Techvana Expansion, Move and Naming Sponsorship change
Techvana Press
Release
4-May-2016
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Techvana, The Ntec New Zealand
Computer Museum
Expansion, Move and
Naming Sponsorship change
Techvana is entering its next phase of growth that will allow it to cater for bigger events and more exhibition space. It is also leaving its Federal Street premises, the timing of which has been triggered by the conclusion of the Ntec naming sponsorship.
"Ntec has been the best Naming Sponsor we could have hoped for in our first year of operation and we are proud of our achievements at Ntec. Their sponsorship has helped us build a strong foundation for the future," said Techvana CEO Mark Barlow. "Ntec will always remain part of the Techvana family and we look forward to working with them in the future."
The year-long sponsorship included naming rights and the museum’s use of an entire floor in Ntec’s central Auckland campus.
"Both Techvana and Ntec are growing rapidly, and it was not feasible for us to continue the relationship for a further year." said Mark.
"We have been pleased to have Techvana on site for a year" says Dr. Sam Malafeh, CEO of Ntec Tertiary Group. "I understand the pressures of growth and unfortunately we couldn't offer Techvana more space to grow into, as our own growth is also skyrocketing. We look forward to continue our working relationship with Techvana," said DrMalafeh.
"Our plan is
to relocate Techvana into larger premises that will enable
us to expand the Museum's range of activities and provide
more space for our education programmes and workshops." said
Mark. "We are speaking with private landlords, the Auckland
City Council, Motat, schools andeven shopping malls about
options." he adds.
"Our gaming events have been very
successful this year and as a result we are keen to find a
venue that can accommodate a permanent eSports venue with
weekly sponsored competitions and regular leagues." said
Mark. "We would also like to expand our activities with
robots and drones in the coming year."
Techvana is also
developing mobile classroom's to take their collection and
education programmes directly to schools.
"We have had a
number of schools visit in the last 6 months, but the cost
of busing students a class at a time into the city restricts
the number of students who can come, so we are looking to
take an interactive Techvana experience directly to them
instead" said Mark. "They will be designed around a modified
40' shipping container that will be moved to a different
school each week of the school year."
"We are planning to
launch with two in Auckland and then add additional ones for
the other regions as well."
Techvana has also been busy
collecting historical IT artefacts from all over New
Zealand. "Recently we received several incredible donations
including the 1st computer used in the meat industry
globally, a DEC PDP11. This was recovered from a farm shed
in the Hawkes Bay where it has been sitting for 20 years
since the closure of the TomoanaMeat Works."
"Our rapidly
growing collection is world class and has examples from
every era of computing including parts used in the Colossus
code breaking computer that helped bring WW2 to a close, and
now Techvana is bursting out at the seams" said Mark.
"To take Techvana to the next level we need more funding, space and a new naming sponsor to help us." adds Mark.
The
Techvana Journey: Looking Back at 2015…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL2uesiL-t4
Techvana
GiveALittle page…
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/techvana
ENDS