Culture Company 2013 Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy, has highlighted the success of Derry-Londonderry's bid to host the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2013 as evidence of what can be achieved when the city harnesses its collective energy.

Speaking after the announcement on Saturday that Comhaltas had awarded Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 to the city, she said:

"It's an understatement to say that we are delighted by the news that the city has been selected to host the All-Ireland Fleadh in 2013. It will be one of the most dazzling jewels in the crown of our year of celebration. We would like to thank Comhaltas for entrusting our city with the honour of hosting the biggest celebration of Irish Culture anywhere in the world.

"That the Ard Comhairle has recognised the merits of our bid is testament to the efforts of the many agencies and individuals who contributed to it; from the local Comhaltas branch in Derry, Derry City Council, Ilex, OFMDFM and all the many stakeholders who lent their weight to the campaign. The success of this bid is evidence of what we can achieve as a city when we harness our energies for the collective good.

"Our joy at winning the right to host the Fleadh in 2013 as part of our City of Culture celebrations is only enhanced by the fact that we did so in competition against two fantastic bids from Ennis and Sligo. Having seen the excellent plans that they have put in place we are sure it will not be long before both of these locations play host to the Fleadh.

"Comhaltas' decision to award the Fleadh to Derry signals their belief in our ability to host an event of truly global stature. We will now make sure that we reward that belief by building on the excellent work that has been done by Cavan in recent years and deliver the most spectacular Fleadh to date."

After consultation with tourism, marketing organisations and other key stakeholders Culture Company 2013 has reworked its logo for the delivery phase of the 2013 City of Culture project.

The new logo is an evolution of the campaign logo, the Awen, into the city's most iconic new structure, the Peace Bridge. We felt it vital to retain the essence of the Awen, a Celtic symbol representing inspiration, spirituality and creativity. And to this end, the colouring of the logo has been retained as has the three-stranded theme.

The Peace Bridge, in keeping with our mission, helps the city tell its new story - in this case, telling the story through the brand. Internationally, the bridge has already become recognised symbol of our new city and connectedness. And, we believe there is no more fitting image with which we could welcome and attract the world to Derry-Londonderry.

The logo apart, our brand and its aspirations remain unchanged, and we are committed to serving the narrative that inspired them. The logo in a range of variations is available along with the brand guidelines at www.cityofculture2013.com

Culture Company 2013 is continuing to invest in and develop the City of Culture brand, gaining visibility across the island, the UK and on the North American continent. Online its 20,000 Facebook followers, Twitter fans and visitors to its website are frequently exposed to the brand.

Our year of culture, 2013, is going to be a ‘LegenDerry' year and provide opportunities for local business to grow. One way in which local business can benefit directly from the City of Culture is by using the brand of City of Culture to create new business opportunities.

Culture Company 2013 has developed a simple brand licence to allow a business to apply the City Of Culture brand to their own products and services to generate additional sales.

Applying for the licence is easy; a simple application form can be downloaded from the City of Culture website at http://www.cityofculture2013.com/Get-Involved/Winning-City-Brand.aspx

Culture Company 2013 and Craft NI are inviting expressions of interest from craftsmen and women wishing to sell premium products to the tourist market in 2013. As part of City of Culture 2013, Culture Company would like to enhance the visitor experience to the city, the North West region and the web site as well as supporting local craft makers by commissioning premium tourist gifts from makers living and working in Northern Ireland or County Donegal. It is envisaged that up to 10 products will be chosen from across a range of craft practices to be made available for sale to the public and visitors to the city as part of the year of culture in 2013.

Martin Bradley, chairman of both Culture Company 2013 and Craft NI commented: ‘This process is a very important one, not only to engage with local artisans but also to show the world the talent within the arts and crafts sector in Northern Ireland. The winning products will become part of the great memories etched into the minds of visitors to Derry~Londonderry - a reminder to them of what great times were had in the city as the first ever UK City of Culture.'

Joe Kelly said: ‘This is great opportunity for Northern Ireland craft makers to have their work on show to a global audience and for contemporary craft to take its place in the range of cultural offerings during Derry-Londonderry City of Culture 2013.'

For further information on how to enter visit http://craftni.org/opportunities/derry-londonderry-city-of-culture-2013-opportunity-to-sell-premium-tourist-product/

Public Engagement Event with Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO

Culture Company 2013 is launching a series of public engagement events this month as part of our pledge to keep everyone up to date, involved and informed of the plans for the city's big year in 2013.

