For Immediate Release
July 26, 1999

Barks Sponsors High Tech Speaker Series

Barks Communications is advancing its leadership in the high tech communications training field.

Company President Ed Barks announced the firm's role as one of the sponsors of a speaker series that will bring the nation's leading IT (information technology) experts - many of whom are based in Northern Virginia - to a mass audience.

The six-part "IT Series: Digital Economy of Today and Tomorrow" is presented by the Fairfax County (Virginia) Chamber of Commerce, of which Barks is a member.

"This is one more way we can benefit the region's IT leaders," Barks said. "That's important since Northern Virginia's booming high tech community is one of our prime strategic targets."

"This series offer a tremendous opportunity for regional IT experts to interact with some of the real heavy hitters from the IT world. It also provides a prime networking opportunity for high tech leaders and for those who work with them," he continued. "I'm proud of our partnership with the Fairfax Chamber."

The IT Series kicks off on Thursday, August 26, with an address from Marc Andreessen. "Without question, Mr. Andreessen has been one of the prime forces moving us into the digital economy," Barks explained. "As a co-founder of Netscape and now as CTO of America Online, Inc., he has helped revolutionize the way we all communicate.

"Furthermore, some of the speakers on tap for future programs are equally outstanding," he promised.

Andreessen's remarks will take place on Thursday, August 26, 1999, at the Fairview Park Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia. Registration and a reception begin at 7:30 a.m., with networking and the program to follow from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Registration details are available from the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce at http://www.fccc.org or (703) 749-0400.