ATLANTA, Feb. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National leaders from Fortune 500 companies, the government, and education will convene for the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) First Quarter Symposium on Thursday, Feb. 5 to Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Westin Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta, Ga.
The three-day symposium, titled "CloseIT; Minding the Gap and Filling the Pipeline" will focus on fostering the career growth of African-American executives through interactive small group forums, panel discussions, networking events, and of course the black-tie awards ceremony.
"Since its inception in 1996, ITSMF has fostered an environment that offers leadership development programs, format mentoring and executive coaching. We are preparing a workforce of diverse, collaborative, innovative business leaders for the technology industry." said Viola Thompson, Executive Director of ITSMF. "This event will bring the 'who's who' from around the country to accomplish these goals."
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III, President of the University of Maryland, who will continue the focus of leaders transforming leaders by celebrating leadership excellence across higher education, business enterprises and the application of technology.
Participants will have the opportunity to extend their network for future collaborations or to seek guidance from seasoned executives as they address issues back home.
Also, there will be a night of recognition and celebration during the symposium's 11th Annual IT Executive Achievement Awards Ceremony.
2015 awardees include:
- Shan Cooper, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics—Marietta
- Dr. Freeman Hrabowski , III, President, University of Maryland
- Kimberly Bryant, Founder & Executive Director, Black Girls CODE
- Frederick M. Lowery, Senior Vice President & President, Laboratory Products, Thermo-Fisher Scientific
- Cindy Kent, President & General Manager, 3M Drug Delivery Systems Division, 3M Corporation
Major corporate partners are Accenture, Atlantis Bahamas Resort, Boeing, Deloitte, Cox Enterprises, Johnson Controls Inc., MillerCoors, PepsiCo., Procter & Gamble, Verizon, Vision It, and World Wide Technology, Inc.
General registration fees for Thursday Networking Reception is $125; Friday Symposium is $475; Awards Ceremony Reception & Dinner is $500; and Saturday's Symposium is $100.
Special discounted rates are available for government, education and not-for-profit sectors.
For more information and tickets to the event, call 480.387.4518 or visit www.itsmfonline.org
About Information Technology Senior Management Forum:
The Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF), formed in 1996, began with a conversation between a few prominent technology executives who found that only 3% percent of Information Technology management roles were being held by African-Americans. Studies suggested that not enough African-Americans were positioned for senior-level Technology positions. This discussion sparked those executives to action as they were compelled to reach, teach and cultivate those aspiring African-American technology professionals. Under the leadership of Carl Williams the 501c(3) organization was founded in Chicago, Illinois and began the work of recruiting those African-Americans who ranked among the Who's Who in technology; as well as those companies and individuals looking to support the mission of the organization. ITSMF, celebrating its 18th year, still remains the only national organization dedicated exclusively to cultivating executive talent among African-American IT professionals.