The lessons Sheffield can learn from its cosmopolitan peers and acknowledging the progress the city has already made were both on the agenda at the RE:Inventing the City – the International Business and Economy Summit 2008’.

The event was organised by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce in association with Creative Sheffield and Sheffield City Council. Held at Sheffield City Hall, the summit drew world-class speakers who flew in from Melbourne, Turin, Glasgow and Philadelphia, as well as a raft of regional business experts. 

More than 490 guests attended the Summit, which was divided up into six sections: RE:Investment, RE:Vitalisation, RE:Connection and Collaboration, RE:Skilling, RE:Imagination and RE:Building. 

After an opening welcome from Sheffield Chamber Chief Executive Nigel Tomlinson, the new City Council leader Cllr Paul Scriven told delegates he wanted to see policy split from delivery in the city, and that he viewed Creative Sheffield as a deliverer. 

He outlined his three key priorities as “skills, skills and skills,” adding his goal was, in ten years time, for Sheffield to be a ‘city of skills’.

Said Cllr Scriven: “We know that the innovation, the business and the talents of the people of Sheffield, if harnessed correctly, can get us up there.”

Scott Chapman from Melbourne City Council Marketing explained how his city had been ‘gentrified and humanised’ after moving out from Sydney’s shadow thanks to an ‘audacious plan’.

“Where there is creativity, there is innovation and where there is knowledge, there are skills,” he said, highlighting that Melbourne had successfully transformed itself from a former city of ‘commercial buildings and car parks’ in the 80s, with a much maligned city centre. 

“Melbourne is now known as the ‘knowledge capital of Australia’ and has world-class venues and events like the Melbourne Cup,” said Scott, adding that Melbourne could still learn some lessons from Sheffield.

Kelly Lee from Innovation Philadelphia told the summit that Philadelphia - located between its ‘sexier’ neighbouring cities of New York and Washington DC - had reinvented itself by retaining and inspiring its budding talent with ‘Young Professionals’ initiatives and showcasing the city’s entrepreneurial strength. 

Her city had also taken an approach of encouraging new business start-ups to flourish in the city, as opposed to trying to attract large corporate organisations to move there. 

In the afternoon session Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg took to the stage while the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper delivered the closing keynote speech. 

The Treasury Minister said it would be a mistake for Sheffield to turn inwards and must ‘globally reach out’, adding: “This conference is a sign of confidence as well as enthusiasm to plan new ideas. 

“Do not underestimate what you have achieved in this fabulous city.”

RE:Inventing the City was led by leading international facilitator Greg Clark and also featured interactive voting technology, provided by O2 UK, allowing audience members to text their views on issues such as Sheffield’s economy and the importance of collaboration between cities, with the results displayed on big on-stage screens.

Other speakers included GMTV Chairman Clive Jones CBE, Roberto Quaglia from the European School of Management, Paolo Verri of Italia 150 – Turin and Royal Bank of Scotland economist Robert Blotevogel.

Nigel Tomlinson, Sheffield Chamber Chief Executive said: “Summit delegates heard what has been achieved in some of the world’s best known cities and what needs to be done to keep momentum going here at home.

“This means the Economic Summit did exactly what it said on the tin – learning from our overseas peers while never losing the focus on the city and what can be done right here and right now.

“The international speakers flew a long way to be here which is in itself a ringing endorsement, not just for the event organisers but for the city itself.

“I am confident the city business community will help the Chamber, Creative Sheffield and the local authority put into practice some of the theories and plans that have been put forward during this lively and informative forum.”

Chamber chief executive Nigel Tomlinson and Melbourne City Council Marketing’s Scott Chapman

Summit to talk about: (left to right, front row) Cllr Paul Scriven, Creative Sheffield’s Ian Bromley, Innovation Philadelphia’s Kelly Lee and Chamber chief executive Nigel Tomlinson with other speakers at RE:Inventing the City