Attention Hockey Players: Geeks Needed!

GOI teams looking for players


Are you a Geek? Do you work in an IT related profession? Do you play hockey? The 2006 Geeks on Ice (GOI) Committee is compiling a list of IT professionals throughout Atlantic Canada that want to participate in the knowledge industry’s premiere sports event, but might not have enough people to form a team.

We have teams that are looking for players to complete their roster in their elusive chase for the Whitehill Cup and this is a perfect opportunity to meet colleagues and make new contacts. The dates for the 2006 tournament are Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23 at the Tim Horton’s 4-Ice Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick.

"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 is 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 sponsor 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. The goal this year is to raise enough money to outfit the charity with new computers and peripherals.

The popularity of the tournament has created a word-of-mouth reputation; the tournament has expanded for the third year in a row, to 16 team spaces available for 2006.

Players interested in submitting their name to teams should contact Michael Nied, Tournament Logistics Chair at mnied@whitehilltech.com, or call (506) 855-0005.

There are sponsorship opportunities available to interested companies. Please contact Dawn Mallyon, Sponsorship and Marketing Chair at dmallyon@gmail.com for further information.

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

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Geeks on Ice Update

The 2006 edition of Geeks on Ice, the Atlantic Canadian knowledge industry's premiere sporting event, promises to be the best ever! Our committee is hard at work in planning many activities that run concurrently to the hockey tournament. The ultimate goal is that all members of the knowledge industry will be able to participate in what promises to be a fun filled weekend of entertainment and lasting memories.

To give you an idea of some of our committee's accomplishements thus far:

• The website has received over 300 hits.
• GOI has been featured on local radio media.
• We have 18 teams on the growing list of interested teams for 2006, with many returning from last year. (Remember to send your $40.00 deposit to Michael Nied since there is only room for 16 teams)
• Tournament sponsor has been confirmed. Press release to follow shortly.
• There will be an official "puck drop" networking opportunity with a sports celebrity.
• Computers have been donated to GOI to be reformatted and distributed to Support for Single Parents.
• Sponsors have begun to sign up for the event.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and events for the 2006 edition of Geeks on Ice.

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 either in IT, insurance, banking, contact centers or businesses that specialize in the transfer of knowledge.

Geeks on Ice and C103's Breakfast Club

Mike Ouellette from team HRDC Moncton mentionned to the committee that C103 radio personality Lisa Marshall made mention of our great event. Below is an excerpt email thank you to Lisa and Ernie:

Ernie and Lisa;

A member from one of our participating teams was dropping off a deposit for
their registration in the tournament and mentioned he heard you discuss the
Tournament on one of your breakfast shows a week or two ago. I just wanted
to drop a note to say thanks for the plug!

As we get closer to the date of the tournament, we'd love to come in and
discuss the how and why we align ourselves with charities every year -- this year
as you know we have chosen Support for Single Parents with Nancy Hartling.
Our goal is to outfit them with all the'Geek Tech' they'll need for a 21st
century office. Laptops,printers, the works.

We would also like one or both of you to attend our kick off receptionon
Friday April 21st. We can confirm time and details at a later date if
you're interested.

Thanks again!
Dawn Mallyon
Marketing and Sponsorships Chair
Geeks on Ice 2006
www.geeksonice.com

dmallyon@gmail.com

You can find out more about C103 by visiting (http://c103mornings.newcapinteractive.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. Participating teams have included Xerox, Spielo, Whitehill Technologies, CGI, Assomption Vie, Sports Direct, Plexus, and the IT division of HRDC.

Statement from Enterprise Greater Moncton About GOI

"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, Business Development
Enterprise Greater Moncton
910 Main Street, Suite 101
Moncton, NB, E1C 1G6

(506) 867-0926 ext 106

stephanie.turner@greatermoncton.org

www.greatermoncton.org

Become an Official Geeks on Ice Sponsor

The 2006 Geeks on Ice Hockey Tournament planning is getting into high gear, with 15 out of 16 team slots already gone.
Now In our third year, GOI has grown from 8 to 16 teams, attracting over 300 participants from teams across the Maritimes.

