Technology exhibition puts Wanganui on digital leading edge - 26/03/2012

TechEx is an initiative of the Wanganui Digital Leaders Forum, which is chaired by Wanganui Mayor Annette Main. The forum has representatives from ten sector areas including Wanganui District Council, education, sport, creative industries, community, rural, tangata whenua, health, business and the environment.

“The Wanganui Digital Leaders Forum has partnered with the Wanganui Chronicle to run a three-day technology expo,” says Mayor Main.

“The event will give people the opportunity to learn about the way in which ultrafast broadband and ever increasing digital developments will impact on their lives and how they can best take advantage of this.

“Wanganui is one of the first places in New Zealand to start building our ultrafast broadband network. The network will offer a whole set of new possibilities to businesses, education, the health sector, the rural sector, as well as people going about their everyday lives.

“We are keen to ensure that everyone in Wanganui can come along and find out what this could mean for them. We are only beginning to learn how this technology can change the way we do things. Just as the telephone changed our ways of communicating, UFB has the potential to completely change this yet again.”

TechEx is being sponsored by Ultrafast Fibre Ltd, the company responsible for building the fibre optic network to deliver ultrafast broadband to Wanganui.

Brett Morris, Marketing Manager, Ultrafast Fibre Ltd is delighted to be supporting this event.

“We have been working in Wanganui since August 2011 and have been really impressed with the support and help from Wanganui District Council.

“Wanganui’s Digital Leaders Forum is working hard to ensure that everyone, no matter what their circumstances and needs, will be aware of the roll out of ultrafast broadband and be able to benefit from it.

“TechEx is a great initiative and we are looking forward to being part of it. Our sponsorship of the event means there will be free entry to the expo, making it accessible to everyone.”

The Wanganui Chronicle is managing the event and promoting the expo to businesses and organisations who are interested in exhibiting, as well as coordinating a series of informative and fun seminars throughout the event.

Andy Jarden, Regional Manager APN, sees the expo as a way to help lead the Wanganui community into an exciting new communications and technology era.

“The Chronicle has proven expertise in running successful expos in Wanganui, with over 100 exhibitors and 10,000 people through our Home and lifestyle expo last year.

“We are confident that we will be able to organise and run an equally successful TechEx in July. Our main aim is to educate and raise awareness of the opportunities and competitive advantages ultrafast broadband offers all sectors of our community, with Wanganui being one of the first regions in the country to have UFB rolled out across the entire community.

TechEx is taking place in the War Memorial Hall from Friday, July 20, to Sunday, July 22.

For further information or to discuss taking part in TechEx email techex@wanganuichronicle.co.nz or visit www.techex.co.nz.