Call for proposals ICT 2015, Innovate Connect Transform Exhibition
The European Commission, DG CONNECT, organises ICT 2015 on 20-22 October 2015
in Lisbon. The Innovate Connect Transform Exhibition will be an integral part of the
three-day event alongside a policy conference and networking sessions.
We invite interested parties to submit a proposal for an exhibition showcase by 30
March 2015.
The concept of the "Innovate Connect Transform" Exhibition
The interactive exhibition will dynamically showcase the best-in-class results and impacts of
the existing European ICT Research & Innovation.
The exhibition is woven around three main themes linking clearly to the Conference title as
well as cross-cutting and integrating different activities of the ICT Work Programmes. The
themes are chosen to create a dynamic yet coherent visitors' experience through different
thematic types or R&D but also different stages and types of ICT innovation.
The presence of outputs from the European research & innovation is oriented to reflect the
FP7 and CIP projects (success stories from the last Framework Programme) linking however
as much as possible to H2020 with clear emphasis on Innovation. Moreover, the exhibition is
to encompass innovation at the interconnection of science, technology and art.
H2020 first projects are invited to the bidding process providing their results are mature
enough to be shown in the exhibition.
Additionally, individual companies that started, have grown and benefited from European
funding will have the opportunity to showcase their most advanced products.
The exhibition will consist of:
1. Main exhibition body where EU-funded FP7, CIP and H2020 projects plus individual
companies will have the opportunity to showcase their most advanced research results,
highest impact innovation and most innovative ICT creations (100 booths)
2. Portuguese Village (8 booths)
3. International Village (14 booths)
4. EC village (8 booths)
5. An off-site showcase placed in the Praça do Comércio
This part of the exhibition open to the wider public will show up to 5 exhibits centred under a
common working title: "Innovate. Connect. Transform. How is European ICT working for
you?"
Exhibition main goals and focus
The exhibition overarching goal is to show on how very advanced ICT Research &
Development and Innovation contributes towards a better future Europe 2020 and beyond - in
a globalising world. This will materialise through:

Involving, engaging and interactively showcasing the results and impact of most
recent European ICT Research & Innovation via the physical presence of the best in
class outputs from FP7 and CIP and H2020 Programmes

Offering relevant ICT research and innovation stakeholders from around the world an
opportunity to present their stories of successful collaboration with European partners
as well as to share ideas for future joint initiatives

Bringing European ICT Research and Innovation closer to the citizen under a common
title: Innovate. Connect. Transform – particularly through parts of the exhibition
placed in central Lisbon

Linking to the J.C. Juncker objectives and more specifically to Digital Single Market
(reindustrialisation, investment, competitiveness, growth and jobs) but also directly to
the Strengthening Digital Innovation & Research" objective of Digital Single Market

Putting clear focus on Innovation
Where will my exhibit be showcased?
The exhibition concept groups exhibits in three major themes corresponding to the title of the
event:
Innovate with focus on innovation and creativity – showing the innovative power of the
European ICT R&I;
Connect with focus on people – showing the connecting power of the European R&I;
and
Transform with focus on digital economy – showing the transformative power of the
European R&I.
International village will group exhibits involving cooperation with third countries.
The main venue for the event is Centro de Congressos de Lisboa (CCL), however parts of the
exhibition will be shown outdoor in an off-site spot in central Lisbon, Praça do Comércio.
What is best format?
The proposers are supposed to present the most innovative format and content for their
showcases. Pure information stands are to be avoided. Additionally, involving art factor in
your proposal (artworks, artistic representation of a project idea, artistic creativity on-site) is
strongly encouraged.
As the exhibition main feature and asset is interactivity, dynamic presentations involving
visitors are greatly encouraged. Each exhibitor is required to prepare visual material to be
published in an online catalogue as well as encouraged to submit a video presenting the
project or the creative process behind it. The videos are foreseen to be screened in the cinema
hall in the main venue.
Who are the target audience of the exhibition?
The target audience are the participants of the ICT 2015 in the CCL main venue, including
top-level participants from industry, academia and research. The outdoor plaza parts of the
exhibition as well as the off-site Praça do Comércio exhibition are open to general Portuguese
and international public.
2015 Best Exhibit Award
Throughout the event a voting on best exhibits will be launched with prizes one for each
theme to be awarded on the last day.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in showcasing your R&I outcomes you need to submit a complete
proposal by 30 March 2015. Please submit your proposal here. [link]
When will I know if my proposal was selected?
The Commission will select proposals by May 2015 then inform the exhibitors and publish
the list of retained proposals by June 2015