The newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION

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Our mission: To foster the growth of a strong & vibrant interactive media sector/industry in SK with capabilities recognized & respected in the provincial, international, and international marketplace.

Our vision: As a provincially, nationally, and internationally recognized industry voice, Saskatchewan Interactive will: provide advocacy, promotion, and education to increase member opportunity in a global marketplace.

From your Board
- Stay tuned for information about our all-day game development workshop set for October 12 in Saskatoon, building on the incredible success of our March 9 Interactive event. The event will be dealing with some of the more practical aspects of how to build games and more real-world examples of successes. We are firming up details with our presenter and will be making a more formal announcement shortly.

- Working in conjunction with Science West, our two game development camps for high school students were outstanding successes and we thank our board member Dr. Bill Brooks for coordinating these camps. We were delighted to host Raymond Yan, Senior VP with Digipen Institute of Technology who spoke to the students. He also joined our board in meeting with senior U of S and U of R representatives to discuss opportunities for exploration into serious game development. Stay tuned for further news on this front. We have been invited to the U of R in September to tour their various projects and to see what opportunities we might explore together.

- As a result of the meeting of the Pan-Western interactive media associations on June 13 in Vancouver, we met with Manitoba and Alberta representatives again on July 25 in Saskatoon to outline and plan collective opportunities, streamline our collective websites, share training & speaker resources and build our respective industries together. We’re informally calling ourselves “Digital West” and have begun using online technology that uses RSS feeds to collaborate, discuss, and share information related to any regional activities and initiatives. This will heighten everyone level of awareness and allow us to communicate on a daily basis.

Survey regarding marketing opportunities
Are you interested in receiving financial assistance to market your new
media products or services outside of Canada?

Trade Team Canada, through its partnership with Trade Routes, develops
International Trade Action Plans for specific industries that identify
international market and business development priorities and help identify
trade support programs.

SaskInteractive is currently working with Trade Routes to update the
existing International Trade Action Plan (ITAP) for New Media. To make sure
the ITAP is the most relevant and current, we need your help in identifying
trade priorities and needs as a new media company.

Your input will be incorporated into a revised ITAP for New Media that Trade
Routes will use to support trade activities in the media sector across
Canada.

Please take a moment to complete the survey located here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=701792452465

Canada Games mission to London Games Festival
This mission is co-organized by Alliance numériQC and New Media BC. High Commission of Canada in London and Canadian Heritage are partners and details are being finalized with them. Others organizations will probably join as we go along.

You will find details about what is the London Games Festival and what we are offering to Canadian game companies at : www.numeriqc.ca/LGF

Please feel free to forward this proposal to other game companies in your area.

Regards,
Jean-François Arseneau
Coordonnateur, services aux membres
Coordinator, Member Services
Alliance numériQC
jfarseneau@numeriqc.ca
Tél.: (514) 848-7177 #334

Member Dwayne Melcher has created an online directory were companies can post their information for free. www.promoteyourcompany.ca

Please support our efforts to grow our industry by becoming a member and presenting a united voice in Saskatchewan. 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).

Funding for the Saskatchewan Interactive newsletter is provided solely through the good graces of our overworked and dedicated volunteers. Don’t just sit back – help us to grow the industry by supporting our efforts - join our organization and make your voice heard through your industry representatives. We are making a difference!

Website: http://www.snmda.sk.ca