News Release

For immediate release
May 29, 2002

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) EXPO ASSISTED BY 
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA 

SYDNEY, NS -- In classrooms across Cape Breton Island, the next generation of information technology entrepreneurs are preparing to dazzle the public with their IT (information technology) skills. They will be taking part in a major two-day Information Technology Expo organized and hosted by the CAP Society of Cape Breton County and its partners. The Expo is proceeding with Government of Canada assistance. 

Young people, business, government, education, arts and culture and non-profit organizations will showcase their dynamic and innovative uses of technology on May 30 and 31, at Centre 200 in Sydney. The CAP Society of Cape Breton County's partners are Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), and the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board. 

The total estimated cost of the project is $161,936. The Government of Canada will contribute $86,573 through HRDC and $65,115 through ECBC. 

"The strength of the information technology sector on Cape Breton Island is demonstrated by the significant response to this event. The Government of Canada is pleased to work in partnership with this community-based organization to bring the IT Expo to life," said Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, speaking on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ECBC, and Jane Stewart, Minister of HRDC. 

"We are sure everyone is going to be amazed by the variety of ways that technology is being used and created on Cape Breton Island," said Crystal Aboud, Marketing and Sales Coordinator, IT Expo. "The booths sold out very early, which is an indication of the desire by everyone to take part in and create a significant event."

The over 60 youth exhibits from schools throughout Cape Breton Island will present projects on web page design, CD ROM creation, robotics and many other aspects of information technology. Approximately 60 representatives from local IT businesses, government, education and other organizations will showcase their products and services. This will include on-line investing and banking, broadband and microelectronics, IT Engineering, GPS/GIS, online family history services, IT educational initiatives, IT services for the disabled, on-line photography services, digital cameras, robotics, global positioning systems in vehicles, web design and hosting, and call centre technology. 

The objectives of the Expo are to heighten awareness of information technology and the internet in the community, create networks for the public, business, organizations and educational providers, build partnerships that will foster future opportunities within the IT sector of Cape Breton Island and encourage the public, in particular non-users, to experience IT. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the IT Expo can visit the website at http://www.itexpo.ns.ca or contact Crystal Aboud at (902) 562-4054 or (902) 539-9063.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA' s programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter A.H. Graham
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 957-9959

Office of Mark Eyking, M. P. 
Sydney-Victoria
(902) 567-6275

Marcie Stanley 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-7876
Fax:(902) 564-3825
E-mail: mstanley@ecbc.ca

Crystal Aboud
Marketing and Sales Coordinator
Information Technology Expo 
Tel: (902) 562-4054
Fax: (902) 562-2960