Massachusetts Delegation to Visit European Clean Energy Leaders

Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick will lead a coalition of the Commonwealth’s government and industry leaders on an innovation partnership mission to Denmark, the United Kingdom and France to expand opportunities between the Commonwealth and these three European countries for economic development and job creation in the innovation economy, clean tech, digital gaming, financial services, workforce training and education sectors.

From September 14, 2014 – September 19, 2014, the Innovation Partnership Mission will make stops in Copenhagen in Denmark, London in the United Kingdom and in Lyon and Paris in France. The Governor and members of the delegation will visit companies and business organizations in sectors important to the Commonwealth’s continued economic growth, and meet with top business and government leaders to highlight all that Massachusetts has to offer.

During the mission, the Governor will meet with leaders of the global offshore wind industry to tour the Lilligrund Wind Farm off the coast of Copenhagen, meet with England’s Financial Secretary to Her Majesty’s Treasury David Gauke and other top government officials in the United Kingdom, and deliver an address at the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) International and Paris Chamber of Commerce’s event in Paris. MEDEF International is France’s largest union of employers. The Governor and members of the delegation will also make announcements relative to educational partnerships and expansion in key innovation economy sectors throughout the mission.

“With Massachusetts-based business leaders at our side, we aim to expand our partnerships with European governments and companies working in the growing global clean energy sector,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton. “Denmark and the United Kingdom are the heart of the global offshore wind industry. As Massachusetts looks to become the hub for offshore wind in North America, this trip will build connections that with strengthen our opportunities to grow jobs at home in this emerging industry.”

“Through this Innovation Partnership Mission, we will highlight to international audiences how the Commonwealth supports key technology industries,” stated Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “In the Big Data sector specifically, this mission allows us to highlight the 500 advanced analytics companies that call Massachusetts home, and showcase the Commonwealth’s vibrant and collaborative culture of innovation.”

“This mission is a great chance for us to showcase how we’re thinking creatively about how we deliver transportation services to our customers and to learn from those who are committed to doing the same,” said MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey. “I am excited to explore new partnership opportunities that will help us continue to move the ball forward in transportation.”

“This is an enormous opportunity to foster new partnerships in the clean energy industry,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett. “Massachusetts is already a national clean energy leader, and has positioned itself to be the center of the emerging offshore wind industry in the United States. We look forward to making connections that will help us grow the industry here at home.” 

[mappress mapid=”14084″]