The first session will take place at 7.45am on February 24 at the Tower Hotel and will look at the economic impact that the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann is likely to have on the city, reflecting on Cavan's success story.

The sessions are open to anyone wishing to attend. Registration is essential as places are limited. To register your attendance click on the link. http://www2.formwize.com/4597

Organisations looking to develop or expand accommodation in the lead up to the UK City of Culture 2013 are being urged to sign up for a special seminar which takes place on 29 November 2011 in the City.

Derry City Council and Ilex have organised the event to ensure that the sector can take advantage of opportunities associated with UK City of Culture and other key events.

The seminar will focus on accessing finance and funding to develop new accommodation or expand existing accommodation and will also be of interest to those at the early stages of developing proposals. This can include any type of accommodation, for example, hotel, B&B, guesthouse, self-catering, hostel, camping and caravan, residential rental and other non-conventional accommodation.

The event will include presentations from Derry City Council, Ilex, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Invest NI as well as consultants ASM Horwath and will be followed by facilitated discussion to explore issues in more detail and to agree next steps. The event will also include representation from the banking/financial sector.

The event will take place from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Custom House Restaurant on Harbour Square. It is free to attend but registration is essential. To book a place please contact Rose McGrellis on 028 71365151 or by email on rose.mcgrellis@derrycity.gov.uk

Oonagh McGillion, Director of Development at Derry City Council said:

"Council has completed an audit of the current supply of accommodation as well as proposed developments and anticipated demand. One of the key challenges identified through this research is the ability to secure finance to deliver on projects within the accommodation sector. This relates to projects at the idea stage as well as those that have planning permission and are ready to go.

This event will be invaluable in bringing together the key players and unlocking the current challenges to growing the accommodation sector in time to fully maximise the significant tourism opportunities arising from UK City of Culture and other key events such as Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2012".

Culture Company 2013 has issued the followed tender:

· Print Media Partner  

Closing date: 12:00Noon 14th October 2011

The tender document can be accessed from the following:

www.cityofculture2013.com and click on tenders

http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/tenders

or by emailing

tenders@cityofculture2013.com

or click here

Completed tenders should be returned to the undersigned in a sealed envelope endorsed with relevant tender title, Print Media Partner.

Print Media Partner Procurement Manager
Culture Company 2013 Ltd.,
Building 71, Ebrington,
Limavady Road,
Derry~Londonderry.
BT47 1JY

www.cityofculture2013.com

· Tender Briefing: Print Media Partner Tender

Venue: Culture Company 2013, Building 71, Ebrington, Limavady Road, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 1JY

Time & Date: 2pm on 2nd September 2011

This meeting is non-compulsory. All interested parties should confirm their intent to attend this briefing no later than 26th August 2011 along with any potential questions. Minutes of briefing session will be circulated to all parties expressing an interest in this project. Companies interested in attending should contact Jennifer Neff on 07979451542

With 601 days to go until City of Culture 2013 kicks off, last night, the business community came together in the Millennium Forum Derry-Londonderry to show their support. The highly successful event ran by Culture Company 2013 and the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. ‘City of Culture: Corporate Engagement Update', sponsored by BT provided businesses with the opportunity to engage with the 2013 team and learn more about the opportunities for involvement in the City's year of Culture.

The evening began with a stunning performance from the City's own Meadbh McGinley, with the official City of Culture anthem ‘Just Say Yes' which she first performed as part of the Voices DVD, the short film which was presented as part of the winning pitch to the panel in Liverpool in June last year.

Culture Company 2013's Chairperson, Martin Bradley and Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy both took to the stage giving the audience an overview of the progress of the company and the developing programme for the year. Shona shared her admiration and pride in Derry-Londonderry winning the accolade back in July. She addressed the crowd saying: "Culture Company is committed to delivering a programme that will enable everyone in the City to own and be a part of a programme that has the people and the City at its heart. Our focus must be on a lasting legacy for both the City and the community." She continued "The more support we can leverage from the corporate sector, the richer the programme will become."

