Defining Geek..

What is a geek? My definition of geek is anyone who works in a field of expertise which results in a transfer of knowledge. Thousands of Atlantic Canadians work in a number of careers that deal with the exchange of knowledge. Call center, IT, engineering, sciences, legal, insurance, banking and consulting careers all qualify as "geek" professions because they are linked to the knowledge economy.

In the 1990's, local leaders envisioned that the road to prosperity for Atlantic Canada was thru a knowledge based economy. The knowledge economy would leverage our region’s human capital and transform us into a "have" region. While much work does remain, we have had success. To celebrate our accomplishments, I felt that the region needed an event where knowledge industry professionals or "Geeks" could gather and meet. My ultimate goal was to promote and create a healthy elitism attitude about our knowledge economy. Geeks on Ice and Geeks Golf serve that purpose.

People often ask me how a hockey and golf tournament will accomplish my goal. It’s actually quite simple. These events engage the public, whom is otherwise unaware of the thousands of jobs that exist in Atlantic Canada. The public often views the knowledge economy as simply IT related jobs within IT companies and associates the knowledge economy with the dot-com crash of 2000. Geeks on Ice and Geeks Golf showcase the many firms from our region that not only survived the crash but also prospered long after it. GTECH (formerly Spielo) and Whitehill Technologies are a few examples of New Brunswick firms that have recorded record growth while others like knowledge industry pioneers Service New Brunswick have become a model for e-government initiatives worldwide.

While our event does include many information technology organizations like OAOT, Sports Direct Inc and Plexus, many in the public do not consider the large number of knowledge positions that are key roles within organizations like HRDC, Assomption Vie, Medavie Blue Cross, Property Guys, Beausejour Health and the Moncton Hospital. These roles not only consist of typical It roles like programmers and technicians, but also include sales, marketing, finance and administrative staff. All of which are vital to any healthy organization.

Yes, Geeks on Ice and Geeks Golf is serving a very necessary networking function for knowledge industry warriors from our region. They are also promoting awareness of the career opportunities within the knowledge industry to young adults who want to pursue a career and remain in Atlantic Canada. It also draws attention from knowledge industry professionals looking to come back to Atlantic Canada. Remeber, our knowledge industry needs more graduates and returning professionals to lead the region's knowledge based economy towards the next wave.

As such, I call on the thousands of call center, IT, insurance, banking, science, engineering, and consulting firms and professionals from all over Atlantic Canada to join us from April 20, 2006 through April 23, 2006 at Geeks on ice and Geeks Golf. Come celebrate our accomplishments and vision the future potential of our knowledge economy. My name is Trevor and I am a Geek!

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice/Geeks Golf Organizer
W: 506-855-0005
H: 506-852-8096
Email: tmacausland@gmail.com
http://www.GeeksonIce.com

The goal of Geeks on Ice is to serve as a networking catalyst and promotion for knowledge industry firms and professionals from all over the region. The unique focus of GOI is the fact that each team must consist of players who work in an IT related profession either in IT, insurance, banking, contact centers or businesses that specialize in the transfer of knowledge.

Final Day for "Geeks on Ice" Registration

Today marks the final day to submit your team registration fee for the annual Geeks on Ice hockey tournament. If you have mailed or plan to deliver your final payment, please contact Michel Nied to arrange delivery.

If you require any additional information please contact Michael Nied at mnied@whitehilltech.com. Registration will be handled on a first come first serve basis.

Payment must be made to Geeks on Ice:

c/o Trevor Macausland
260 MacNaughton Ave.
Moncton, NB E1H 2J8
Fax: 506-855-0088


Cheers,

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice/Geeks Golf Organizer
W: 506-855-0005
H: 506-852-8096
Email: tmacausland@gmail.com
www.GeeksonIce.com

5 Days Left Until Registration Deadline!

If you've been thinking of registering a team for the third annual "Geeks on Ice" hockey tounament, you only have 5 days left. This unique event will feature teams comprised of professionals from IT, Call center, Banking, Insurance and Consulting firms from all over Atlantic Canada. Teams that have registered include: Whitehill Technologies, SNB, Plexus, Sports Direct Inc, Assomption Vie, Canada Post, Xerox, Gtech, Property Guys, HRDC and Dovico.

