"This is a very significant gathering" stated Mr. Bevil Wooding, Programme Director for the event. He added, "CaribNOG is a forum designed specifically to create greater levels of technical collaboration in the Caribbean. This puts us all in better position to address critical technology challenges and issues and to derive relevant solutions."
Over the past year the CaribNOG group has been building a reputation as an influential forum where network technicians and technology professionals share experiences and participate in high-tech training exercises and workshops.
Stephen Lee, spokesperson for the group and Chief Technology Officer at ArkiTechs Inc. stated "Not only will we have network professionals from across the region, CaribNOG has attracted speakers and participants from as far as New Zealand, Argentina, the UK and North America for the event."
The event affords St Maarten has a unique opportunity to showcase itself to the world as one of the region's main technology hubs. The week-long program includes technical training sessions in Voice over IP (VoIP), Linux Security, IPv6 and advanced routing for building the skills of ICT technicians and engineers.
The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), co-convener of the ICT Week, has been a staunch supporter of CaribNOG and collaborating partner since the inception of group. Ms. Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General of the CTU stated, "The goals of CaribNOG are consistent with the CTU's vision for greater technical collaboration within the region. We were pleased that the organizers have been able to use our Caribbean ICT Roadshow as a launch pad for CaribNOG's activities."
The event has also gained strong support from some major organizations in the industry including the American Registry of Internet Numbers (ARIN), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC) and Packet Clearing House (PCH).
Ms. Peggy Ann Brandon, local coordinator for the St Maarten ICT Week said, "We are delighted to host such a high-caliber slate of presenters for this meeting." She added, "Regional ICT practitioners have a unique opportunity to be part of history in the making and to benefit from the expertise of some of the top minds in the industry."
The 1st CaribNOG Regional Meeting will be held at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa. The meeting is free of charge and open Internet Service Providers, Network Administrators, Computer Engineers, Technology Researchers and ICT Consultants and other interested stakeholders.
The Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) is a non-for-profit, independent technical community committed to providing a regional forum for sharing technical experiences and expertise; building technical capacity and knowledge; and advocating relevant technical solutions for the region.
CaribNOG is committed to providing a regional forum for influencing technical development in the Caribbean region and raising awareness among the region's network operators and ICT practitioners as to their common role and regional responsibility.
About the Caribbean Telecommunications Union
The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is a inter-governmental, treaty organization, acting in an advisory capacity to the governments of the Caribbean region. The organization was established in 1990 years ago by regional heads of government to advise on matters related to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
The CTU is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago and has been involved in the harmonization of policies across the Caribbean for the development of the ICT sector. It is governed by a council of ministers from the telecommunication and information ministries of the regional governments. Its membership base comprises governments, private sector and civil society organizations.
