives to enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK, and to attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment (http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/).
About Web 2.0 Expo (New York)
http://en.oreilly.com/webexny2008/public/content/home
About SXSW Interactive (Austin)
http://www.sxsw.com/interactive/
