The Cajundome Convention Center was abuzz Monday in anticipation
of today's kickoff of TechSouth 2005. With all 68 booths sold,
exhibitors were preparing Monday afternoon to greet attendees early
today.
As of Monday, about 1,000 people had registered to attend the IT
summit and expo set today and Wednesday in Lafayette, and others
were still signing up. Although the two 500-plus seat keynote
luncheons are sold out, there is still room to attend the breakout
sessions, in addition to viewing the expo, said Patricia Parks,
event coordinator with the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Global Technology Group of Lafayette was among the exhibitors
setting up Monday in the convention center. GTG, which participated
last year in TechSouth by bringing in a keynote speaker, is also
sponsoring a speaker this year, said Walt Messa, vice president
business development.
For a city this size, to host this caliber of event is
significant, he said.
"We think it's good for the community and it behooves us all to
make sure this show is a success," Messa said.
The event also holds the potential to cure one of the state's
major economic ailments - locals leaving the state to find work.
"We've got a serious out-migration problem," Messa said. He is
hopeful TechSouth, along with education, will help develop this
community into a technology center.
Senior Casey Bienvenu is also optimistic about the possibilities.
"I don't have to think about moving away to someplace like
California," he said of seeing the local opportunities.
Bienvenu, a student in the Academy of Information Technology at
Carencro High School, is among the students participating in
TechSouth this year. He will show some of the programming and design
projects he's done as a student and as a part-time employee at
Firefly Digital Inc.
"I make Web sites," he said. "(It) shows what's possible on the
Internet and through the academy," he said.
Bienvenu, who calls himself a techie, attended the expo last
year.
"It opened my eyes to all the possibilities," he said, adding
that he also saw "cool products."
Students of the Academy of Information Technology will work a
booth at the expo to show the community what they are learning, said
Kit Becnel, director of the academy.
Becnel added that community support also is important to the
program. "That's why we're here today," she said.
Becnel is also presenting at TechSouth. She will speak on
"Educating the Digital Workforce" at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the St.
Landry Room.
"One of the most important things is real-life experience, so
they can apply what they have learned in the classroom," Becnel
said.
Though attendees last year were chief information officers, chief
technology officers and chief executive officers - primarily
decision-makers, TechSouth is for anyone interested in technology,
Parks said.
"And it's not just for techies," she said. "(There) may be
something you've just heard about you can learn more about."
The event also holds the possibility of gains for exhibitors,
Parks said.
"There were big deals that were made here last year," she said.
"It gives all the competitors an equal chance to be represented."
Messa agreed, saying the marketing exposure is a benefit to
exhibitors, but meeting people in the industry also is important.
In its second year, TechSouth is put on by the chamber, sponsors
and a host of volunteers, Parks said. About 15 to 20 volunteers
helped in the planning stages and about 60 volunteers will be needed
today and Wednesday to make the event happen, she said.
"Somebody needed to do it," Parks said. "And Louisiana is
centrally located in the Gulf Coast."
There is also an added perk for TechSouth speakers and attendees
traveling to Lafayette, Parks said.
Participants were advised: "Come early for TechSouth, stay late
for Festival International."
Originally published April 19, 2005
