Outline Programme

The Conference opens with a two Plenary Session featuring Government representatives, world-leading speakers and selected best papers on SME policy and practice, arranged in conjunction with ISBC. The afternoon comprises two Triple Plenary Sessions which will highlight developments and selected best papers in the primary ISBE pillars of research, education and practice. The evening will be a traditional Irish Night.

On Thursday and Friday the Conference will have an integrated programme of nine parallel Track Seminars and Workshops covering the whole spectrum of small business and entrepreneurship with selected presentations of academic and practical papers. The ISBE Gala Awards Dinner & Ceilidh will be on Thursday evening.

The parallel sessions will continue in round table discussion format on Friday morning, closing at 12.30, followed by a packed lunch and a choice of optional afternoon tours. In total there will be over 200 academic papers and practical presentations together with interactive debates on the key issues and policy implications in each field.

On Tuesday 4th November prior to the Conference, there will be a Doctoral Seminar followed by an evening Welcome Reception & Networking Buffet held jointly with the concurrent International Small Business Congress. (See www.isbc2008.org)

Tuesday 4th November
14.00-18.30		ISBE Conference Registration open
18.30-19.30		Shuttle bus service to Welcome Reception at the Odyssey (Buses every 10-15 minutes)
19.00-21.30		Welcome Reception & Networking Buffet (Optional extra)
21.00-22.00		Shuttle Bus service to Europa Hotel + drop off at nearby hotels

Wednesday 5th November		Thursday 6th November		Friday 7th November
07.30	Conference Check-in opens	08.30	Conference Check-in and Exhibition open	08.30	Conference Check-in Exhibition open
09.00-10.30	Session 1 Plenary (Joint with ISBC) SME Development Policy – Why do some Businesses grow and others do not?	09.00-10.30	Session 5 – Parallel Track Presentations	09.00-10.30	Session 9 – Parallel Round Table Discussions
10.30-11.00	Refreshment break Exhibition opens	10.30-11.00	Refreshment break Exhibition open	10.30-11.00	Refreshment break Exhibition closes
11.00-12.30	Session 2 – Plenary (Joint with ISBC) SME Policy & Practice: Creating the Jobs?	11.00-12.30	Session 6 – Parallel Track Presentations	11.00-12.30	Session 10 – Parallel Round Table Discussions
12.30-14.00	Buffet Lunch Exhibition open	12.30-14.00	Buffet lunch Exhibition open	12.30-13.00	Conference Closes Packed lunches to go
14.00-15.30	Session 3 – Triple Plenary Keynote Presentations Education Policy/Practice	14.00-15.30	Session 7 – Parallel Track Presentations	OPTIONAL AFTERNOON TOURS 1. Incubation/Innovation Centre 2. Irish Whisky Distillery 3. City Sightseeing Tour
15.30-16.00	Refreshment break Exhibition open	15.30-16.00	Refreshment break Exhibition open
16.00-17.30	Session 4 – Triple Plenary Best Paper Presentations Education/Research/Practice	16.00-17.30	Session 8 – Parallel Track Presentations
17.30-18.30	Networking & Internet Café Check-in closes 18.30	18.00-18.30	ISBE AGM (Members only) Check-in closes 18.30	EXHIBITION An Exhibition of publications and services for small business advisers, educators and researchers on the Ground Floor will be open from 10.30 Wednesday 5th until 11.00 Friday 7th November.
20.00-01.00	Irish Night Europa Hotel (Joint with ISBC)	19.00-19.30	Reception Bar open
		19.30-01.00	Gala Awards Dinner & Irish Ceilidh Europa Hotel (with ISBC)

Doctoral Day – Tuesday 4th November – 11.00-18.00 -
A Seminar for research students in small business and entrepreneurship at Queens University, Belfast
FREE for eligible Students registered for the Conference but a separate application form is required.

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ISBE Conference Secretariat, PO Box 888, Dept B8, Harrogate, HG2 8UH, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1423 879208 Fax: +44 (0) 1423 870025 E-mail: enquiries@isbe2008.org