1. Introduction to the IPM95
2. Contact Information
3. Events & Attractions - A Brief Look
4. Visitor Information
5. Schedule of Events
6. Conestoga Wagon Heritage Trek
7. Souvenirs& Promotions
8. Exhibitor Information
9. Sponsors Page
10. Press Releases

March 22, 1995
GUELPH. Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge businesses can now gain a competitive edge using the information superhighway. INTERNET Storefront Services (INetSS) offers businesses professional and inexpensive access to commerce on the global INTERNET.

INetSS provides local businesses with the means to market and sell their products and services to an estimated 20 to 30 million (and growing) computer users connected to the global computer network known as the INTERNET.

INetSS’ clients will market and sell their products and/or services using electronic storefronts located in a marketplace on the INTERNET. Establishing an electronic storefront is one of the easiest and least expensive ways for businesses to market and sell products/services to the global market, as well as making further inroads in their local market. Electronic storefronts are open around the clock. People from throughout the world can browse through these storefronts at their leisure: viewing pictures of products, reading descriptions of products or services, and requesting more information from the store owner regarding her/his products or services. In addition, customers can order products just as one orders from a catalog. Better still, subscribing businesses benefit from the difference between the Canadian and American dollar. Canadian businesses are in a strategic position on the INTERNET because of the current position of the Canadian dollar relative to the American dollar. American shoppers, who comprise the majority of INTERNET users, can easily cross the border and browse through electronic storefronts without leaving the comfort of their homes. Staking a claim in this INTERNET marketplace is an unprecedented opportunity for local businesses.

INetSS provides consultation and electronic storefront development services to businesses who wish to take advantage of the INTERNET for commerce. In addition, INetSS is constructing an easy to access, graphically rich INTERNET marketplace to house the storefronts of subscribing businesses. “The MarknetPlace” as it will be referred to on the INTERNET, will include special areas for independent and broker listed real estate, local arts and craft artisans, industrial product suppliers, social agencies, political parties, and special interest groups. Additional areas will be created in the MarknetPlace to accommodate new subscribing companies as the need arises.

George Schaffer, Owner of INTERNET Storefront Services

• Owned and operated by George Schaffer, BSc., MSc. BEd.
• George received his BSc. from McMaster University in 1991; his MSc. from the University of Guelph in 1993; and his BEd. from the University of Western Ontario in 1994.
• INetSS was conceived in 1994 and opened its doors to the businesses and organizations of the Technology Triangle and southwestern Ontario in March 1995.
• INetSS provides business and organizations with cost-effective access to the globally accessible Internet. INetSS provides businesses with the means to market and sell their products/services to a growing population of computer users connected to the global network known as the Internet. Clients of INetSS market and sell their products/servcies using electronic storefronts located on the Internet. People throughout the world can browse through these storefronts at their leisure: viewing pictures of products, reading product/service descriptions requesting more information and ordering products just as one orders from a catalogue.
• INetSS owns and operates the MarknetPlace, a collection of resources and storefronts located on the Internet. The Marknetplace is located on the World Wide Web (WWW) of the Internet at: http://www.marknetplace.com/marknet/
• INetSS provides a comprehensive package of services to ensure businesses and organizations succeed in effectively utilizing the vast resources of the global Internet. They include:
  • Needs assessment
  • Internet Marketing and Sales research and development
  • World Wide Web (WWW) page design, publishing and hosting
  • Statistical reporting on usage of storefront by consumers
  • Internet directory registration
  • Internet Connectivity in cooperation with local Internet providers
  • Mailing list setup and management
  • E-mail to Fax lead and information referral
  • Software Training

• The Internet is a "network of networks" encompassing over 25,000 computer networks of varying shapes and sizes. This network of networks is growing (1995) at an estimated rate of 5% per month. It is estimated that 4 new people gain access to the Internet every MINUTE!!!!! Over 30 million people currently use the Internet for business and recreation.
• Angus Reid finds the following in-brief (from an article in the Kitchener Record, June 26, 1995)
  • In May and June 1995, 17% of those surveyed use the Internet; that's approximately 3.4 million adult Canadians.
  • approximately 1.3 million Canadians can access the Internet from home.
  • 74% of those with access to the Internet are Male, predominently 35 years or younger.
  • almost 50% of the respondents had a University degree
  • over 25% earned over $80,000 annually
• Results of the latest Internet consumer survey in-brief (conducted by Professor Sunil Gupta of the university of Michigan Business School in collaboration with Jim Pitkow of the GVU Center's 3rd WWW User Survey).
  • Average age of an Internet user is 35
  • Internet users are highly educated; 67% have a college or professional degree.
  • Internet users have money to spend; the average annual income is $69,000 US.
  • Many Internet users work in education or computer related occupations; 30% of the computer related jobs are managerial, 40% are professionals and staff specialists.
  • Local and National Internet providers accounted for the majority of access provided to Internet users. 75% of those with a management occupation, 67% of professonals and over 50% of users with a computer occupation gained access to the Internet via local and national Internet providers.
  • Reasons for using the Internet; ranking: (1) general browsing of the web, (2) Entertainment, (3) Work Related, (4) Education, (5) Business Research, (6) Academic Research, (7) Shopping.
  • Reference materials and on-line newspapers and magazines are most popular stops with Internet users.
  • Internet users prefer to gather purchase related information through the WWW of the Internet.
  • Internet users expect to increase their spending on the WWW of the Internet by 70% in the next 6 months.