Ryan Williams, Grafton Employment Group, provided an overview of the opportunities for involvement to give the businesses a clear picture of how exactly they can become involved in the lead up to and during the year of culture. Philip Gilliland, Vice President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce told the audience "We are all ambassadors for the City and we, the business community need to think about how we will play our part to make this year a success."

James Devlin, Head of Business NI for BT rounded up the evening by telling the business people why BT has invested in the City. He commented; "Our investment in the North West is complimentary to all the hard work that we know is going on from everyone who has been involved with City of Culture and making the City a digital City. This vision aligns with our business growth strategy; therefore it was a pretty easy decision. In making Derry-Londonderry the first city in Ireland and one of the first in the UK to be 100% enabled with the fastest broadband available, we can work together to make a commercial gain and make the City more marketable for inward investment."

For anyone who missed the event it can be viewed HERE

it is also available for viewing online at www.cityofculture2013.com

The Presentation is available for download HERE

Businesses from across the region are invited to come to the Waterfoot Hotel on Wednesday 28 September, where they can meet with the Culture Company and the City of Culture Principal Partner, BT. This free event will inform businesses on the progress made since the event in May and how they can utilise the City of Culture accolade that Derry~Londonderry has been awarded for 2013.

As part of Culture Company's pledge to provide the business community with regular updates, the guests will be updated on all City of Culture related progress including organisational structure, programme, brand, merchandising & licensing and tendering.

Guests will be addressed by Culture Company's Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy and Chairperson, Martin Bradley. Also in attendance will be newly appointed Communications and Marketing Director, Garbhan Downey, and Corporate Engagement Champion, Ryan Williams (Grafton Employment Group) as well as BT's Head of Business Northern Ireland, James Devlin.

Guests will be allowed time after the event to engage with the Culture Company team and the BT team at the ‘Culture Clinic' where they will be afforded some one to one time dedicated to discussing specific City of Culture and BT questions. This aspect of the event will run from 1830 until 1930, allowing for as many guests as possible to have their questions answered.

Culture Company 2013, Chairperson, Martin Bradley said full involvement of the business sector would be integral to the success of the City of Culture project: "Since our last business engagement event there has been significant progress made that we are now delighted to share with the business community. We want to ensure that everyone can share in and maximise the opportunities which City of Culture presents. And this event will allow us to discuss with businesses how this can and should best happen. We have had major interest from the corporate sector throughout the City of Culture campaign and are resolved to maintain this positive momentum."

On behalf of BT, James Devlin commented: "As Principal Partner for Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 we're delighted to be part of this event. We believe that the next 2 years will offer businesses in the whole north-west region a unique opportunity. We'll shortly see the completion of a superfast broadband network throughout the city, which combined with BT's expertise in delivering the new technologies and solutions that businesses need, will enable local people to transform their lives and livelihoods. I look forward to discussing how we can work in partnership to ensure that everyone in the region gets the most out of the City of Culture programme, in particular the opportunities for local business. The countdown to 2013 is well underway, and it's great to have this event to bring everything into focus."

To book your place at the event please visit http://www2.formwize.com/run/survey3.cfm?ID=4049  and submit the attendance form.

Local businesses are invited to engage with the opportunities provided through City of Culture 2013 Corporate Engagement at an event organised by Culture Company 2013 and Londonderry Chamber of Commerce in partnership with BT. The event will take place on Tuesday 10th May between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the Millennium Forum, Derry~Londonderry and is an ideal opportunity for all businesses that would like to become more involved in sponsorship and partnership with the city's year of culture in 2013.

Culture Company's newly appointed Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy and Chairperson, Martin Bradley will be in attendance with an overview on the Corporate Support Sponsorship Strategy provided by Corporate Engagement Champion, Ryan Williams, Grafton Employment Group.

Culture Company 2013, Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy speaking of the importance of connecting with the business community said: "We have had significant interest from the corporate sector throughout the City of Culture campaign and are keen keep the momentum. We are delighted to take this opportunity to bring the city's businesses up to date with recent developments and to share the opportunities for companies to become directly involved as sponsor and investors of both City of Culture 2013 and the lead-up events".

Sinead McLaughlin, Chief Executive, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce welcoming the event said; "As the leading voice of business in the region, we are delighted to be able to deliver this event alongside Culture Company 2013 and BT, and update our members on the role which they can play in ensuring the successful execution of the year of Culture in 2013. We look forward to building upon the positive relationship between the private sector and its support for 2013".

