iWeek Conference Boosts Exhibition Space

20 June 2006

From literally a few square metres of exhibition space in previous years, iWeek, the Internet Service Providers’ Association of SA (ISPA) and UniForum SA’s flagship annual gathering, will have 450 square metres of floor space available to exhibitors this year.

Taking place from 4 – 7 September 2006, iWeek has emerged from a purely South African event to a truly international conference attracting the best and brightest from the world’s Internet community.

“It is especially fitting that the 10th anniversary of the formation of ISPA sees iWeek relocating to its new premier conference venue of the Castle in Kyalami,” said Greg Massel, Co-chair of ISPA.

Mr Massel said the addition of a large exhibition element to this year’s iWeek would attract greater numbers of delegates and provide vendors with the opportunity to profile products and services specifically targeted at Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

“Because iWeek attracts a highly-focused audience of IT executives, techies, strategists and vendors; exhibitors will benefit from being able to explore ideas and potential opportunities with like-minded people who could turn out to be valuable contacts, valued customers or invaluable mentors,” explained Mr Massel.

Traffic through the exhibition area is sure to be substantial as iWeek delegates are attracted to attending the presentations of top class local and international Internet personalities including: David Jarvis (UniFi Knysna Project), Mark Todes (Director, Korbitec and ex Co-Chair of ISPA for a number of years), David Frankel (Co-Founder, Internet Solutions and first Co-Chair of ISPA), Ferdinand Tjombe (ISPA Namibia), Iyavar Chetty (Film & Publications Board SA), Mark Shuttleworth (HBD Capital), Esther Dyson (founding Chair of ICANN), Veni Markovski (ICANN Board and ISOC Board of Trustees) and Dr Tracey Cohen (ICASA) but to name just some in this excellent line-up.

As in previous years, iWeek is sure to promote robust, interesting and intelligent debate amongst delegates. The themes for the different sessions include such topical issues as: “The Internet in South Africa: The Last 10 Years & the Next 10 Years”, “The Wireless Internet Boom, VoIP & Spam”, “Regulatory Development: Who is Watching What?”, and finally “Interception, Data Retention and Content”.

In an effort to include as many attendees as possible, attendance at iWeek is free although delegates are required to register at www.ispa.org.za/iweek/2006/ prior to the conference.

iWeek will also play host to the members-only ISPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the last day.

The “Super Teacher of the Year” awards will also take place at iWeek. The awards recognise teachers that have participated in ISPA’s “Train the Teacher’s” project and successfully imparted their newly-acquired knowledge to their local communities.