Following the successful SoftWorld '98 Conference in Newfoundland and Labrador, provincial government officials are continuing informal discussions with a number of business partners to explore, discuss and begin new business relationships.
Premier Pat Binns notes that the team representing PEI at the conference made a number of important connections with potential business partners. "While it is premature to make any formal announcements, we are pleased to report that our business leaders, supported by government officials, made very positive impressions with a number of business leaders. The province's role at SoftWorld '98 was to provide support to the information technology companies who were in attendance, as well as all other information technology companies in our province. I believe our presence at the conference has made a difference."
The Premier emphasized that, "Our business leaders had positive meetings with various new companies that might have an interest in doing business in PEI. Equally important, the international presence at SoftWorld '98 gave us a unique opportunity to raise PEI's information technology profile with players from the United Kingdom, Europe, South America and the United States."
Over 900 registrants from 35 countries attended SoftWorld '98, exceeding the projected attendance of 750 delegates. Premier Pat Binns was the only Premier who attended the conference, aside from host Premier Brian Tobin. Prime Minister Chretien also attended and spoke at the event.
Technology and Environment Minister Mitch Murphy emphasizes that governments have critical roles to play in initiating new partnerships. "Even though the conference was driven by private sector players coming together, I was pleased that our Premier and our government officials made it a priority to meet with new potential business partners." Minister Murphy also noted that, "The presence of the PEI delegation at the conference gave our team an opportunity to become familiar with the trade show. This will assist the province, and our information technology industry, to work together to prepare a bid to host SoftWorld in 2002 in Prince Edward Island."
Minister Murphy also paid tribute to the members of the PEI team of IT professionals who attended SoftWorld '98. "The initiative displayed by 11 different Island organizations is to be commended. I would like to publicly thank the management of DeltaWare Systems Inc., NR Computronics Ltd., Baseline Business Geographics Inc., Marshall Media Group, Island Tel Advanced Solutions (ITAS), Future Learning Solutions, Island Software Solutions Inc. (ISSI), CGA Canada, Dunlop Digital Technologies, Watts Communication and the Information Technologies Association of Prince Edward Island (ITAP) for their attendance."