Individuals, corporations and organizations from the Ohio Valley gathered Friday at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth to discuss Interactive Digital Technology at the Shawnee Conference 2.0.
IDT is used in computer games and in the development of interactive simulation tools.
The planning committee of Shawnee Conference 2.0 included IT Alliance of Appalachian Ohio, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Ohio University Gaming Academy, West Virginia University Virtual Environment Laboratory, Shawnee State University Outreach Programs, Kentucky Virtual University program and Adena Ventures.
Gary Little, president of the IT Alliance, said the most valuable part of this conference was to offer an opportunity for idea sharing in the field of IDT.
State officials at the conference were shown new ideas and business opportunities that spring from the IDT field, Little said.
And they were amazed
he said. That's one of the accomplishments today.
With the number of manufacturing jobs shrinking in Ohio, the IT Alliance has been working to create more technology-related jobs, Little said.
The primary focus of IT Alliance in the coming years will be to continue to work with colleges and the government to develop curriculum and degree programs in the field of IDT, he said.
There are 40 students involved in the (IDT) degree program (of Shawnee State University) right now he said. Also things are starting to fall in place now for a new degree program to be developed in the Ohio University. The new degree will be an interdisciplinary degree between the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Communication and the School of Art.
The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is acting as a bridge between higher education, state government and companies at the conference, said Jennifer Simon, president and CEO of the chamber.
Simon conducted a meeting at the conference with these three groups to discuss a plan for a Regional Center of Excellence in Interactive Digital Technology.
With new contacts and partnership, the industry could become strong in the region, she said.
Simon said the next step of the chamber will be to map out the different strategies and identify the responsibilities for each of the three groups.
Nathaniel Berger, president of Ohio University Gaming Academy, also attended the conference and gave a speech about the starting and managing of gaming clubs at the university level.
Local computer game developers were able to exhibit their games and look for potential investors at the conference.
OU senior Alex Kain was at the conference displaying his game development company, which developed a video game design for a book series.
Kain is trying to get the rights from the book's author and support from publishers and investors for the project.
As everyone at the conference learned
there is definitely enough passion for the medium flying around here. All we need to do is harness our local talent
network with nearby professionals and prove that we are serious about the work of making fun
he said.
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