Local firms head to Toronto for major Microsoft event

COMPANIES from Coventry and Warwickshire are to head to Toronto as part of trade delegation to take part in a major Microsoft conference and exhibition.

Already 400 British ICT, creative and digital firms have signed up to visit Microsoft WPC 2012, which runs from July 7 to July 12.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is leading the local delegation to the conference which is intended to allow businesses of all sizes to build strategic relationships with Microsoft and its partners from all over the world and, ultimately, develop new business opportunities.

Bineet Desai, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s international trade team, said: “Alongside keynote speeches and conference programme with expert speakers, WPC 2012 will also encompass the Solution Innovation Centre which will display the newest technologies from Microsoft and other technology leaders.

“The event will also encompass “MPN Connect” a tool for registered delegates for booking your one-to-one meetings and network with high-tech professionals from technology companies from around 160 countries and senior executives from Microsoft.

“It is wall-to-wall meetings for 24 hours. Around 18,000 delegates are expected and every hotel room in Toronto will be booked up.”

Last year’s show was held in Los Angeles and it is estimated to have contributed more than £465m to the UK economy in terms of international sales, joint ventures, licensing and partnerships.

“We have excellent links with Microsoft here at the Chamber and that is why we have been asked to lead this mission on behalf of the whole of the UK,” Desai said.