Last year, our event managed to collect a total of $1650.00 and sponsored a Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life team.In 2006, the tournament will raise funds to purchase computers, peripherals and software for a Moncton-based non-profit organization, Support for Single Parents. Since 1982, they have had a mandate to improve the quality of life for single parents and their children.

This non-profit organization conducts various parenting, personal development and support workshops. Since most of their resources go towards services, they face a critical challenge to keep up with current technology trends that enable them to deliver these crucial services.

We are now opening up sponsorship packages. As they fill up on a first come, first served basis, we urge interested companies to sign up and return their contracts as soon as possible. Slots fill up very quickly.

Please contact Dawn Mallyon for more details at dmallyon@whitehilltech.com. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the tournament.

Regards,


2006 Geeks on Ice Tournament Committee
http://www.geeksonice.com/

Survey for Success by Enterprise Greater Moncton

(http://www.executivepulse.net/monctonworkplace)

The Enterprise Greater Moncton Survey for Success was prepared in partnership with the Department of Training and Employment Development, l’Universite de Moncton and the Regional Development Corporation. The purpose of the Survey is to identify the Human Resource challenges that business and industry are facing today and could face in the near future.

The information compiled from the survey data will be used by private and public sector educators to help develop training programs and customize curricula. It will also be used by the three municipalities and the provincial government to help recruit the people and skills that are needed in the community to ensure the continued success of Greater Moncton’s business enterprises.

Thanks to our sponsors for their support - the City of Moncton, the City of Dieppe, the Town of Riverview, Continental Airlines, the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce and Comquest Research.

And thanks to our respondents. By completing this survey you will earn a chance to win one of the following prizes.

• A trip for two to Mexico, the Caribbean or any of the 48 continental United States flown to by Continental Airlines (service from Moncton to New York begins in May 2006) plus $500 in spending money.

• One year free regular membership in the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce.

Rules and regulations When survey results have been compiled and analyzed, the sponsors will issue an executive report that will include recommendations for future labour force planning.Information collected in the survey that is specific to your business is treated as confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the survey management and analyst group.

Rising Stars Year End Event Pictures

Here are some pictures from the Rising Stars event in December in which GOI 2006 registration was announced.

The 2005 Rising Stars mingle before the presentations begin.



More stars networking...




Steve Palmer, Rising Stars Founder and Whitehill COO, welcomes Enterprise Greater Moncton CEO John Thompson to Rising Stars.



Dr. Nancy Mathis, Mathis Instruments, is welcomed to Rising Stars by Mentorship Committee Chair and Rising Stars Alumni Nancy McGrath.



Trevor Macausland, Rising Stars Mentorship Committee Member, thanks Moncton Crescent MLA John Betts for introducing the 2005 winners to the NB Legislature.



Trevor Macausland, GOI Founder, opens registration for GOI 2006.



EGM CEO John Thompson conducts a brainstoming session with the Rising Stars on the retention of IT Talent, which generated over 100 ideas.

Speakers shine for N.B.'s IT Rising Stars

Rising Stars has been a a major sponsor and contributor of Geeks on Ice over the years. It's a great mentorship program that has contributed to the career development of NB's best and brightest. Look for more news from GOI and Rising Stars in the future and I would encourage everyone to visit their website and become involved in this wonderfull program. www.risingstars.ca

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


NB Telegraph-Journal | Technology
As published on page C4 on December 10, 2005

TECHNOLOGY
Speakers shine for N.B.'s IT Rising Stars
Subhead
By Kevin Barrett
Telegraph Journal

FREDERICTON - Jason MacLean arrived in Fredericton ready to roll.