Registration cost $800 per team which guarantees 3 games from April 21st, 2006 to April 23, 2006 at the Moncton 4Plex. The top teams from each division will advance to the "Day of Champions" to compete for the Whitehill Cup.

The committee has many activities planned for the event such as the Rising Stars official puck drop networking party, the Geeks Golf tournament at the new Dundee Sportsdome facility and the always popular Saturday night "Geekfest!" featuring music by DJ Scotty J.

Raffle prizes will be drawn and proceeds of the event will go towards the purchase of new computers and peripherals for Support to Single Parents (www.supporttosingleparents.ca). A non-profit organization established in 1982 with a mandate to improve the quality of life for single parents and their children.

To register or reserve your team spot, please contact Michael Nied at mnied@whitehilltech.com.

2006 supporters include Rising Stars, Whitehill Technologies, Plexus, Enterprise Greater Moncton, RBC Financial Services, and BMG Consultants. There are tournament supporter opportunities available to interested companies. Please contact Dawn Mallyon, Marketing Chair at dmallyon@gmail.com for further information.

Don't miss out on the best knowledge industry event in Canada!

Breaking News from Geeks on Ice...Stay Tuned

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= One Great Event!


Keep Checking www.geeksonice.com for details...

More Endorsements

"Go Geeks! I would like to encourage you all to register a team if you haven't already done so."

Amber Richards - Chairperson of the Greater Moncton CyberSocial Organizing Committee

www.cybersocial.ca

Geeks on Ice Update

The greatest knowledge industry sports event in Canada is only 60 days away! It seems like just yesterday we were crowning Assomption Vie as the 2005 Geeks on Ice Whitehill Cup Champions. I am encouraged by the positive support that the local knowledge industry community has given Geeks on Ice and we are confident that this year will be our best event yet with 16 teams and over 300 participants. As of today, the committee has accomplished:

• 12 of 16 teams that registered for the tournament. Deadline is February 28th, 2006.
• Whitehill Technologies
• Gtech
• Dovico
• Plexus
• Property Guys
• HRDC
• Beausejour Health
• Moncton Hospital
• Canada Post
• Xerox (2 teams)
• Sports Direct Inc
• Signed 3 official sponsors.
• Whitehill Technologies
• Rising Stars
• Plexus Connectivity
• 2 bronze supporters
• BMG Consulting
• RBC
• Have been featured in the Moncton Times and Transcript sports section.
• Mentioned on C103's Breakfast Club with Ernie and Lisa.
• Created a "free agent" draft list that contains over 10 individuals.
• Began planning the 2006 "Geekfest" party.
• Began contacting organizations for donations of new computers and peripherals.
• Secured a major prize for the "Geek" raffle with proceeds going to Support for Single Parents, Inc.
• Began securing a local sports celebrity for the Rising Stars Official Nomination Kick Off Puck Drop ceremony and event.
• Exploring the possibility of other sporting events that weekend that appeals to hockey and non-hockey knowledge industry professionals, stay tuned.

As you can see, the committee has been very busy and we will have "major" announcements to make in the coming weeks. We would like your help by speaking to friends, family and colleagues of Geeks on Ice. Please forward out this info to any firm that might be willing to register a team or become a supporter. Keep an eye on the local media check the website for regular updates!

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice Organizer
W: 506-855-0005
H: 506-852-8096
Email: macaustr@nb.sympatico.ca
www.GeeksonIce.com

Geeks hockey tourney planned

Times & Transcript | Sports - Other
As published on page B3 on February 18, 2006

The third annual Geeks on Ice hockey tournament will be held April 21-23 at the Tim Hortons 4-Ice Centre.

Organizers are currently looking for teams and players. Registration deadline is Feb. 28.

Cost to enter a team is $800.

Teams interested in registering or players wanting to be free agents should contact Michael Nied at mnied@whitehilltech.com or download the registration form from www.geeksonice.com.

There are also tournament supporter opportunities available to interested companies.

Contact Dawn Mallyon at dmallyon@gmail.com for further information.

The goal of the tournament is to promote networking activities between knowledge industry professionals from across Atlantic Canada.

For 2006, the tournament committee has chosen to use the event to sponsor Support to Single Parents, a non-profit organization established in 1982 with a mandate to improve the quality of life for single parents and their children.

