Registration Deadline is Today

Deadline is tonight to register your team in the annual Geeks on Ice hockey tournament.

To register your team and secure your spot today, please follow our instructions:

• Contact Michael Nied, Logistics Chair, by email at geeksonice@gmail.com expressing your intent to register.
• Provide Geeks on Ice with a $100.00 deposit or your entire $800.00 registration fee to reserve your spot.

**Note: Only teams that have provided a deposit or full registration will have a secured spot in the 16 team hockey tournament.

Draft Jim from Rim Deadline Today

Geeks have yet to hear from Jim Balsillie

Moncton, NB-- The deadline imposed by Geeks on Ice organizers for Jim Balsillie to respond to their invitation will expire tonight. The “Draft Jim from Rim” campaign has attracted the attention of the public as well as the local, national and international media outlets who want to know one thing… Will Mr. Balsillie accept the invitation?

The campaign kicked-off in late January with letters from local business and community leaders being sent to the business icon requesting he attend the annual hockey tournament benefiting local non-profit agencies. The group of leaders who participated included Whitehill CEO Paul McSpurren, Aliant CIO Ivan Toner, FatKat Animation President Gene Fowler, Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne, Moncton City Councillor Doug Robertson and local MP Brian Murphy. Each letter is posted on www.GeeksonIce.com for the public to read.

Organizers have yet to hear from the Research in Motion co-CEO as of noon on deadline day. Many have speculated that Mr. Balsillie has no interest in playing alongside Atlantic Canada’s elite group of amateur hockey players and technology professionals. Know as a self described “hockey nut” and competitive golfer, Mr. Balsillie is best know for his attempt to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins in late 2006.

“Our committee determined that the combination of our tournament coinciding with Research in Motion’s one year anniversary in their Halifax office with the know fact that Mr. Balsillie is a hockey fan made him the perfect candidate for our goal to attract an industry icon”, says Trevor Macausland, Geeks on Ice Founder. “We are slightly disappointed that we have yet to hear from Mr. Balsillie, however; we are hoping to hear good news today”.

Should Jim Balsillie decide to pass on the opportunity to participate in this year’s event; the tournament committee has already set their sights on attracting another major technology icon for 2008 as part of their 5-year anniversary. Through media report in Europe the Geeks on Ice team has discovered that Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy is also a hockey enthusiast. The group has already contact Mr. McNealy about the tournament and he responded immediately. While Mr. McNealy has a conflict for 2007, he is interested in playing in Geeks on Ice 2008 as long as he does not have a scheduling conflict.

Registration Deadline Reminder

This is a reminder to all teams or organizations looking to register a team in the annual Geeks on Ice hockey tournament. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 28, 2007.

FAQ:

Q) What is Geeks on Ice?

A) Geeks on Ice is an annual technology hockey tournament with a goal to promote networking among technology professionals, promote wellness and serve as a fundraising mechanism to help local non-profit agencies upgrade their computers and software.

Q) How many years has the tournament been played?

A) Four years.

Q) What is the skill level? Is this tournament competitive?

A) Geeks on Ice is recreational hockey tournament focusing on the networking through sport. The committee measures each team based on their roster skill level and places each team in the appropriate division based on the skills assessment. The tournament has a zero tolerance policy on fighting and strictly enforces non-contact rules. Organizers place emphasis on the family atmosphere of the tournament and its main focus is on sportsmanship, which is what makes the tournament a unique event.

Q) Does my team qualify for registration?

A) The tournament focuses on organizations that use technology for manufacturing or delivery of their services. Traditionally this includes call centers, R&D, insurance, banking, consulting, bioscience, gaming, animation, and software and hardware organizations.

Q) How much is registration?

A) Registration is $800.00 per team. Event organizers are asking for a minimum $100.00 deposit by February 28th.

Q) What does the registration fee cover?

A) 3 games, Geekfest admission, player liability insurance, sponsor specials, Rising Stars player gift prize bag and official 2007 Whitehill Technologies Geeks on Ice puck.

Q) To whom do I make the payment to?

A) Geeks on Ice

Q) Whom do I contact for registration?

