The pre-conference workshop, sponsored by Digital 2010, focuses on Two Nations - the Small Business & the Digital Divide. This two-hour workshop will examine the significance of the -˜digital divide' theme for small businesses in terms of their business activities and the associated management and employee skills. Delegates from the business, skills, and educational communities will share their thoughts, facilitated by Gilly Salmon, Professor of eLearning and Learning Technology at the University of Leicester.

The discussions will be supported by detailed results from regional research into business use of ICT. Issues the workshop, and the conference, will address include whether small businesses have access to technology and connectivity, whether they are aware of the potential of eLearning to meet their training needs, and whether staff at various levels in the business get access to eLearning resources.

Thea Stein of Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward will give a welcome speech at the start of the conference dinner on 10 September. Thea's role as Executive Director of Economic Inclusion focuses on connecting people to the opportunities available within the region and closing the gap between those doing well in the economy and those having less success.

Yorkshire Forward and Digital 2010's support also means the dinner will be used to showcase the talents of catering and hospitality students from the Sheffield College and from Thomas Danby College. During the dinner, two sets of prizes will be awarded: the 2008 Learning Technologist of the Year Award, sponsored by the Tribal Group, and the 2008 Learning Object Competition Award, sponsored by Intrallect Ltd.

Conference bookings can be made using secure online registration for credit/debit cards or by official purchase order. The booking deadline is 15 August 2008.