Mr Thompson is keynote speaker at the annual event which is hosted jointly by the International Media Centre, at Salford University, and the North West Development Agency.
Fittingly, the venue overlooks the Salford Quays construction site for mediacity:uk, which will soon provide a base for almost 2,000 BBC staff.
The BBC will serve as anchor tenant for the project, which is expected to attract tenants from across the range of the technology and media industry, as well as public areas, apartments and hotels.
Another speaker making his public debut today will be mediacity:uk managing director Brian Greasley, whose job it is to ensure the smooth running of the site and to help in attracting tenants to Salford Quays.
He will be part of the first formal session of the day, which will examine the way that media cities will alter the way in which people in the industry work.
Other sessions include a debate the impact of Scottish devolution on Scottish television, an opportunity for delegates to "speed date" some of the industry's most important TV commissioners, an overview of Ofcom's thoughts on public service broadcasting and masterclasses on writing soaps and working in the regions.
There will also be a tribute to the late broadcaster and music industry figure, Tony Wilson, in the form of a short film made for the Royal Television Society by Granada Television's Ged Clarke.
What do you think? Have your say.
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Quays Mark, Salford Quays (23/01/2008 at 08:43)
The site now consists of 8 cranes with a 9th on the way (crane base in place). Most of the concrete cores of the new BBC building look to be in place or started, rising to 9-10 storeys (maybe more) for the highest cores.
The land for the taller buildings off to the side of the main BBC building (right from the Lowry Centre side) is still being dug and prepared but more temporary cabins are in place off Broadway (the road that runs through the back of the Quays) presumably to house more MediaCity:UK project staff and a contingent of the BBC (cameramen) looking at the latest articles across the internet.
The current phase of the build occupies 35-40 acres (next to the City Lofts flats) with other phases planned across the water on the Imperial War Museum side.
The overall site is something of the order of 200 acres but no visible signs of development has started outside the main phase 1 area currently. No doubt this will depend on discussions with other media companies being persuaded to join the MediaCity:UK estate.
For a photographic timeline for December / January and beyond (and pictures back to June of last year), go to Google and search on 'media city uk salford quays timeline q4'.
Judging be the pace of the development, there is a big push on to meet the 2010/11 date for the first phase completion.
Those currently thinking about a career in the media by way of a chosen degree (media studies, photography etc.) might be one of the 15,500 new jobs to be created between now and 2011 in the first phase of this build. Also, the price of properties (and especially flats) in the area will almost certainly rise as a result of the considerable development occuring in this location with new flats being built currently.
I have worked as an IT Manager in Salford Quays for 12 years and live in North Bolton. When I first came here, the skyline of the Quays area was relatively flat but now houses such buildings as The Designer Outlet (80 outlet stores), The iconic Lowry and Imperial War Museum Buildings and new flat developments which continue to be built in anticipation of the BBC move and general growth in this area.
Hope this update helps.