Upcoming Canada 3.0 forum to be a catalyst in digital media revolution

STRATFORD - Canada is poised to be a global leader in the digital economy based on a legacy of high-tech innovation, say company executives participating in the upcoming Canada 3.0 forum.

"We have huge momentum in Canada with companies like Research In Motion, Open Text and Christie Digital Systems. There's no telling which start-up company investing in digital media will turn out to be the next big Canadian success story given the wealth of expertise and the collaborative environment resident here," said Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of Open Text.

That's why Open Text with its partners at the University of Waterloo Stratford Institute and the Canadian Digital Media Network are staging the Canada 3.0 digital media forum in Stratford June 8 and 9, so that anyone interested in shaping the future of Canada's digital media revolution can participate. Led by companies like Open Text, RIM, Christie Digital Systems, Intel, and Agfa Healthcare, the new Canadian Digital Media Network is designed to create momentum in Canada's digital economy through business innovation and partnership with research communities - an investment that will lead to more jobs and opportunities in digital media.

"The playing field is wide open for Canada to become a global leader in digital media tools that enable applications from remote medical imaging to simulated learning and training environments. These tools will help drive the transition from traditional broadcast technologies to more immersive, interactive and mobile platforms," said Gerry Remers, President and Chief Operating Officer of Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc.

The Council of Canadian Academies has identified new media as having the greatest momentum and the highest growth potential for Canada, second only to the oilsands. The digital media sector globally is one of the fastest-growing industries in the knowledge economy, with a projected valuation of US$2.2 trillion over the next five years.

"Ensuring there's room for the creativity and expertise of content developers who will drive mobile video applications is important to the health of the economy going forward," said Paul Salvini, Chief Technology Officer and VP Canadian Operations at Side Effects Software. "Being at the forefront of the digital media revolution is critical for Canada."

The Canada 3.0 forum is expected to attract thought leaders from the business, government, entertainment, and education sectors to collaborate and set the next steps for Canada to participate and lead in the digital revolution. Technology sector speakers Jenkins, Remers, and Salvini will be joined by experts from the fields of content and entertainment, government, and research and education. For complete information on the forum, go to www.canada30.ca