| Mid-Atlantic CIO Forum - Meeting Announcement Topic: Democratization of the Web Date: April 16, 2009 Location: Towson University Please plan to join CIO members and invited guests at the April 16 meeting of the Mid-Atlantic CIO Forum. The topic for this meeting is “Democratization of the Web”. Recent advancements in the way knowledge is constructed, disseminated and used through the web are creating a more democratic knowledge sharing through the Internet that is changing business models, business partnerships, the role of IT and a growing thirst among web users. In this meeting we will take an in-depth look at these impacts, lessons learned, identification of threats and strategies and technology improvements to address them. First, Jim Lathan, Technology Specialist, Dell Inc., will provide insight into the dimensions of democratization with particular focus on enabling democratization on the net and impacts realized. “From its creation, the internet has been one of the most promising technologies. This Technology, the internet, has changed nearly every part of our lives; how we learn, think, live and communicate. This impact drives users wanting more, they want access any time, from anywhere to anything they desire. This usage trend could be labeled as democratizing the Internet, a term which describes users sharing their thoughts or businesses communicating with customers, or towns, cities and states becoming one large community. Democratizing the internet requires enabling agents; users alone can’t move the internet to an open, free, pro-social medium. We will discuss enabling internet democratization agents, their use and how they have changed the way we all communicate. Dell will discuss its latest usage of these agents and how it has affected the way Dell does business.” (Lathan) In the second part of the meeting, a panel will continue the discussion with Forum CIO members and guests. The panel presents three IT/business views with direct experiences on democratization; namely, views of a CIO addressing the business and technology impacts, a major IT vendor view and a view of an independent consultant/trainer working with companies entering into democratization. Joining Jim Lathan on the panel are Tim Watkins, President and CEO, Renegade and Neal Guernsey, CIO, Feld Entertainment. “The web allows us to interact in ways we’ve never thought before, and to reach people we would never have the opportunity to meet. The web skews reality so that the impossible seems possible, seven continents seem like one, and distance is irrelevant.” (T. Watkins, Renegade LLC). “Due to the nature of our business as an entertainment company, we are getting more and more involved in the web. Our Motor Sports properties Motocross, Monster Jam and Drag Racing have fan groups that track their favorite teams. We are also looking at using some of the social networking sites to promote our other family fare like the Circus using viral marketing among our frequent customers and other fans.( N. Guernsey, Feld Entertainment)” This meeting is a Roundtable Plus meeting. Only CIO members, guest CIOs and guests invited by CIO members for this roundtable will be attending. The roundtable format will be used and all participants will have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Please join our members at the meeting! The meeting starts at 8:00 AM and ends by 1PM. Brunch and lunch are provided. Pre-registration is required. Meeting logistics including agenda, directions to the meeting place and parking information will be emailed to you after you register. For registration for this meeting, please contact: Bonnie Lawson at blawson@towson.edu or 410-704-4252. | 
