For release 10th November 2011
The lit up cube, which almost resembled a UFO was installed at Garwnant as a mobile visitor centre encouraging local businesses to think more creatively, share knowledge on social media, web developments, graphic design and much more from their Dutch counterparts.
The visit last week was provided as part of the Interreg IVB Collabor8 Project , supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. It is in the final stages of its international tour of Europe, having visited other partner areas of the Netherlands and Belgium in the last few months. Once on site, the mobile cube doubles as an office, giving a base for the Dutch Entrepreneurs to provide local businesses with creative advice, workshops, inspiring presentations and network meetings. The project focuses on enabling traditional businesses to meet up and discuss economic development of their respective areas.
After visiting Wales the Mobile Unit will return to the Netherlands and in the spring 2012, it will tour South England, Ireland and Flanders.
The Dutch team offered its creative, digital skills and advice free of charge to more than 75 local business people in the area.
Mrs Carol Williams, Tourism Growth Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “This was an absolutely wonderful experience for our local businesses to explore the creative elements that could make their businesses stand out in the crowd. We were very excited to welcome these new ideas from our Dutch entrepreneurs from Veemarktkwartier, which is a city zone for creation and innovation.”
Ms Yolanda Mout, Director of VMK Studio and organiser of the event said: “We are delighted to visit Wales and talk to businesses about exploring what creative services can do for them. It’s been a hugely rewarding experience for all of us.”
Merthyr County Councillor and Member for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Howard Barrett said: “We are really glad that Merthyr was involved with the visit and we have already started to hear back from local businesses how much this type of event has helped them promote their services.”
Mr Andrew Gray, Project Coordinator for the INTERREG IVB COLLABOR8 Project said: “These sessions have been really useful which have opened up a number of new avenues for us to explore as well as demonstrate what we could be doing now. The whole event has been excellent.”
For more information please view our press kit at http://www.mobile-unit.com/presskit/ or contact Lois de Jong.
-ENDS-
Pictures: Copyright of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
VMK Cube Unit – photographs taken inside the cube during the event
VMK Dutch Entrepreneurs – Pictured from left to right – Peter Ros, Kathy Marchand, Lois de Jong, Carol Williams, Dennis Buster, Gijs Van Zon.
Seated : Yolanda Mout, Mark Van Veen, Vincent Vriens.