Design innovator Wayne Hemingway MBE has been unveiled as the keynote speaker for Ceramics 2013.
Hemingway – of Red or Dead fame – will talk on a great British Design theme at the September event in Stoke-on-Trent.
Wayne Hemingway launched the iconic Red or Dead brand while in his early 20s and currently runs Hemingway Design along with his wife, Gerardine.
He said: “Great design and British manufacturing have always been a passion of mine and that is why I am delighted to give my support to Ceramics 2013.
“The UK ceramics industry is renowned throughout the world and designers from the Potteries blazed a trail for British design. I’m looking forward to visiting Stoke-on-Trent to experience both new design ideas from current manufacturers and to help inspire the designers and crafts people of the future.”
Ceramics 2013 has a British design and “Made in the UK” theme and organisers say Hemingway is the ideal choice to inspire delegates.
“Wayne Hemingway is both an inspiring and challenging speaker with the ability to spark debate among delegates on the importance of British design,” said Max Dudson, Chair of the Ceramics 2013 committee.
“Our focus this year is on high quality design and “made in Britain” and Wayne is firmly associated with both. We see him as the ideal guest to both inspire and challenge our industry audience.”
Ceramics 2013 is the latest in a series of annual industry showcases.
Previous events have featured workshops and exhibitions from companies across the industry and its supply chain. But the 2013 event is set to be better than ever before thanks to the addition of live demonstrations from designer makers, interactive exhibits and the decision to secure a prominent keynote speaker in Hemingway.
Organised by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the British Ceramic Confederation, North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, Dudson, Endeka Ceramics, Ceram, Emma Bridgewater, Wade, Valentine Clays and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the event is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and industry sponsorship.
Ceramics 2013 will take place on September 26, an earlier date than in previous years, as organisers plan to forge links with the British Ceramics Biennial which will be held in Stoke-on-Trent from 28 September to 10 November.
This year’s event will be held at the impressive new CoRE conference centre, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent which has been built in the shell of an old pottery factory and features four of the few remaining iconic pot bank bottle ovens.
To enquire about exhibition space, please contact Ann Steele on 01782 202222 or email [email protected] Full details about the event are included online at www.ceramics2013.co.uk
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For media enquiries contact Nigel Howle by telephone on 07762043436 or email, [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
From designer makers to large manufacturers, the British ceramics industry is renowned the world over. Ceramics 2013 is a major industry event bringing together ceramics companies and their suppliers to both celebrate and market the industry and showcase its future as a design-led, iconic British success story.
UK Ceramic Industry Key Facts
* The ceramics industry has sales, including supply chain, of £2 billion with more than 20,000 people are employed in the industry and its suppliers
* Total export sales value more than £500 million.
* The sector includes bricks, wall and floor tiles, clay roof tiles, tableware, sanitaryware, technical ceramics, refractories and materials suppliers