The newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION

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.
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Telefilm in Regina
May 29th 2007
Meet Western Region Director Earl Hong Tai, and representatives from Film and New Media
for a roundtable session and one-on-one discussions.

To RSVP or receive further information please call or email Allison Langridge
1-800-663-7771 (Main)
604-666-6136 (Direct)
langria@telefilm.gc.ca
Kindly confirm your participation by May 22nd, 2007.
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Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association's Annual General Meeting 2007
Wednesday, July 18th
Boffins Club, Saskatoon
SATA would like to invite you to its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday July 18th at Boffins Club, Innovation Place, in Saskatoon. Registration will begin at 4:00pm with the business meeting for the AGM beginning at 4:30pm followed by a networking reception and BBQ.
You are welcome to bring your staff or any of your business partners.
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Casual Connect July 17-19, 2007 in SEATTLE
Casual Games Association Events are the premiere events for the casual games industry. CGA Seattle brings together the most talented and knowledgeable experts in the casual gaming field to further the casual games industry.
Check out the website at http://seattle.casualconnect.org/index.html
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Ottawa 07 International Animation Festival
You don't have much time to fill out your entry form. The June 1st deadline is approaching fast. Just head over to
http://www.animationfestival.ca and click on "Submit a Film" for everything you need. Our simple online entry form makes the process much easier for you (and us, if your handwriting is poor).
Are you waiting until the last minute to send us your preview DVD? Be original and send it in early! We must receive your DVD before June 15th, otherwise your film will be disqualified. And anyone who has received an email to say that we've received your film: don't worry, we've received your film. http://ottawa.awn.com/
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Innovations in Learning Conference – September 24-26, 2007
Santa Clara, California
http://www.brandonhallconference.com
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15th Annual Canadian Information Productivity Awards Call for Entries
Date Extended to June 21!
May 22, 2007, Toronto, ON... Canadian Information Productivity Awards (CIPA), Canada's leading national IT innovation and competitiveness awards program, announces an extension of the 2007 Entry Date for submissions to June 21, 2007.

At the request of CIPA regional and national alliance partners, CIPA is extending this year's entry date to allow entry of partner nominated submissions to the competition.

The mission of CIPA is to recognize excellence that fosters innovation and enhanced competitiveness in Canada. Each year our competition attracts information-technology-enabled productivity projects from across the country from organizations of all sectors including industry, government, education and healthcare.

Any organization or company that has implemented a project that exhibits exceptional innovation or demonstrates dramatic results in the areas of efficiency and operations, collaboration, organizational transformation or customer centricity (2007 entry categories) may apply. CIPA is in its 15th year of recognizing Canadian excellence!

Download the entry form at http://www.cipa.ca/award_program/index.html and submit your entry to entries@cipa.ca by June 21. Note that with the extended entry date, the complete entry submission must be received at CIPA by 5:00pm EST, June 21, 2007.
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Casual Games Association – Online Survey
The Casual Games Association requests company participation in the CGA Summer Research Report. Please take a look below and either fill out the information or forward along to the appropriate party at your company. The information collected by the CGA will be important for gathering data that will affect all of us - from programmers to those in business.

This year, the CGA is planning to do two main research projects:
1- Projections and Market Sizing. This year we are working with ScreenDigest to produce overall market sizing in North America, Europe and Eastern European casual games markets for casual games distributed on PC, Console and Mobile. Those who participate are given a more detailed report at the end of the survey, so it is in your best interest to participate. Each year we work with an analyst to assist them in reporting on the casual games industry.
2- Content and Company Profiling. This research is done in house at the CGA and a full detailed report will be given to all companies who participate and the Canadian Government. (Yes, the Canadian’s love you. Lots) As a member of the casual games industry, you are invited to participate and those who do so will be listed in the report as well.

Many of you suggested an online survey all on one page would be easiest to fill in the information. We have separated the Aggregate and Non-Aggregate to be very clear what will be listed next to your company.
Aggregate: http://www.casualgamesassociation.org/data/aggregate.html
Non-Aggregate: http://www.casualgamesassociation.org/data/NONaggregate.html

The password is “fun”

We will be doing a sweep of the data and selecting the companies to highlight on May 29th. So, get your data / corporate bio in soon so you will be highlighted.

