Q: Which local tech event attracted 3,200 attendees last year?
A: VIATeC’s annual Island Tech expo, which will be held this year on Friday, Nov. 13th.
Island Tech 2009 is a one-day exposition that will be open for only eight hours (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) at the Victoria Conference Centre, but this panoply of more than 70 Vancouver Island technology and research firms will be showcasing their exciting work to the public, investors, politicians, job seekers, and media.
“(Island Tech) is going to be a fantastic event featuring a VIP launch, TEDlike talks in the Theatre, an Innovation Showcase and the best chance to get up close to what’s going on in the local tech community and who’s making it happen,” says Ellen Henry, VIATeC’s Director of Operations & Member Relations.
Henry adds that technology companies that want to have a high impact at this event should consider some of the sponsorship opportunities. Some sponsorships, however, are already sold out but some are still available. She says they are also open to working with potential sponsors to create a custom package.
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Free admission to Island Tech 2009
Unlike other industry expos such as home and garden shows, admission to Island Tech 2009 is free. In addition to exhibitor booths and displays, the show’s Innovation Showcase will feature “interactive displays of advanced technology.” There will be an “Investors Boot Camp” as well.
Aside from the excitement of finding out about new and leading technology happening on the Island, businesses in the technology sector will also benefit from knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer networking.
According to VIATeC, the event also helps the sector find a “stronger, more unified voice,” helps support and attract tech companies and talent, and facilitates improved partnering opportunities and cluster formation.
Technology is #1 private industry sector in Victoria
VIATeC, which has more than 300 members, was founded in 1989 to connect people, knowledge and resources to grow the thriving technology sector in Greater Victoria.
Technology is now the number one private industry in Greater Victoria, reports VIATeC, and we have the second-largest high tech region in B.C. (after Vancouver). More than 875 technology companies in the region employ more than 12,600 people and generate $1.7 billion in annual revenues.
Garth Von Buchholz is the President and digital media producer at DigitalPractices Media Inc. in Victoria. Email: Garth@DigitalPractices.com
