CIPS - Loyalist January 2009 LUNCHEON
Our topic this month for our Trends and Changes in ICT series is the propel Talent plans to address the global competition for talent that we need to involve ourselves in to maintain and grow the talent pool for our ambitious growth agenda in New Brunswick.

TOPIC: “Is Technology Entrepreneurship Important to New Brunswick?”
SPEAKER: Jeff Roach, Executive Director, propel ICT
LOCATION: The Union Club (125 Germain Street, Saint John)

In this session Jeff will indicate that propel has advocated that entrepreneurship is the right method for growing the ICT sector in our province and that the ICT sector should be the focal point of 21st century economic development and self-sufficiency. How are we doing, how can we be better, and how important is growing our skilled talent pool to achieving our goals?

Schedule of Events
12:00: Registration
12:10: Luncheon
12:15: Speaker
1:00: Adjournment

About propel Talent
Contrary to the regional conditions of the ICT industry when propel was formed in late 2004 when unemployment was high and businesses were leaving, the current situation in our sector is characterized by vibrancy, growth, and diversity with the attraction of talent as the top priority.

In late 2006, propel and UNB surveyed the industry province-wide and found that there was a tremendous optimism in the industry characterized by growth expectations and specific anticipated talent needs totaling 1,700 jobs across New Brunswick before 2011 as reported in the 2006 Qualifications Need Survey.

propel Talent is actively engaged with the human resources personnel of many of our member companies to address the talent shortage that is either being felt or anticipated within our provincial ICT industry.

Current activities of the committee are to raise awareness of our industry among our potential talent resources of who we are, what we have to offer, and the depth and breadth of our provincial industry.

About Jeff Roach
An entrepreneur at heart, Jeff has extensive experience in creating, establishing, and growing business ventures throughout Canada. Jeff founded and grew five successful companies, three of them ICT-based, and has been a strong supporter of business development in Saint John, volunteering his time in multiple ICT industry efforts.

Thinking big and aiming for world class are two approaches that have guided Jeff in all his endeavors. From the start-up of an accelerator to its ongoing management. From his matching of entrepreneurs to mentors. Jeff applies his collaborative and creative nature to ideas and projects. His engagement of stakeholders, experts and funders has helped create an information technology ecosystem.

A native of Nova Scotia and educated at UNB Fredericton, Jeff established and built a private corporate medical services company in downtown Vancouver. During his time in BC, Jeff also enjoyed success as the founder and creator of an online fitness service and a web development firm in Whistler before returning to the Maritimes in 2000 to raise his family and to do his part to help build our regional economy from Saint John, NB. Jeff’s community involvement has been spread across performing arts, chambers of commerce, urban planning, and heritage development advocacy.

Please register for this event by Noon on Tuesday, January 27th , 2009. This allows us to notify the Union Club of the number of meals required by at least the business day before.

To register go online at http://cips-loyalist.eventbrite.com/

For non-paypal orders, replacements are welcome but no-shows will be invoiced