A) Michael Nied, Logistics Chair (geeksonice@gmail.com)

Q) How many teams can play in your tournament?

A) Maximum 16 teams

Q) Can I register more then one team?

A) Yes

Q) Do I need to give you my full roster by the registration deadline?

A) No, but tournament organizers would like to have your roster as soon as possible after the deadline date.

Q) What are the dates of the tournament?

A) The event kicks off on Thursday, April 19, 2007 and runs until Sunday, April 22, 2007.

Q) If my team is from out of town, will I have to play on Thursday night?

A) Arrangements can be made with the logistics sub-committee, however; we do not guarantee your game times until after registration has passed.

Q) If I do not have a team and want to play, what can I do?

A) Geeks on Ice offer a free agent option. Send a request to geeksonice@gmail.com to express your interest in becoming a free agent.

Q) Who is your non-profit partner?

A) United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB Region

For more information please contact us at geeksonice@gmail.com

Geeks did not snub SUN for RIM

Seems like our "little" hockey tournament has attracted the attention of some individuals in England. I checked my network traffic this morning and notice a huge increase in traffic. I wondered why the spike? Then the answer...

It seems like Ashlee Vance of The Register, a UK online newspaper, has decided that our "Draft Jim from RIM" campaign is just a thinly veiled attempt to get a job with Research in Motion. The article can be found here: Article

Ashlee also insists that we snubbed Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy whom is also a hockey player and fan. Our decision to launch the "Draft Jim from RIM" campaign was never intended to be a snub to Mr. McNealy. Our campaign is based on Mr. Balsillie's widely known reputation for being a hockey enthusiast and coincide with the 1 year anniversary of RIM's Halifax, Nova Scotia office opening.

In order to rectify any perceived wrong on our part between Geeks on Ice and Sun Microsystems, I immediately contacted technology industry titan Scott McNealy to extend him a personal invitation to Geeks on Ice. I explained to him that had we known that he was such a huge hockey enthusiast, we would have contacted him earlier. Mr. McNealy replied within hours that due to a scheduling conflict, he cannot make the 2007 edition of our event. He did indicate that he was interested in participating in 2008, which would mark our 5 year anniversary.

Had Ashlee conducted research our event, he might have realized that Geeks on Ice is not about the individual. Geeks is about our technology community working together to build a better society through technology investments in non-profit agencies.

In closing, I owe Ashlee from The Register a big Atlantic Canadian thank you! Because of your post, Geeks on Ice has now attracted an international audience and a new team for 2008.

Sincerely yours,

Trevor Macausland
Geeks on Ice Founder

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Geeks on Ice committee, participants and sponsors.

Industry News: KIRA Call for Nominations

New Brunswick companies and individuals within the Knowledge Industry are invited to nominate individuals or organizations for KIRA 2007. KIRA is a province-wide event with awards in seven categories. We encourage companies to self nominate or have someone else nominate for you or your company.

Nominations close on
Friday, March 30, 2007.

Please visit www.kiraawards.com for more detailed information.

KIRA is an annual celebration recognizing the successes and innovations of individuals and companies within New Brunswick's Knowledge Industry. At the 2007 KIRA Gala, the outstanding achievements of companies and individuals within the knowledge industry across the province will be honoured.

Geek Community Needs Signatures

In January, the Moncton Technology Planning Group and the City of Moncton released the results of an extensive study on accelerating Moncton’s technology-based growth and entrepreneurship (PDF). Several challenges were identified in the study. Some challenges identified were recruitment and retention, the launch of start-ups, post-secondary education, career expansion, limited national and international visibility and a lack of common vision, branding and strategic plan.

Our committee was encouraged by the leadership displayed by Councillor Doug Robertson and the Moncton Technology Planning Group on the issues facing our local technology cluster. Our team immediately explored ways to the group address the challenges of visibility and branding of our beloved region.

In response to the report, Geeks on Ice launched the “Draft Jim from RIM” letter writing campaign in January to coincide with the launch of our 2007 hockey tournament and fundraising campaign. The objective of the “Draft Jim from Rim” campaign is to convince Research in Motion (Blackberry) co-CEO Jim Balsillie to participate in our April event. His acceptance would enable our region to showcase our technology industry to one of the most powerful individuals in the IT world as well as attract national and international interests.