The goal this year is to outfit the charity with new computers and peripherals.

Link:  http://www.canadaeast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060218/TTSPORTS12/602180457/-1/TTSPORTS

Geeks on Ice Needs your Help

The 2006 Geeks on Ice committee needs your help! There is an opening for a team to participate in the Geeks on Ice tournament and we want to know if any of you know organizations or individuals that might be interested. Teams are composed of players that work in IT, Insurance, Banking, Call center or Consulting industries.

Team registration is $800 and the deadline for reservation is February 28th, 2006. Teams can be a company or a cluster of individuals from the previously mentioned sectors. Please click the registration link containing information for organizations or individuals that are interested in participating. If you have any questions or contacts you would like to provide, please contact me.

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice Organizer
W: 506-855-0005
H: 506-852-8096
Email: macaustr@nb.sympatico.ca
www.GeeksonIce.com

Calling All Geeks, Freaks and Wonks!

Third Annual Geeks on Ice Event Looking for Teams and Supporters

Moncton, New Brunswick -- To warm up for the Memorial Cup, why not play for the Whitehill Cup? The 2006 Geeks on Ice (GOI) Committee is finalizing team registrations and laying out the schedule, so if you haven’t got your deposit in, get on it this week!

Tournament organizers are also compiling names of individuals who want to play but do not have a team. The tournament logistics committee will hold a “Free Agent” draft for teams that need extra players from the compiled list.

Teams interested in registering or players wanting to be free agents should contact Michael Nied, Tournament Logistics Chair at mnied@whitehilltech.com, or download the registration form from http://www.geeksonice.com/.

2006 sponsors include Rising Stars, Whitehill Technologies, Plexus, RBC Financial Services, and BMG Consultants. There are tournament supporter opportunities available to interested companies. Please contact Dawn Mallyon, Marketing Chair at dmallyon@gmail.com for further information.

The goal of the tournament is to promote networking activities between knowledge industry professionals from across Atlantic Canada. Tournament organizers expect to grow the tournament to 16 teams for 2006. Expanding the tournament will result in over 300 players and their families participating in the April event.

"The success of 'Geeks on Ice' has been amazing" says Stephanie Turner, Manager of Business Development for Enterprise Greater Moncton. "The growth of the event is a testament to the value that it brings to the technology sector. Individuals working in this field clearly want the opportunity to network with their peers in a fun and casual environment...and it's just this type of environment that stimulates creative out-of-the-box thinking. There's no telling what knowledge transfer, new partnerships, joint ventures etc...might transpire at this year's tournament."

For 2006, the tournament committee has chosen to use the event to sponsor Support to Single Parents (http://www.supporttosingleparents.ca/), a non-profit organization established in 1982 with a mandate to improve the quality of life for single parents and their children. The goal this year is to outfit the charity with new computers and peripherals.

Please bookmark http://www.geeksonice.com/ to watch for further developments and announcements.

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Geeks on Ice Feedback

If you have been thinking about registering a team in this year's Geeks on Ice tournament, here's some feedback from past participants:

"That was the best organized tournament I've been to.."

- Mario Allain

"The success of 'Geeks On Ice' has been amazing! The growth of the event is a testament to the value that it brings to the technology sector. Individuals working in this field clearly want the opportunity to network with their peers in a fun and casual environment...and it's just this type of environment that stimulates creative out-of-the-box thinking. There's no telling what knowledge transfer, new partnerships, joint ventures etc...might transpire at this year's tournament."

- Stephanie Turner, Manager of Business Development for Enterprise Greater Moncton.

Geeks on Ice was a blast. It was fun.

- William Langley

The Geeks on Ice Tournament is a great complement to other networking activities such as Rising Stars and Cybersocials. My view is that the Knowledge Industry in Atlantic Canada will get stronger as we get to know each other better. Congratulations are extended to Trevor MacAusland and the organizing committee.
Good luck to all participants. Finally and with obvious bias: Go Whitehill Go!

- Steve Palmer , COO Whitehill and Chairperson Greater Moncton Knowledge Industry Network

If you have anything to add, please submit your comments below or email me at tmacausland@gmail.com.

Have a great weekend!

