The B.C. Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) held its annual technology impact awards last night to recognize ongoing innovation in B.C.’s tech sector.
More than 1,000 people gathered at the new Vancouver Convention Centre building downtown and named Peer 1 Network Enterprises Inc. (TSX:PIX) Company of the Year for its “Ping and People” web hosting mantra.
The Person of the Year award was given to Ward Chapin, the Vancouver Organizing Committee’s former CIO, for overseeing the IT environment that helped support the 2010 Olympic Games.
“Tonight’s winners and finalists reaffirm the diversity of B.C.’s technology sector, delivering cross-cutting innovations that touch all sectors of the economy,” said BCTIA president and CEO Pascal Spothelfer.
Burnaby-based Icron Technologies Corp. (TSX-V:IT) received the Most Promising Pre-Commercial Technology award for its USB over DisplayPort device that integrates multiple USB devices on one monitor.
On the wood products side, Vancouver’s Nexterra Systems Corp. received the Best Application of Technology award for a biomass gasification system it installed at Kruger Products LP’s plant in New Westminster, which reduced reliance on natural gas.
The BCTIA also awarded a combined $11,000 in scholarships to eight B.C. students who are studying business or science technology.