For the first time, ICT Fest will be held in October as opposed to its traditional September date. This is mainly due to the passage of Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona.
Preparations are well under way for the sixth staging of the festival and Chairman of the event Clement Samuel said more than half of 50 exhibitors who were approached have confirmed their involvement.
Under the theme ICT Reloaded, the agenda will highlight some of the not so well known companies that use technology to conduct their everyday business.
“Before, we would concentrate on telecommunications and ICT companies, but this year, the approach that we have done is more pervasive than that, so let us try and use some of the companies (that) we don’t usually think use (ICT technology) and let’s get them involved,” Samuel said yesterday.
Targeted exhibitors include doctors practicing different fields of medicine and photo studios.
However, although sponsorship for this year’s event has been slow in coming, as compared to previous years, the chairman said he is optimistic that the 2010 ICT Fest will be the best showing.
“Everybody realises that the economic times are real rough and people are more reluctant to sponsor but I have had some talks within the past few weeks with two or three of our major sponsors and I’ve been promised that they will be supportive. The two major telecommunications companies have said that they will be coming on board,” Samuel added.
Samuel noted that the sessions would be interactive for visitors to Multipurpose Cultural Centre where the Fest is set to the take place.
He promised that with a youth-oriented focus the usual larger turn out of those aged 14 to 19 would not be disappointed with this year’s showing.
Negotiations are ongoing to have the festival held over its customary two-day period, instead the scheduled October 7 date.
Initially, the event was planned for September 15.
