News from the Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association

INTERACTIVE!
The newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION

The Saskatchewan New Media Developers Association has changed its name! We are now the Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association Inc. – also known simply as Saskatchewan Interactive or SaskInteractive.com for our soon-to-be-revamped website. This announcement of the change was made at our March 9 symposium.

Our mission is to foster the growth of our industry in Saskatchewan, and we have some exciting initiatives in the offing. Stay tuned!

We encourage you to support our efforts; assist us by becoming a member and presenting a united voice in Saskatchewan. Please pass this email on to everyone you know in the industry. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, visit http://www.snmda.sk.ca (soon to switch over to http://www.saskinteractive.com).

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Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting will be on April 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the TRLabs videoconference facilities in both Saskatoon and Regina.
Saskatoon – 111-116 Research Drive
Regina – 108 – 2 Research Drive
Please submit any nominations for Board of Director positions to president@saskinteractive.com
We look forward to seeing our new members at the AGM.

Please note that there will be an important planning meeting on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for new board members to develop the strategic plan for the future.
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Workshop to prepare for E3 – April 10 - Get Engaged. Get Involved. Get Growing!
The Digital Media Association of Alberta has provided the Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association with the opportunity to participate in an upcoming workshop to prepare companies interested in attending E3 2006 in Los Angeles, May 9 - 12, 2006. You can find out more information about E3 at http://www.e3expo.com.

The Monday, April 10 workshop will be made available to our Saskatchewan industry by videoconference in Saskatoon at the Canada Saskatchewan Business Centre Boardroom, 345 3rd Avenue S. from 9 to 2. Maximum number of attendees = 15 and the cost is $20 per person which includes lunch. Contact president@saskinteractive.com to register by THIS FRIDAY.

We tried to make arrangements for a feed in Regina but it would appear that our timing will not work as facilities have been shut down and no replacement is readily available. Apologies to Regina members.

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New Media R&D Initiative

The purpose of this email is to make Saskatchewan aware that the guidelines for funding for the New Media R&D Initiative for the 2006-2007/2007-2008 fiscal years have been posted on our website. Please forward this email to your colleagues and to anyone else that may be interested in having this information.

The New Media Research Networks Fund is a component of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canadian Culture Online strategy (CCO), a framework to stimulate the development and production of Canadian cultural content on the Internet. Objectives for this initiative are 1) to help build research and development (R&D) capacity in Canada and to advance innovation, specifically in the area of digital cultural content; 2) to strengthen R&D capacity in small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural new media industry; and 3) to encourage partnerships between organizations involved in developing innovations to allow them to share expertise and build on each others’ strengths.

To encourage the participation of SMEs, 50% of funds allocated for this call for proposals will be reserved for projects led by eligible SMEs (providing a sufficient number of projects proposed by SMEs are deemed acceptable through the assessment process.)

The application process for this fund has two stages: an Expression of Interest stage, and a Full Application stage. The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest is Monday, May 1, 2006. A Full Application may only be submitted upon the request of Canadian Culture Online after review of all Expressions of Interest. Full details can be found in the guidelines document at http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/pcce-ccop/progs/NewMediaR&DInitiative_e.cfm.

If, after reading the guidelines document, you have any questions about the fund or the application process, please feel free to contact us at:
toll free: 1-866-900-0001
TTY/TDD 1-819-997-3123
email: mccop-pcce@pch.gc.ca
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Planning for the pandemic
The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) association has just released a planning guide for business continuity in the event of an Influenza pandemic. While the guide is ostensibly designed for manufacturers, there is a lot of good thought in it that would be useful to non-manufacturers, also. Please check out (http://www.cme-mec.ca/pdf/CME_Pandemic_Guide.pdf) and make use of this valuable planning document.
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Canada's biggest New Media Event of the Year!
Tickets on sale now!
Group Tickets - 10 tickets for $400
Single Tickets - $60 for general admission
Event: 6th Annual Canadian New Media Awards Show & Gala
Date: Monday May 29th, 2006 @ 8:00PM
Location: The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street, 7th Floor, Toronto, ON
Dress Code: Evening Wear or Cocktail
Emcee: Alan Park from the Royal Canadian Air Farce
Visit: www.cnma.ca/index_e/ticket_ordering to register for this exciting celebration of Canada's hottest new media talent!
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Educator of Distinction
Congratulations to Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association member, Dr. Bill Brooks, who was presented with an Educator of Distinction Award on March 31, 2006, for his on-gong efforts through the years to instill a love of science in students. The award was presented by the Saskatoon Pre-School Foundation.

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Funding for the Saskatchewan Interactive newsletter is provided solely through the good graces of our overworked and dedicated volunteers. Please support our efforts by joining our organization and make your voice heard through your industry representatives. We are making a difference!

Website: http://www.saskinteractive.com