Recent Releases from Association Quebecoise des Technologies on SMR

Big Bang 2011: The Quebec Technology Association's ICT Sales & Marketing Forum explores new business models for customer acquisition

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:00:00 -0400

Montreal - This coming May 31, technology CEOs and experts will come together at the Centre Mont-Royal in Montreal for the 9th edition of the Quebec Technology Association's (AQT) Big Bang forum to discuss new business models for customer acquisition in the Web 2.0 era. This highly anticipated forum provides a venue for ICT heads of sales and marketing to discover new, creative, and cost effective models and to discuss various approaches to marketing.

With its scores of innovative commercial success stories and highly experienced experts providing advice on such topics as sales and marketing alignment, and choosing the right communication and distribution channels to drive sales & marketing in the technology sector, this edition of the Big Bang Forum could not be more timely.

Yona Shtern, head of Beyond the Rack, will talk about the commercial strategy behind his Montreal-based company’s phenomenal success. With North American sales on the verge of hitting the 100-million dollar mark and a staff that has grown from 4 to 240 employees in just two years, his business is growing at the speed of light.

A number of successful and innovative business leaders as well as specialized advisors will also be on hand to provide concrete solutions to help drive growth:

Entrepreneurs Nicolas Arsenault (Inovacom), Denis Lavallée (formerly of Nstein Technologies), Alain Nadeau (Dynacom), and Mike Petsalis (Vircom).
Market research specialist Ally Motz (Sirius Decisions).
Strategic and tactical experts Alain Boudreau (VSM), Simon Héneault (Founder of Linkedin Quebec), Sol Tanguay (HEC Montréal), as well as Michel Ouellet and Thomas Bastien (Morin Public Relations).
Legal specialists from Legault Joly Thiffault will talk about the implementation of Bill C-28, the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam Act (also known as FISA), slated to come into effect next summer. Gowling Lafleur Henderson will speak about legal issues surrounding social medias.

New to this year’s Big Bang ICT Sales & Marketing Forum is the exhibitor space that will be offered to 10 companies. The Technology Pavilion gives ICT companies an opportunity to offer their products to business leaders, showcase their expertise and know-how, and meet potential clients and future business partners.

As Nicole Martel, Chief Executive Officer of the Quebec Technology Association, so enthusiastically said: “The Big Bang is the annual event for President and head of sales and marketing in the Quebec technology industry. As a source for many useful guides and a venue to discover successful marketing trends, it is no wonder that each new event is more popular than the last.”

Who should attend the Big Bang? Presidents, heads of sales and marketing, strategists, as well as professionals who provide sales and marketing-related services.

Partners of the Big Bang ICT Sales & Marketing Forum include: Solidarity Fund QFL, Legault Joly Thiffault, Morin Public Relations, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Xpertdoc, VSM, CNW, Direction informatique, and Canada Economic Development.

Program, video, registration and attendees http://www.lebigbang.net/

The Quebec Technology Association is again offering 33 free memberships to support business start-ups

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:00:00 -0400

MONTRÉAL – The Quebec Technology Association (AQT) has issued an invitation to all leaders and partners in the information and communications technology sector to recommend candidates for the second edition of its 1-2-3 GO! program. Each year, this program allows 33 start-ups to receive a free membership in the Association, which includes a targeted support program and substantial savings on registration fees for other networking and development opportunities available through the AQT Accelerator.

“We give out 33 free memberships per year, each worth $350, based on the recommendations of our members who are eager to see new companies have the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders. This helps recipients avoid potentially costly errors along the way, particularly during their growth stages”, explained Nicole Martel, Chief Executive Officer of the Quebec Technology Association.

Four companies from the 2009 cohort became regular members of the AQT, while others have been advised of their continued participation in the program. There are still many spots open in the 2010 cohort. These spots will be given to start-ups that provide ICT solutions and/or services with no more than 3 employees, that have been in business less than 3 years, and that have demonstrated their enthusiasm for the program.

One of last year’s recipients whose company became a regular AQT member had high praise for the program. In summing up his experience, Jonathan Stoikovitch, President of Sosign Interactive, said “within a few short months, AQT became a driving force for me. Their advice helped me find the best resources. I was introduced to people who have a great deal more entrepreneurial experience. I have absolutely no doubt that I saved a lot of time.”

Start-ups have until October 29, 2010 to apply by filling in the form available on the Association's Web site (www.aqt.ca/en/123GO.htm). Requests for information should be directed to Patrick Gouin at 514-874-2667 ext. 106 or pgouin@aqt.ca.

Unveiling the three finalists in the run for the 2010 SGF CEO of the Year Award

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0500

Montréal, February 4, 2010 – The Quebec Technology Association's selection committee revealed the names of the three finalists for the prestigious title of 2010 SGF CEO of the Year today. The nominated are:

• André d'Orsonnens , President and CEO, Druide informatique

• Gilles Létourneau, President and CEO, GFI Solutions Group

• Denis Savard, President and CEO, CT-Payment

This award is bestowed to a CEO of a technology company in recognition of exemplary leadership and contributions to the visibility of the Québec information and communications technologies (ICT) industry.

