For immediate release: October 27, 2017

Students in Red River College’s Business Technology Management (BTM) program will usually describe networking as the communication between computers – but tomorrow, they’ll be making a different kind of connection with Manitoba businesses who can gain new talent to stay innovative and competitive.

Manitoba’s first BTM Talent Mash, presented in partnership with RRC and the Information Technology Association of Canada Talent Division (ITAC Talent), will take place on Saturday, October 28 at RRC’s Roblin Centre in the Exchange District. The day will give students, industry representatives, and RRC staff the opportunity to talk about the BTM program and how graduates can help to bridge the gap between the business and technology functions of an organization. Speakers representing many industries will discuss the roles, skills, and career paths of business analysts and other related professionals in their organizations and also highlight the successes and impacts these they’ve made on the industries that they’re working in.

RRC’s new 28-month BTM diploma program’s first students will graduate in December and this event will be a great opportunity to showcase their skills to potential employers. RRC is the only post-secondary institution in Manitoba to offer a program like this, to support Manitoba’s business and technology sectors.

“The program focuses on hands-on learning and includes a co-op or industry project term so students can apply the business, technology and management skills they’ve learned in a relevant industry-setting,” said Kirk Johnson, Acting Dean of Business and Applied Arts, Hospitality and Culinary Arts. “Our relationship with industry professionals helps ensure that the College remains in step with ever changing industry needs. We want to be sure that we not only preparing our students to be career-ready, but future ready, and to excel upon graduation.”

Industry professionals will also be invited on tours of RRC’s ACE Project Space at the event. This interactive work space connects students, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and/or community organizations, using cutting-edge technology to bring unique ideas to life.

The BTM Talent Mash includes a keynote speaker, panel discussions, and a networking event:

10:00  Welcome and Opening Remarks – Paul Vogt, President and CEO (RRC), Kirk Johnson (RRC), Jan Hall (ITAC Talent), David Jones (RRC) 
10:15  Keynote Address – Loren Cisyk (ISC) and Chair, RRC Board of Governors
11:15  Business Analyst Alumni Panel*

• Mitchell Heintz, Business Analyst – Unionware
• Andrew Liebrecht – Business Analyst, BIRD Construction
• Marta Chukh, Business Analyst, Norima Consulting and Wawanesa Insurance
• Tia Hatch, Senior Business Analyst, National Leasing

12:00  Lunch break
1:00  Industry Panel*

• Ashleigh Lodge, Team Lead Application Development, Neovation
• Kevin Haines, Principal Consultant / Senior Business Systems Analyst, Online Business Systems
• David Hodge, Executive Vice-President and Chief Information Officer, Great West Lifeco Canada
• Alyosha Boldt, Product Coordinator, Skip the Dishes

1:45 – 3:30  Networking session
2:30 and 3:30  Tours of the ACE Project Space at 321 McDermot Avenue 

*All panelist bios are available here

Now in its fifth year, BTM TalentMash events have grown to include five cities across Canada, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg. For more information visit: http://btmtalentmash.ca/manitoba/