We invite you and your associates to participate in this year's 9th ARCA 2011 International Innovation Exhibition, and the related 2^nd Conference INNOVATIONS LEADING TO COMPETITIVENESS.

The exhibition will be held from 13 to 15 October 2011 at the National University Library in Zagreb, and the conference will be held on 13 October 2011 in the conference hall of the National University Library.

Our wish is to have applicable and useful innovations from Croatia and the world presented at the fair. We expect a significant number of innovations, which are the result of the Croatian individual and team creativity in companies, academic community and public institutes. Particularly important are the innovations resulting from knowledge and inventive spirit of young people in the educational system, as the basis for Croatia's future economic development.

Building stronger connections between economic agents and the academic community, using scientific and research infrastructure, boosts the competitiveness of our economy. Promoting innovations and innovator activities through international exhibition and the related conference significantly contributes to the development of innovative culture in companies and supports the encouragement of employees to think creatively and produce innovative products and processes.

The conclusions of the 1^st Conference, as well as the attendance of the speakers and participants, encouraged us to again organize the 2^nd Conference INNOVATIONS LEADING TO COMPETITIVENESS as a part of ARCE 2011, with the key topics:

Environment for creativity and innovations

Academic education and economy

Innovations and entrepreneurship

Examples of good practice

We firmly believe that the topics selected will spark your interest and motivate you to submit your paper and present at the conference, or actively participate in discussions which will take place during the conference.

Once again, we kindly invite you and your associates to be innovative and present your inventiveness at this year's ARCA 2011 exhibition and the 2^nd Conference INNOVATIONS LEADING TO COMPETITIVENESS, thereby giving a tangible contribution to the improvement of conditions for the development of innovator activities and a more competitive Croatian economy.

Sincerely yours,

Union of Croatian innovators

Stjepan Car, Ph.D, president