To book your place at the event please contact Christina@londonderrychamber.co.uk or book via www.londonderrychamber.co.uk/events 

Sinead McLaughlin, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of Culture Company 2013 and Ryan Williams, Grafton Employment Group.

Culture Company 2013 has now put in place a corporate engagement team who will be responsible for liaising with businesses in the private sector and securing sponsorship in the run up to and during 2013.

Headed up by Corporate Engagement Champion, Ryan Williams, a corporate engagement strategy has been devised to allow businesses to contribute towards the success of the City of Culture. The strategy focuses on developing a multi tiered process to ensure all businesses, local, regional, national and international have the opportunity to provide both financial and in kind assistance in a way which levers both commercial and community benefit.
If your business would like to get involved with City of Culture 2013, Derry-Londonderry and you would like more information on how to develop this possibility, you can email sponsors@cityofculture2013.com.

Download the City of Culture 2013 Corporate support booklet HERE

City of Culture: Corporate Engagement Update

Tue 10th May 2011 - Tue 10th May 2011
Time: 5.30 - 7.30pm
Venue: Millennium Forum, Derry~Londonderry

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and Culture Company 2013 invite you to ‘City of Culture: Corporate Engagement Update' sponsored by BT.

‘City of Culture: Corporate Engagement Update' has been designed to provide businesses with an overview on the progress of City of Culture, with a particular focus on the Corporate Engagement opportunities for involvement over the next 6 months.

You will have the opportunity to hear from Culture Company 2013's newly appointed Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy and Chairperson, Martin Bradley, as well as an overview of the official ‘Invitation for Corporate Support Sponsorship Strategy' from Corporate Engagement Champion, Ryan Williams, Grafton Employment Group."

To book your place please contact
christina@londonderrychamber.co.uk or book via
www.londonderrychamber.co.uk/events

City of Culture - good for business - great for the city

- 100% availability of faster broadband speeds for the city by Autumn 2011

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997iUi32QXk

BT, the global communications and IT services provider, has today been announced as the first commercial partner to support Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013. As part of the five year, multi-million pound partnership, BT has committed to further invest in the Derry~Londonderry telecommunications network to spread fibre-based broadband throughout the city by Autumn 2011, accelerating its regeneration plans in readiness for 2013.

This latest investment by BT will mean that Derry~Londonderry will become the first city across the island of Ireland, and amongst the first in the UK, to have fibre deployed to 100% of the city's street cabinets through fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) technology, offering access to faster broadband speeds. Under the terms of the agreement, the fibre deployment across the City will cover approximately 21,000 households and 6,000 businesses.* With download speeds of up to 40Mb/s and uploads of up to 10Mb/s, the broadband technology provides a superfast internet connection allowing households and businesses to harness the power of broadband to enhance how they live and work. This technology will also be delivered as an open access solution, allowing all broadband service providers access to the advanced network and bringing greater choice and competition.

Speaking on behalf of the Culture Company 2013, Interim Chairperson, Declan McGonagle said; "This city partnership will help us create more opportunities for communities to connect through digital technology and deliver on our bid promise to make culture accessible through the digital realm. A creative and connected digital city is one of the strategic principles for transforming the city and region. Therefore, this is the perfect partnership to help deliver on this promise and we look forward to working with BT over the next number of years to grow this access for all."

Graham Sutherland, CEO BT Northern Ireland said, "We are delighted to support Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013. The next three years will be an exciting time, not just for the North-West, but also for everyone in Northern Ireland and we're thrilled to be a part of it. Helping Derry~Londonderry achieve its digital communication strategy is very much aligned to BT's strategy to encourage the adoption of technology to transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland. We're very excited to work with the City of Culture team, ILEX, Derry City Council and all those involved with the programme to ensure that our ambitious plans for the North-West are achieved and will leave a lasting legacy."

In addition to upgrading the telecommunications infrastructure, BT will work closely with the City of Culture team to help address the digital divide and help provide the residents of Derry~Londonderry with the tools and skills to leverage the plans to make the region a Digital hub.

Following the great success of Maximising the Economic Impact of the City of Culture event on 6th Sep please see links to downloadable versions of presentations.

