By Daniel Walsch and Helen Ackerman

Technology professionals from around the world are stepping forward to register for the 1998 World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) that George Mason University is hosting, June 21-24.

According to officials from WCIT's sponsor, the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), 813 registrations from 23 countries have come in thus far. That leaves WITSA with 663 tickets still to be sold between now and the conference's kick-off event.

WITSA officials hope to have the remaining tickets sold at least one month before the start of the conference.

Countries represented thus far include Australia, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Attendees from these countries include speakers and sponsors.

The World Congress is not a trade show, but an opportunity for top industry, government, and academic leaders to learn about next-generation technologies and trends, discuss how information technology can meet the needs and demands of c onsumers, and form business relationships with each other that will last long after the congress is over. George Mason is the first university to host the World Congress.

Mason's Involvement
The word on the World Congress is out, and many members of the campus community are asking about opportunities for involvement. While George Mason is the host site, the university is also involved in other ways.

On June 24, President Merten discusses the role of the university in the information age.

The university also plans to have a number of exhibits alongside those of approximately 40 companies that are sponsoring the event. The displays reflect seven different themes: Strengthening Today's Work Force; Building Tomorrow's Work Force; Electronic Commerce; New Knowledge; GMU Worldwide; Internet 2 Deployment; and Technology to Preserve and Create Great Dances. They involve a number of faculty members and departments and include partnerships with business and the federal government. The exhibit area in the Johnson Center will be open one afternoon during the congress to the university and general community.

Attendance at the WCIT is by paid ticket only. However, the Congress proceedings will be televised by GMU-TV and can be viewed in the TV Studio during the congress.

Students can compete for the opportunity to meet one of the speakers at the World Congress and attend one of the evening galas. They are invited to create a multimedia presentation on the subject of why they want to meet their speakers of choice. While the winner gets to party, all of the students'presentations will be shown continuously as part of an exhibit.

Logistics
The WCIT will be held in the Concert Hall, Johnson Center, Harris Theater, and Enterprise Hall.

Summer school classes will not be held during the time of the congress. Access to the Johnson Center will be restricted, though all offices will be open and employees will be able to get to work. Food service, however, will not be available.

The road in front of the Center for the Arts (Mason Drive) will be closed. The Parking Deck will be open, but must be entered through the upper entrance by way of Pohick Lane.

Organization for the congress is ongoing. As new arrangements are made that affect the university, they will be reported online in the Daily Gazette.

For specific logistics questions, call Events Management, x38844.