Thursday 2nd November

6.30pm

7.00pm

Guests arrive

An evening with

Sir Tom Farmer CBE KCSG

Hosted by Sarah Smith, journalist and broadcaster

Drinks Reception in the Garden Lobby

9.30pm

Friday 3rd November

8.15am

Arrival and Registration with refreshments and a light breakfast

9.15am

Welcome - The Rt. Hon George Reid MSP, Presiding Officer

9.25am

Opening Address - The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Nicol Stephen MSP

&

Alex Neil MSP, Convener of the Enterprise and Culture Committee

9.45am

Business Futures & Future Businesses - challenges of the 21st Century

- Mary Dickson, Managing Director, First ScotRail

- Sir Alan Langlands, Principal & Vice Chancellor, University of Dundee

- Jim McColl OBE, Chairman & Chief Executive, Clyde Blowers

- David Milne OBE, CEO, Wolfson Microelectronics

10.25am

Discussion Sessions - The challenges facing businesses in Scotland over the next 5 years in….

- Investment, Innovation and Excellence

- Sustainable Development

- Skills in the Modern Workforce

- Scotland's Infrastructure

- Government & Business

- The Business of the Future

12pm

Open Forum and Feedback Session

12.35pm

Scotland's place in the world

Gerry Rice, Deputy Director of Communications, International Monetary Fund

former Communications Director, The World Bank

12.55pm

Closing speech - The First Minister, Rt Hon Jack McConnell

1.10pm

Closing Remarks and Close

1.15pm

Lunch