Valerie Watts Derry City Council - 1st Presentation

Neil Gibson Oxford Economics - Economic Impact of City of Culture

Mary Trainor Arts & Business - Arts, Business and the City of Culture

Valerie Watts Derry City Council - Sign Posting & Next Steps  

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact any of the Chamber Staff on 02871 262379 or city of Culture Office on 02871 363558. 

Call for Expression of Interest

Ilex, through its sponsor Department DSD, has secured £10million capital funding for the development of capital infrastructure in the lead up to UK City of Culture 2013.

Within the City of Culture Capital Fund, Ilex and DSD are seeking Proposals from local arts, community and cultural organisations for a range of potential projects in the Derry City Council area. Details of the fund and application forms are downloadable on www.ilex-urc.com and www.cityofculture2013.com

The Deadline for submission is 8th April 2011

People and Place are what really matter most and what puts Derry at the top of the Christmas list.

Derry is the principal retail centre in the North West of Ireland and the retail capacity of the city has been boosted in recent years by the doubling of retail floor space. Locally based independent retailers, accounting for some 68% of the retailing sector, significantly complement an expanding range of both UK and Irish major high-street stores. To complement the retail experience, Derry's service industries also offer an added value s a hotbed of creative activity. The city hosts numerous theatres, museums and galleries offering the shopper a choice of creative and artistic activities.read more >

U4D thanks Derry City Council for support

University for Derry, the group putting forward radical plans to upgrade university provision in Derry-Londonderry through a major expansion of Magee campus, is looking forward to working in partnership with Derry City Council.

A special meeting of the full council agreed, unanimously, to support the aspirations for substantial university expansion put forward by U4D. These include an increase in student numbers at Magee to 10,000 or more; more courses that are relevant to the economy of the city, particularly in science, technology, engineering, maths and creative industries; and for Magee to expand into the city centre along the Strand Road and riverside area.

Padraig Canavan, chair of U4D, says: "We are very appreciative of Derry City Council's support. We are particularly pleased that this was achieved with all party support. We look forward to working in partnership with Derry City Council to achieve the goals that are now shared by the council and U4D.

"We are also very pleased that the council has agreed to designate Derry-Londonderry as 'a city of learning' or 'education city'. With a young population, it is surely right that our city brands itself on the potential strength of the skills and knowledge of those young people - as produced by the education system at all levels, from primary, to post-primary and on to the North West College, as well as Magee. read more >

The UK City of Culture award would bring at least £89m in early stage investment to Derry/Londonderry.  Businesses in the city have got behind the bid and pledged major capital investment to cope with the expected upsurge in demand for hotels, cultural activities, restaurants, retail and other tourism infrastructure that would flow from Derry/Londonderry becoming UK City of Culture.

At a time when government departments in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are under major pressure to cut regeneration spending, the award would provide a stimulus that would be of enormous importance to the construction sector and employment in the North West of Ireland.

"Our members, and investors from outside the city, have already made clear that they will commit to a massive capital investment if Derry-Londonderry becomes the City of Culture," says Sinead McLaughlin, chief executive of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.  "Promises of at least £89m of early stage capital spending would represent one of the biggest boosts to the city's economy ever.  The jobs and commercial activity created would represent the best possible news for a city that has been badly hit by the collapse of manufacturing sectors.

"Ahead of us we can see a new future for the city - one based on attracting visitors because of our unrivalled history, important urban architecture and array of cultural jewels.  If the City of Culture goes the right way - our way - it will be the start not merely of reversing the decline of our great city, but creating a major new industry, that of cultural tourism."

Jim Sammon, president of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, added: "Our city has for a long time been suffering from low levels of economic activity and high levels of poverty.  The award of the title City of Culture would be one of the foundation stones for putting this right."

Sir Roy McNulty, Chairman of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, said: "Derry-Londonderry is a hidden gem, whose creative talent, cultural wealth and enormous historical importance have never been fully exploited.  We are determined to put this right and winning the title would create the step change the city needs to drive the regeneration process on to fast-forward."

Valerie Watts, chief executive of Derry City Council, explained: "City of Culture is potentially Derry-Londonderry's turning point.  It is the doorway of opportunity for the economic improvement for our city and its transformation .  We believe that when Derry-Londonderry wins the title, significant levels of investment from the business community and the public sector will follow.  This will result in an economic boom for the city and a big increase in local jobs.  It would fire the starting pistol for an exciting new journey towards greater prosperity and creativity."