Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show 2012 held in Nelson and Cranbrook

Inspiration, insight and imagination precede invention

1 of 12Suzanne Pantazis, notary public, of Cranbrook, B.C. receives Influential Women in Business 2012 award from Keith Powell of Kootenay Business magazine. — Marie Milner photo

2 of 12Jordan Fiorentino of Northstar GM shows off the innovative & exciting Chevy Volt at the Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show. — Marie Milner photo

3 of 12BC Hydro's Rod, left, and Taylor. — Marie Milner photo

4 of 12KC Dyer and Judy Salzmann of Kootenay Employment Services in Creston. — Marie Milner photo

5 of 12Phil and Brian of Kootenay Information Technology. — Marie Milner photo

6 of 12Larry Parks and Tara Penner of KRIC. — Marie Milner photo

7 of 12Tony Wagner of Flook Digital Media talks with Tracey Buckley of KRIC. — Marie Milner photo

8 of 12Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show panelists Stephen Wik of Rocky Mountain Print Solutions, Tracey Buckley of KRIC and Lee Tengum, web developer. — Marie Milner photo

9 of 12Alex Ibbotson represented Mitech Business Systems at the Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show. — Marie Milner photo

10 of 12Sydney-Anne Porter of AG Valley Foods in Invermere, B.C. receives Influential Women in Business 2012 award from Keith Powell of Kootenay Business magazine. — Marie Milner photo

11 of 12Mario Tancan and Tammy Gagne represented Staples at the Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show. — Marie Milner photo

12 of 12Chris, left, and Cassidy of Cranbrook Photo Studio. — Marie Milner photo

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The recent Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show provided a forum where local businesses could show off the newest business-related tech tools. Kootenay Business publisher Keith Powell is the force behind the trade show.

“The event was about making quality connections and showcasing innovation and technology in the Kootenays,” Powell said. “The ‘i’ in i-Tech stands for innovation, but also could mean invention.”

The show was held in both Nelson and Cranbrook, to cover both the West and the East Kootenay, with a combined total of 25 exhibitors and almost 150 attendees. On display was the newest technology, including digital media, interactive virtual tours and high-tech copiers. Also present were local associations that foster innovation and the advancement of science and technology in business. The sleek and beautiful Chevrolet Volt also made a quiet guest appearance at the Cranbrook show, courtesy of Northstar GM.

Dr. James Heilman, an emergency room physician and president of Wikimedia Canada, was a keynote speaker in Cranbrook, along with David Savage, founder of the Kootenay Leadership Institute. Each in his own way spoke of the power of information, innovation, collaboration and passion.

At each location a panel of entrepreneurs shared their insights and impressions on the status of innovation technology, relative to their area of expertise.

Influential women in business awards

From a field of 30 nominated Kootenay businesswomen, top honours were given to six, with the presentation of Kootenay Business magazine’s new Influential Women in Business (IWIB) Award.

The West Kootenay winners were Pam McLeod of Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce, Ingrid Hope of Hall Printing in Trail and Tammy Darough of RBC Insurance Brokers Ltd. in Nelson. The East Kootenay IWIB award winners were Shirley-Anne Porter of AG Valley Foods in Invermere, Cynthia Levagood of Smoking Water Coffee Co. Cafe/Bistro in Fairmont Hot Springs and Suzanne Pantazis, a notary public in Cranbrook.