Saturday 31 December 2016

Welcome 2017

Picture of words Welcome 2017 with bit of Christmas tree underneath


I started my event list blogs at the end of 2015. The posts snowballed in 2016 in response to popular demand. I moved from an annual post to monthly posts. As London gained its first Muslim major in Sadiq Khan in 2016, I noted how it was possible to make my event lists an example of cultural diversity and inclusion.

Original intention
My original intention was simply to bring together a wide range of sources for my own diary. I could see the benefits of sharing my efforts with others. I was amazed at how many events take place within the translation industry. I was also conscious that many were not keen to promote the activities of rival organisations.

Active, Energised Sector
I saw the benefits of promoting an active and energised translation sector to potential clients and the outside world. It is not possible to attend every event. We can consult the programmes and gain an awareness of what is happening in our industry. Good ideas are shared by other colleagues and countries.

Change
When I started out as a freelancer many within the translation industry regarded marketing and social media somewhat dubiously. It has been interesting to see others actively promote themselves and their organisations in similar ways.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
As cultural competence is so important to good translation, I started including more and more cultural events. Along the way, it has become a labour of love motivated by my firm beliefs in cultural diversity and inclusion.

Remaining Connected
Brexit came as a huge shock. It became more important to stress a desire to remain European and globally connected.

Access to Multicultural Events
My modest contribution has simply been to include events from varied cultural backgrounds beside each other. My London base gives me access to a wide range of free multicultural events. I have shared my experiences on Twitter or in blogs.

Shared Customs
When we respect another culture’s festivals, we realise that have a lot in common and much to admire. The Bonfire Night firework display at Alexandra Palace mixed celebrations from different cultures. I noted how many festivals have their roots in customs adopted from earlier civilisations. Sometimes the true origin of a custom is disputed, confused or claimed by another country.

Merry Christmas again
Britain is traditionally a Christian country. It was interesting to note that this year, we could say ‘Merry Christmas’ more easily - rather than the PC ‘Season’s Greetings’ or ‘Happy Holidays’. 


British religious tolerance was very hard to win over centuries. It is a pity that there is no short-cut for other nations. We should all guard against any deterioration in British religious tolerance.

Inclusive Celebrations
London celebrates a wide variety of festivals for its multicultural communities.  I remember Chinese New Year, Easter, Eid, Diwali, Holi Festival of Colours, the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi and Hanukah. We had the Irish St Patrick’s Day Parade, Days of Poland, Hungarian Culture Day, a Malaysian day and the Japanese Matsuri festival. There was the Pride parade too. I have also deliberately highlighted events that consider accessibility for the visually impaired, deaf and disabled. I fear that I may have left many excellent events out.



Closer Communities
My 2017 wish is for London’s various communities to mix more readily. 2016 has been a worrying year for terrorism and extremism. The terrorists are a minority. I believe that allied with increased security to protect honest, law-abiding citizens, London has a good recipe for bringing its diverse communities closer together.



I share my hope for peaceful, inclusive communities in London with Paris, Nice, Brussels, Berlin and the world in 2017. Let's welcome 2017 with renewed hope.

I wrote the above before the terrible events in Turkey. My condolences to all the bereaved and injured. My hopes for 2017 remain and are redoubled.

Happy New Year!

Pic of 2017 written in night sky in blue, pink and white fireworks


Bonne année

 Gutes Neues Jahr

 ¡Feliz año nuevo!

 Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

 Buon capodanno!


Happy New Year!




Friday 30 December 2016

2017 Benelux and Other European Trade Shows




Selective list of 2017 trade shows in Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain.


BELGIUM

29-31 January
Food and Catering Equipment Show for catering professionals
Namur Expo
Namur
3-4 April
1st European Conference on Connected and Automated Driving (CAD)
European Commission 
Charlemagne Building
Brussels
Belgium

20-25 October
Kortrijk Xpo
Kortrijk
Belgium

LUXEMBOURG

9-10 May
European Convention Center
Luxembourg


NETHERLANDS

6-8 June
Electric and Hybrid Marine World Expo
Amsterdam RAI
Netherlands





GERMANY

21-29 January
Boot Düsseldorf 2017
Messe Düsseldorf 
Düsseldorf 


20-24 March
CeBit 2017
Digital Business Event
Hannover
24-28 April
Hannover Messe
Industrial Technology Trade Fair
Hannover
17-18 June
STATION Berlin
Berlin

19-25 September
Frankfurt


ITALY

3-5 October
Railway Technology, Products and Systems
Milan


SPAIN

27 February-2 March
Barcelona

26-27 April
Future of Digital Business
Madrid









NB: Inclusion on the list does not constitute endorsement of any trade show, event or third party. This list is for information purposes only and all details should be checked on the organisers' websites, as they may be subject to change.

