How do I enter?

Each week NATI will designate a social media channel through which entries for the contest will be collected. Follow the entry methods as outlined every Wednesday in the weeks leading up to Solutions Summit, where the winner of the iPad 3 will be drawn.

 When?

The winner will be drawn on March 14^th, 2012 at the NATI Solutions Summit. If the iPad 3 has not been released by Apple at that time, the winner will receive their iPad3 as soon as it is available for purchase.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO ENTER THIS WEEK USING FACEBOOK

Learn about emerging technologies, the power of social engagement, trends in start-ups, and the future of technology. It's all about...

Visit www.solutionssummit.ca for more information on sponsorship, exhibit space, speakers, and registration!

The only requirements are that your organization has a website and has not used Google AdWords in the last 6 months. 

If selected to participate there is no cost to you, and you receive US $250 worth of Google Advertising for FREE!

Non-profit organizations have the chance to win up to US $15,000 if their student teams make it to the global top three. 

For more information on how the partnership works, what you need to do, and what happens after the campaign, click here for full details. 

Contact:

Lyle Wetsch

Associate Professor of Marketing

Faculty of Business, Memorial University Newfoundland

LWetsch@mun.ca

On behalf of the 2011-2012 Board of Directors I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for your families and colleagues in the New Year.  The year ahead promises to be one of significant opportunity and success for our Industry.  It is a privilege to serve as your Chair of NATI and I am looking forward to investing effective and enthusiastic time, energy and effort with the board and the staff on your behalf.

The knowledge-based economy we represent is a breeding ground for the innovation and invention that will drive positive economic and social development for Newfoundland & Labrador.  The skills of our young technologists, new entrepreneurs and industry veterans will ensure that there are healthy, thriving communities built to last long after the benefits of non renewable resources have been utilised.  This opportunity for economic diversification will need effective vision, leadership and stewardship to be fully realised and that is precisely what NATI is striving to achieve.

NATI has made great strides in developing concise policy objectives and strong sector representation through its advocacy and program delivery.  Changing economic conditions within Newfoundland & Labrador and globally mean that NATI must continue to be proactive in assessing its priorities.  Our plan for 2012-2013 reflects this need.

As we work toward the Solutions Summit in March and the Annual General Meeting in May, NATI will be advocating to all levels of Government to ensure the needs of our industry are front and centre.  Specifically, we will be working to develop attraction and retention of required labour, guide public technology infrastructure investments, and promote the effective use of Information and Communications Technology to enable equal participation and service delivery for citizens.  Programs to support business development and export needs of our members are in place and will continue to be focussed on their specific sectors and refined based on results.

I am grateful to the membership of NATI and our partners for all of their passion and expertise that goes into their work on a daily basis.  I take great pride in being one of many who contribute to an Industry that will play a key role in ensuring Newfoundland & Labrador is a healthy, thriving and truly unique place to live and work.

Kindest Regards,

Gerard Duggan

Chair, Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI)

MTS has been proposed the concept of hosting a career fair for students who will be graduating this year.  The career fair would be held in March 2012.  The vision is of several local marine companies being represented, likely using information booths and company representatives mingling with students. There will be a keynote speaker and refreshments. The companies would be charged a small fee to offset the expense of the refreshments and other expenses, if any.

Today, MTS is asking if companies are interested in participating.  If there is sufficient interest, then plans for the event will proceed.

If your organization is searching for new talent and are interested in participating in such an event, could you please indicate your interest to Bill O'Keefe past chair, MTS-NL @ wok@surmount.ca by January 6^th, 2012. 

 "These partnerships are crucial to extending the reach of broadband in our province", says NATI Chair Paul Dubé.  "We all understand the importance of having access to high speed internet, but it comes with a price that sometimes just doesn't fit the business model for service providers.  Leveraging the additional resources and investments from the private and public sector is a step in the right direction", says Dubé.

 NATI will continue to advocate on behalf of its membership that a cohesive government broadband strategy be established and acted upon not only for current needs, but to ensure a required level of scalability as broadband requirements and expectations continue to increase.

Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Invest to Increase Broadband Services in Labrador

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, and the Honourable Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queens Privy Council, along with officials from Bell Aliant announced a $24 million investment in Happy Valley-Goose Bay that will increase broadband services in Labrador.

