The eCC conference 2000 has been hailed a success by delegates, organisers and guests.

The two-day conference held at the Hamilton Princess ended yesterday with the majority vowing to return next year.

Organisers were pleased with the turn-out and noted that the event was oversubscribed. A total of 241 tickets were sold to delegates in Bermuda and overseas.

But most encouraging was the response from many that the conference was among the best and even better than several in the US and Canada. Delegates hailed the networking opportunities, especially with local start-ups as impressive.

Minister of E-commerce, Renee Webb said: "Bermuda is well on the way to being a centre of excellence for e-commerce.

"Our success is a direct result of the collaborative effort of Government and the private sector.'' The minister's sentiments were certainly echoed by other attendees the Royal Gazette spoke to yesterday. Lisa Fox of Cable & Wireless said: "It was a great opportunity to network with businesses and I think much improved on last year's event.'' Barbara Gaudette from the Bank of Bermuda (FEDS) added: "We have been getting excellent feedback and are being favourably compared with conferences held in the US and Canada. Not only are we being compared but they are saying that we have even surpassed many of those conferences with our quality content.'' "I think it turned out really well,'' said Jim Gardinier, OeBuisness in Toronto, Canada.

Edward Vesely, Deep Blue.com in Texas, US noted: "It has been very useful for me. I've made a lot of valuable contacts and feel that it was well worth the trip.'' It has been very informative. The amount of information I received in this two day conference is equivalent to the amount I would get at a three or four day conference elsewhere. It was certainly worth coming.'' "As a potential company we have a lot of interest in being here,'' said Peter Munger, Strategic Education Services, based in Virginia, US.

"We got a lot of information and can now go home and make some good decisions. I found this conference more personal and precise than most I've attended.'' Lisa Fox Edward Vesely Barbara Gaudette Peter Munger BUSINESS BUC