In February 2008 ERIH founded a registered Association based on German law for the continuation of the ERIH network. At last all administrative barriers have been overcome and the registration of the ERIH – European Route of Industrial Heritage e.V. is now legal.The priorities of the new Association will be the maintenance and continuation of the achievements from the ERIH project. Already today, ERIH is one of the most comprehensive cultural networks and information portals in Europe.

Priorities for the near future are:

The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) is holding this year’s annual conference on 14th and 15th November 2008 at the World Heritage Site of the Zollverein Colliery in Essen. The main focus of the conference this year is “Industrial Heritage and Tourism”. Representatives of sites and of tourism organisations from different countries present ideas how to promote this “niche market” as a motivation for travel.
The conference start on Friday at around 14.00  with a trip to different sites in the Ruhr. On Saturday presentations will be held from 11.00 to 16.00.
For ERIH Members the participation in the conference is free, non-members are welcome, but will be charged a conference fee of 75 Euros.
Provisional bookings for the conference have been made in the Intercity Hotel, Essen (for details, please see registration form).

Programme
Registration Form

The future of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) in the UK has been secured following the handover on 1st May of the Co-ordinator’s role from David Buckley to David de Haan of the Ironbridge Institute, (the leading centre for industrial heritage in the UK), and a team of heritage site representatives.

‘3 Slip – The BIG Store’ at ERIH Achor Point The Historic Dockyard Chatham was officially opened today by Roy Clare and Mark Wood of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

The Pilsner Urquell Brewery and Museum was recognised as the first ERIH Anchor Point in the Czech Republic at a special event held on the 29th April at which the opening of a major new exhibition and tour route was celebrated.