Funny thing, he's been rolling for some time now, whether it was as the director of marketing for Poley Mountain, a senior marketing consultant with Innovatia or in his current role as an e-marketing manager with Aliant.

And it all revolves around information technology through the growth and potential of the Internet.

"The web is what floats my boat," said the 29-year-old Mr. MacLean, one of approximately 15 top knowledge industry talents who travelled to Fredericton Friday for the province's Rising Stars year-end event.

Earlier this year, Mr. MacLean, who was born in Bathurst, grew up in Sussex and now lives in Saint John, was selected one of the province's Rising Stars because his work with Innovatia.

As a result, he's been involved in regular on-line forums regarding issues in the industry, invited to events in Saint John and Fredericton to hear from voices of experience and recognized as a leader in a key sector of the economy.

For example, Friday the guest speakers were Dr. Nancy Mathis, CEO of the Fredericton-based Mathis Instruments, who spoke on innovation, and John Thompson, CEO of Enterprise Moncton, who discussed the retention of IT talent in New Brunswick.

In May, the rising stars travelled to Saint John where they heard from executives with T4G and CenterBeam.

"That is essential because I want to know how those companies developed, how they have succeeded and how I can apply that to my company," said Mr. MacLean.

The Rising Stars program is nearing the end of its third year, mentoring 37 of the brightest talent in the knowledge industry in that period.

It started in 2003, as an initiative developed by the Greater Moncton Knowledge Industry Network to recognize top talent in the industry, provide them with opportunities to learn from experts, such as Ms. Mathis and Mr. Thompson and to network with one another.

"They are narrow and very deep," said program chair Steve Palmer of the specific expertise each of the stars possesses.

"They are all very talented but they don't necessarily know what a colleague is doing in Moncton, Fredericton or Saint John," he said. "It is intended to allow IT people to get recognition, broaden their business knowledge and to learn from each other. I would view it as very successful."

Mr. MacLean has a number of great stories to share from his development of cusatomer relationship management application - salesforce.com - with Innovatia to his earlier work at Poley Mountain, when he gained true appreciation of the power of the Internet.

There, he helped intensify the marketing presence of the mountain on the web and the results were significant, with over 400-per-cent growth in web visits and, more importantly, a rise corresponding rise in visits and profits at the hill.

"It was amazing," he said. "We started to see the level of engagement and it was incredible."

The 15 Rising Stars were selected from a initial list of 30 finalists.

The other winners are Edgar Babineau of Fredericton (CGI Inc.); Dale Betts of Moncton (Propertygoys.com); Pam Chapman of Moncton (Atlantic Lottery Corporation); Amit Chattoraj of Moncton (OAO Technology Solutions); Betty DeMerchant of Moncton (OAO Technology Solutions); Denis Desrosiers of Paquetville (CIPA Inc); Greg Doyle of Saint John (CGI Inc.); Steve Fournier of Caraquet (federation des Caisses populaires acadiennes); Gino Legacy of Moncton (Pepsi Bottling Group); Christopher Mackay of Sackville (Tantramar Interactive Inc.); Gerlad Paulin of Shippagan (Caisse populaire de Shippagan); Mark Steeves of Moncton (DOVICO Software); Rob Stote of Moncton (Whitehill Technologies Inc.) and Kim Thompson of Moncton (OAO Technologies).



The GMKIN is a group of private sector companies working in the Knowledge Industry in the Greater Moncton region that have come together (with the help of Enterprise Greater Moncton) in an organized fashion to help promote the sector. GMKIN's mission is to ensure the continued health of the knowledge sector, to promote the human capital and other knowledge assets of the region and to foster innovation in the community.

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For further information please contact;

Stephen Palmer
Chair, Rising Star Program
506-855-0005
spalmer@whitehilltech.com

Nancy McGrath
Mentorship Chair, Rising Star Program
506-443-0838
nancy.mcgrath@cgi.com

Pictures from the event will follow...