Emad Rizkalla, Vice President of Zedd Technologies, was the keynote speaker. In his presentation, he identified some of the difficulties encountered when establishing a technology-based industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. On the first evening of the conference, Jack Botsford, Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance of Technical Industries, gave a presentation on the training needs of the information technology industry. The Alliance has 115 members, including approximately 80 private sector companies. Botsford explained that the information technology sector of the economy is growing at an enormous rate and represents substantial employment opportunities in this province and across Canada.
Growth is constrained by the inability to find adequately trained people.
Individuals need to be trained to solve problems. On Saturday, Wilf Bussey, Director of Computing and Communications at Memorial University, spoke on the growth and functions of the NLnet and its competitors. The NLnet provides Internet access and value-added services to the education and research community of Newfoundland and Labrador. On Saturday afternoon, Doug Young gave a presentation on the Teleworking program at Eastern College of Applied Arts, Technology and Continuing Education, Clarenville campus. The college currently enrols 40 to 50 students full-time in its telelearning program.