We have enlisted the services of several key business and community leaders in this campaign and it is now time to ask the public for their assistance. Having our entire community rally behind the campaign would convince Mr. Balsillie that the Greater Moncton region and New Brunswick is serious about creating a sustainable technology cluster in our region. Even if you have not formal ties to the technology industry, we are asking you to sign our online petition requesting Jim Balsillie’s presence at the April Geeks on Ice event. Our goal is to get a minimum of 500 signatures.

Signing the petition takes only a couple of seconds and could be the final key to get Jim to come to Moncton. The petition can be found on our website www.GeeksonIce.com under the Draft Jim from RIM section.

Let’s show the world that Moncton and New Brunswick is technology driven and geek powered!

Trevor Macausland
Co-chair and Founder
Geeks on Ice
Moncton, NB

Draft Jim from RIM **Update**

Many readers have inquired on the progress of our GOI "Draft Jim and RIM" letter writting campaign since we announced we announced it in January.

The campaign has no doubt captured the attention of the local media and the public who want to know if Jim has accepted our invitation. Over a dozen letters have been sent to Mr. Balsillie by local business and political leaders in an attempt to convince the technology icon to register a team in the April event. Some of our letters can be found on this website under the Draft Jim and RIM section to the right of this entry. More will be uploaded soon.

To date we have not heard from Mr. Balsillie regarding his interests in the event. Our committee did expect a slow response, since there are many factor for him to consider before replying to our February 28th deadline. When we launched the campaign, we knew that Mr. Balsillie, recognized by Time magazine as a Builder and Titan of the global business world in 2005, has an extensive schedule that may conflict with our event. Regardless, we are confident that his silence thus far is due to his interest in our event and that he might be trying to work his schedule around the Geeks on Ice dates.

We will keep reaching out to Jim Balsillie with letters, by telephone and email to press him for an answer. Rumour has it that our "little" campaign has even peaked the interest of the Business NB Minister...

In an effort to step up our campaign, we would like to invite the public to sign our online petition to ask Jim Balsillie to attend our April event.

You can sign the petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/draftjim/

Keep checking the website for updates...

GOI 2007 - Registration Deadline Reminder

Reminder, the deadline for registering your team, or as a Free Agent, is Wednesday, February 28!
To register download a registration form to email or print.

Any questions, please contact us via email.

Thanks,

2007 Geeks On Ice Organizing Committee

Property Guys Ready to Defend

Gair Maxwell interviews Property Guys CEO Ken Leblanc about his thoughts on the 2007 edition of his Geeks on Ice team and their chances of repeating. Send us your team's YouTube videos if you want to issue a challenge or make other teams take notice!

GREATER MONCTON UNITED WAY GETS GEEKY FOR 2007 EVENT

MONCTON, NB, JANUARY 19, 2007: Geeks on Ice and the United Way of Greater Moncton have announced a formal partnership for 2007. The group of local technology professionals and organizations will work with the non-profit community agency to meet the increasing demand for updated computers, hardware equipment and software products, in charitable non-profit community organizations in the region. In 2006, Geeks on Ice delivered on their promise to Moncton based Support for Single Parents, Inc. The group acquired $4000.00 worth of technology through in-kind donations and approximately $2000.00 in funds, to help the organization with their everyday operations.

"The United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB Region is extremely proud to be partnering with the 2007 Geeks on Ice. It is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds, and valuable computer resources that many of our community agencies simply do not have
the ability to acquire", explains Debbie McInnis, Executive Director of the United Way. "We strongly support the Geeks on Ice mission. Sharing expertise across sectors greatly benefits our region and is instrumental in building healthy vibrant communities".

This year’s event will feature 16 teams from across Atlantic Canada playing a total of twenty-seven hours of hockey accompanied by Geekfest, an annual networking event. One of the three objectives for event organizers is to serve as a fundraising mechanism for non-profit organizations. Several Greater Moncton United Way affiliated agencies have already submitted their request for new desktop and laptop computers, printers, wireless routers, LCD projectors and software.

