The UK has always been at the forefront of invention ensuring superior capability for the armed forces. But what has been lacking is the wide use of such new discoveries to stimulate entrepreneurship and wealth creation in our own economy.

Whilst the Defence Industrial Strategy and Technology Strategy seeks to encourage dialogue between industry and the MOD, the requirement for greater interaction and collaboration between the MOD, prime contractors, SMEs, universities and individuals needs to be supported to stimulate innovation in science, technology and engineering now and for the future.

Defence Technology Exchange 2007 will encourage interaction and collaboration within the defence technology arena, in addition to recognising and celebrating the achievements of UK innovators in transferring technologies from industry into defence and vice versa.

The driving force behind technology exchange is the empowerment of the entrepreneurs of the future and ensuring that inventions and technologies from defence, industry and academia are developed for mutual benefit and wealth creation within the UK economy.

The Shephard Group, has initiated these prestigious Awards which are endorsed by the Defence Manufacturers Association as a spur to enterprise that will lead the way to the foundation of closer understanding between UK industry and defence organisations.

An innovative format
Defence Technology Exchange 2007 will begin in the morning with the Networking Development Congress; an ideal forum to meet and greet many of the key people from the technology transfer arena before the evenings proceedings.

The Innovation Awards evening will then begin at 7pm with an official welcome and drinks reception, held at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff, followed by the gala dinner in the main ballroom at 8pm. The Innovation Awards ceremony will then proceed with a keynote address at 9.30pm and is scheduled to run until 11.00pm.