Trevor Macausland

GOI Founder

Geeks on Ice History

We'll people it's been quite the week for Geeks on Ice! The committee has been hard at work getting teams signed up, getting names for the free agent draft, contacting local media and reaching out to community leaders. The greatest knowledge industry sports event in the country is going to be a definite blast in 2006! GOI is also making quite the splash in the local circles. we are now feature on the local in the know blog community (http://moncton.localintheknow.com/). Everywhere I go, people are asking me about "Geeks" and commenting on the positive impact, it is leaving in the community. Geeks work hard and play harder...

As founder of Geeks on Ice, I have seen the tournament double in size from 8 to 16 teams in just three short years. I would have never imagined the type of support we have received since 2003. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments thus far. It also validates that Atlantic Canada does have a strong base of skilled and talented knowledge industry professionals, both on and off the ice.For historic purposes, my initial vision for Geeks on Ice was to promote networking between industry professionals. The idea arose on a frigid January 2003 evening at the weekly Whitehill pick up game. William Langley from NRC sat next to me. Will and I were chatting away as I mentioned the lack of local events where likeminded individuals could meet and talk IT. I recall saying: "Wouldn't it be cool if someone organized a local IT hockey tournament?". The following day, I received a couple phone calls and emails from people wanting to know about an IT hockey tournament I was trying organize. Upon reflection, I concluded: "Why not?”

The rest is history.

Once work began on the tournament, I quickly discovered it could be so much more. I discovered that we could channel the positive energies from the event to benefit local charity. For the first couple of years we raised funds to sponsor a Relay for Life team, a great cause. This year, after hearing from Nancy Hartling of Support for Single Parents, we decided to raise money to purchase computer peripherals that will enable them to deliver their services to thousands of individuals in the Moncton area.

Throughout the years, the event has also served as a positive image to the public. The bursting of the dot com bubble in 2000 has really battered the IT industry’s image. Geeks on Ice serves as a reminder that we are alive and kicking! For the record, we still use terms like "cool", "awesome" and "sweet" to describe what we do everyday and drink ridiculous amounts of Java (The drink not the language). Well, at least I do.

As such, I would like to extend a warm heartfelt invitation to the non-"Geek" community, especially students who are looking for a career option, to come out to the event. It takes place at the Moncton 4Plex on the weekend of April 21, 2006 to April 23, 2006. Come and experience one of the most fun filled weekends and eye opening events of your lifetime. To the over 300 knowledge industry professionals who are participating in the tournament, I look forward to seeing you. As a great poet once said, "Keep your stick on the ice!”

Cheers,

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice Organizer
W: 506-855-0005
H: 506-852-8096
Email: macaustr@nb.sympatico.ca
www.GeeksonIce.com

The goal of Geeks on Ice is to serve as a networking catalyst and promotion for knowledge industry firms and professionals from all over the region. The unique focus of GOI is the fact that each team must consist of players who work in an IT related profession in IT organizations, insurance, banking, contact centers or businesses that specialize in the transfer of knowledge.

Don't have enough players?....GOI 2006 FREE AGENT DRAFT

Based on the interest we received from IT hockey players who don't have a team, and teams that are a couple players short of registering, the GOI 2006 Organizing Committee will hold a FREE AGENT DRAFT.

DRAFT RULES:

• Individual draftees will be responsible to provide their share of the registration fee based on their host team's numbers.
• First draft picks will go to those teams that need players to complete their roster in order to register.
• Draft picks are final once their team registration is paid.
• Draft teams are still encouraged to maintain the minimum 60:40 employee non-employee ratio if possible

If you are interested in participating in the GOI 2006 FREE AGENT DRAFT send me an email with the number you need. Or if you just can't get enough players together for a team but you all want to be drafted, send me an email.

For those of you, who have not already done so, remember to forward your registration to me by February 28^th, or sooner, if possible.

Rosters need to be entered into our database early so that we can develop the schedule, and generate statistics which will be posted on GeeksonIce.com.

For those of you who haven't sent me a deposit to secure your position, we are still receiving interest in the tournament and I would hate it if you miss the opportunity.

BE PART OF THE BEST GEEKS ON ICE TOURNAMENT EVER AND HELP "SUPPORT TO SINGLE PARENTS"

DON'T MISS OUT BY WAITING 'TIL THE LAST MINUTE!

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Michael Nied

GOI 2006 Logistics Chair

www.geeksonice.com