become a part of the new e-commerce industry currently exploding on the Island.

The three-day show, which will be opened by Minister of Telecommunications and E-commerce Renee Webb, will be held in the No 1 Shed in Hamilton and is organised by the Computer Society of Bermuda.

"We are expecting a good turn-out for the three days,'' said Jerry Faries, secretary of the society, "Our intent is to inform Bermudians about e-commerce and of the impact it has on their lives and help them prepare for the future.'' The show is expecting to attract between 750 and 1,200 people in the course of the event -- called Bermuda and the World Economy. The last time the show was held in 1998 roughly 1,100 people came through the doors.

The first day kicks off at 9am, but the official opening will take place at 12pm when Ms Webb is expected to say a few words.

Presentations will be held during the afternoon by Cable & Wireless on e-business and web hosting and SBI Ltd on the digital age. The following day additional seminars will be held on system voice data, with a repeat of part of the previous day's schedule.

The Saturday is a half-day and is aimed at encouraging students to seek information about and careers in IT.

The society says that exhibitors will provide information to the students and lectures are to provide information of careers for Bermudians in the field.

The event has been organised by the Computer Society of Bermuda, which has as its remit to encourage and try to help train Bermudians for the information technology field.

Set up in 1977, the Society was originally formed as a way for IT personnel to meet and exchange ideas.

But as the years went on, and the field expanded, the group decided that it should be opened up to all those who have an interest in information technology.

This broadened the scope of the Society, which is a registered charity, and led to more formal presentations during lunch hours and special events in the evening.

Now the Society is not only aimed at IT professionals but at the Island as a whole.

The Society also runs programmes for people wanting to increase their efficiency in the use of computers which provides certification in conjunctions with Bermuda College.

BUSINESS BUC