Today's gaming industry has come a long way since the days of Pong and Pac Man. The industry remains one of the hottest growing business sectors and sources of employment in Georgia. From 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Gwinnett Technical College Busbee Center, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville will be the onsite host of the Q3 Gwinnett Technology Forum discussion of this multi-million dollar industry.

For $10, participants will hear from panel industry experts such as Asante Bradford with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Tom Minard of the Sports Challenge Network, Dr. John Thacher of Gwinnett Technical College and Chris Rickwood of Rickwood Music.

Topics of discussion for the 90-minute session are expected to include top trends in the industry, the making of gaming friendly communities, the direct effect of digital entertainment on the economy and how Gwinnett is preparing students for this industry.

According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the state is home to more than 60 game companies and currently has more than 2,000 college students enrolled in classes for video game design and development. More than a dozen Georgia colleges and universities offer comprehensive interactive design career paths. Gwinnett Technical College is one of those with associate degree, diploma and certificate options in its Game Development Program. Students enrolled in the program learn concepts of the gaming industry, program design and development, game design, gaming artificial intelligence and gaming physics.

Registration: www.GwinnettTechnologyForum.com.

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