Automation Alley to Co-Sponsor Fourth Annual Detroit ITEC Conference, June 20-21 at Novi Expo Center

    PONTIAC, Mich., March 1 Automation Alley, the Midwest's
largest and fastest growing technology cluster, will partner with Imark
Communications, North America's largest producer of information technology
events, to sponsor the Fourth Annual Detroit Information Technology Exposition
& Conference (ITEC).  The conference will be held on June 20-21, 2001 at the
Novi Expo Center.
    The Detroit ITEC is the largest technology event in the region and
attracts more than 4,500 information technology professionals from the area
and unites them with the nation's best technology providers.
    "Automation Alley vigorously supports the development and growth of
technology-based companies and organizations in our region," says Oakland
County Executive and the founder of Automation Alley, L. Brooks Patterson.
"Detroit ITEC is a prime venue to display our members' capabilities and
maximize our region's resources on the national technology landscape."
    The Automation Alley and Imark Communications partnership will provide
immediate and future benefits for both organizations, according to Patterson.
    Additionally, the organizations will jointly produce the First Annual
Automation Alley Awards ceremony on September 7, 2001.  The black-tie event
will honor pioneering leaders in Michigan's business community and showcase
the strength and diversity of companies in the region.
    "Automation Alley has gained a prominent advocate for its efforts to
advance Oakland County's reputation as the technology epicenter of the Midwest
and Imark benefits from its association with a rapidly growing technology
hotbed for cutting edge technology," he said.
    "The ITEC and Automation Alley Awards will be prominent and exciting
events in Michigan's rich business culture," says Imark President and CEO
David Korse.  "Our partnership with Automation Alley firmly establishes our
presence with the leading companies in the Midwest region," he said.
    For further information, check out the ITEC website at http://www.goitec.com or
http://www.automationalley.com .  Elizabeth Utton, Marketing Coordinator, can also be
contacted at 248-858-2104.
    Automation Alley is a consortium of more than 200 high-tech businesses and
organizations in southeastern Michigan, widely recognized as one of the most
industrious and affluent regions in the United States.  Launched in 1998, the
Automation Alley consortium helps member companies gain competitive advantages
in productivity, innovation and growth.  Unlike similar technology clusters
across America, this consortium is the first public/private partnership drive
to develop Automation Alley as one of the country's premier technology
corridors.