This project includes an $11.3 million investment from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, of which $8.3 million is from Nalcor Energy, as well as $3 million from the Government of Canada, and a $9.7 million investment by Bell Aliant.

"Tremendous industrial and economic activity in Labrador has precipitated the need to improve telecommunications infrastructure in the region," said Minister Hutchings. "Today's announcement addresses that requirement and will lead to greater levels of broadband access in Labrador. Socially and economically this addition to the region's infrastructure will invite long-term benefits as more Labradorians will be able to access the same level of modern communications as those in more urban areas."

"This project will provide increased broadband services to the region and change the way business is conducted throughout the region," said Minister Penashue on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. "It will improve the ability of companies in the region to establish, expand and operate more efficiently."

SmartLabrador, in conjunction with Bell Aliant and Nalcor Energy will construct a new pole line with an attached 48-fibre communications cable between Labrador West and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The project will enhance high-speed Internet to Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Churchill Falls, and enhance existing service to Labrador City and Wabush and will become the backbone of Labrador's long-term broadband infrastructure.

"Bell Aliant is pleased to be a partner in a project that will improve broadband services in Labrador," said Geoff Davis, Regional Sales Vice President, Newfoundland and Labrador Bell Aliant. "This dedicated fibre network is an example of an innovative partnership that will help ensure the residents of central and western Labrador have access to world-class internet services."

"This is one of the many benefits that Labrador will see from the Lower Churchill Project," said Gilbert Bennett, Nalcor's Vice-President, Lower Churchill Project. "Nalcor is investing in this project to ensure that critical infrastructure required to build and operate the Muskrat Falls development is in place in Labrador."

"This improved broadband infrastructure is excellent news for residents, institutions and communities throughout this region," said Sheila Downer, Executive Director, SmartLabrador. "It will be a major enhancement for doing business in Labrador, and will create new and exciting opportunities for innovative and improved services."

SmartLabrador Network Inc. is a not for profit incorporated organization that is managed by a Board of Directors representing Labrador's five regional economic development corporations.

This project will ensure that broadband services are provided to two of Labrador's largest populated regions. The connection of Labrador West to Happy Valley-Goose Bay will serve 63 per cent of Labrador's population or 19,000 people and more than 1,000 businesses, government agencies and community organizations. Improving broadband access to these areas is the first phase in SmartLabrador's long-term vision for a broadband network that will include further development in Southern and Northern Labrador and connecting Labrador with the island portion of the province.

The Government of Canada's investment of $3 million in this project was provided through ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's investment of $3 million was provided through the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development's Rural Broadband Initiative.

On behalf of your Board of Directors I wanted to take a moment to wish you and yours a safe and healthy holiday season, and best wishes for a prosperous 2012.  Take a moment and reflect on your successes from the past year and more importantly learn from the challenges and hurdles.  It will make you and our advanced technology sector stronger.

As I indicated to many of you at the NATI Holiday Social, I will be stepping down as Chair effective January 1, 2012.  I discussed this with the Board and Ron Taylor this past summer when I started working with Merit Contractors. We agreed that a measured transition plan would be least disruptive to NATI, and we are at the final stage of its execution.

I've been engaged with NATI in some form or another since 1992.  I'm proud to have been part of restructuring NATI into a lean and focused industry association, through sponsoring ISO certification for members, collaborating with the Province in setting an innovation agenda, strengthening relationships with stakeholders like ACOA, recently restructuring the Board and its governance model, and the rebranding of NATI.  It is true what they say… the good things in life come mostly from the experience that you get from participating, and putting your effort in.  NATI has been very good to me and for that I am appreciative.

So this is my goodbye, but I'm positive about NATI's future as Gerard Duggan assumes the role of Chair upon my departure.  Thank you for your support and commitment as Vice Chair this past year.  I know Suzanne Kenny, Geoff Davis, Cliff Roberts, Gary Lovell, Chris Spurvey and Weston Raske will continue to be invaluable contributors as Directors.  I also extend my gratitude to Ron and the entire team at NATI for their dedication and proactive approach to delivering value to our membership.  Keep up the great work.

