BitNet Niagara Brings Tech People Together
Posted on September 8, 2004
Filed Under IT Industry |
Funded in part by HRDC, Venture Niagara and partners formed BitNet Niagara to foster the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Niagara. As a place for businesses, individuals, educators, and the public sector to come together in order to share information, network with peers, and participate in technology focused events, BitNet Niagara fills a niche long missing in the region.
Niagara is not considered a hub of technology yet we are home to some 3000 technical employees in both the private and public sector and some 280 technology based businesses. We are also home to some excellent technical training resources including Brock University and Niagara College. According to Gord Dunkley of Brock University, 85% of students graduating from the Computer Sciences program are forced to leave Niagara in order to find employment.
Venture Niagara studied Niagara’s ICT sector and found that while the sector is still forming, there is significant potential for growth. The study showed that the ICT sector has the potential to generate more revenue and create employment opportunities in the process.
Among other recommendations, the study’s author Steven Ilkay suggested the formation of an ICT sector special interest group. Ilkay said “It’s important for emerging ICT companies to be part of a larger ICT community. A larger community makes it easier to attract and retain top talent, form partnerships to collaborate in serving larger clients and share best practices,”
The annual e-Niagara
Conference and Web Awards
that honour excellence in web site design, first demonstrated that there is an interest by the ICT community to meet and share in a common interest. The Niagara eCommerce Awards were held for the third year on May 6, 2004 at the Pond Inlet at Brock University. The conference attendance has grown each year since its inception and this year 139 individuals came out for the evening.
The launch of BitNet Niagara was announced at the conference and BitNet Niagara held its first breakfast meeting on June 10, 2004 at the MTO building on St. Paul St. in St. Catharines. Dave Witczak of Cisco Systems was the guest speaker and outlined some of the more fascinating technologies Cisco is developing.
On August 10, 2004, BitNet Niagara held its second breakfast meeting and Bary Billings of Activeweb presented portal web site design based on Microsoft SharePoint services. Turnout for the second event increased from 54 to 74 and as with the first meeting, each attendee was given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their interest in attending.
As a local ICT professional and entrepreneur, I would strongly encourage my peers, those responsible for technology at work, and those with an interest in the industry to visit the next BitNet Niagara breakfast meeting on October 12. The seeds have been sown to improve, promote, and grow the industry and collectively we can see Niagara’s technology sector flourish far more efficiently than we can individually.
To learn more and register for the next event, point your browser to http://www.BitNetNiagara.com
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