“We’ve identify a tremendous technology deficit among our local non-profit sector. Using their expertise our participants, sponsors and committee members can help overcome those hurdles.”, says Trevor Macausland, founder of Geeks on Ice. “For most agencies it is a struggle to find balance between the delivery of key services with out-dated technology. Our objective is to make technology an accelerator, not a barrier to building a better community”.

The United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern NB and Geeks on Ice are asking the business community and the public for donations, in the form of monetary contributions, or in-kind technology donations, to meet requirements set by local agencies. Team registration for the hockey tournament is also open to any technology related organization wishing to enter a team. Registration deadline is February 28th.

Any inquiries concerning sponsorship, donations, registration or media relations can be sent to geeksonice@gmail.com. For more information on the event, please visit www.GeeksonIce.com or http://www.gmsenbunitedway.ca/.
-End-


(Version Française)

Geeks want to skate with Balsillie

DAVID SHIPLEY
Telegraph-Journal
Published Monday February 5th, 2007
Appeared on page B1


A high-tech hockey tournament in New Brunswick is hoping to draft a top player.

But organizers aren't looking for an NHL-quality ringer.

Instead, they're interested in someone who's more famous for building his communications company into a household name than he is for hockey skills. The Geeks on Ice have set their sights on Jim Balsillie, chief executive officer of Research in Motion and an avid hockey enthusiast. ....

For the rest of the article click here
Download PDF version
or pick up a copy of the Telegraph Journal

Draft Jim and RIM Campaign

Geeks looking to bring RIM CEO Jim Balsillie to Moncton for April hockey tournament

Moncton, NB – The 2007 Geeks on Ice committee launched a letter writing campaign today called “Draft Jim and RIM”. The goal of the campaign is to gain the attention of RIM Co-CEO and self proclaimed “Hockey Nut” Jim Balsillie. Event organizers plan on sending letters from various local leaders extending an invitation to Mr. Balsillie and his RIM team, the Wireless Warriors, to compete in the annual Moncton based hockey tournament which focuses on Atlantic Canadian IT organizations.

Letters from individuals and groups like MP Brian Murphy, Whitehill CEO Paul McSpurren, propelSJ, Moncton Technology Partners and Fatkat Animation President Gene Fowler are being sent to RIM headquarters in Waterloo, Ont.

“Our goal here is to leverage Mr. Balsillie’s passion for the game of hockey and technology by extending a personal invitation.” said Trevor Macausland, founder of Geeks on Ice. “This is our way of welcoming Research in Motion to the neighbourhood while also profiling our Atlantic Canada’s cluster of IT firms to an international technology industry icon.”.

Organizers have reserved a spot for Mr. Balsillie in the 16 team tournament should he decide to accept the community invitation by the February 28th deadline. The tournament is taking place at the Moncton 4Plex from April 19th to April 22nd and proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Greater Moncton United Way.

Updates on the “Draft Jim and RIM” campaign and tournament will be posted to www.GeeksonIce.com. The Geeks committee has also stated that they may ask the public for help in convincing Jim Balsillie to attend.

For inquiries about the “Draft Jim and Rim” campaign, tournament details or media inquiries send your request to geeksonice@gmail.com.

-END-

***Update: Here's proof that Mr. Balsillie is a self proclaimed "Hockey Nut".***

Version française se suivre

GEEKS HIT THE ICE FOR CHARITY

MONCTON, NB, JANUARY 19, 2007:
Geeks from across the Maritimes are sharpening their skates and hauling out their gear for the fourth annual Geeks on Ice hockey tournament.

"We had a great time at Geeks on Ice 2006!," Ken LeBlanc, from the winning team, PropertyGuys.com, said. "I have played in a number of hockey tournaments over the years and this is, by far, one of the best organized events I have had the pleasure of participating in. It was professional, competitive, entertaining, but most of all fun. I tip my hat to the organizers for a job well done, and can't wait to get on the ice again next year."