Jessica Tams : Managing Director : Casual Games Association
jessica@casualgamesassociation.org
p: +1 (206) 778 5134 GMT - 8
f: +1 (866) 835 1275
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BC's Mobile Content Developers and Publishers Guide
A capabilities guide that features the leading BC companies creating content for cell phone companies and their clients was recently produced. This was created due to the global demand for cell phone content and applications. This guide features companies that have general gaming content (single player and/or multiple player), information services, sports team gaming, social communities and game publishers.

The Guide (5.4 MB pdf) is located at: http://press.mobilemuse.ca/projects/assets/MobileIndustryGuide2007.pdf
It is a large file and printer spooling can take a few minutes.
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Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) Conference
Delta Regina Hotel and Convention Centre from June 6-8.
Individual workshops or keynote presentations are only $49.00 each. You will learn from leading world-class experts on various tools, international perspectives, and innovative ideas on:

-The Future of Industry in a Global Market
-Collaborative Innovation Networks
-Going Global – Export Development
-The Fundamentals of the Experience Economy
-Growth Planning in Manufacturing
-Succession Planning
-Attracting and Retaining the Next Generation of Talent
-Becoming a Cool Company
-Steps to Growth Capital
-A Fascinating Look at the Future of Public Policy
-The Importance of Industry Cluster Development

http://www.brei.org/conferences/2007/SpeakersProgram.aspx - conference program
http://www.brei.org/conferences/2007/KeyNoteBREI.pdf - keynote speakers
http://www.brei.org/conferences/2007/SpeakerBios.pdf - breakout presenters

To register for a Keynote presentation or Workshop:
CALL (306-787-2201)
Entire Event is a $575.00 USD Value!
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SaskTel/SaskFilm Interactive Travel Assistance Program.
The program is designed to provide financial assistance to interactive producers to approved program markets in order to increase the marketing and export of Saskatchewan interactive products. This program is funded by what was formerly called the SaskTel New Media Fund and will be available until program funds are fully expended.

SaskInteractive appreciates the support that these funds offer to our members to attend important events and to bring back valuable information for our members.

Should you have any questions about the program, please contact Charlene Hilkewich, Program Coordinator at Charlene@saskfilm.com or by calling 306.798.3317.
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nextMEDIA: The Future of Digital Content*
*Scheduled for June 8 --10, 2007 in Banff, Canada*

The future of digital content will be studied, discussed, debated and shaped as the best and brightest
minds in the digital media industry come together at *nextMEDIA 2007*, scheduled to take place June 8 -- 10, 2007 at the scenic Fairmount Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. The sister conference to the Banff World Television Festival (June 10 -- 13, 2007), nextMEDIA will deliver the latest information on emerging platform distribution while actively building a marketplace for digital content producers from Canada and around the world.

Now in its third year, nextMEDIA has become an *important event for content producers*, TV and media executives, technology companies, and Web entrepreneurs alike. The three-day conference features a comprehensive program of keynotes, panel discussions, briefing sessions, interviews, and formal and informal networking sessions.

To register or to find out more information about nextMEDIA 2007, go to http://www.futureofdigitalcontent.com. Delegates registering for the Banff World Television Festival will be able to take advantage of a *special discount* for both events when they choose to register for nextMEDIA.

For additional information, contact:
Julie Giles, Digital Entertainment and Media Marketing
Tel: 416-537-9774 | Cell: 416-878-5328
E-mail: jgiles@achillesmedia.com
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Saskatchewan Voicers Club
In the voice business, talent can be in any town or city, using a home sound studio to record sound files and email them worldwide.

Anyone interested in voice-over work who would like to become a member of a Saskatchewan Voicers Club should direct Saskatchewan inquiries to Wayne Gemmell wayne@NetRevenue.ca
Please forward this to anyone that you think may be interested. For a wealth of technical information go to James Alburger's web site ... VoiceActing.com

Workshop training is extremely important; meetings would be infrequent and mostly online via computer web conferencing. At least one of Regina's major recording studios has expressed interest in attending and monitoring our meetings in search of new talent for local commercial work. Radio is all voice work but TV commercials have voice in the background.

Unlike movie and television actors who are very visual, the voice actors behind Porky Pig or Sponge Bob could sit beside you and you would never know who they were.
There are only a few mandatory things that a voicer needs ... interest, dedication, a voice and a heartbeat.
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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.
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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.saskinteractive.com