District Of Columbia Announces Spring Community Broadband Summit

Summit expected to be one of the best technology learning, sharing and networking events of 2012

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The D.C. Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) will host the Spring Community Broadband Summit, featuring remarks by Mayor Vincent C. Gray and NTIA Chief of Staff Angela Simpson, expert panel discussions, technology exhibits and presentations and a Community Forum.  The Summit is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served and on-line registration is available at http://connect.dc.gov/event/spring-community-broadband-summit-register-now.  

WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 2012; 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Thurgood Marshall Academy/Savoy Elementary School: 2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave, SE, Washington, DC  20020

WHO: Executive Office of the Mayor, Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and Digital Inclusion Initiative (DII) staff and volunteers. District residents. Representatives from federal and local government agencies, non-profit organizations and the business community.

BACKGROUND: Today, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Chief Technology Officer Rob Mancini announced the Spring Community Broadband Summit. The Summit, hosted by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), will convene on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Thurgood Marshall Academy / Savoy Elementary School complex in southeast Washington.

This event, entitled Connecting Communities through Broadband Technology, will examine the long term economic benefits of broadband adoption and digital literacy in the District.

"We have a mission to address broadband adoption through awareness, education, access and infrastructure-related activities and grants," said Mancini. "As we work within the community to improve broadband adoption, we look forward to our Spring Community Broadband Summit to engage with our community partners and to focus entirely on this challenge."

Hundreds of District residents, small business owners and community activists are expected to attend the Summit. Large group panel discussions will be held throughout the day to tackle topics such as "Growing Businesses and Careers through Broadband." Small technology breakout sessions will run concurrently throughout the afternoon programming. Panelists include policymakers, prominent industry representatives and local technology advocates. In addition, nearly 20 exhibitors—representing government agencies, local businesses, and community partners—will showcase their products and services.

There has been a shift in the way individuals, families, businesses, and governments operate in the past decade—continually moving towards the latest technology. Broadband adoption and digital literacy are now prerequisites for participation in the 21st century economy. The Spring Community Broadband Summit is one of several Summits in which the city offers technology education and sharing opportunities to ensure that no person is left behind in the use of day-to-day technologies that permeate society.

The Community Broadband Summits are part of the Digital Inclusion Initiative (DII)—established by OCTO to draw attention to the advantages of technology and collaborate with government, nonprofit and corporate entities to advance citywide broadband access and education initiatives. DII is funded by the United States Department of Commerce's State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant program through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

About the Office of the Chief Technology Officer
The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) is the central technology organization of the District of Columbia Government. OCTO develops, implements, and maintains the District's technology infrastructure; develops and implements major enterprise applications; establishes and oversees technology policies and standards for the District; provides technology services and support for District agencies, and develops technology solutions to improve services to businesses, residents and visitors in all areas of District government.

For more information on the Digital Inclusion Initiative, visit
Website: www.Connect.DC.gov
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Connect.DC.gov
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ConnectdotDC

Contact: Jill Melnicki
[email protected]
(202) 442-3201

SOURCE Office of the Chief Technology Officer