Tauranga's burgeoning information technology industry will be in the spotlight this week with the city hosting a national IT conference.

Priority One CEO Andrew Coker and IT conference organiser Paul Dow discuss potential for growth in the sector. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Institute of IT Professionals Tauranga branch chairman Paul Dow says the new regional group, which formed 18 months ago, secured the event, running October 23-25, largely because of the area's reputation for top IT work and innovation.

'The national body was keen to support Tauranga hosting the conference really because of the energy and the investment and focus around IT – and Tauranga's having the largest proportion of innovation start-ups in the country.”

Tauranga IT start-ups have a growing reputation for attracting investment from individuals (known as angel investment), and funding grants.

Paul, who himself shifted to the region two years ago, hopes the conference, attracting 250 delegates, will raise the region's profile as an IT centre and ultimately attract more business investment and industry professionals to the area.

Adding to the lifestyle of living in the Bay, Paul hopes delegates will learn about the growing opportunities the region offers in developing IT systems that increase business' competitive advantage by enabling a more efficient use of equipment in sectors such as forestry and logistics.

He rates some of the area's businesses as 'world class in the IT sphere” and believes potential exists for them to develop programs for offshore exports and to expand into new industry categories.

Paul believes the institute can support innovation and economic growth in the region with professional development in IT, encouraging adoption of certified professional IT standards and promoting the IT profession as a career.

'I absolutely believe there is significant potential for growth – IT will be key to our future growth and continued success as a region.”

The conference's theme is ‘Innovating our way to the future' and includes a trip to four Tauranga business innovators – Port of Tauranga, Rhubarb Group, Radfords Software and Robotics Plus. For details, visit: www.iitp.org.nz