Each year, Geeks on Ice raises funds for a local charity. Last year's efforts went towards Support to Single Parents. Nancy Hartling, the executive director of Support to Single Parents said the fundraiser was their greatest ever.

"The support from Geeks on Ice has surpassed our wildest dreams," Hartling said. "They were able to help us by obtaining donated computer equipment, and the money raised from the raffle and silent auction were icing on the cake."

Trevor MacAusland, the founder of Geeks on Ice, said he is encouraged by the positive support and feedback the tournament committee received from the public.

"Not only do local professionals get an opportunity to network with their peers while improving their health and wellness; participants also have the satisfaction of knowing they are building a better community through the charitable campaign," MacAusland said. "My prediction is that 2007 will be our biggest year yet!"

The Geeks on Ice tournament will have 16 teams play at the Moncton 4Plex from April 19 to 22. Registration is open from now, until February 28, for anyone in the IT industry who is interested in participating. The registration fee is $800 per team, with $100 deposit. IT workers can sign up as a team, or individually as free agents. To register, or for more information about Geeks on Ice 2007, please visit www.geeksonice.com or write to geeksonice@gmail.com.

Soupfest!

This is for a great cause and the staff at Support for Single Parents is so great that I wanted to pass along this great idea for a fundraiser. If you like soup, come on out!

-Trevor

Hi Folks,

Support to Single Parents Inc. is having its 2nd Annual Soup Fest on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at the Moncton Market Festival Place, 110 Westmorland Street.
>
Participating restaurants include: Le Château à Pape, Graffiti, Creek Seafood, Little Louis' Oyster Bar, Mooser's Pub, Don Cherry's, Cora's Breakfast and Lunch, Homestead, St. Jame's Gate, T-Bones, Auberge Wild Rose Inn, Bogart's Bar & Grill, Barnyard BBQ, Eastside Mario's, Taj Mahal, Maverick's, Boomerang's, Vito's, Jungle Jim's, L'Auberge Restaurant, Fisherman's Paradise, Pumphouse, Pastilli, and La Rouge.
>
> This year we are going to have 2 sittings 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m
> 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
>
> Advance Tickets are $6.00 Tickets @ the door $10.00

For those of you who attended last year - we hope to see you back this year and for those who missed out last year we hope you can join us in sampling some of Moncton's finest soups.

Tickets are available at Reid's in Moncton and Riverview, Timothy's on Main Street and from our agency 858-1303.

Thank you

Bridgette Donovan
Office Manager
Support to Single Parents Inc.
154 Queen Street, Moncton, NB E1C 1K8

2007 marks the 25th Anniversary of Support to Single Parents Inc.

Road Hockey Rumble Premier Tonight!

Tonight is the long awaited premier of Road Hockey Rumble. It airs at 9:30pm on OLN. For more details visit the website: http://www.roadhockeyrumble.com/

Good luck to the RHR crew! Moncton episode airs in March.

GOI Registration Fee Announced

Geeks on Ice committee co-chairs Randy Delorey and Trevor Macausland are pleased to announce that the cost to register a team for the 2007 Geeks on Ice hockey tournament will remain the same as the previous year despite increases to the operating budget.

This year's fee will be $800.00 per team which covers 3 games, officials, liability insurance and prizes. Details on how to register as well as the official dates will be announced shortly. Stay tuned!

Public Information Session Notes

The 2007 Geeks on Ice committee held a public information kick off meeting on December 19th, 2006.

Download Presentation

Here is a summary of the key points that were discussed at the kick off session:

1. Our number one objective is to organize a successful and fun hockey tournament, which fulfills our mission

a. To promote health and wellness (among IT professionals & the community)
b. To promote networking (of IT professionals)
c. To raise money for a local-non profit organization (to support an IT related project / need, such as new hardware / software)

2. While fulfilling our mission another objective should be reached, which is to promote the IT Industry in Atlantic Canada

3. Notes about the Committee Architecture

Appeals Official - A new role for 2007, to act as a neutral ombudsman for major complaints that come up during the tournament, and also to implement any disciplinary sanctions that may be required. Note: Per official tournament rules the on ice officials calls are final, however the Appeals Official will be in a position to take additional actions, if deemed appropriate.

