December 6, 1996
(Executive Council)

Province partners with Scotland to attract international IT conference

Newfoundland and Labrador has joined forces with the City of Aberdeen in Scotland to attract an international information technology conference to the province in 1998. Premier Brian Tobin was joined today by Councillor Margaret Farquhar, Lord Provost of Aberdeen City Council to sign a partnership agreement. The agreement means the parties will support a private sector bid led by the Newfoundland Association of Technical Industries (NATI) and the Scottish Software Federation to attract Softworld to St. John's in 1998. The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Province and the North East of Scotland in August.

Softworld is an annual international conference sponsored by the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), which brings together information technology executives from around the world. The conference focuses on strategic alliances in the areas of investment, marketing, distribution, research and development, and acquisitions and mergers, all related to the IT sector.

Premier Tobin said he was pleased with the cooperative effort by all parties which includes the public and private sectors from both regions. He said: "The success of the province's involvement at Softworld in Halifax, earlier this year, positioned us well for attracting Softworld. This partnership with our Scottish counterparts significantly improves our chances of hosting this premiere information technology event in St. John's in 1998."

He added that he is particularly pleased with the commitment from the City of St. John's to ensure that this event takes place in the capital city. If the bid is successful, the event will attract over 1,000 delegates from over 30 countries, and will create significant economic spinoff benefits. The budget for the conference is expected to be in excess of $750,000.

The partnership with the City of Aberdeen follows Newfoundland and Labrador's successful participation in Softworld '96, held in Halifax earlier this year. Sixteen organizations and 21 delegates from the province attended the event, which featured a Newfoundland and Labrador night of culture and technology and an address by Premier Tobin. The Premier delivered an address to the ITAC Board of Governors, which included 60 Presidents and CEO's of major Canadian IT companies.

Contact: Cathy Dornan, Director of Communications, 729-3564.