They dressed like cowboys, played video games and passed out candy.
No, it wasn’t a Halloween party. It was a showcase of the state’s information technology community.
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Rhode Island’s first Information Technology Conference was held Oct. 21-22 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The event was designed to promote the high tech industry in the state as well as to let companies network. The mission was accomplished.
“There seems to be a critical need to offer the state’s high tech industry a showcase designed to attract new business. That is what this is all about,” said David D. Croston of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, sponsor of the event.
There were 140 exhibits by regional and national companies, ranging from Big Dog Technology to Microsoft, demonstrating their products and services. The conference is one of 33 Information Technology Expositions & Conferences held throughout the nation by American Show Management, Inc. of Portland, Oregon.
Gadgets and candy
The convention’s goal is for local companies to stand out from the region, and at the convention the goal of each company was to stand out from the booth next to them. CBSI, Providence’s rapidly growing IT service provider, had employees dressed like cowboys and used cardboard cactus to complete a wild west theme to go with their slogan “Rhode Island’s Most Wanted.” Meanwhile, NECSAS Corp. of Tiverton, used flight simulation video games to catch the eye of the conventioneers. Others had various office gadgets, mugs and candy, lots of candy.
“We want to stand out. Rhode Island doesn’t always seem to be the Mecca of high technology. This gives the state exposure and is a great opportunity to spotlight ourselves,” said Jennifer Bulawka of Intergrated Technologies Inc. of East Providence. Instead of costumes and candy, her company had Greg Gagne, former Minnesota Twins shortstop and Somerset, Mass. native, on hand to sign autographs.
“This is a great way to promote our services and attract more business from Rhode Island and beyond,” added Bulawka.
In the same respect, companies manning booths caught a glimpse of what they are competing against or who they could be working with.
“I plan on going around to see what other services are out there and what competition is offering,” said Leo Mansi of Systemetrics Inc. of Cranston, which does custom programming and training.
On the lookout
Of course, the company was on the lookout for business owners or administrators in need of their services as well.
“Computers are doing more and more for a company, especially a company that has downsized. The need to keep up productivity is falling on the computer,” he said. “We want to teach people how to use it more effectively.”
While one goal of the event was to attract business from out of state — representing 40 percent of the companies at the event — the other was for Rhode Island companies to support each other.
“I would like to see more Rhode Island companies buying from other Rhode Island companies,” said Frank P. Caparco of ComUtopia of Warwick. “If we can provide the same equipment and services here in Rhode Island why should a company in this state buy from a company elsewhere. Keep the Rhode Island dollars in the state.”
Mike Horn of Network Service Group of Warwick was one of 3,000 people estimated to attend the conference.
“I’m here to see if there are any tools that could be useful for my trade,” said Horn. “There are a lot of hot new technologies out there that we might need.”
Horn hopes the event will continue into the future.
“This beats driving to Boston every time there is a conference. Keep it close to home,” he added.
