A major 'creative industries' conference gets underway next week (30 and 31 October) to map out the latest developments in this newly coined sector.

The industry which covers everything from film, video and television to websites, public relations and script writing employs 192 full-time equivalent jobs in the Highlands and Islands and is worth around £8 million to the north economy each year.

The Digitalk Content 2001 conference, which will take place at the Newton Hotel in Nairn is being organised by the Association of Independent Media in the Highlands and Islands (AIM-hi).

As an industry body formed to develop the digital content sector in the Highlands and Islands, AIM-hi represents the interests of organisations and individuals already working in it.

The event will see companies, individuals, freelancers and agencies in this field getting together to establish effective working partnerships with each other and to listen to key speakers working in and developing this sector which has been identified as having significant potential for future growth.

The president of Jim Henson Television Europe, Angus Fletcher - a native of Argyll and producer of television drama's and series' will deliver a keynote speech about what is happening at the frontline of the creative industries.

Calum Davidson - head of the knowledge economy at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will brief those attending the conference about key developments in the Highlands and Islands and comparative developments elsewhere. He will be joined by three times BAFTA nominee Richard Cobourne from On Screen Productions which is based in Wales and the South West.

Calum Davidson said: "HIE along with Inverness and Nairn Enterprise are delighted to be major supporters of this conference, which we see as a key event in driving this sector forward. I feel it is vital that we work closely with the industry to raise its profile, both at home and abroad.

"I am delighted to say that HIE has now appointed a creative industries manager whose job will focus on assisting and developing the sector, encouraging public private partnerships and looking hard at new commercial opportunities.

"We are now particularly keen to help all involved in the creative industries work closer together as advances in technology means that operators in this exciting sector can now consider setting up businesses in rural locations which could provide additional jobs and economic benefits for these areas."

AIM-HI chairman David Drysdale said: "This conference is an excellent way for the creative industries in the Highlands and Islands to identify joint working styles and collectively voice their ideas for developing the sector.

"One particular session at the conference entitled 'bringing skills back home' will give students with aspirations of working in the creative industries an opportunity to meet industry professionals in the area and find out what it has to offer."

For further details about AIM-hi and/or the conference on 30-31 October 2001, contact 01499 500677 or 01499 302891. Their website is http://www.aimhi.hostinguk.com/