Press Release: 22 September 2005

Leading ICT industry analyst to launch ict forum wales

Dr Simon Moores of Zentelligence Ltd has confirmed that he will lead the launch of ict forum wales on the 14th November 2005.

With over twenty years of experience of business decision-making and Information Communications Technology strategy development, Simon Moores advises government, business and the media on the evolution, development and application of Internet-related technologies and their impact on social change. A bit of a daredevil in his spare time he can be found flying, shooting, and scuba diving.

Just what light can he throw on the future of ICT for small businesses?

Whatever his vision of the future of ICT is, attendees of the South Wales launch event, a business luncheon at the New Stadium Swansea, supported by Bay in Business and the West Wales Chamber of Commerce, can be assured of inspired, intriguing and sometimes controversial comment.

Comments Dr Moores, "This exciting initiative will enable businesses within South Wales to start to get to grips with the future of ICT. New and emerging technologies have the ability to change the way the way businesses work and people live. Anyone who ignores the future does so at his or her peril. "

Beti Williams, Director ITWales and founder of ict forum wales, comments, "This is a real coup for ITWales, Dr Moores experience will provide a great launch platform for ict forum wales, he will, I am sure challenge our delegates thinking and motivate them to consider the impact of ICT and their businesses."

ict forum wales, which runs from 14 - 25 November 2005, was devised by the team at ITWales with partners from both public and private sectors and is described as a festival of events for business, community and education celebrating innovation in Information Communication Technology.

Beti goes on to say "ict forum wales will raise awareness of the importance of ICT, future technologies and the benefits it can bring to Welsh life. With the work that ITWales has done to date we know that technology has the ability to significantly improve efficiency, productivity, competitiveness and the quality of peoples lives."

The unique 2 week pan Wales event will focus on future technology and how it will shape our lives.

Presentations and workshops aimed at SMEs will cover topics from connectivity to e-commerce, sales and marketing over the web, e-security and the latest mobile technology.

Specialist events for logistics and manufacturing organisations add to the varied programme.

The community and education sectors will be treated to events such as Teen Works 2005, a conference which concentrates on the young and internet security and the ever popular Technocamps for schools is back, designed to encourage young people to consider the challenge of a career in the computing sciences.

The ict forum wales programme of events will draw to a close with a business challenge day at Margam Park organised by Neath Port Talbot College, and ITWales. This unique team development event offers participants the opportunity to meet the challenges of 21st Century business management using the latest technologies.

Established in 2000 as ICT Forum, ict forum wales is one of many events for business and the community organised by ITWales, an innovative ICT initiative based in the Department of Computer of Science at the University of Wales, Swansea, and part funded by the European Social Fund. For further information, please visit www.ictforumwales.com, and www.itwales.com.

For further information and interviews please contact Sali Earls or Jacqui Malpass, ict forum wales press office, tel: 01792 513382, or email: info@itwales.com.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

About the speakers and supporters for the Launch lunch in Swansea 14th November

About Dr Simon Moores
Simon Moores is Vice Chairman of policy development for the Conservative Technology Forum and Managing Director of Zentelligence (Research) Ltd.

Author of March of the Spiders, a 2005 report examining the digital challenge to the publishing industry and co-author of the Conservative Party's Digital Plan for Britain, he is a director of the open market think tank Aediles, and advises governments, law-enforcement, business and the media on the evolution, development and application of Internet-related technologies and their impact on governance, security and social change. He was a member of the Cabinet Office team that developed UK Online.

An Advisor and Technology Ambassador for the Prime Minister's "Office of the eEnvoy" in 2001 - 2002, Dr Moores is presently a member of the "Information Communication Technology Policy Group", advising members of the European Parliament .

Moores has been a one-time runner-up for Computer Weekly's IT Personality of the Year.

Contact details: info@zentelligence.com / +44 (0)1843 836439.

Supporters

About The Bay in Business
The Bay in Business initiative is brought to you by Swansea Bay Partnership, and aims to inform local businesses about key activities taking place across Swansea Bay. The Bay in Business highlights some of the bay's most informative and prestigious business events including conferences, seminars, workshops, award ceremonies and lunches.

Contact details:sarah.toomey@swansea.gov.uk / +44 (0)1792 545066.

About WWCC
The West Wales Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profit making, business organisation funded through membership subscriptions. Established in 1846 as the Swansea Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, the Chamber is the leading business network in South West Wales covering the local authority areas of Swansea, Neath/Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire.

Contact details info@wwcc.co.uk / +44 (0)1792 653297.