AT THE METROPLEX Technology show targets businesses
Free seminars for experts and the general business professional are an addition to the showcase.
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
LIBERTY -- Technology and its myriad uses in business will be the focus for TECH2001, the Mahoning Valley's annual technology showcase set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex on Belmont Avenue.
Presented by the Technology Leadership Council and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature technology exhibits by 35 area businesses.
Exhibitors include cellular phone, computer and Internet companies and a sampling of others -- including Apostolakis Honda, Van Fossan & amp; Associates public relations and WKBN-TV -- not generally considered technology companies.
Each exhibitor has been asked to have a staff technology expert on hand to explain and demonstrate its use of technology.
What's new: This year's showcase will offer free, 45-minute seminars in a variety of computer, Internet and technology-related subjects.
Dave Wilkeson of Cboss Community Network said he designed the seminar schedule to appeal to both experts and general business professionals.
"If you don't know what a Citrix application is, you're not the right person to be there," he joked, referring to the title of one expert-level session.
The number of classes offered and the two levels of training are both new for the showcase, Wilkeson said. Past showcases offered only one or two seminars, often at a very advanced level, so the new format aims to interest and involve more people.
Janice Strasfeld, senior vice president of chamber services, said the Chamber hopes to add a new dimension with the training seminars.
"The business environment changes constantly," she said. "This is a way to help our Valley businesses stay on the cutting edge."
The chamber also hopes the seminars will help to attract students and school groups.
TECH2001 is sponsored by Sprint PCS and CBoss.
If you go: Admission to the showcase is free, but those attending are asked to register online at regionalchamber.com or to show a business card or student ID at the door.
The event will be followed by a Business After Hours mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Admission to the mixer is $15 for chamber members and $25 for nonmembers.