German-Dutch multimedia network established
Multimedia companies formed as a result of a German government competition are to be brought together in a new platform for information exchange and networking. Organised by the German Federal Ministry for Industry and Technology, the contest for the creation of multimedia companies is designed to foster the conquest of new markets with innovative multimedia and competitive products and services. This contest was managed by VDI/VDE-IT from 1997 to 2001, in which time 2,700 groups entered the competition with 509 prizes being awarded. Most award-winning projects culminated in the creation of a company. It is mainly companies such as these that pushed for the establishment of a common platform for information-exchange and networking activities, which VDI/VDE-IT and its partners have created dubbed the 'Alumni Meeting of the Multimedia Contestants'. The first meeting at the federal level will take place on the 25 October 2002, hosted by the KOMSA Kommunikation Sachsen AG, winner of the German Internet Prize 2002, in the town of Hartmannsdorf near Chemnitz. All the companies who have taken part in the contest and their clients have been invited to the meeting. Invitations have also been extended to industry representatives, the press and political appointees, as well as radios and televisions. A German-Dutch co-operation forum will take place in conjunction with the alumni meeting. All interested parties are invited to participate in this event.