The finalists were selected by an independent selection committee comprised of ICT CEOs and representatives of the Société générale de financement du Québec and the Quebec Technology Association.

“The calibre of these three finalists clearly reflects the high levels of expertise Québec has achieved in information and communications technologies. I commend them for their outstanding performance”, stated Pierre Puglièse, Senior Vice-president, Investments, Technologies and Life Sciences Group.

The winner of the 2010 SGF CEO of the Year Award will be named by industry representatives during CEO Vision, the exclusive forum for CEOs of ICT companies which will be held this February 18 to 20 at Tremblant http://www.ceovisionpdg.org/en/.

“CEOs gathered for the 2010 SGF CEO of the Year Award evening will hear the finalists speak about their achievements before voting for a winner. This event is a shining example of our industry's vitality and of the key role played by CEOs”, stated Michel Lacasse, President of the CEO Vision Organizing Committee and Vice-president and General Manager, Eastern Canada , Metafore.

The 2010 SGF CEO of the Year Award relies on the support of its media partner Les Affaires.

INFORMATION

The award presentation is open exclusively to CEOs and sponsors registered for CEO Vision.

AQT - Sylvie Castonguay, 514-874-2667, ext. 103, scastonguay@aqt.ca

SGF – Sophie Alarie, 514-876-9368, salarie@sgfqc.com

10th edition of the exclusive forum for IT industry CEOs

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0500

Montreal , January 19, 2010 – About one hundred CEOs will be getting together at the Fairmont Tremblant from February 18 to 20, 2010 for the 10th Edition of CEO Vision (http://www.ceovisionpdg.org/en/), the exclusive forum for IT industry CEOs. Organized by the Quebec Technology Association (AQT), this annual meeting is a unique opportunity for CEOs to engage in private discussions, networking and exchanges with conference speakers specialized in the management of tech companies. The 2010 edition will focus on the strategies to be implemented to benefit from the economic recovery in Canada and abroad, while allowing time for friendly sporting events, the Mont-Tremblant area being the ideal location for it.

“Over the last 10 years, CEO Vision has proven to be a solid new-business driver for CEOs,” says Luc Filiatreault, President and CEO of Nstein Technologies and Chairman of the Board of Directors for AQT. “This is a crucial investment in our companies’ growth, as I have personally witnessed over the years. I discovered business partners and even a company that was acquired by the one I headed at the time. There was one participant who set up an advisory committee based on advice given by peers at CEO Vision, after which his company’s revenues doubled in less than a year.”

Backed by their experience with clients such as Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Yahoo!, Dell and Sony Electronics, international experts http://www.ceovisionpdg.org/en/speakers.htm#taylorhttp will be providing innovative recommendations to CEOs so that they can quickly seize business opportunities arising from the economic upswing. Their presentations will deal with CEO leadership (Gaylene Xanthopoulos, The Leadership Edge), mergers and acquisitions (Mark Herndon, Parkwood Advisors), change management (Bud Taylor, consultant and author), and sales team compensation (Reese Bacon, Mercer).

During the “VIP Lounge” event, CEOs will also engage in discussions with contract givers. Senior executives from companies such as Accenture, DMR and Telus will talk about their firms’ technology needs and will learn about Quebec solutions.

On the evening of February 18, participants will announce the CEO of the year following the presentation of the projects realized by the three finalists selected by an independent panel. Backed by the Société générale de financement and the newspaper Les Affaires, the SGF-CEO of the Year Award (http://www.ceovisionpdg.org/en/pdg.htm) is a unique and highly original recognition since the CEO of the year will be chosen by his/her peers during a secret vote.

Over the past 10 years, CEO Vision has stood out among the major events in the IT and communications sector. “Our forum has always been able to rely on the loyalty of its participants and partners, to whom I extend my heartfelt thanks,” said Nicole Martel, AQT President and CEO. “The surveys conducted after each forum showed satisfaction levels of over 90%, which is certainly worth more than a thousand words!” she added.

The CEO Vision organizing committee is chaired by Michel Lacasse, Vice President and General Manager of Microserv and Vice President of AQT’s board of directors. The event is backed by numerous sponsors, including Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Société générale de financement, BCF, Border Ladner Gervais (BLG), Business Development Bank of Canada, Heenan Blaikie, RBC, Bell , Comunika, Globalex, Direction informatique and Les Affaires. The event also benefits from the support of its other partners: Alliance numérique and VETIQ, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada , and Heritage Canada .

INFORMATION

Registration to this event is limited to CEOs of ITC companies. For further information, please contact Sylvie Castonguay at 514 874-2667, ext. 103 or by e-mail at scastonguay@aqt.ca.