VEDP Announces Matchmaking Initiative for 1998 World Congress on Information Technology

Virginia Companies to Build Business Partnerships with Global Firms

Richmond - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that the organization will arrange networking meetings for Virginia companies wishing to explore business relationships with global information technology firms. Interested Virginia companies will be paired with international firms attending the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology in Fairfax County next month. "It is critical to Virginia's future to anticipate advancements in information technology," said Wayne L. Sterling, Executive Director of the Partnership. "By providing matchmaking assistance at this world-renowned event held here in the Commonwealth, we give Virginia companies the opportunity to build lasting trade and investment relationships with leading IT companies."

The 1998 World Congress on Information Technology, the biennial conference of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance, will be held on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax County June 21-24. More than 1,800 senior-level executives from around the world are expected to attend the international conference to learn about industry trends, emerging technologies and industry developments. This year's conference speakers include Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Steve Forbes, Michael Dell and Lawrence Ellison.

VEDP will provide meeting rooms, translators and refreshments for the matchmaking sessions to be held June 18, 19, 25 and 26 in various Northern Virginia hotels. Companies with complementary products and services will be matched based on international corporate profiles sent to the European World Congress committee. Interested Virginia firms can register online at the VEDP web site located at or by calling VEDP International Project Manager Nancy Vorona at 703-689-3059. Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology and various regional technology councils throughout the state are supporting this matchmaking program.

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