I hope the majority of you were able to attend the E5xpo back in September and I would like to thank all those exhibitors and visitors for making it such a worthwhile and successful event. We have been listening to all your feedback and we hope to make E5xpo 2009 even better!

It is now that time of year when we are now looking for sponsors of the EnviroCluster to help us carry on with our business support activities into 2009. I would very much appreciate it if you would look through our aims for 2009 as set out below, and consider sponsoring us for 2008/09. Sponsors receive a number of benefits which are also outlined at the bottom of this email. If you would like to support the initative or have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call.

Gareth Jones
EnviroCluster Manager

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We are currently looking for organisations in the business community to help us build upon the successes of the EnviroCluster by sponsoring the initiative for 2008/09.

Our main aims for 2009 are to:

• Make the connection between available funding and organisations in Peterborough. There are large pots of money available to environmental businesses and EnviroCluster wants to help make the connection between these funds and the businesses and organisations in Peterborough.

• Hold an even greater E5xpo in 2009. We want to build upon our successes from the 2008 E5xpo and hold an enhanced event in 2009 which highlights the innovative work of Peterborough’s environmental companies.

• Grow the environmental business cluster. As part of Peterborough’s Local Area Agreement, EnviroCluster is tasked with growing the environmental business sector which it shall achieve through a new mentoring and marketing programme.

• Research and disseminate targeted information to cluster companies on market opportunities, legislation, tenders, procurement processes, external promotions, and trade missions. This forms part of our already successful EnviroCluster email news bulletin service and website.

• Encourage networking for cluster companies through information exchange events and joint events with the Eco Innovation Centre such as the breakfast seminar series.

• Identify skills needs in the cluster and within individual businesses. Develop events and opportunities for information flows and personal interaction to develop necessary skills.

• Seek to develop spin-off demonstration projects to showcase the skills and capabilities of cluster companies in areas such as sustainable construction, renewable energy, recycling.

Costs and Benefits

The cost of headline sponsorship is £6k for the year. For that, sponsors will be directly supporting the delivery of the above work in Peterborough and in return sponsors will have a linked company logo on the header of the website (www.envirocluster.net) and will also have their logo featured on any marketing materials for the cluster including banners, newsletters and leaflets. They will also receive an enhanced listing on the website along with a company profile. Sponsors will also form part of EnviroCluster’s Ideas Forum steering group which gives direction on what the initiative should be focusing on throughout 2009.

Other sponsorship packages are available – please contact us for more information.

EnviroCluster seeks to support and develop Greater Peterborough's environmental goods and services sector by identifying and exploiting business opportunities and by encouraging start-ups. EnviroCluster also attracts inward investment through networking activities and demonstration projects. EnviroCluster is privately-funded and is led by UK CEED. The initiative is also helping Peterborough to become the UK's Environment Capital.