Registration - A suggestion was made that we should identify a specific role for managing registration, on the day of the tournament. We will discuss further at our first committee meeting in the New Year.

4. Additional Volunteer Opportunities

Geeks on Ice 2007 will require additional support at various times leading up to and during the tournament. Such roles include:

Marketing Assistants - People to assist with obtaining and coordinating sponsorship and promotions.

Geek Ambassadors - People to represent the committee at the tournament and the Geekfest social; Go-To people, to answer questions and resolve issues as first point of contact for participants and observers.

Time Keepers - People to manage the clock during the hockey games.

Stats Officials - People to track, update, and post game statistics during the tournament.

First Aid - Have previously used Saint John Ambulance services, and would be interested in pursuing this relationship again in 2007. May also consider Red Cross or other First Aid providers.

Webmaster - A person to take responsibility for keeping the GeeksOnIce.com website updated with tournament and IT related content.

5. Committee Meeting - We plan to schedule our first committee meeting in early January, once the Co-Chairs and Treasurer have met to discuss budget.

If you have any questions about how the comittee is progressing, please contact:

Randy Delorey
Geeks On Ice 2007 Co-Chair
randy.delorey@gmail.com

Reminder: Public Information Session

Geeks on Ice to Hold Public Information Session

Co-Committee Chairs Announced

Moncton – Several key vacancies on the Geeks on Ice committee have now been filled, and the event team is looking forward to its 4th anniversary. The committee will host a public information session for those who are interested in working as volunteers at, or would like to learn more about, the April event.

The public information session will take place on Tuesday, December 19th beginning at 5:00 PM. The location of the session will be:

Whitehill Technologies (Large Boardroom)
260 McNaughton Ave.
Moncton, NB
(In Caledonia Industrial Park)

The committee is asking anyone who wants to attend personally or by conference call to confirm their attendance by sending an email to tmacausland@gmail.com or phone 852-8096.

Geeks on Ice is an annual 16 team ice hockey tournament held in Moncton. Each team is a representative of a company that is either IT driven and/or Geek powered. Teams that have participated in the past include: Property Guys, Whitehill Technologies, Brovada, Evolving Solutions, Sports Direct, Xerox, Gtech, OAOT, and Assomption Vie.

The event has three goals. To promote health and wellness within the provincial ICT sector, promote networking among peers, and raise money for non-profit organizations to purchase or upgrade their computer equipment and peripherals. Since 2003, the event has raised approximately $10,000 for local non-profit organizations and charities.

The popularity of Geeks on Ice has created a buzz at the local and national levels. The tournament has doubled in size since 2003 and will be featured nationally on the Outdoor Life Network’s Road Hockey Rumble.

In related news, Geeks on Ice founder Trevor Macausland has announced that Michael Nied will return as Tournament Logistics Chair, Denis Gaudet will serve as Geekfest Chair while Randy Delorey has accepted the role of Tournament Co-Chair.

“I am excited about the mix of experience and new ideas from the team we have thus far. Our team will focus on making Geeks on Ice a must attend event which will contribute to the continued growth of this phenomenal event.” said Macausland.

Please visit our website at www.GeeksonIce.com for updates or more information. If you are interested in attending the public session, please contact Trevor Macausland at tmacausland@gmail.com or call (506) 852-8096.

ROAD HOCKEY RUMBLE - TRAILER!!!

Watch out for the Geeks on OLN starting in January...

Reflection of Moncton's Technology Strategy

The City of Moncton and the Moncton Technology Planning Group released their study today on "ACCELERATING" Moncton's technology-based economy and entrepreneurship. With the help of Austin's IC2 institute, the study highlights weaknesses and opportunities for our local economy.

Kudos to the City of Moncton, especially Councillor Doug Robertson and the local business leaders involved, for the leadership displayed on this file. I would encourage readers of this blog to read the report (Click Here) as it highlights the many opportunities that await Moncton.

I also want to add that Geeks on Ice made the report!!! P.28

Cheers,

Trevor Macausland