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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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S11 fails to dull WCIT enthusiasm By Jeanne-Vida Douglas, ZDNet Australia December 07, 2001 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/soa/S11-fails-to-dull-WCIT-enthusiasm/0,139023166,120262239,00.htm
Despite concerns regarding terrorism and gloomy economic results, organisers of next year's World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), to be held in Adelaide in February, say registrations are exceeding expectations. The WCIT, held every two years since 1978, is principally motivated by the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) and is designed to provide a forum for senior executives from across the world to meet and discuss issues surrounding business and IT. Held over three days, in the picturesque heart of Adelaide, WCIT organisers have lined up an array of high-profile speakers for the event including former US President Bill Clinton, Doug Elix from IBM Global Services, Nokia's Yrjö Neuvo, NASDAQ's Al Berkeley and N R Narayana Murthy from Infosys Technologies. According to WCIT 2002 chief executive officer, John Gygar, the event will also feature a series of panel sessions on the digital divide, future technologies and global IT initiatives. Congress organisers were initially expecting 1700 -1800 delegates to attend, however this figure was revised downwards following the September 11 attacks on New York. However, with registrations already passing the 600 mark this figure may again be revised in the lead up to the event. While past experience has shown most bookings will come from Australia, registrations have already been received from throughout the world including Ghana, Mexico, Taiwan and Japan, and the US is expected to be heavily represented. In the days leading up to WCIT 2002, the organising committee has also put together an IT business forum, to discuss Asia Pacific markets, global threats to it security, showcase Australian innovation and ear mark a series of high growth investment opportunities. Organisers are keen to ensure the forum is a national event, and has invited state governments from around the country to assist local innovators to participate. -The even represents a fantastic opportunity for the Australian IT sector and for South Australia," Gygar said. -If you go back to the Fairfax county experience, where the event was held in 1998. They had an industry development strategy backing up the congress which made sure it really kickstarted IT in that part of the world, and we are planning to do something similar."
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