There are only two weeks left to get your iAwards entries in - be quick! Entries close on 7 March 2008.

The iAwards are Australia's premier information and communications technology (ICT) industry awards. Each year the iAwards give the Australian ICT community the opportunity to have excellence in technology innovation recognised at a state, national and international level by consumers, industry peers and the broader community.

The iAwards honour the finest in Australian ICT talent by awarding ICT achievements across a wide range of categories. Entry to the iAwards is open to all levels of the ICT community, from small start-ups and emerging talent to big business and established entrepreneurs.

This is your opportunity - don't miss the chance to have your work and achievements recognised at the highest level.

Past recipients have gone on to great things, and lauded the experience and publicity they gained through the profile of their iAwards involvement. So whether you are a student, start-up, SME or major business concern, it is worth nominating your ICT achievements for an iAward.

The iAwards are run by the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), as the Australian member of the Asia-Pacific ICT Awards.

Entries now open: www.aiia.com.au

Don't forget, inclusion of a 3 minute video is optional this year.

State winners will be announced on March 25 2008.

National winners will be announced 28 May, 2008.

On 22 January 2008, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, announced a Review of Australia's national innovation system to be conducted by an expert panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler. The terms of reference for the review are broad-ranging, recognising that innovation and creative problem solving involve not only the drivers of productivity and competitiveness within firms and industries, but also better ways to deliver public and community services.

The Review will look at how to promote a culture supportive of new knowledge and fresh ideas, and also at how to better support the diffusion and take up of new technologies and innovative processes across industries and the community. The Review will also develop national priorities for innovation, and AIIA has been identified as a key stakeholder in this process. From 3 March, open stakeholder consultations are being held across Australia in each capital city, led by Dr Cutler.

AIIA will represent all members in this process, develop a White Paper for submission, and put forward your views and ideas. If you have ideas or opinions that you would like communicated the panel, please contact Ron Forrester by email or on (02) 6281 9408.

Final submissions to the review are due by 30 April 2008.

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney

Austrade strongly supports CeBIT Australia, which is the largest ICT show in Australasia with over 700 exhibitors and 30,000+ business visitors.  We are seeking high quality ICT clients to exhibit in 'Export Alley'. 

This part of the show allows companies to exhibit at a discounted rate and meet with the overseas Austrade business development managers who are coming to the show.  We are bringing a number of overseas buyers to CeBIT Australia 2008 and if they are seeking the types of products/services which you provide we will arrange for you to meet them.  If you are interested in exhibiting as part of Export Alley further information is available from the Austrade website.

Embedded Systems Australia is a new industry cluster whose members are collaborating to strengthen embedded systems and related industries in Australia.