News

The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) announced today that Fran Berman, director of the center, has been selected by the producers of VORTEX 2004 to speak at the annual event held Oct. 4-6, 2004, at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, Calif. The acclaimed executive conference from Network World Events and Executive Forums, will present agenda-setting commentary on the issues that are shaping the near- and long-term future of the $1 trillion IT industry.

"Dr. Berman will bring a unique perspective to this conference where CIOs and other IT executives will have an opportunity to explore many different related issues directly with senior executives of the leading companies that are shaping the future of computing, said John Gallant, co-executive producer of VORTEX and president and editorial director of Network World. "VORTEX 2004 is unique among conferences because it brings together CIOs and the top vendor executives. VORTEX is happening at a critical period in the re-emergence of the industry. This year, attendees will get an intimate look at the technologies and issues that will affect the way we'll build our future applications and infrastructure and they'll learn how to navigate through some tricky strategic decisions in the years ahead," said John Gallant, co-executive producer of VORTEX and president and editorial director of Network World."

The conference agenda includes thought provoking "Executive Spotlights" and panels made up of senior executives, CIO's, industry analysts, disruptors and investors who will shape the IT industry tomorrow. Representatives from companies such as Cisco, EMC, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Juniper Networks, Microsoft, Oracle and others will be in attendance. All will share their thoughts and visions about networked computing, the extended enterprise, the future of enterprise software, industry dynamics and more.

For more information or to register for VORTEX 2004, go to: www.vortex.net.

VORTEX is by-invitation-only, and is limited to senior executives, CIO's investors and entrepreneurs. Registration requests are subject to approval and will be reviewed.

About the VORTEX Conference

VORTEX is an executive conference envisioning the year ahead, as well as the new realities and opportunities for the IT industry and the connected economy. VORTEX explores how swirling forces like exploding bandwidth, open source software, virtualized and untethered computing, outsourcing, digital rights management, presence awareness, instant communications, ubiquitous, data-blasting sensors and other dramatic developments are converging to redefine computing and communications. VORTEX explores the people, technologies and issues that will drive - and impede - the pervasiveness and productivity gains from technology in the months ahead. Under the experienced stage guidance of Executive Producers John Gallant and Geoffrey Moore, VORTEX is where the leaders of the post-boom IT business set the agenda for tomorrow. VORTEX is hosted by Network World Events & Executive Forums, the producers of other highly respected industry events such as DEMO® and DEMOmobile®.

About Network World Events & Executive Forums

Network World, Inc., the leader in network knowledge, empowers network IT executives through education, information and community. Network World is the leading provider of news, analysis, reviews, events and education on information technology. Network World publishes the leading newsweekly, Network World, hosts the most active online community, Network World Fusion (http://www.nwfusion.com), and produces educational events and executive forums worldwide. Network World's events products include our Technology Tours, and executive forums such as DEMO®, DEMOmobile®, and VORTEX, as well as the DEMOletter and VORTEX Digest newsletters.

About International Data Group

Network World, Inc. is a division of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (http://www.idg.net), which comprises more than 330 targeted Web sites in 80 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related events worldwide, and IDG's research company, IDC, provides global market intelligence and advice through 51offices in 43 countries worldwide. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.

About SDSC

Founded in 1985, the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) has a long history of enabling science and engineering discoveries. Continuing this legacy into the next generation, SDSC's mission is to "extend the reach" of researchers and educators by serving as a core resource for cyberinfrastructure - providing them with high-end hardware technologies, integrative software technologies, and deep inter-disciplinary expertise. SDSC is an organized research unit of the University of California, San Diego and is primarily funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). With a staff of more than 400 scientists, software developers, and support personnel, SDSC is an international leader in data management, grid computing, biosciences, geosciences, and visualization. For more information, see www.sdsc.edu.

Media contact:

Greg Lund,
SDSC
858-534-8314, greg@sdsc.edu

Ashley Wood,
858-534-8363
awood@sdsc.edu