newMedia2000

newmedia2000 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will run conferences May 15-18, with a trade show May 16-18. There are over 130 sessions planned, covering a range of topics, including digital audio/video multimedia broadcast production. Showgoers will also be able to test more than 100 companies' new products, solutions and services. Free registration for the Exhibit Hall is available online, and session passes can be purchased at the door.

As the event winds down on May 18, the first Canadian New Media Awards will be presented at a gala show and reception. A total of 53 finalists, representing digital content creators and Internet professionals from across the country, will vie for 12 awards.

The categories will recognize the year's best: new media visionary, educator, industry advocate, producer, company, graduate, and volunteer. There will also be presentations for lifetime achievement, most promising new company, and three awards for women in new media.

For info on newMedia2000: www.newmedia.ca

For award show info: www.multimediator.com/cnma

*A Think Tank is born

The economic shift for the broadband communications industry as it changes over from analog to digital technology and moves into interactivity is too large for any one organization to champion.

That is the rationale behind the formation of the Interactive Broadcast Development Group at Toronto's Ryerson Polytechnic University. The ibdg describes itself as a "proactive Think Tank of new media stakeholders," which will work with the private and public industry sectors to research funding, policy, and other issues associated with the rise of new media.

The ibdg will bring together representatives of the new media industry, the ofdc and Ryerson educators to share in the testing and creation of business models for interactive broadcasting. The group's mandate is to strengthen the relationship between content creators for traditional broadcasting and the new media production community. The long-term goal is to establish, market and maintain Canada's position as a major force in the creation of interactive broadcast media.

For more information, contact Beverley Milligan, Industry Liaison, IBDG, Ryerson Polytechnic University, (416) 979-5000 x7581.