IAIN Hamilton is head of creative industries at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the funders of creative industries conference and showcase XpoNorth which takes place in Inverness on June 27 and 28. Open to the public as well as artists and industry professionals, it covers everything from gaming to textiles to broadcasting and music.
What’s the relationship between XpoNorth and Highlands and Islands Enterprise?
XpoNorth brings together businesses from the UK, Europe and North America to share ideas and network. XpoNorth is also a year-round programme of support for creative businesses in the Highlands and Islands funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I look at how we can help grow the creative industries in the region and how we can help individual businesses grow.
How does XpoNorth help creative professionals?
XpoNorth can help take a business from whatever stage of development to trading internationally at the highest possible level. We offer networking events, training and bespoke help, tailored to the business needs.
Are there events which of particular interest the wider public?
All elements of XpoNorth are free to attend and while the event is focussed on business, there is a lot to interest a wider audience. We will be screening more than 50 films over the two days, there are two evenings of music showcases, featuring more than 60 artists. The Technology Playground offers demonstrations of games, AR and VR and other products and we will have a specific session with Skills Development Scotland aimed at school-age young people, giving an outline on how to work towards a career in this sector.
How important are the creative industries to the Highlands and Islands?
The creative industries are really important to the Highlands and to Scotland as a whole. There are about 5500 jobs in the region in creative industries and is worth around £750 million to the region. Over the last three years, XpoNorth has created around 250 new jobs directly. We are seeing increased numbers of young people choosing to stay in the area, because they are seeing international creative businesses being successful in rural areas.
The creative sector does a huge amount to promote the region to visitors and to make the Highlands and Islands somewhere that people want to live and work, with festivals such as Belladrum, the Hebridean Celtic festival in Stornoway or the St Magnus Festival in Orkney.
Have there been any examples of successful partnerships being forged at XpoNorth?
In Scotland, we have developed partnerships with Publishing Scotland, Skills Development and MG Alba. XpoNorth’s new project, Page to Screen, involves working with the Celtic Media festival and the Edinburgh International Television festival.
At an international level, we have been very lucky in just how enthusiastic partners have been. For example, we have worked with A&R Worldwide for a number of years. This has provided us with the opportunity to directly access the highest level of industry in Hollywood to showcase, to encourage licensing and rights trading, and to learn more of the trends and opportunities that might be open to us, including increased international radio playlisting for Highlands and Islands artists.
Free and open to all, register for tickets via Eventbrite and find the full programme at xponorth.co.uk
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