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14 March 2005
Sixteen of New Zealand’s leading information and communications technology (ICT) companies and organisations are spearheading New Zealand’s biggest ever attendance at an international ICT trade fair while on show at CeBIT 2005, the world’s largest ICT fair being held in Hanover, Germany, March 10-16.
" New Zealand’s presence at this year’s CeBIT represents a massive ramping up in terms of commitment and investment," said Hans Frauenlob, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s acting director of ICT.
"For the companies it is a chance to feature their world-class technology on the biggest ICT stage in the world.
"For NZTE, the New Zealand pavilion at CeBIT is certainly the largest we, or our predecessor organisations, have been involved in terms of cost, preparation and the on-stand technology that will be on show," he said.
"The pavilion has to be professional and cutting edge, in line with the New Zealand technology that will be on display at CeBIT."
NZTE’s investment in CeBIT 2005 is approximately $560,000.
Right Hemisphere’s 3D projection and NextWindow’s touch screen technologies will be among the New Zealand pavilion’s attractions.
Centrepiece will be a 2.5 x 2.5 metre 3D projection by Right Hemisphere. With its "Deep Server" and "Deep Creator" technologies, complex visual content and data can be turned into interactive 3D objects. Visitors to the stand will be able to experience this technology first hand, manipulating 3D images projected against a wall.
Another highlight is the touch screen technology of NextWindow. In addition to displaying two interactive touch screen panels, the company will also be launching its patented Scanning Infra-red Touch Technology and NextWindow / eBeam Interactive Presentation software for the creation of interactive workspaces using large plasma and LCD screens. This technology brings to life the idea of being able to turn on and manipulate computer programmes with a wave of the hand or recognised hand gesture.
At CeBIT 2005 there are 6270 companies exhibiting from 69 countries housed in 309,000 square metres of display space. There is strong representation from key NZ ICT markets.
In 2004 there were more than half a million visitors and more than 2000 media from 65 countries, including many of the leading international IT publications.
"CeBIT represents a significant opportunity, when combined with an intensive PR campaign, to raise the profile of New Zealand technology offshore," Mr Frauenlob said.
CeBIT 2005 has been chosen as the launch pad for the ICT New Zealand New Thinking campaign in Europe because of the fair’s size and ability to attract key buyers, partners, influencers and collaborators.
New Zealand New Thinking is a programme which aims to help New Zealand’s businesses compete globally by building on this country’s clean, green image to include international recognition for our creativity, innovation and technology.
New Zealand New Thinking provides a powerful framework in which to do this, Mr Frauenlob said and this had been recognised by the companies attending CeBIT.
"One of NZTE’s key objectives is to help high-growth, export-orientated companies establish strong commercial positions in targeted offshore markets and CeBIT fits extremely well with this."
Mark Billinghurst (HIT Lab NZ), Ian Taylor (Animation Research Ltd), and Scott Houston (New Zealand Supercomputing Centre) will also speak at a New Zealand networking function to be held on March 14.
The New Zealand organisations and companies attending CeBIT are:
Mike BookerCommunications ConsultantNew Zealand Trade and EnterpriseTel: 04 910 4375Mob: 0274 832 921Email: mike.booker@nzte.govt.nz
Contact Mike Booker for copies of a visualisation of the New Zealand pavilion.
For more information on New Zealand’s presence at CeBIT visit - www.nzte.govt.nz/cebit