2017 French Trade Shows and Events


Pic of French flag flying at top of flagpole against clear blue sky



Selective list of 2017 trade shows and events in Paris, Bordeaux and Lille.


20-21 January
Salon du Travail et Mobilité Professionnelle
Careers Fair for job seekers, training advice, aspiring entrepreneurs and expats
Grande Halle de la Villette
Paris

15-16 March
Enova Strasbourg
Parc Expo -Wacken - Hall 7.1
Strasbourg 
France

21-23 March
Railway technology and services
Lille Grand Palais
Lille
France

24-27 March
Paris Book Fair
Porte de Versailles
Paris


14-17 June
Bordeaux Wine Festival
Bordeaux

19-25 June
Paris Le Bourget

25-26 June
19th International Conference on Biometrics and Biostatistics
Holiday Inn Paris Montparnasse
Paris






NB: Inclusion on the list does not constitute endorsement of any trade show, event or third party. This list is for information purposes only and all details should be checked on the organisers' websites, as they may be subject to change.
  


2017 UK Trade Shows & Events

Pic of UK's flag flying at top of flagpole against clear blue sky


Selective list of 2017 trade shows and innovation events in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Telford, Liverpool, Coventry, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

ENGLAND

Throughout 2017
2017 Theme: Year of Risk
London



6-15 January
Excel Centre
London






25-26 January
2017 Theme: Water
Olympia
London


25-28 January
Education technology
Excel Centre
London
28 January
Excursions
Showcase for day trips, short breaks & group holidays
Alexandra Palace
London

1-2 February
Olympia
London


3 February
Future City launch event
Bristol

4-6 February
Excel Centre
London




16 February 5-8pm
Imperial College London


17-18 February
Excel Centre
London


21-22 February
Manchester


Throughout March
Theme: Our Manchester Women
Manchester City Council
Manchester

7-8 March
Wearables, AR & VR, IOT & Connected technology
Excel Centre
London




7-9 March
Built environment and sustainability
Theme: Regeneration
Excel Centre
London




13-19 March








14-16 March
Olympia
London


15-16 March
Excel Centre
London
16-17 March
Cloud, IOT, data, platforms & infrastructure
Excel Centre
London





19-22 March
International Food and Drink Event
Excel Centre
London

22-24 March
European Robotics Forum 2017
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Edinburgh

23 March
Virtual & Augmented Reality Showcase
Codex - International Business Leaders Network
Ambassador's Residence, Embassy of Portugal
London

24 March-9 April
Olympia
London

28-29 March
Innovations in legal market
Excel Centre
London

28-30 March
Theme: Risk, Resilience and Response in a Changing Climate
The International Centre
Telford

11-13 April 
VR World Congress
Virtual Reality Conference
Millennium Square
Bristol

26-27 April
Ricoh Arena
Coventry

3-5 May
Olympia
London

8-9 May
Olympia
London


8-9 May
Olympia
London
16-20 May
London Digital Signage Week

9-11 May
13th International Exhibition of Railway Equipment, Systems & Services
NEC
Birmingham

17-18 May
Excel Centre
London

23-27 May
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Flower Show, Garden Design and Equipment Showcase
Royal Hospital, Chelsea
London

6-8 June
Excel Centre
London


8-11 June
Eventcity
Manchester

27 June
NEC
Birmingham



7-9 July
The Allergy + free from Show
Olympia
London

3-5 September
Incorporating Speciality Chocolate Fair
Olympia
London
20-23 September
100% Design
Olympia
London



27-28 September
Olympia
London


17 October
Bristol and Bath Showcase

4-5 November
Exhibition Centre
Liverpool

29-30 November
Lift, escalator and lifting equipment industry event
The International Centre
Telford




SCOTLAND
11-12 March
SECC
Glasgow






20-21 May
SECC
Glasgow

21-22 October
RHC
Edinburgh




Do you have any trade show or other events to recommend?

NB: Inclusion on the list does not constitute endorsement of any trade show, event or third party. This list is for information purposes only and all details should be checked on the organisers' websites, as they may be subject to change.