Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yahoo, eBay, RIM and Salesforce.com lead upcoming Business Technology Workshop - Top Tech Tools to Increase Profits and Drive Business Growth

February 7, 2008: In today’s competitive global economy business survival and growth hinges on the use of innovative information and communication technology (ICT). The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) is hosting a “Top Tech Tools” business technology workshop on February 26, 2008 to showcase the planning, marketing, resource management and commerce advantages of using today’s technology tools.

This event will target small and medium size business owners interested in gaining awareness of the many benefits of using information technology. The workshop presents a rare opportunity for business owners to learn about some of the exciting new technology that can propel their companies into the future.

Attendees of this one-day workshop will have the opportunity to hear from key speakers representing Yahoo Canada, eBay, Research In Motion, Salesforce.com, Aberdeen Technical Services Ltd., Lucidia Technologies and more!

“This workshop will be a tremendous opportunity for local business owners to discover technology solutions that can make an immediate and positive impact on their operations,” said Tom Vair, Executive Director, SSMIC. “An impressive group of expert speakers has been assembled for this event and we encourage businesses from all sectors attend.”

Registrants will hear from speakers like Marilyn Bild, an eBay Entrepreneur of the year. Marilyn is an experienced eBay seller and workshop facilitator and has been selling on eBay as totallytextiles since 2001. She has built a successful online business specializing in Indian fabrics and was awarded eBay Canada Entrepreneur of the Year for 2006. Not only has she been featured in eBay’s PowerSeller newsletter as a Super PowerSeller of the Month, but her story has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Globe and Mail, Business in Vancouver, BC Business Magazine, as well as many other periodicals. Marilyn began her career in the world of traditional retailing and has been part of the evolution from bricks-and-mortar retail sales to online retail sales. She helps others achieve success on eBay through her workshops "The Basics of Selling on eBay" and "Beyond the Basics: Techniques for the Serious Seller".

Register today and learn about effectively expanding into global markets using online storefront and auction services; free or affordable online tools for small and medium sized businesses; back-end software solutions to help grow SMBs; On the Go: Increasing Productivity & Performance with Wireless Tools and outsourcing managed technical services to keep your business systems running smoothly among others.

The first 75 registrants will receive materials ($60 value) on Yahoo! search engine marketing. Don’t delay — this workshop is filling up fast!

For more information or to register, visit www.ssmic.com or contact Diana Medaglia, Business Development Specialist at 705-942-7927 x 3130 or dmedaglia@ssmic.com.

When: February 26, 2008
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Algoma’s Water Tower Inn
Cost: $35 per person. $100 Company rate (4 staff, please complete separate forms, use same company name); Students can attend the full-day workshop for only $15.00. Registration fee includes materials and lunch.

For details on the agenda and to register, visit the all-new www.ssmic.com (click on the events calendar)

For questions, contact Diana Medaglia, Business Development Specialist at dmedaglia@ssmic.com or 942-7927 x3130.