Mobilize Northern Maine helps IT staff network

    PRESQUE ISLE — The Mobilize Northern Maine (MNM) Information Technology (IT) Industry Cluster members convened the first networking event in Aroostook County. The Jan. 19 event, held at the Crow’s Nest Restaurant, brought together IT professionals from around the region to share ideas and learn about opportunities.
    “With dozens of small and large technology businesses located throughout the County, we wanted an opportunity to get everyone together, exchange business contacts, and talk about how to grow the IT industry in northern Maine,” said Stephen Dame, president of 207 Technology Group Inc. and organizer of the event.
    Walt Elish, president of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress, said the idea for a “technology group” in northern Maine arose during a Mobilize Northern Maine IT meeting last fall.
    “Not only was it exciting to see people attend from around the County but the level of interest expressed in wanting to continue to meet as a group was very encouraging,” said Stacy Shaw, vice president, MMG Insurance.
    In addition to networking opportunities, Elish said the group discussed a unique IT business development potential, — the “Aroostook County Outsourcing Collaborative.” The purpose of the Collaborative, he added, is to bring together the different IT companies in the County and market their unique services as a collective to companies throughout the country.
    CB Smith, president of Virtual Managed Solutions, noted that the Aroostook County workforce has a solid reputation for its innovation and productivity. “If we work together, the County has a golden opportunity to leverage that asset and become a viable outsourcing option for companies,” he said.