PSYBT HIGHLAND: European Business Game 2007

Last week , Inverness hosted the fifteenth Grand Final of the European Business Game and 9 teams from across Europe took part in a range of business, networking and entertainment opportunities. Coordinated by Highland Council's Kenny MacInnes, ably assisted by Karen Harbison (last year's EBG Highland team captain) the week involved teams from Italy (Ravenna and Bolsanno) Faroe Islands, Highland, Denmark, The Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia and for the first time, Greenland.

Most arrived in a cold and wet Inverness on the Sunday evening and stayed at the Inverness Youth Hostel, as did your author. Hostels have certainly come on a bit since my far-off youth.

After introductions and a visit to Fort George on Monday, the delegates attended a Civic Reception kindly provided by Inverness City Council at the Town House.

Tuesday. Off to Glen Ord distillery and then to Ullapool for a boat trip and the chance to tour Ullapool High School. We had coffee at PSYBT's very own North West Outdoors and The Tea Store . A quick dash to Fairburn Activity Centre for a spot of teambuilding and a barbecue with the teams from the ICT Youth Challenge which was also taking place that same week.

Wednesday: Visit to PSYBT business Fisherman Direct to see David Skea's new factory.

A great lunch was provided by Michael and Abby at the Pier Shop Cafe in Invergordon . Back in Inverness, the Danish team made their presentation as they had to return to Denmark before the official final owing to a changed school year over there.

Thursday's main event was an Industry Open Day at the Strathpeffer Pavilion, hosted by HIE and, in addition to EBG and the ICT Challenge, there were representatives from other youth enterprise and support agencies.

Friday. The day of the Grand Final in the Chamber of the Highland Council. Compered by yours truly, the teams made their presentations and were questioned by the judges from each country. A team from Umbria made a "practice" presentation as they will be competing next year.

The presentations make up a very small part of the marks, (the bulk of which go to viability, innovation and transnational cooperation) but they do make for a very dynamic and involving Final. The winners were Fortrose Academy (in spite of a severely depleted team) and a trophy made by Glasstorm was presented by Councillor Drew Hendry, Chair of the Planning, Environment and

Development Committee.

A farewell dinner at the hostel was followed by various entertainments on Friday night. Most of the teams left Inverness during Saturday morning. Only the lovely Croatian team were victims of the incidents at Glasgow Airport and had the pleasure of staying with Kenny MacInnes until they could leave on Sunday morning.

A great time was had by all. I think everyone was truly sorry that the event had to end but we're all hoping to take part in next year's Final in Bolzano.