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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600
1998 World Congress on Information Technology Exceeds Fairfax County’s Expectations
Chairman of the Economic Development Authority Briefs Supervisors on Event Results
Fairfax County, Virginia, August 3, 1998 — Today, at their monthly meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors learned that Fairfax County’s investment in the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology is more than paying off. Patricia M. Woolsey, chairman of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, highlighted the results to date of the international event.
From June 21-24, a record-breaking 1,800 of the world’s technology and related industry leaders from 93 countries visited George Mason University in Fairfax County for the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology. Fairfax County was awarded the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology as a result of the efforts by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) and in clear recognition of the County’s dominance in the information technology industry.
According to Woolsey, "The 1998 World Congress helped us catapult our marketing efforts into the next millennium. Within four days, we had 20 prospects, eight of which are international companies."
While the number of attendees at the 1998 World Congress was record-breaking, the event was much bigger than just those assembled at George Mason University. The four-day event also attracted journalists 1998 World Congress Exceeds Fairfax County’s Expectations from more than 200 media outlets around the world. Their stories covered every aspect of technology—from workforce shortages to worker education, from Year 2000 fears to biotechnology hopes, and from e-mail to e-commerce. To date, the extensive media coverage has resulted in more than 105 million people around the world who have seen, heard or read about Fairfax County and the 1998 World Congress.
Along with generating new international awareness for Fairfax County, the 1998 World Congress has had a significant economic impact on Fairfax County. In fact, according to economist Dr. Stephen Fuller, professor of public policy at George Mason University, an estimated $12 million will be generated in Fairfax County as a result of the 1998 World Congress. "Long-term, the identification of Fairfax County as a major center of information technology will attract new business, new international partnerships, venture capital and skilled workers," said Fuller. "More short-term, we can already see the economic benefits of the World Congress in Fairfax County’s hospitality and service industries alone."
Like most every other aspect of Fairfax County, George Mason University also benefited from the World Congress. Not only was the University profiled internationally, but, as the site of the 1998 World Congress, it is the recipient of several hundred thousands of dollars of infrastructure upgrading and rewiring necessary for such a sophisticated event.
"To say that this event was a success is an understatement," said Woolsey. "Not only did everyone who came to George Mason University learn more about the future of information technology, but they also leaned more about Fairfax County and its internationally significant IT industry."
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority provides a wide array of services and information designed to promote Fairfax County as a business location for domestic and international companies and organizations. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, provides information for employees relocating to Fairfax County and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic statistics. For more information about the FCEDA’s programs and services, visit their Web page at www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org.
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