Tech Bitch

UK consumers are finally putting their money where their mouths are with the launch of the  UK’s biggest ever show dedicated to demystifying the myths around green shopping and services. LONDONAWARE08 takes place at the Barbican on the 10th and 11th May, 2008. Time to dust off those sandals!

LONDONAWARE 08 is the brainchild of serving Firefighter Danny Carnegie, who was so baffled about how to make positive changes in his day to day life he decided to take action to bring business and consumers face to face.

Danny Carnegie, Founder UK Aware said; “We’ve had enough of reading about it and feeling  guilty. We want to know what we should be doing to ensure the positive future of this planet while getting on with our lives. We’ve assembled the most comprehensive definitive list of exhibitors and fused them with most pioneering brands in the environmental movement. It is a mixing pot of authors, music, shopping, food, media, travel, health and beauty and even comedy.”

The event is expecting 12000 visitors over two days and already boasts an exhibitor list including IKEA, Trevor Baylis OBE, Greenpeace, The London Development Agency, G Wiz and many consumer products. Live music and entertainment plus other unique exhibitors will be announced  shortly.

AbilityNet, the only UK charity that helps people adapt and adjust their information and communications technology (ICT) whatever their health condition or disability, is hosting a one-day conference at City University in London on 25 April 2008.

‘Accessibility 2.0’ will have speakers drawn from leading Web development companies and the RNIB aims to provide Web developers, Web managers and anyone interested in the technical aspect of accessibility with an in-depth understanding of accessibility issues and provide a host of practical solutions.

Robin Christopherson, Web Services Manager of AbilityNet, said: ‘We believe it’s time for the focus to come back onto Accessibility, and that a conference of this kind is what is needed to help developers make their Web 2.0 applications accessible.

‘It promises to be a highly practical day, where delegates come away knowing exactly what they need to do, and where they need to focus to make sure they consider accessibility in their products. With some of the biggest and best names in the industry we are very excited about what this event is going to bring to individuals and the industry as a whole.’

For the first time in its history, über-tech show CeBIT will have a special national day dedicated to New Zealand on 6 March 2008. Bless! New Zealand Day was initiated by the ‘Deutsche Messe AG’ and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise to celebrate New Zealand’s innovative ICT technologies and unique culture. A day is all it’ll take …

The opening ceremony will take place at 10am at the New Zealand pavilion (Hall 14, Stand G38). There will be lots of suits, including Hon Pete Hodgson, New Zealand’s Minister for Economic Development, Research Science and Technology, and Tertiary Education (how the feck does that all fit onto a business card?).

The opening speech will be made by Ernst Raue, Member of the Board, Deutsche Messe AG. All going well, Minister Hodgson will then give a brief overview of New Zealand’s ICT industry and the positive relationship between New Zealand and Germany.

Thirty second later will be a tour of the New Zealand pavilion at 10.15am - offering photo and film opportunities of the Minister and VIP guests trying out the interactive technologies at the stand. After the official opening Minister Hodgson will be available for a little speed dating. Oh, I almost forgot - there will be a prize draw for stand visitors to win a return trip for two from Germany to New Zealand. That’s perked you up hasn’t it?