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Hi everyone! This qualifies as "news", not "rumor." <g> PRESS RELEASE — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barry Sherbeck Phone: 608-276-8244 FAX: 608-276-8266 Madison IICS Chapter is Formed for Multimedia Professionals Madison, WI, February 24, 1995 — The Madison area community of multimedia professionals welcomes the formation of the Madison IICS Chapter (the International Interactive Communications Society), with the first formal meeting scheduled for March 16, 1995. The IICS is the multimedia industry's worldwide professional association, with 34 official chapters, several new chapters-in-formation, and over 5,000 members worldwide. The IICS exists to provide a forum for interactive developers and multimedia specialists to share their experience and knowledge with each other, and to promote the advancement of the interactive industry in their local area. The International Interactive Communications Society was formed in 1983 and incorporated in 1985. It is directed by an elected board of 6 members, representing professionals from all areas of the interactive media disciplines. IICS membership is growing in step with the exponential growth of the interactive media industry, with new chapters being formed almost monthly in North America, Europe, and Asia. Through the IICS, industry professionals benefit from sharing ideas, networking and collaborating together, and demonstrating new technology and project presentations. The shared exploration of new techniques and applications stimulates creativity and encourages new applications of interactive technology. IICS is a non-profit, volunteer organization, with its strength firmly rooted in the willingness of individual members to contribute their energies toward shaping their local chapter into what they want it to be. In addition to professional networking and monthly meetings, several other benefits of IICS include: listing in the IICS Annual Membership Directory and a free copy of the directory; free subscription to the IICS Reporter newsletter covering the interactive industry; discounts to over 30 professional publications, books, hardware, and conferences; development of creative, technical and business skills; notification of interactive employment opportunities; and discounted entry fees for the IICS Summit Awards Program for all interactive media projects. Annual IICS membership fees are as follows: (all new memberships have an additional $10 processing fee); Individual memberships are $75; Student memberships are $40; Executive memberships are $250 for businesses with less than 20 employees, providing membership for 4 individuals; Corporate memberships are $500 per year, providing memberships for 8 individuals. (Additional Executive and Corporate memberships are available on a pro-rated basis.) Membership applications are available by contacting Barry Sherbeck at 608-276-8244. It should be noted that membership fees will increase by approximately 25% beginning May 1, 1995. The first formal Madison Chapter meeting is scheduled for March 16, with refreshments and "networking" beginning at 6:00pm, and the main program running from 6:30-8:00pm. Expct, a major computer training provider in Madison, has graciously offered to host this meeting at their 330 South Whitney Way offices, at the corner of Whitney Way and Mineral Point Road. The first meeting will focus on introductions and orientation to Madison area multimedia activities, as well as discussion and planning of the goals of IICS Madison. The meeting is open to anyone who is interested, and there will be no attendance fee. After the second monthly meeting, there will be an attendance fee of $10 for non-members. For further information, please contact Barry Sherbeck at 608-276-8244 (or email at 71202.3034@compuserve.com). The IICS Executive Office can be contacted at 14657 SW Teal Blvd, Suite 119, Beaverton, OR, 97007, (503-597-4427).