ITAC
January 19, 2015Number:  6 
Industry News

REPORTS

Ontario Committed to Digital Government: Matthews   
The Ontario government is committed to modernizing government services using technology, but its approach will be cautious, and it will only move forward based on evidence-based outcomes, says Ontario's Deputy Premier.
Deborah Matthews, who also heads the Treasury Board, told 200 ITAC members attending the association's Ontario annual meeting....Read More 
Engineering Their Way to the Top 

Four senior female engineers who gathered at the Ericsson R&D in Kanata outside of Ottawa recently shared employment tips and tricks with 90 women hardwiring their careers in technology.  The event was co-sponsored by the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and Women in Communications and Technology (WCT). Look for their story in the March issue of
Last Chance to Meet Ciena's CEO Gary Smith
When Gary Smith was growing up in the UK, he was drawn to team sports. It wasn't until much later --after selling fax machines door-to-door, working for a start-up, and later developing new markets in the Asia Pacific -- that he realized teamwork was the aspect of sport and business that enchanted him. When he took over as CEO of Ciena in 2001 as the telecom bubble burst, he says it was teamwork and tenacity that initially helped steel the company against shrinking revenues, but also prepared it for subsequent acquisitions -- including Nortel assets -- which doubled the size of the company. Come listen Feb. 18 in Toronto as the telecommunications leader shares his thoughts about ICT opportunities for the immediate future during the Board of Governors Dinner.
Events Worth Attending
ITAC hosts and supports a wide range of industry events each month. Here are a few of the educational and networking opportunities that you might want to consider attending.


Quick Links


ITAC Industry Insider
Help Us Chart the Future
ITAC is seeking the input of our members on the work we do to build a stronger, more prosperous and more influential information and communications technology industry in Canada. Like many of the member companies in associations, we use a number of tools to gain insight into how our members feel about our work. It has been four years since our last survey was carried out. The information we collect in the survey will help guide the development of existing projects and form the foundations for new key initiatives to better serve our membership.
Your views are very important to us. Please take a few minutes to provide us with your thoughts on the quality and value of our work and the challenges and opportunities you see on the horizon. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will ensure a stronger, more relevant association.
As an additional incentive to complete this survey, we are rewarding four prizes of $50 gift cards from either Tim Hortons or Starbucks.
Thank you for assisting us in this survey

Karna Gupta
President and CEO
ITAC
Big Data Analytics - Big Opportunity: Feb. 12
Big Data Analytics and Cognitive Computing are far-reaching technology disruptions that will transform the landscape of Canadian industry. New sense-and-respond business models will up-end how products and services are delivered and customer experiences conceived. Join us to take a closer look at the Canadian realities. What does the roadmap for Big Data look like? What are the most important vertical opportunities? Case studies and panel discussions will help us understand use cases, ROI, pitfalls and opportunities for vendors, partners and end-users. 
On the Talent Hunt? Check out ITAC's New Partner
The Information Technology Associate of Canada (ITAC) has entered into a new partnership that should make it easier for Canadian ICT companies to find the talent they need to grow their businesses.
ITAC has joined with Magnet to expand the career platform's supply/demand pipeline, giving job seekers access to significantly more jobs, and small- to medium-sized businesses an easier, more accurate, and more cost-effective way to tap into the supply of qualified candidates.
Magnet's membership currently includes the Ontario Chambers of Commerce whose members represent over 60,000 employers, over 20 universities and colleges, and a growing list of employment-focused organization across Ontario dedicated to generating jobs and other opportunities.

India Trade Mission Sets New Benchmark   

ITAC/Ontario trade delegation at Government House
ITAC has been conducting international trade missions for two years now but the recent ITAC/Ontario Government mission to India established a new benchmark for effectiveness. 
This is a testament to the strength of ITAC's strategic focus on two key markets (India and the UAE-Dubai) and its evolving network of key contacts in these markets.
This mission was conducted in close partnership with MEDTIE and was designed, in consultation with Raj Narula, to provide Canadian ICT companies in the early stages of their exploring the Indian market exposure to some of the principal players in the Indian ICT ecosystem. 

Export Advice is as Close as the ITAC Office

Pratima Roa
Are you an SME interested in finding our more about exporting opportunities?
Let ITAC set up an appointment for you with Trade Commissioner Pratima Roa, the Ontario lead for the ICT sector.
As part of a new initiative, Roa is embedded in ITAC's Mississauga office and prepared to offer free consultations to members that are export-ready.

She can offer advice on market potential and assist on dealing with the bureaucratic roadblocks that occasionally arise in global trade.
To arrange an appointment email Communication Director Steve Proctor or get in touch with Roa directly by email or by phone at 647-227-3517.


Show off at Select USA Summit

ITAC members interested in showcasing their goods and services to a global audience should consider the second SelectUSA Investment Summit on March 23-24, 2015, in the Washington, DC area. The event brings together investors from all over the world, as well as economic development organizations from every corner of the United States, high-level government officials, and others working to facilitate investment in the United States. It is also an opportunity to gain access to incentives programs, grants and loans. The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a U.S. Ambassador-led delegation of Canadian companies and hosting a reception for them on the night of the 22nd of March, which will provide a unique networking opportunity with the U.S. officials.

 
Do you have a a story you would like to see featured in the ITAC Insider? Or a blog you like posted to our website? Send me an  email and we'll work together to share it with the ICT community.
Steve
Communications Director
ITAC