The advanced technology sector in Newfoundland and Labrador is experiencing impressive growth and there is more to come if we continue to pull together and support our own. We need to continue to push the envelope and challenge ourselves to be more innovative and be part of the global economy. 

If I could leave you with one thought it is this:  Give what you can of your time to NATI, as it will always give you back more.

Yours in technology, 

Paul Dubé

Chair (for a few more sleeps…)

Atlantic Canadian economic and political matters

St. John's - November 16, 2011 -Carolyn O'Keefe, President of MQO Research recently launched Atlantic Matters, the most up-to-date information source on the economy, politics and other matters in Atlantic Canada. The information is delivered through a monthly survey and report of what individuals are thinking about, and doing, throughout the region, with monthly features on hot topics for each of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

The subscription-based information is collected through a dedicated research panel (iView Atlantic), analyzed and placed online with interactive visual elements to enhance the reporting experience and engagement for subscribers. A dedicated website tracks changes in information monthly, segments results by province, and alerts subscribers of new information.

O'Keefe said the report provides critical information for today's business, government, and community leaders. "Atlantic Mattersoffers subscribers vital insights into the thinking of Atlantic Canadians by providing monthly real-time reports on the pulse of Atlantic Canada on economic, political and other important topics. What's even more unique about the product is its exclusivity. The data is privileged information that is not shared beyond the subscriber list."

Elizabeth Brouse, MQO Research's Director of Product Marketing, said the new, leading research product redefines how subscribers from around the country access information on Atlantic Canadian thinking. "Ultimately,Atlantic Mattersenables leaders and decision makers to adjust or reaffirm their thinking on important issues from public policy to corporate planning and community engagement."

MQO Research has much to be encouraged by. Brouse goes on to say, "We're thrilled with the interest we've received in the early stages sinceAtlantic Matterslaunched in September. Subscribers have offered tremendous feedback and we believe that our product fills a niche that existed in the market with regards to regional research."

MQO Research is a leading Atlantic Canadian research firm and a trusted source for accurate and insightful information in the region. From research design and data collection to analysis and reporting, MQO Research provides valuable insights to decision-makers all over Atlantic Canada. Its researchers are the best of their class, having followed the habits and thinking of Atlantic Canadians for decades. Through Atlantic Matters they have consolidated this thinking to ensure Atlantic Canadians' views are reported frequently: their voices matter at home and away.

Media contact:

Nancy O'Connor

nancy@m5pr.ca

709-738-5116

Backgrounder - iView Panel

iView Atlantic is a proprietary research panel developed by MQO Research and is exclusive to Atlantic Canada. iView Atlantic is theonlypanel of its kind that has been developed by Atlantic Canadians and is fully administered from within region. This panel consists of over 12,000 Atlantic Canadians who have agreed to provide their opinions on Atlantic, provincial and local topics that matter to them. All panelists are recruited randomly via telephone, and given the opportunity to select their preferred method of survey completion (phone or online). AsiView Atlanticis a probability based panel, a margin of error can therefore be quoted on research results.

 The panel is actively managed by a dedicated Panel Management Team allowing provision of representative samples of the general population across Atlantic Canada and an ability to reach niche sub-groups of the population based on the range of profiling variables compiled on each panelist during the recruitment phase. MQO Research employs rigorous quality control procedures to ensure the integrity of its panel, and the information it generates.

Paul Dubé, Chair of the NATI Board of Directors, introduced NATI CEO Ron Taylor who took to the podium to talk about the new logo and website which recently went live. Ron explained the meaning behind the NATI logo and outlined exciting new features of the website before thanking all those involved in production of the two.

Special thanks went out to ACOA, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Foreign and International Trade, all industry partners, the NATI Board of Directors, all NATI members, zedIT Solutions, Vivid Communications, and the staff at Basho Lounge.

NATI can add its brand launch party to a long list of successful 'Mood to Mingle' events. These events are well known for drawing a great crowd and bringing together representatives from the advanced technology sector for enjoyable gatherings of food, drink, and networking. It was no surprise that the guest list for the brand launch party reached capacity so be sure to RSVP quickly the next time a NATI event invitation is sent your way!

The Basho Lounge was filled to capacity as NATI members and partners gathered to celebrate the launch of the NATI new logo and website.