KIRA awards will recognize best and brightest next month (News)

By ALEXANDRA DAVIS
davis.alexandra@dailygleaner.com


The best and brightest of New Brunswick's knowledge industry will be recognized next month at the 12th annual KIRA awards.

The awards began as a way to recognize companies in Fredericton, but have since grown to include companies from around the province.

Nominees are selected in seven different categories, and last week, three finalists in each category were announced.

The awards will take place May 6 at the Delta Fredericton Hotel.

This year, Fredericton-based Radian 6 is a finalist in both the export product and employment growth categories.

David Alston, vice-president of marketing and community for the social media monitoring and engagement platform, said the recognition is appreciated.

"Our focus is on helping our customers, not on winning awards," he said. "But it's always nice to be recognized by your peers in the industry."

He said the KIRA awards allow New Brunswick companies to measure progress from one year to the next, and also see how other organizations in the knowledge industry are doing.

"It's a nice time to reflect on the efforts companies have put in over the past year," Alston said.

"In the high-tech industry, things are often very fast paced. This is a chance to take a look around and see what everyone has been up to."

PQA, a software testing company based out of Fredericton, has been nominated in the award category for Export Services.

Keith McIntosh, CEO of PQA, said the awards are a good chance to raise public awareness about some of the advances in the information technology sector.

"It's a nice event, and of course it's nice to be recognized," he said. "There's a lot of good stuff happening within the industry in the province, and this is a chance to gain some interest and recognition.

"We're nominated against two good companies, Netsphere and Innovatia, but of course we're hoping we'll win."

Colleen Benson, co-chair of the awards, said the event has grown exponentially since it began in 1998.

"This year we've had a record number of nominations," she said. "Every year it gets bigger, as companies in the province realize this is a chance to highlight what they've been doing."

Benson said it's an opportunity for members of the general public to learn more about New Brunswick's knowledge industry and the important developments happening within the province.

"These companies are doing some very interesting things, and bringing great things to the province," she said. "The knowledge industry is really the key to our future; that's where everything's moving.

"Here in New Brunswick we have excellent universities, resources and the advantage of being a bilingual province. It's a natural area to develop, not only today, but for the future."

For information about purchasing tickets for the KIRA awards, contact Wendy Gallant at 444-4686.