UITS, vendors reveal products at TechFest

The University Information Technology Services had its annual TechFest event Wednesday.

Informational Technology companies spent the day talking with students about new technology and innovations, while various vendors including Apple, HP, Symantec, CDW-G and Best Buy set up booths.

Misty Wick, senior communications specialist for UITS, said that she enjoyed students coming to TechFest to learn about IT software. The event, she said, provided students with resources and information about technology and appealed to all kinds of students, including those who might not be familiar with newer software.

“We want students to come out and learn how fun technology is and all that is available to them on campus,” Wick said. “We offer so many services. This is a great way to come and learn about those services.”

Various vendors also said the event was highly beneficial. At the Apple booth, the company showed off new hardware, including the iPad.

TechFest allowed the company to cater to the needs of the students for future merchandising, said Maureen Nachtsheim, inside sales manager for higher education at CDW-G for Illinois and Indiana.

Techfest is not contained to just Bloomington. At various times throughout the year, students at all IU campuses can learn about the school’s tech services and products.

“We hold the event at all eight Indiana University campuses,” Wick said. “The event takes a long time to plan, but it provides students the opportunity to learn more about IT software.”

Techfest is sponsored on campus by the UITS Student IT Ambassadors. Malena Zook, sophomore and ambassador president, said she thinks that students can learn a great deal about their group as well as computer software.

“I actually found out about UITS Student IT Ambassadors through last year’s TechFest,” Zook said. “As a student ambassador, I feel that there are a lot of great technological resources on campus. Techfest is the perfect chance to come and learn with these and interact with technology.”

Students looking for jobs were also recruited at the event. UITS is currently hiring in its Technology Center Consulting department and providing internships in its technology department.

For more information about Techfest and UITS, visit either www.techfest.iu.edu or www.uits.iu.edu.

“The greatest part is free T-shirts, free food and interact with the vendors,” Zook said.