It seemed appropriate to start this blog with a new event that is happening next week in Fredericton, NB. ThinkNB will be showcasing many of New Brunswick’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies. I hope to meet up with many of them next week and highlight them on meshEAST at some point.

This is a first for NB. I think it’s a wonderful initiative by those involved such as Gene Fowler of FatKat Animation.

“We rigorously validated the concept of a showcase with the industry, and it is responding enthusiastically,” said Gene Fowler, CEO of Miramichi-based Fatkat Animation and chair of the steering committee. “As an industry, we have not always marketed effectively to New Brunswick government departments and agencies, industry and business. Our event is a first step to change this. If you are a user or buyer of ICT, you can’t afford to miss this unique showcase.

He’s right in that there needs to be more effective marketing to the NB gov’t departments and agencies. However, I would take that a step further and say that we also need to market this information to the consumer more effectively. Whenever I ask anyone outside of the industry, even among those in the web world, numerous people had not heard about the event. A quick search online shows very few mentions. It’s not a reflection on the promotion of the event. But more the mindset that much of this industry here in Atlantic Canada is insular. That’s something I hope to help change with meshEAST. So that every day Atlantic Canadians will know about the great quality of companies that are coming out of this part of Canada with products and innovations that are applicable to all of us.

ThinkNB is a great start though and I am looking forward to connecting with new and old friends.