Do you sometimes feel that the north country is still behind the technology curve? Are you under the impression that you must travel and incur travel-related expenses to get the latest information on the technology trends affecting businesses today?
Jill Van Hoesen
That’s simply not so. It is time you attend the North Country Technology Symposium and IT Expo. The symposium, now in its third year, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23,at Clarkson University’s new student center facility in Potsdam. This year’s event boasts more than 30 subject matter experts presenting in six themed tracks demonstrating how current technology can improve your business’s sustainability, mobility, productivity, accountability and marketability. Not to minimize the impact that agriculture and the arts has on the north country’s viability, a special track will be conducted boasting workshops on “Using Social Media to Promote Your Farm” to “High Tech Artisans” and “Web Video and Photography.”
This year’s keynote presentation, titled “Understanding the Technology of Tomorrow Can Transform Your Business Today,” features Simon J. Anderson, a global futurist, author and change management and emerging technology consultant. He is also the co-author, along with Jack Uldrich, of the upcoming book “Foresight 2020: Emerging Trends that are Transforming the Coming Decade.” Not only is he a regular contributor to Mr. Uldrich’s award-winning website, www.jumpthecurve.net, he is the founder of www.Futur1st.com. This site is dedicated to helping business leaders adapt and embrace emerging technology. Mr. Anderson’s change management and technology strategy consulting has assisted companies from a variety of industries; in addition, he is co-founder of two technology startups, www.NoleTrader.com and www.afirekindled.com. Laura Perry, North Country Technology Symposium’s co-chair said: “We view Mr. Anderson’s message as an important opportunity for NNY leaders to consider how their organizations are going to align with emerging technologies, both as stand-alone and as members of our communities when making technology decisions today.”
With attendance expected to exceed 200 and a large selection of service providers and technology vendors ready to share valuable insight, the North Country Technology Symposium will offer business-to-business opportunities for the technology novice to the expert on subjects like cloud computing, Google applications, geographic information systems, free online tools and how the consumerization of information technology will affect your organization, just to name a few. Ed Frontuto of Presentation Concepts has this to say about last year’s event, “I feel this show was one of the best we have exhibited at in the past several years. Decision makers and influencers were there and willing to discuss the applications of our products.” David Charleson of Commercial Press had this to add, “Overall it was a great event, a chance to meet some new people, learn something new, and embrace the technology that is out there and can connect the north country with the rest of the world and hopefully conduct business with the world.”
Janet Campbell, of St. Lawrence County, agreed, “I applaud all the St Lawrence County Information Technology Advisory Board Members who help get this symposium under way. Great job to all. For my first time attending something like this it was very exciting. I was able to attend a couple of the presentations and it was great information for me.”
The Third Annual North Country Technology Symposium and IT Expo is May 23 and space is limited. Early bird registration is $45 until Monday, April 23, and $55 for registrations from April 23 to Wednesday, May 16, and will increase to $65 until the day of the event. Pre-registration assures you full access to all sessions, the IT Expo, one-on-one consultation meetings with vendors of your choice and a networking reception.
Further details and registration can be found at www.stlawco.org/nctechsymposium and be sure to follow the symposium on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorthCountryTechnologySymposium.
