Vivek Kundra, Salesforce Executive and Former U.S. CIO, to Speak at GTEC

Helping Canada's Public Sector Harness the Power of the Cloud

OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept. 24, 2015 /CNW/ -- GTEC, Canada's internationally recognized forum for enabling and celebrating information and communication technology leadership, innovation and impact in Canada's public sector, today announced that Vivek Kundra, Executive Vice President, Salesforce, and former United States Chief Information Officer, will take the GTEC Main Stage to discuss The Rise of the Connected Government. 

This accomplished visionary will bring decades of technology leadership, experience and success to GTEC. As the first CIO of the United States, Kundra is credited with adopting game-changing technologies, strengthening the cybersecurity posture of the nation, and launching an open government movement which has been replicated around the world.

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Kundra served as the CTO for the U.S. District of Columbia and as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology for the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. Kundra also served as a fellow at Harvard University at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy. The World Economic Forum selected Kundra as a 2011 Young Global Leader, representing a group of exceptional young leaders who share a commitment to shaping the global future.

"We are delighted to welcome Mr. Kundra to the GTEC Main Stage," said Michele Lajeunesse, Executive Director of GTEC. "Among his many achievements, this former CIO led the U.S. Government to the cloud. His visit to Ottawa is truly timely as federal, provincial and municipal governments across the country assess cloud readiness, and explore the development and implementation of cloud computing strategies. Mr. Kundra will provide GTEC participants with the insight required to capitalize on this opportunity."

Following his keynote address, Mr. Kundra will share his perspective on the provocative panel, The Journey to the Cloud – How Ready Are We?  This session will explore key considerations for the implementation of cloud computing in the public sector, and why a 'cloud-first strategy' is imperative for driving a more efficient, innovative and transparent government. Mr. Kundra joins the following panelists:

• Karna Gupta, President and CEO, Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)
• Stephen Gordon, Executive Director, Hosting Delivery Services, Government of BC
• Michael Larson, Chief Operating Officer, CloudBC
• Bob Osborn, Chief Technology Officer, Federal at ServiceNow

Vivek Kundra's keynote on The Rise of the Connected Government will take place on the GTEC 2015 Main Stage, on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 9:05AM, followed by the panel Journey to the Cloud – How Ready Are We? at 9:25AM, at the Shaw Centre.

For more information, visit: gtec.ca 
Register for GTEC: gtec.ca/ottawa/registration-and-pricing 
Apply for a GTEC media pass: gtec.ca/ottawa/press-centre-overview

About GTEC
GTEC is Canada's internationally recognized forum for enabling and celebrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leadership, innovation and impact in Canada's public sector.  Since 1992, GTEC has brought together more than 100,000 public and private sector innovators, leaders and enterprises to explore and drive leading-edge ICT initiatives, application and service delivery.  Building on targeted webinars, summits, and roundtables that stimulate dialogue throughout the year, GTEC's annual flagship Conference and Exhibition attracts more than 4,500 participants, and delivers:

• Education and training opportunities that develop top ICT talent
• A robust conference program with compelling keynote presentations and panels on current strategies, opportunities and trends
• An extensive exhibition showcasing emerging technologies, innovations, and solutions that enhance productivity and performance
• A wealth of collaboration, business development and networking opportunities
• Distinction Awards that celebrate ICT excellence in Canada's public sector

For additional information on GTEC, please visit: www.gtec.ca. 

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