ICT Illawarra (ICTI), the region's Information and Communication Technology industry cluster, was officially launched in 2009 at the University of Wollongong's Innovation Campus.

First Meeting for 2010 – March 1 – "Defence Preparedness and Illawarra ICT".

ILLAWARRA INDUSTRY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN DEFENCE PREPAREDNESS

Linking local industry to defence opportunities...

The Australian Department of Defence is the largest contracting organisation in the country - spending in excess of $16.5 billion a year on equipment, sustainment and services. The size and complexity of the Department can make it difficult for companies to locate appropriate points of contact in Defence.

• Understand ICT opportunities in Defence Preparedness
• Discover capabilities of particular interest to the Defence Force
• Find out useful information to help you do business with the Defence Force
• Match your capabilities with emerging opportunities
• Let Defence know your ideas and explore how your company can be a part of Australia’s defence preparedness

When: Mon 1st March, 9.30am—12noon (9am registration)

Where: Ocean Room, Innovation Campus iC Central, Squires Way, North Wollongong

Programme Outline:

9:00am Light breakfast & networking

9:30am Introductions

9:45am Presentation & discussion

(Anker Brodersen)

11:45am Wrap up

12:00noon Lunch

(Monday afternoon and Tuesday set aside for one-on-one discussions with local businesses.)

Further Information:

Contact Geoff Goeldner Ph: (02) 9376 2107

Air Commodore Anker Broderson

...is the Director General for Australian Defence Preparedness. Preparedness and the conduct of operations are the two main areas of Defence performance provided to the Australian Government, with Preparedness consuming about 65% of Defence’s $25bn budget.

Consequently, the basis for Defence preparedness requires complex risk and resource management. The 2009 Australian Defence White Paper

identified a number of improvements required in preparedness management, in particularly a better understanding of the impact of varying the amount of resources consumed by preparedness activities. Consequently, the Preparedness and Personnel & Operating Costs Reform Stream has been established as an element of the Defence Strategic Reform Program, which has principle aims of improving Defence business management and finding

$20bn in savings over the next decade. The reform stream is required to deliver improvements in Defence ICT, business processes, governance and management requirements, and culture. The research to date has highlighted that many aspects of the Defence management challenge are shared with the private sector. This seminar is about exploring those common aspects.

Event Format:

A light breakfast and lunch will be provided, and the event itself will be interactive and relaxed. We’d love to see you there, and be prepared to get involved in some round-table discussions that focus on a range of different topic areas that we’re sure will provide something of interest for everyone.

Local ICT businesses, business users of IT, university researchers and people interested in starting an ICT or ICT-related business are all invited to this ICTI event.

About ICT Illawarra:

ICTI has been formed to assist with the ongoing growth and competitiveness of the Illawarra's ICT industry.Through involvement in the cluster, local businesses will be investing in the Illawarra's future through the development of business linkages and skills.

With sponsorship from Industry & Investment NSW and the University of Wollongong, ICTI is incorporated as an independent association with a management committee, which includes leaders from local ICT stakeholder businesses.

For further information, visit www.icti.org.au or contact Carly: icti@icti.org.au or 02 4221 5827.

PLEASE NOTE: RSVP's are for catering requirements - please do not hesitate to drop into the event if you have not registered.