infoTech Niagara, Western New York's IT Association held its 10^th Annual Buffalo/Niagara Emerging Technology Awards (BETA's) on March 24^th at the Buffalo Convention Center.

Over 435 attendees enjoyed an afternoon trade show featuring 50 local IT companies and the awards dinner accompanied by the now famous BETA video skits.

During the trade show attendees took a break to join Buffalo's Mayor Byron Brown  who toured the trade show and joined us for a rally to support Buffalo's bid for the Google High Speed ISP project.  The Mayor spoke about the impact winning this project would have on the region and the spirit of collaboration that was needed to accomplish the completion of Google's RFI.

For the past ten years, the BETA Awards have recognized both individuals and organizations who are the best and brightest in Western New York's tech sector.  "Each year the BETA's have grown which I think is an indication of the strength and innovation in the technology sector here in Buffalo," said Jeffrey Ross, Executive Director of infoTech Niagara.

The 2010 BETA Award winners are:

Executive of the Year - Gunther Kohn - UB School of Dental Medicine

Techie Award - Eli Van Eenwyk - Inergex for work at Praxair      Best Online - clevermethod      

Student Award - Alan Katerinsky - UB                                   Best Success Story - XO Communications

BETA Star - Advantage Home TeleHealth                              Corporate Culture - Shatter IT                                  

Excellence in Giving - Applied Sciences Group

infoTech Niagara is the information technology association for Western New York.  It is a non-profit member funded group which is dedicated to offering networking, professional development and industry awareness to the WNY tech sector.  For more information visit www.infotechniagara.org