02 September 2013 | 05 September 2013 | Denmark

The 16th TCI Global Conference was held in Kolding, Denmark, on 3-6 September 2013. Under the theme of "Designing the future. Innovation through strategic partnerships", 300 cluster practitioners, policy makers, academics and business persons from 40 countries and institutions like the World Bank and European Commission gathered together to exchange experiences and discuss strategic innovation partnerships in clusters.

Organised in collaboration between The Region of Southern Denmark, REG X - The Danish Cluster Academy, University of Southern Denmark, The Triangle Region Denmark, The Danish German Growth Region Project and the Municipality of Kolding, the four day-day event included discussions on major themes of cluster development, such as smart specialisation strategies, strategic design thinking, cluster collaboration and new business models, clusters and regional competitiveness, and innovation partnerships as a competitive advantage for cluster companies.

Plenary speakers included Adrian Wooldridge, The Economist; Matti Vanska, Head of Bridge Program, Nokia; Marco Malacarne, Head of Unit, European Commission; Michael Enright, Director, Enright, Scott & Associates; Anders Eldrup, Offshoreenergy.dk & Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster and Christian Ketels, TCI President.

In parallel to the onsite conference, there was a lively debate and exchange of impressions on social media allowing anyone to join the conversation through #TCI2013 and hence widening the impact of the event. And last, but certainly not least, and as speaker Michael Enright said, "the down-time is the high-time: networking during coffee breaks, lunches, having a wonderful gala dinner together were perfect moments for participants to strengthen their network".