The IT industry is seeing a resurgence of excitement, and a raft of new technological innovations are helping to spark significant growth in IT.
This is according to Sandra Galbraith, GM of Futurex & Equip and organiser of Exhibitions for Africa, who says the local economy is experiencing healthy growth rates, and IT is outpacing even this good performance, so there's good reason for excitement within the sector.
Discussing this year's Futurex show, that kicks off on 15 May, Galbraith says that, against the positive industry backdrop, this year's show is to set to be the best ever, with more than 200 exhibitors, including a number of international exhibitors, signed up to display their products across the business and home user spectrum.
Futurex 2007 has India for a partner country, as well as strong contingents from the UK, Czechoslovakia and Taiwan.
She says more and more companies from around the world are coming to Futurex & Equip to exhibit their products and use the opportunity for networking with potential partners from SA and the wider African region.
Galbraith says the show has several added features, designed to give attendees a chance to interact.
"The first of these initiatives is the plan to build a mountain of e-waste to illustrate what local businesses are currently throwing into landfills. Visitors are invited to bring their old computer equipment - CPUs, monitors, keyboards and printers - and hand it in at the handy drive-through area before they park.
"African Sky will then dispose of it safely, ensuring that the environment is protected from a host of toxic substances and greenhouse emissions normally associated with e-waste."
Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about IT security through a live hacking competition, in which they will see hackers break through the security barriers most users think are sufficient to protect their systems. Dubbed 'Capture the Flag', the initiative will invite programmers to hack through seven levels of security on the servers set up at the show, says Galbraith.
Several conferences and seminars will take place alongside Futurex & Equip, affording visitors the opportunity to learn more about their particular area of interest.
CRN will be holding a Reseller Summit on the first day of Futurex & Equip, designated as a Channel Day. CRN and Markinor will share the results of recent research that measures the channel business barometer.
The IT Association, in conjunction with the E-Waste Association of SA (Ewasa) will be holding a conference detailing the issues associated with e-waste and proposing some industry-wide initiatives for the South African IT sector.
Over at the conference venue, visitors can learn about the industry at large at the Computer Society of SA's annual conference; or hear about the latest security trends at the international IFIP conference, Galbraith adds.
"The IFIP conference is being carried alongside Futurex & Equip this year for the first time, Galbraith adds.
Futurex & Equip will be held from 15 to 18 May, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. For more information, please contact Sandra Galbraith at sandrag@exhibitafrica.co.za
Related stories:
JC Broadband heads to Futurex Equip
IT set to drive SA's global competitiveness
Share
