Conference represents major opportunity for IT industry

Northeast PHP 2017 conference chair Peter MacIntyre (L) and conference participant Lincoln Maskey discuss plans for this year's event which will see dozens of IT experts from across North American meet August 9 to 11 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.

Creating jobs for Islanders -

Lincoln Maskey believes hosting information technology (IT) professionals from across North America next month is a great opportunity to grow Prince Edward Island’s own industry.

Charlottetown will be the site of Northeast PHP 2017 from August 9 to 11, the second-consecutive year the major IT conference has happened here. The provincial government is supporting the conference with an $8,000 grant.

“Northeast PHP 2017 gives increased profile to the industry here, and that may attract new start ups or business expansions to our province,” said Maskey, a senior software engineer with Island company iWave Information Systems. “But beyond that, this is a tremendous learning and networking opportunity for industry professionals on the Island and one that will pay dividends for the IT sector.”

IT is a strong and growing community on Prince Edward Island, providing over $200 million annually to the province’s economy and employing more than 1,800 people in the sector.

“The province’s role is to ensure the industry on Prince Edward Island is prepared to meet the challenges of a changing economy and the fast-paced evolution of the IT industry as a whole,” Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald said. “It might surprise some people to learn that our province has such a vibrant IT sector, so it’s also important that we showcase what we have to offer these companies, to highlight the many successes seen in the industry, and to promote the capable workforce in our province.”

“We’ve been seeing that workforce grow,” continued Minister MacDonald. “Our labour force was 3.8 per cent higher this month compared to June 2016 and our employment rate is ahead by 4.5 per cent. These are very encouraging numbers and among the strongest in the country.”

Northeast PHP will bring together dozens of IT experts and web developers from across North America to discuss advancements in the industry and best practices and to network and collaborate with fellow industry professionals.

“We had an amazing response from the many presenters and delegates who came to Charlottetown last year for the 2016 edition of the conference,” conference organizer Peter MacIntyre said. “This year we are trying to build on that success.”

For more information, visit Northeast PHP 2017.

Media contact:
Andrew Sprague
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca

General Inquiries

Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population
5th Floor North, Shaw Building
105 Rochford Street
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Phone: 902-368-4250
Fax: 902-368-4242

DeptWALP@gov.pe.ca