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The Insider: The Philadelphia Region's Information Technology Sector - 'An Outstanding Competitor in IT and Improving Its Game'

Innovation Philadelphia's new study Creative Footprint, has uncovered particular strengths within the following industry sectors: Software Development; Communications and Marketing; Architecture, Engineering and Planning; Graphic and Visual Arts and Multimedia Design; Product Design and Merchandising; and Information Technology. Innovation Matters is taking an in-depth look at the big six, and here is what we've found about information technology:

The Philadelphia Region's information technology industry sector's economic impact on the Philadelphia Region is $2.1 billion annually. This creative occupation employs 44,000 workers with average annual wages of $70,600. Information technology firms comprise nearly 8% of all creative industry employment in the Philadelphia Region.

The Philadelphia Region's information technology industry - defined in Creative Footprint as all industries/occupations involving the servicing, producing and distributing computer, network and telecom equipment and services - houses impressive highly-skilled employees. Employment growth in recent years sets the stage to claim Philadelphia's reputation as a hub for information technology.

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Innovation Spotlight: Providing Demonstrative Value to Clients though IT

Innovation Philadelphia spotlights regional creative industry entrepreneurs and young professionals making an impact on the Philadelphia Region, or innovative initiatives that showcase the tremendous innovative and creative talent driving Philadelphia's economy.

April's spotlight on creativity is local entrepreneur, Drew Morrisroe. He is President and CEO of CTN Solutions, an award-winning provider of information technology services to small and mid-sized businesses in the Philadelphia area. Drew founded CTN in 1997 with less than 1,000 computer users and his company has grown rapidly in recent years.

Drew received the distinction of being named a "40 under 40" in Philadelphia in April 2005 and was recognized for his role in the business and civic community.

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Creative Movement Conference

Register today for Creative Movement Conference: Creative Economy in Action. Business Development in Motion., an interactive, half-day conference on Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 7:30 a.m. to noon in Room 109 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia). Learn how peer city leaders from New York City, Boston and Pittsburgh are leading economic and job growth in creative industry businesses, and changing the landscape of business development. Join Philadelphia business professionals and economic development, civic and education leaders at the upcoming Creative Movement conference. Business Attire is required. Attendance cost is $65 per person, which includes a continental breakfast.

Creative Movement Keynote Speaker
Rolf Smith, Lead Guide, The Virtual Thinking Expeditions (vTx) Company
According to Fast Company magazine, "Rolf Smith has spent a career thinking about how people think. Now as the Lead Guide at vTx, he is helping people at some of the world's most powerful organizations, such as ExxonMobil, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, DuPont and Ford, to design and lead problem solving expeditions to explore new concepts, approaches and technologies to generate big ideas -- and to rethink their whole approach to creativity.

Smith is the author of The 7 Levels of Change (1997, 2002, 2006), a fieldguide for thinking "diffferent."

» Register Now

In the News

» Technology Times Fast Facts

» Grassroots groups nurture creativity

» DreamIt Ventures kicks off with advice for making it big

Entrepreneurship Week This Week

Calling all Philadelphia Entrepreneurs! The Empowerment Group's third annual Entrepreneurship Week lasts until this Saturday, April 26. This week-long, city-wide campaign serves as a valuable resource for established and aspiring entrepreneurs. Included in the week are events specifically structured to showcase the local businesses and organizations that keep Philadelphia moving forward.

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Call for 'Connectors'

LEADERSHIP Philadelphia invites you to be part of a project to identify young local leaders. The organization is conducting research to identify trusted young leaders, in their early 20's to early 40's, in the Philadelphia Region. LEADERSHIP Philadelphia organization is looking for "connectors" who seem to know everyone, and may operate "beneath the radar screen."

» Learn more

Your Opinion Counts

The Philadelphia Region's product design and merchandising creative industry sector generates $2.7 billion for the region. When asked how important a product's design is, the results of the poll are:

Does your company use in-house or out-sourced IT support?

» Vote Now

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